Purity
Chapter 2
There seemed to be something so daunting about the towering building that stood before me. Ezra was running late because he'd slept at a friends that night and didn't have a car. He begged me to wait, insisting we had to walk in together due to that fact that we had an American literature class together in about 20 minutes. I wasn't complaining, it gave me an excuse to delay the inevitable, however it felt like the longer I stood here the larger the concrete tower became. I wasn't entirely sure why I was so nervous, I'd prepared for this day for weeks.
My train of thought was abruptly broken by a shoulder harshly shoving me to the side. I jumped in shock at the rude gesture. The owner of the annoying shoulder had no such shock or remorse ,not looking back what so ever.
“Ass wipe,” I cussed under my breath, brushing myself off, just in time to see Ezra rush across the street with a large book bag and a flustered expression.
“Oh my god, I'm so sorry. The stupid bus dropped me off a block away.” He puffed as he reached me.
“Its fine, we've still go ten minutes.” I laughed, patting his back. I'd scanned the map a thousand times so I had a good idea about where our first lecture was. Ezra snapped back to his chirpy self that I had some how already gotten used to in the small frame of time I had known him.
“I hope you know where we're going cause I lost my map the day it was sent” He shrugged. I nodded eagerly and began to lead the way, taking my first steps into a whole other world. The campus was full of eager freshman, scurrying around like ants in the rain. You then could clearly tell the difference between them and the older more experienced students. They walked with a certain confidence, clearly enhanced by the superior feeling they were all getting from watching the first years flustered faces. I had presumed this would be nothing like high school. A clear mistake.
There was no trouble finding our room. I was silently proud at both mine and Ezra's ability to play it cool. The classroom resembled a padded cell. Everything was a sickly old white, bar the carpet which was an odd shade of purple. Not many people occupied the seats yet. Ezra tugged me towards the back row. I had no reason to object so I slid next to him on the edge of the row. “This is exciting isn't it!” He whispered a squeal, clapping his hands. I shook my head laughing,
“How did I not guess you were gay,” Ezra playfully scowled punching my arm lightly.
“Oi I can be very manly,” He growled in the lowest voice he could muster. A giggle escaped my lips and he couldn't hold a straight face for much longer either. We quickly stopped as a loud group of guys came stumbling in just as the professor walked to the front. I recognised one of them as the guy who football barged me earlier. He was very handsome with his sandy blonde hair and chocolate coloured eyes that were only slightly lighter then mine. His plain black T-shirt wrapping around his muscular shape perfectly. He walked with a slight strut that I had witnessed earlier that screamed arrogant but I couldn't help but find it very attractive. He caught my stare and winked cheekily. I blushed , quickly tearing my eyes away. Ezra smirked at me raising an eyebrow. I shrugged, turning my attention towards the teacher. I made a pledge that when I got here that getting caught up in some sort of relationship was a big no. I had a bit of a reputation in LA that I wasn't fond of keeping. However as I found my eye line constantly slipping from the teacher to the attractive ass wipe it became more of an appealing idea to drag him into a bathroom and screw him like a drill. Sex didn't count if it wasn't a relationship right?
“Rose Benson?” A harsh voice called from the front of the room. I looked up to the professor reading from an obvious class list. I raised my hand a bit so he could find me. “ah yes, Rose as a freshman you can answer the recap question.” The old man pushed his glasses up with his two fingers. His eyes shooting daggers towards me. “For which work is James Baldwin most noted for?” He questioned, raising one thick grey caterpillar. I was thankful at that moment for my advanced English course in high school. I fixed my posture so I could answer this clearly. I wanted to show this teacher up because he clearly presumed by the way he was looking at me that I was stupid.
“Go tell it on the mountain, sir. The coming of age novel is considered one of the best in American fiction.” I couldn't help but smirk at the slightly pissed of teacher. I wasn't entirely sure what his problem was, but I wasn't fussed on finding out. The class ended with another welcome to the freshmen and then a hasty dismissal.
As soon as we were out the door Ezra burst out into a squeal, earning a few stares including one particularly humoured short boy covered in tattoos.
“Oh my god, you so showed that professor up.” He laughed hitting me playfully. I rolled my eyes at him, checking my timetable.
“I only have one class left and that's in an hour and a half. Are you to manly for coffee?”I questioned smirking slightly. It was Ezra's turn to roll his eyes.
“I've got some writers society thing on in an hour ,so yeah sure” He agreed.
There was a conveniently placed Starbucks just across the road, from the front of the university. An apparently common hang out for uni kids. We both hurried our way over to the green goddess, eager for the hot liquid. I had only recently acquired the taste for coffee in senior year. The distaste for energy drinks and the need to finish assignments drew me to it. That and you couldn't really turn a corner in LA and not be confronted by one.
Ezra offered to shout so I ordered my usual Hazelnut Latte and he ordered some extravagant drink I'd never been brave enough to try. While he was ordering I found my way to a bench near the window. It wasn't to busy that day surprisingly. In turn that meant the coffee was really quick to make and Ezra almost shocked me, he came back so quick.
“Thanks,” I smiled warmly, as he handed me the warm take away cup.
“All good. It'll be your turn next time.” he winked, sitting down beside me. We sat in comfortable silence for a while. I never enjoyed talking all that much, I liked to observe what's going on around me. It was nice; even though I didn't know Ezra all that well, we both were more than comfortable just to sit.
“I managed to buy a house in the ghetto,” I sarcastically pat myself on the back. Ezra looked at me questioningly.
“George street?” I gave him a knowing look and he just shook his head. “I was curious as to how you afforded to buy a house.” Ezra rolled his eyes, obviously aware of the sketchy neighbourhood. I scoffed, not really comfortable mentioning the money from my mother.
“So, are you staying on campus, or Frat house?” I asked diverting the conversation off myself. Ezra laughed without humour.
“Do I look like a Frat guy to you?” I understood what he meant. Judging from the attractive ass hole in American literature, Ezra would be eaten alive.
The time crawled up on us quickly. Suddenly an hour was up and I was watching Ezra run across the street. I had yoga in half an hour so I decided to linger a little longer, enjoying the inviting atmosphere.
“Come on please don't quit Jesse, I need someone else working while I'm at Uni!” a desperate plea came from across the table, as a young boy sat on a bright red stool. I diverted my eyes, not wanting to intrude.
“Fine, whatever Jess. Thanks for screwing me over.” The boy snapped. I snuck a peek towards him as he placed his phone on the table. He looked around my age so I was guessing freshman but couldn't be sure. His hair was a dark brown that looked almost black in the dim light, slightly swept up as if it was outgrown from its original cut. His jaw line was so sharp you could probably cut glass on it. He seemed to be wearing a thin line of eye liner, framing his chocolate eyes rather well.
“Is everything okay?” I asked, flashing a friendly smile. I was trying to fulfil my pledge on making more friends. The boy was startled by my sudden question, obviously in his own little world. He seemed to scan me over as if he were deciding whether or not to talk to me.
“Yeah, sorry about that.” He blushed slightly, flashing a small half smile.
“It's fine, I'm Rose by the way.” I reached my hand across the table, causing the chocolate eyed boy to laugh, taking my hand and kissing it softly. I felt the blood rush to my cheeks.
“Pleasure to meet you Rose. I'm Mikey” He winked, making me laugh.
“Such a gentleman.” I teased. “So what brings you to NYU Mikey?”
“It sounds stupid, but mostly so I could share a place with my older brother.” Mikey shrugged “Cheaper rent,” I nodded in understanding. If I had the option I'd certainly take it.
“What's your major?” I questioned, enjoying the casual conversation. Mikey seemed unaffected by the roll of questions.
“Music, but I just started so I might change to something like film.” He grinned excitedly. “What's yours”
“Visual arts,” I shrugged “But I'm just starting as well so...” I trailed off, mildly uncomfortable talking about myself. Mikey didn't seem to notice.
“Oh cool! My brother majors in art too.” He smiled “He's the silent brooding type,” I laughed despite myself at the odd description. Suddenly I glanced at my silver watch realising I only had 10 minutes till class.
“I'm sorry but I've got class. Wanna swap numbers?” I asked, gathering my back together.
“Oh yeah sure,” He agreed, startled by my urgency to leave. I slid my phone across the table swiftly.
“I'll text you as soon as I finish class so you've got mine.” Mikey nodded sliding my phone back.
“It was cool meeting you Rose,” He smiled, looking down at his feet.
“You too Mikey,” I called, rushing out the door.
By the time I got to yoga only a few people were still getting changed. I made a point not to look anyone in the eye. The few girls that were in the change room were incidentally all model types, which did wonders for my self-esteem. I swiftly changed into my black yoga pants and an over-sized Joy Division top, throwing my honey coloured hair into a mess on the top of my head.
The yoga room was surprisingly small, yet managed to fit roughly 20 people in it. I comfortably took a mat to the back of the class. My confidence in yoga was not nearly high enough to go to the front. Because of the spot I'd chosen in the corner I was reasonably out of sight, bar the flame haired girl to my left and the rather large book case full of books on yoga to my right. It astounded me the sheer amount of yoga books that existed. I was confident in saying they were all in this room.
As I was pointlessly distracted by a women on the cover of a book who had managed to fold herself into a perfect pretzel shape, I didn't see the instructor come in. Needless to say I jumped out of my skin when she began to play rather loud sounds of the forest.
“Welcome class to basic yoga,” The woman sounded as if she was stoned. She wore a bright orange mu-mu that was probably big enough to fit the whole class inside. Her long grey hair was plated neatly, almost touching the floor. “Lets begin with some stretches, everyone get on your knees” she instructed.
“Jeez, aren't you going to ask me on a date first,” The flame haired girl beside me mumbled. I let out a small laugh. The girl looked at me and blushed, not expecting anyone to hear the comment.
“Now arch your back into an angry cat position.” I was astounded by the names of the poses. What she was doing resemble more of an old woman with a broken back then an angry cat.
“Looks more like the golden gate bridge to me,” I heard the girl mumble,
“I was guessing more lost glasses position” I whispered back, not being able to help myself. She let out a laugh just loud enough for the entire room to hear and turn their heads. The Instructor raised one of the fury grey caterpillars that rested above her eyes, ever so slightly.
“Is there a problem young lady?” she asked in a rather patronising tone. The girls face began to turn a similar shade to her hair.
“No ma'am” she mumbled. I held in my laughter with all my strength.
“Okay then, lets continue” The old woman began again. I shuffled my mat slightly closer to hers.
“Sorry about that one,” I whispered. I did feel terrible for getting her in trouble, it was just funny.
“No worries, she's a bloody twit though,” she said in a rather thick irish accent. I was surprised I hadn't noticed it early. “I'm Mel by the way,” she held her hand out to me. I don't think I'd ever shook so many peoples hands in one day. Regardless I placed mine hand in her dainty French manicured one.
“Rose.” I grunted, beginning to attempt some kind of exorcist position the instructor somehow managed to form effortlessly.
I had never been so social in my life. Back in high school I had a few friend here and there, Blu being the only one I ever felt comfortable getting close to, and even then I'd never really opened up to her about anything. That was a rather rare occurrence in LA. People threw around stories of their past like it was dinner conversation. The fact that my history had been kept private was a practically unheard of achievement.
Mel and I bantered like this for the remainder of the class, occasionally getting caught (although mostly Mel). By the end we had developed the nickname 'Old Lizard shi fu' for the instructor for reasons unknown. It wasn't that catchy.
“My friend Ezra and I are making it a bit of a ritual to get a coffee every morning, to catch up and crap. You're welcome to join, I mean it'd be cool to have more of a morning crew.” I offered slipping out of my yoga pants and into a rather tight pair of black skinny jeans that’s had rips at the knees. Mel began to speak but it was muffled by her T-shirt as she pulled it over her head. I raised an eyebrow. Mel laughed
“I said, sound good. I'm digging the literal breakfast club thing.” I grinned at her description. Mel was nothing like the girls in LA and yet by her appearance you wouldn't think that was the case.
“Great, well I'll text you tomorrow morning then.” Mel nodded in agreement, rushing off to a psychology class she happened to be 5 minutes late for. I searched through my small duffel bag for my batman muscle tee, not in any particular rush. All I planned to do when I got home was buy furniture online and search for an art supply store. Prior to yoga my back had a rather constant ache as a result of an incredibly uncomfortable sleeping bag, so I was eager to fix that asap.
On the quest to find my clean shirt, my eyes come across my phone and I'm instantly reminded that I told Mikey I'd text him my number. Flicking my phone on I'm greeted with a photo from a few days before I left of Blu and I on the beach. I made a mental reminder to call her at some point. As much as we were close, I felt the need to start a fresh and she was now burdened with being a constant reminder of back home. I decided at that moment I was no longer Thorn from LA, I was Rose from New York. It felt nice to have a new start.
I easily found Mikeys contact in my phone and tapped out a message
Mikey:) - Hello, its the girl from Starbucks that you kissed on the hand. This is my number :)
I got a reply almost instantly to my surprise.
Rose<3 – Hey, your hand tasted very nice don't worry. Are you still on campus? I was wondering if I could ask you a favour?
My brow furrowed, curious as to what he wanted.
Mikey:)- Yeah was just about to leave. Meet at the main gate?
Rose<3 – I'll race you ;)
I laughed at his challenge, but still began to rush towards the entrance. By the time I got there though he was already casually leaning against a pole waiting for me.
“Hey, what's up?” I grinned as he caught my eye.
“Hey, look I wouldn't normally ask a relative stranger but I'm desperate, I was wondering if you wanted to work at a music store on George avenue?” Mikey rushed out all at once. I was astounded I managed to understand him. But his offer came at the perfect time none the less.
“Yeah sure, why not.” I agreed, flashing a small smile. His eyes lit up, and next thing I know hes got his arms around me in a bear hug.
Notes
Song for this chapter is
My Friends and I - Robin Lynch
