"She is a mixture of Barbie doll and Annabelle! Innocent and cute but also evil, fearless and savage!"
*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.
"So, Peter? What is your internship about?! And where are you staying?, questioned kathleen, she let herself slouch back into the chair, arms crossed over her chest. The cafe was busy and occupied, all the tables were filled, the indistinct chattering and the waiters marching from a table to another made it look over embellished.
"It is actually based on agriculture sector. Projects will primarily deal with the effects of crop insurance and other subsidy programs on production decisions made by farms and the impacts of artificial market power on US domestic and foreign shipping markets", he explained it effortlessly while the girls mouthed a 'oh' as it was a piece of information that was brand new to the girl's knowledge.
"Continue, it is interesting! What else do you do at the internship?", Laura adjusted her spectacles. Peter nodded with a soft smile.
"They also will involve analyzing programs such as all-kind of benefit programs, research and development initiatives", Peter pull out his phone and showed them the pictures of the agricultural industry that he is working as a intern in.
"Wow, this place looks marvelous. It's so geez, you can say", chirped Kathleen. The industry that he was working as a intern looked so attractive and it wasn't like the one used for agricultural activities. The modern architecture attracted the girls and they wondered what it would be like to work as a intern in the next few years.
The girls should also work as a intern before graduation and they were excited to know what it feels like to be a grown-ups. As Kathleen belongs to the school of engineering and architecture she should have the enthusiasm for both the sciences and the arts, and architecture, the requirements to shine in this profession typically consider both artistic ability and mathematical proficiency. But Kathleen joined this course on her dad's compulsion. It wasn't a choice of hers but as days went on, she loved it with all her heart.
"Yes, the architecture of this building was did by Dallas group of architecture. Have you heard about it?", Peter asked the girls and Kathleen's eyes widened in shock.
"Oh my gosh, they are like the top best ones who is known for their professionalism, no wonder that the building looks fabulous", uttered Kathleen in excitement.
"The Dallas group is best in everything they offer, architecture, building and planning. They have been offering courses that are renowned for educating students to imagine, design and construct the streets and buildings of the future.
Did you know that they have the best landscape architect in the world and the previous year, the Dallas group acquired the best urban planner of the year?!", kathleen addressed about the Dallas group and Peter wondered on how could she knew so much about architecture.
"What is urban planning, kath?! I have never heard of it", implied Laura. Before Peter could begin, kathleen started her narration.
"This type of of architecture focuses more on the design of the built environment such as the construction of towns and cities. Essentially, it is the design of urban spaces. In this line of work, we will also consider the impact of the plans on communities actually the people who will be working and living in the area", kathleen explained.
"Peter, have you heard about the recent news that 'The Dallas group' has planned to start up an university for the students who aspire to become the best architect like one among them", affirmed Kathleen.
"Hey, the London metro university is like one of the best university to learn interior designing and architecture. Have you heard of that university, Peter?", she shoot him without giving him a chance to speak. Peter could see her eyes have brightened in the mean time, he understood that she loved to talk about the things that she liked.
"Whoa, it's surprising to find someone who knew architecture so well", he gave her a compliment but this made the girls throw a frown at him.
"What?", he chuckled at the girls. Peter was attractive and had a vivacious personality. He ran his hand through his silky bottle blonde hair. Laura was right, he had a strong American accent and at times his British accent would show off but manages it well.
"I belong to the Howard's University of architecture and engineering", she smirked.
"Oh shit! I'm so sorry. I never knew and I thought you study along with Laura in the school of business", he speaks and his eyes proved that he was telling the truth. Kathleen's mind wondered about EJ on hearing the term school of business but she snapped back to reality and warned her mind to erase him not temporarily but permanently.
"It's okay. So how come you have a American accent?? You study at Britain right?", kathleen questioned him
"My father is a Scottish and my mother is a American, they fell in love during their college days, my mom was doing her freshman year while my dad was at his senior year when they fell in love and later got married and the story continues", he stated with a grin.
"Your parents story sounds like yours. Like You and grace?, teased Laura and Peter smiled shyly.
"So tell me more about your story?", giggled kathleen making him blush a little.
"Oh god, Peter you are blushing", she let out a chortle.
"Come on! I belong to the senior year, treat me like one", he shrugged with a shy smile.
"Fine. Fine. We won't tease you anymore", assured Laura with a giggle.
"So, one out of the trio is missing. Where is she?", enquired Peter.
"Oh, Jay is busy sorting out things with her b o y f r i e n d", exaggerated Laura.
"Whoa, all good with them?", Peter processed the information.
"They will be soon. You know right, college is not as easy as we imagine it to be?!", signed Laura.
"Totally agreed", he nodded.
"Hey, Peter. Say hi to Natalie, grace and all other students from freshman year. I don't know if they remember us but do convey my regards", kathleen smiled.
"Pleasure is mine. Of course they do. And you can stay in touch with grace via Instagram, she is a active user of social media", he told them a way to reach out his friends.
"That's great, but kath is an inactive user, maybe I'll try to reach out to grace.....but have you said anything about me or about our friendship to grace. Because I don't want to cause any problems to your life", Laura said and her words ring through his ears.
"No I haven't yet. She doesn't know but I'll tell her soon", he assured which made Laura wonder if anything was wrong.
"Is everything alright between you guys?", Laura asked out of concern.
"Mmm... hmm, she is angry over the other students for talking nonsense about our relationships and they kinda humiliate her on using my name", he confessed.
"What? That's ridiculous, how can they do that to her? Why can't you do something?", Laura mumbled and Kathleen listened to the conversation without uttering a single word.
"Laura, people will always spread rumors about you, people will cause drama involving you, but the only thing? we have to do is rise above them all and shine like a star. I'm trying to make grace understand the fact of life and of course she does but.....still....", he trailed off and the girls nodded at him as they can get it. They have been going through the same phase of drama in their campus as well.
"Peter, you are right, we really can't stop the rumors from spreading and we can't change people's mind who believe them, all we can do is sit back and laugh at those people who have nothing better to do than talking about us", signed Kathleen.
"One hundred percent right, that's what I thought when I heard people talk about me......about us behind my back", he replied.
"But it doesn't affect me much and nothing would bother me that easily. People are scared of me and they won't talk about me in my presence, it's grace who is the most affected, being a freshman she is going through a lot and the only reason for that was me", he added.
"You sound like the exact version of EJ", Laura looked at him in astonishment. This caught kathleen off guard and she stare at her best friend for bringing up his name in the nicest conversation. She never wanted to think about him ever again.
"Oh, who is he? Laura you haven't told me much about your campus", claimed Peter and Laura nodded.
"Peter, tell me how you fell in love, let's start with when was the first time you made a conversation with her?", kathleen blurted, diverting the topic to grace. She doesn't want to talk about EJ and the people of her campus.
"Trust me, I was the worse boyfriend ever, the first time I made a conversation with her was to ask her in helping me out? And it was shame of me to do that and actually it was... i just thought of it as a excuse......I had to talk to her!", he muttered.
"What was that?", Laura squint her eyes at him.
"We both met in the pathway and I took her to the Cafeteria.....and asked her to.....", he bragged creating some interest in the air.
"And you asked what, for God's sake?", kathleen grunted.
"I requested her to help me convince Natalie to go to a party along with me", he blurted out and the girls scoffed at his actions.
"That's so fucking lame and stupid of you to such a thing", scoffed Laura.
"Yeah, I know right?!..... then it took me so many fucking days to win her trust back again and to tell you guys the part of the truth, I was never into Natalie, I swear", Peter gestured holding his Adam's apple.
"But you actually deserve a kick in the butt for doing something like this", laughed out Laura.
"You know what, she always had that look about her, the look of otherness, of eyes that see things much too far and of thoughts that wander off the edge of the world", Peter said dreamily.
"Arghh, someone is getting romantic and I have got classes to attend for the next few hours. I'm leaving, bye Peter. Catch you up some other time! Laura are you coming?!", kathleen waved a bye to Peter and decided to leave immediately as she was running late to the class.
"If you wanna catch up, you have to fly continents to do that", he chuckled.
"What?"
"He is flying back to Britain today and we'll catch up later, kath. I will stay with Peter for now", Laura decided to spend some time with her new friend who is about to fly back to his country in a hour or so.
"Okay then have a safe journey man", she shook hands with Peter before leaving the Cafeteria.
..................
"Shit, shit...run ...run", kathleen mumbled to herself and ran on the open green meadow to reach her class. The sun was bright and the breeze made it difficult for her to run forward. She took out her phone and gasped on witnessing the time. She was late, late by 10 minutes.
Out of the blue, she collides with someone and they fall onto the ground together.
"Ouch.... I'm sorry", she mumbled and rubs her hand getting up from the ground.
"Ahmmm I'm the one who should be apologizing", the deep male voice replied and she looked at him. She hasn't seen him before on campus. He was tall, she guessed he would be around 6'9 and he had the devil may care outlook, his perfectly sculptured face made her tremble. His defined cheekbones and concetre jaw made him look smoking hot. He had smooth, silky sun streaked hair that was neatly combed over. Kathleen looked at him wide eyed in awe.
"Hey, myself Nathaniel, Nathaniel forrest", he put forth his hand for a shake. Kathleen's mouth dropped to the floor when he smiled, his smile revealed his perfectly aligned teeth, kathleen thought him as a male model and no one could deny his charm.
...................
Hey guys! Maybe you all are wondering about Nathaniel forrest I guess and yes he is the plot changer for the story. Read the next chapters to know what happens.