Chapter 10

**Winter**

Sofia came back after not too long. I had been lucky and had been in the building where her art locker was. We were lucky we were about the same size. It wasn’t much just a T-shirt dress and some leggings, but it was something to wear. I had expected something a bit more stylish, but she assured me she doesn’t always dress as she does.

“I normally am a little more laid back. I had some important meetings though today for an internship, so I had to look a little bit better.”

“Oh, how did those go?” I asked as I took one of her brushes through my hair. I was interested in how someone’s normal life was going.

“It went well,” she said with a smile. “I hear from them in a week if I got it. I am sure I did though. My brother works in IT for the company and they have been dying for a good graphic design intern.”

“Is that your major? Graphic design?” I asked.

She nodded. “Yes, I love art and it is one of the best ways to make money doing art. I still paint on the side. It won’t make me much money though, but it’s something I enjoy.”

I smiled. “It’s good you have something you enjoy. I know painting can be a good outlet.”

“What’s your major?” She asked.

“I am a psychology major. I want to work in psych hospitals or something like that. I really want to help people when they are at their worst.”

“That’s very noble of you,” she smiled at me.

I handed her hairbrush back to her. I wasn’t sure how much of my past I wanted to dig into with a new friend on why I picked that job. She might run from me. There were some things I was lucky people in Everlasting never learned about me. “I know a little bit about what it’s like, so I want to help.”

She nodded not really digging in further. I was thankful for that. “That’s really great of you. We need more people like you.”

“Yeah, sadly I don’t have a cool hobby like you. I don’t really paint. I have always been bad at art.”

“You have to have something. Everyone has something. What do you like to do in your spare time?”

“I love to read. I have been into a lot of fantasy books, but lately, it's been mostly romance.” I admitted kind of embarrassed. I knew there was a small stigma around romance novels. Especially the ones I liked to read.

“I love romance novels. You are going to have to recommend some to me sometime. I have been in a bit of a slump.”

I nodded. “Of course, I would love to. I have found some great books lately. I mean depending on what you are into. I just need a happy ever after.”

“Same,” She nodded. There was a pause before she spoke again. “So, what class do you have?” She asked.

“A mandatory class, sadly. Composition.” I groaned. If there was one thing I was bad at. It was writing. Especially papers and this was a class that was just full of it. I would never understand the classes that they make you take. Though, I would probably have to write papers for classes as I moved up later. So, I guess they had a point. I still didn’t like it.

Her smile got bigger. “Me too, let’s head there together. I can show you the way to the English Building. It’s not too far.”

I knew it couldn’t be. Everlasting campus was about two blocks long. It wasn’t very big, but I was still glad to have her show me the way. She took my arm as we walked out of the bathroom and towards the English building. She was right and it wasn’t far from where we were. It was the next building over.

When we got there, the class was already full of people. Everyone had a chair and there weren’t two open together, so we had to separate. Sofia moved to the front of the class and I sat in the seat behind her next to this guy. He smiled at me as I sat down. I smiled back at him.

“Hi,” he said. “My name is Nev.”

“Winter,” I said back. “Nice to meet you.”

“Like the season?” I nodded. “That’s an interesting name.”

“Thank you. It’s my mother’s favorite season, so she named me after it.”

He nodded. “That’s cool. I wish my mom had named me something cool. I just have Nev which makes everyone think of that guy from Catfish.”

“Oh yeah, I know that show.”

He laughed. “Who doesn’t? It’s a good show.”

We talked for a little bit longer like that for a bit. Sofia even turned around and joined in. For once, I actually felt normal. This was something that rarely if ever happened in high school. I never had. I never just had kids to talk to before class. I mostly spent most of my time before class reading or getting ready for class. No one would really talk to me. I was always an outcast since I moved to Everlasting. I was glad this time was different. Maybe things could actually be okay. I quickly forgot what had happened in the alleyway and started to just enjoy my time at college. It was so easy to relax around Sofia. Even Nev was easy to let some walls down. He seemed like a nice guy. Both Sofia and him had moved to Everlasting to go to college. They knew nothing of my life before.

Silence suddenly fell around the room. I turned to see what caused everyone to be quiet and I noticed who it was. Cyrus. I gulped softly. He walked to the seat behind me and knocked the guy's book off the table. The guy ran off to go catch it, leaving his seat open for Cyrus to sit in. He did not leave eye contact with me. He just looked at me.

I finally broke it looking back at Nev and Sofia. I was going to try and put our conversation back, but the moment was over. The moment of being normal was over. Thanks to Cyrus.