Untamed

Fate

I didn’t know what to expect on my first day. It’s hard to admit out loud that I was a bit nervous. It felt like I was rehearsing for a spot for Martha Graham’s modern dancing institute and I am not even a modern dancer.

We started to make our way together to the University and went our separate ways when we reached the building. I was making my way over to the lecture hall when a familiar face caught my attention. He was as lay-back as what he was at the beach.

He was also walking up to the same room and hasn’t noticed me yet. What was he even doing here? He wasn’t at yesterday’s orientation.

He raised his head as if he heard my thoughts when placed his hand on the door handle to pull it open. A smile immediately made its way on his lips when our eyes met.

“Well, this day just gets getting better.” He said, releasing the door handle. “This is definitely fate, sugar and you can’t even argue with that.” He added. Giving me a knowing look.

“Still going with fate? I would say it’s getting close to stalking.” He chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.

“To class?” He then asked, unbothered by the other students who were impatiently shoving past him to get inside.

I pulled up my shoulders. “Maybe? I don’t know how far you would take things.” Another chuckle.

“Sorry to burst your bubble, sugar but I actually go here. Have been for the last two years. If anyone is the stalker, that would be you.” He had the nerve to wink at me.

“That’s what you meant when you said that you will definitely see me around and it explains that you knew where to drop me off,” I noted.

“Surprised?” He asked.

“I didn’t see you at orientation,” I noted.

“I have other things to do than attend some boring orientation.”

“I didn’t know we can skip the orientation?” He chuckled.

“It’s not compulsory and you can’t really get into trouble. It’s a day to introduce you to your professors and show you around campus so you don’t get lost on your first day. It’s basically a day for social butterflies to go out there and make new friends.” I stifled a grin.

“It’s not really your scene?” Neither was it mine but heck, I put in the effort to come out anyways. That’s how serious I was about turning my life around.

“You are catching on.” He winked at me and then pulled the door open.

He then gestured for me to enter first. “Don’t want to get you in trouble on your first day.” He said and I controlled the urge to roll my eyes.

I was far from being a good and innocent girl.

I came to an abrupt halt when I found girls practically drooling at the sight of Travis. My first impression of entering the lecture hall was: Am I in the right room? I started to wonder if I didn’t stumble into a room of Travis’ fan club.

I would have considered this the wrong room if it wasn’t for the professor standing in front of the whiteboard. Acknowledging everyone.

I searched for an open seat while Travis was greeting a few of his friends. Thinking that he was probably going to sit with them but to my utter amazement. He took the seat right next to me.

“How’s the hip by the way?” He seemed unfazed with all the strong s****l desired looks he was receiving while I felt them glaring holes through the back of my skull.

I haven’t actually thought about my hip since we met. “I survived, didn’t I?” His smile just got bigger.

I then focused all of my attention on the professor who was explaining his grading style, expectations and objectives for the course. While trying to ignore their looks and the handsome devil sitting beside me who kept smiling at me whenever our eyes met.

Travis took his sweet time to get up from his seat when the professor called it a day and all I wanted is to get out of here because I had no desire to stick around and I was starving.

“What’s the rush, sugar?” He asked, laughing quietly. As if he was messing with me.

“You do realize that I am not shy to climb over a seat to get out, right?” I gestured to the rows of seats in front of us.

He arched an eyebrow as if he was daring me to do it. Almost as if he thought that I wouldn’t do it. “Okay,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. I started by lifting my leg over the seat when he stopped me. “Okay-okay. Whoa.”

He then laughed. “You’ve made your point.” He finally stepped aside.

I pushed myself up and stood in front of him, unshrinking. Our chests barely touched. “I’m not a game and if you so much think that I am like those girls who are drooling at the mere image of you. You are so wrong. I am not a girl you want to be meddling with.” I looked him straight in the eyes when I spoke.

I’ve had a tough childhood where I messed up big time and I am like poison. I destroy everything I touch. I break hearts because of my inability to love and trust. He seems like an easy-going guy who doesn’t take things too seriously and maybe he can be nice but I am not going to let my dark past destroy him.

“Who said I am playing a game? Maybe I just like rattling your cage.” I just looked at him, unable to figure him out. His eyes were an open book but yet, I learned nothing. He wasn’t like any other guy I’ve met in my life but that’s when I figured that maybe I found him interesting and it can explain why my body was attracted to him.

Our conversation ended when his friends called out to him. “After you, sugar.” He stepped aside after winking at me.

I didn’t even question him or dismiss his friendly gesture. I just got out of there as fast as my feet could carry me and I continued to make my way down the empty hallways of the University while trying to find my next class. I made a brief stop at the lunchroom getting something to eat when I saw Ruby sitting alone at a table with a book lying open in front of her while nibbling on a fry.

I decided to join her at the table before heading over to my next class. At first, she didn’t acknowledge me but then after a few seconds, her hands found an empty spot where her food was just a few seconds ago. She decided to look up. Her eyes narrowed at me and I just arched an eyebrow. “It’s usually a bad thing when a person comes between me and my fries.” She stated, thinking it would scare me.

“What if I told you that I know what that feels like?” She rolled her eyes.

“Of course, you would know. You basically destroyed your food last night during dinner. I have never seen a girl eat as much as I do.” I chuckled and pushed her plate back to her.

“Is this your second year?” I asked her.

She nodded. Closing her book.

“Physics?” I asked, gesturing to the physics textbook lying next to her.

She smiled and then nodded. “My brain is overproductive and every other subject bores me to death because it isn’t challenging enough for me.” She rambled.

“Science geek,” I noted. Deeply impressed. “It takes quite a smart and even-tempered person to study physics,” I commented.

“Other people and students believe that you don’t have a life when you are incredibly smart and likes playing around with science.” She answered and didn’t show signs of embarrassment or discomfort while talking about her passion.

“What’s your major?” She asked.

“Well, it has nothing to do about my passion but I thought that psychology would be an interesting subject since you explore the link between the psychological and physical factors affecting performance in competitive sports and athletic activity.” She stared at me unblinking with a smile playing in the corner of her mouth.

“You want to become a sport psychologist to treat future athletes with mental health and physical issues?” She asked.

I nodded. It wasn’t my first choice but after taking numerous tests. I figured that it would be something that would definitely interest me and it opens more than one door for me. It’s not only football, basketball, athletes, baseball players who need a sports psychologist but dancers as well.

I am an observant person when it comes to reading people. Maybe it had to do with my heartache that I can see mental challenges. I once had to stare down a bottle of pills and made a decision that could have ruined me but here, I am getting a second chance at life. Maybe I can help people to stay away from that disappointment and guilt. I never believed in therapy sessions until I’ve learned talking to the right person can make you see the truth. It’s not about what the other person tells you. It’s about you speaking of your problems out loud and there is someone actually listening to you while you are not making sense at all.

Sometimes all we need is for someone to listen and not say a word in return.