Ivy

I put my books in the locker, making a mental note to ask for notes from yesterday’s lectures from Lia. She’s a nice girl; I hope she won’t refuse. She’s the best student in our class and she always helps me when I can’t attend classes by giving me her notes.

I wouldn’t go as far as calling her my friend, but I wish I could. She’s an amazing girl. Smart, strong, compassionate and beautiful. Not to mention, confident.

I wish I had such confidence, but… I don’t, unfortunately. I’ve been a pushover my whole life; people walk over me like it’s nothing. I know I should change it, but how? How do I get over years of conditioning that my parents put me through? How do I stop being a goody-two-shoes all of a sudden?

My parents molded me into this perfect little lady that listens to their all commands, doesn’t have her own mind and would never say ‘no’ to them.

And it's all because I'm a politician’s daughter.

I don't have a choice in anything. I can’t even wear t-shirts or pants, having only dresses and skirts in my wardrobe, per my mother’s order. I can’t even choose my own clothes. I’m so pathetic.

Being done with all my classes for today, I adjust the bag on my shoulder and walk out of the building, glancing longingly at all the groups and couples around me. I wish I could have someone, but my dad’s orders were clear: no boys. I’m supposed to get married to Jake, my father’s friend’s son.

I hate the guy, but I can’t go against my dad’s wishes. He always reminded me to be careful about what I do because it can hurt his reputation. To him, his career is more important than me and my happiness, but I’m used to it now. I’ve been dealing with this my whole life.

I catch sight of Lia, Blake and some guys from the football team in the parking lot. They’re chatting happily, with Blake hugging Lia from behind. They look so… in love. I’d never admit it, but I’m jealous of them. They are so enamored with each other and they’re not afraid to show it. Their constant displays of affection are really cute and it makes me want something like that. I’m already twenty years old but I haven’t even had my first kiss yet.

“Ivy, hey!” Lia is the first to notice me, getting all the guys’ attention on me. It’s so intimidating!

“H-Hi. I didn’t mean to disturb you…” I trail off unsurely, slightly scared of all the stares I’m getting.

“You’re not disturbing us.” Lia chuckles as Blake puts his chin on her head.

“Oh, um… – I adjust my bag out of nervousness – I just wanted to ask you something.” I quietly say.

“Go ahead.” Lia nods encouragingly, waiting for me to speak.

“Um… Would you mind lending me notes from yesterday?” I frown worriedly as soon as the words leave my mouth. Despite having talked to Lia quite a few times, the guys around her are scaring me to the point of stuttering pathetically.

“Sure. I’ll send them to you later, okay?” Lia smiles gently at me, making me feel more at ease.

“Thank you.” I smile gratefully at her.

“No problem.”

“Aren’t you going to introduce us to your gorgeous friend?” One of the guys teases. At least I think he’s teasing. He’s really handsome with his dark short hair and piercing blue eyes, but I don’t dare do more than glance at him. He’s so big and muscled that, if he wanted, he could break me in half. My measly 5’1” has always been a source of my complexes and him being over 6 feet tall does nothing but intimidate me.

“No. – Lia smirks mockingly – She’s way out of your league.” I actually blush at her words, which causes her to grin at me.

“Oh come on. – The guy groans before turning to me – What’s your name, beautiful?”

“Simon, back off. – Lia warns – She’s not a plaything.” I whip my head to her, absolutely flabbergasted. Plaything?!

The guy, whose name is apparently Simon, raises his hands in surrender, seemingly scared of Lia. I understand his reaction, though. She can be scary when she wants to be. I saw her argue with a girl called Cassie once and I think I’m scarred for life. I’ve never seen someone, especially a girl, so angry, so harsh and so… violent. She almost beat up the girl, threatening her with a string of curses that even a sailor would be jealous of.

“Um… I think I’ll go now. Have a nice day.” I hesitantly speak, tucking my hair behind my ear.

“Thanks. You, too.” Lia smiles warmly, waving at me as I walk away.

I go slowly to the dorm, dreading the moment my roommate comes back, unless she's already there. She’s a real party girl and often brings some guys with her, not even minding me. I had to get earplugs to mute the sounds of her having… intercourse with her companions. How can she be so bold?! Does she not have any shame, at least in front of me?

Ally is also extremely nosy and sometimes rude. More than once, she asked me something extremely personal or made fun of me for being a ‘prude’. It hurts, but I don’t say anything. When I came here to study, I wished I could be friends with my roommate, but I don’t see it happening with someone like Ally. She’s way too… wild for me.

I open the door of my room, only to be met with the sight of Ally and some guy engaged in a heavy make-out session. Oh god, let the ground swallow me now.

I don’t say anything, trying to not disturb them, and lay my bag and books on the desk near my bed. I do my best to remain quiet, already thinking about where to go to avoid listening to Ally and her ‘friend’s’ activities. Without as much as a greeting, I go to the adjoined bathroom and change my clothes, putting on a flowy peach-colored sundress that reaches my knees, a beige jacket and flats. That’s the one thing I managed to negotiate with my mother – not wearing high heels all the time.

It’s quite cold today, so I put on a coat before leaving the room. Ally and her ‘flavor of the week’ as some people call it don’t even notice me. I know I’m pretty much invisible at the campus, but I didn’t know it was to this extent.

I roam around the city for a while, not really having any destination to go to. I visit a few stores, but nothing catches my attention, then I go to a restaurant for dinner. I know I look pitiful, sitting alone at a table, but it’s not the first time it happens. I’m used to it.

As I’m eating the overpriced salad I hear my name being called from behind me. I turn my head around, only to be greeted with Lia and Blake’s smiling faces.

“Hey, Ivy.” Lia gives me a small wave, tucked into Blake’s side with his arm around her waist.

“Hi.” I wave back shyly.

“Mind if we join?” Blake gestures at the empty seats in front of me.

“No, it’s okay.” I watch as Blake pulls out the chair for Lia then sits down next to her, immediately grasping her hand and placing their joined hands on his thigh under the table.

After few moments the waiter comes to our table and gives the couple their menus and water, saying he’ll come back in a few minutes to take their order.

“So, what’s up? Why are you here alone?” Blake suddenly asks which earns him a slap on the arm from Lia as she scowls at him.

“Blake!” She scolds then turns to me. “Don’t mind him.” She gives me a smile.

“It’s okay. I just… I couldn’t stay in my room. My roommate has a… guest.” I scrunch my brows when I think of Ally.

Lia seems to get what I mean, nodding in understanding. “Oh… Couldn’t she go to that ‘guest’s’ room? Why throw you out?” She frowns in confusion.

“She didn’t exactly ‘throw me out’. I left on my own. They didn’t even notice me.” I force a chuckle, but even to me it’s humorless.

“Damn. What a bitch. – I almost choke at the sudden curse, gaping at Lia with wide eyes – I mean, you have as much right to that room as she does. She should respect that.” Lia grumbles in annoyance.

“I don’t want a conflict with her. We live together, so it wouldn’t be smart to have her as an enemy.” I tell her quietly, picking at my salad distractedly.

“But still, she’s not the only one living there. Who is she actually?” Blake raises hiw brow questioningly, looking slightly scary.

“Um… - I pause, taken aback by the sudden interest – Her name is Ally. Ally Stevens.” I watch stunned as a harsh scowl appears on both Lia’s and Blake’s faces.

“Ally? – Lia asks and I nod in confirmation – That fucking skank!” My eyes almost pop out of their sockets at the harshness in Lia’s voice.

“Wow! I did not expect that.” Blake exhales, seemingly shocked.

“I don’t get it. Do you know her?” I ask, slightly apprehensive of their reaction.

“Oh yes, we do. She dated Simon for a while then decided it would be a smart idea to provoke me by pretending to have sex with my man, supposedly to get back at me. She actually cheated on her boyfriend while he was nearby, only to get revenge for some stupid shit.” Lia shakes her head incredulously and I stare at her, absolutely dumbstruck. I had no idea! And isn’t Simon that handsome guy from earlier?

“Really?! – I exclaim in shock, blushing when I notice some people give me dirty looks – I didn’t know she had a boyfriend! She always brings someone to our room!” I add, still stunned. I seriously didn’t think Ally could be this cheap.

“Oh, damn. Thank god they broke up already. – Blake groans, leaning back in his chair – She really played us all good with her innocent act. I’d never suspect this.”

“I wouldn’t either. So maybe it was for the better that she showed her true colors before Simon got too attached.” Lia adds with a frown, shaking her head.

“I guess. – Blake shrugs – So, Ivy, you’re roomies with Ally, huh?” Suddenly his gaze turns mischievous.

“Blake, what’re you thinking about?” Lia smirks evilly at him.

“If she’s a cheating bitch who bothers even her roommate with her affairs, then I think she deserves a punishment.” Blake grins.

Lia’s grin gets wider, as if she already knows what her boyfriend is thinking. “I agree.”

“What are you guys thinking about? What punishment?” I implore, slightly scared of them.

“Don’t you worry, Ivy. She won’t know what hit her.”

“You’re going to hit her?!” I whisper-yell, gaping at Lia.

“No, no. – Lia laughs – But she can’t just go unpunished for bothering you, can she?” She tilts her head, as if daring me to disagree.

“But what if she thinks it’s me and gets back at me?” I’m really scared of Ally. She has a lot of friends and I don’t.

“Hm… I guess I’ll have to be discreet. But it’s doable.” Lia nods to herself, while Blake watches her with amusement. I think he’s not surprised to see her like this.

“Baby, do you really want to get involved?” He quietly asks her, but I still catch it.

“Why not? Ivy’s nice and she’s a friend. And Ally’s a bitch. She cheated on Simon, pretended to have sex with you, tried to blame me for her break-up then threatened to make me pay for it. I wish I could just bitch-slap her.”

“You think of me as a friend?” I ask in disbelief.

“Yeah.” She shrugs casually. Does she even realize how much it means to me to hear that she thinks of me as a friend?

My first friend.