6.
1876 Words
Bethany's POV:
"Bethany, it's almost 9 am, why are you still asleep?" Alex shakes me awake.
"What?" I yawn.
"It's 8:45 am, what were you doing last night?" She frowns.
"Um.."
After I injected myself with wolfbane, I fell asleep instantly. Maybe the dose was too strong. I can't even feel Asia, she's a bit weak but in a few days, she'll recover.
"Nevermind, I left breakfast for you, I got to run, my class is at nine", she says and leaves.
I unlocked my phone, I got a message from Darcy.
Darcy: Hey, can we have lunch today, just the two of us?
Me: Sure, are you in class now? Do you want to come to my dorm?
Darcy: No, but I'm working and I wanted us to lunch when I got my lunch break.
Me: Oh, sure no problem.
I might as well try to do some laundry this morning. I hate it when my dirty clothes pile gets high.
After doing my morning routine and having breakfast, I get my laundry basket and put my clothes in it and leave the room.
The laundry room is about three minutes' walk from here when I got there, it only had one student taking out clothes from the dryer.
"Hey", I say as I go to a machine. Luckily, the university provides all the necessary things for washing and we're paying for it through registration fees each semester.
After swiping my student ID badge, I opened the machine, and put my clothes in, I don't have any runny clothing so no need to separate them.
There is a table and chair at the counter to sit down while you wait for your laundry to be done, the student leaves and I take a seat.
"It's the second day of classes and I already got a pile of clothes, how is this possible?" Marc sighs entering the room but hasn't spotted me yet.
I smirk as he goes to a machine and swipes his ID badge, his back facing me.
"I thought I was the only one with a lot of clothing", I say, startling him.
He turns around, "Beth, hey."
"Hey, why do you have so many clothes?" I frown.
"That's the same thing I'm wondering. I didn't even do much over the weekend", he frowns.
"Well I don't like clothes to be piling up too long on me and since I got the time I decided to just wash today", I shrug.
"I know the feeling, I went two weeks over the summer without doing laundry and it was chaos, my mother finally had enough and did it for me before orientation", he explains, "now I have to do it on my own and I don't know how to work this thing."
I get up, "let me help you with that, in exchange lunch or dinner will be on you when we hand out."
"Deal."
1 hour later
"When you put the clothes in the dryer, you just have to press this button", I show Marc after I get my clothes from the dryer.
He nods, "thanks for all your help."
I leave, it's 10:50 am now, I have to meet Darcy in one hour at the cafe and Alex's class suppose to be over soon.
****
"Hey", I greet Darcy just outside the cafe, we took a seat by a table.
"Hye, it's good to have you alone finally", she says.
"Did you order already?" I pick up the menu.
"Yes, my new friend will bring it out in a few minutes, what class do you have this afternoon?"
"Calculus, since I can't figure out what I want to do I just got the basic courses to do this semester", I reply.
"Oh, I thought you hate calculus?"
"It's not that bad, how is Jace doing?"
"Good, he joined the baseball team, he said he wants to come back home for Halloween", she answers.
"Wow, really?"
"Yeah, it's a Saturday and I'm sure it'll have a party on campus."
I nod.
"Maybe he can come the day before on your birthday", she suggests, "and we all can go out for the day just like old times."
"I'm not sure what I'm doing yet, but it'll be good to see him", I state.
A waiter comes out with our food, "so this is your friend? You're pretty", he smiles.
"Cut the flirting, she isn't interested", Darcy rolls her eyes.
"I believe the lady can speak for herself."
"She's right I'm not interested."
I don't think Carter will appreciate it if I date someone here, I can't risk bloodshed and werewolves being discovered.
"Aw, I was just going to ask you for your digits", he pouts.
"Move along dude", I say taking my plate from him, "thank you."
He leaves.
I see Liza coming with two of her friends. Oh boy.
She stops when she sees me, "hello Bethany, or shall I say spotlight thief."
"Hello Liza, this isn't high school. The verbal insult wouldn't be as effective as back then", I retort.
"Whatever, don't be late for practice tomorrow, it's at 2:30 pm."
"I thought it was-"
"It's changed, see you then."
She enters the cafe.
"Your second day and you already make an enemy, you're moving fast Beth", Darcy teases.
"She's on the track team and captain."
"I heard yesterday you broke the record. maybe she's jealous there is competition within the team now."
"Maybe, how was the tennis tryout?"
"It went great. my coach said I have good potential", she smiles.
"I'll come to watch your game."
"I'll do the same for you."
We chat and eat for the next half hour before Darcy has to leave to go back to work.
I stayed until it was time for my class.
____
'That wasn't a nice thing you did last night Bethany", Asia growls.
'You're awake?'
"You'll need a higher dose if you want to keep me sedated longer, I've been awake since lunch.'
'How?'
"I don't know how, but Wolf Bane doesn't stay long in my system, it's like I neutralize it a couple of hours later.'
That's odd, but not uncommon. I read in books about situations where wolf bane doesn't affect or stay in a werewolf's system for long; those werewolves are special and not your typical kind.
'Promise not to try and break through my resistance again.'
'If by this weekend I don't get out then you'll leave me no other choice.'
'This week I'll sneak out so you can go run.'
'Deal.'
I'm on my way to the art club's first meeting.
I push open the door to the art department building, "welcome Bethany", Jeremy greets me.
There are about thirty-something students here along with the art professor.
"Hey", I smile.
I find a seat.
"Now that everyone is here, let us begin. My name is Jeremy for those who don't know me, an art major and president of the art club, I know most of you are pursuing art as a degree. This is Professor Joe. She established this club and also teaches art", Jeremy addresses us and sits down.
"Welcome freshmen to Washington University's art department, I'm happy to see new faces for the new school year and I can't wait to see you unlock your art potential. I don't know a few of you so I would like all new members to stand up and introduce themselves", Professor Joe states.
When it's my turn I stand up, "hey, I'm Bethany Yearwood and I'm from Washington DC. I like to hang out with friends in my free time and I love painting."
People begin to murmur.
"She's the girl who broke the university track record."
"Wow, I'm in the same club as a celebrity."
Celebrity? He's getting way ahead of himself.
"Settle down, welcome Bethany."
15 minutes later...
"I know it's the first day but our meetings are limited to one day of the week so we'll start with an icebreaker, painting an item in front of you, it'll be something simple", Jeremy says.
We leave the room and go to another bigger room where the stuff is out, we take a seat by a table that has four chairs around it, there are acrylic paints and canvas as well laid out.
At my table, we have to paint a bouquet of roses in a vase, which seems simple enough if you took art as a subject.
I pick up my broad-point paintbrush and start with the vase, this is so relaxing.
***
"It's perfect", I say to myself as I finish my last bit of touch-up on the painting, it's close to the physical display in front of me.
"Wow Bethany, you are good. You should join the art department", Jeremy compliments when he gets to my painting.
"Maybe next semester, I want to get settled in first and fully experience university as a freshman in her first semester", I reply.
"No problem, professor Joe can help you apply if you like", he offers.
"Thanks."
"You can hang up your painting on the wall for freshmen, each semester if we get new members they have to go through this ice breaker and hang up their first-ever painting for memory", he explains.
I nod and walk over to the far left and hang up my painting.
"We also voluntary at local community centers one Sunday each month to assist with painting classes from elementary-age kids to adults", he adds.
"Do freshmen go as well?"
"Yes, to help guide younger kids with their paintings of whatever imagination they come up with", he nods, "it's straightforward and lucky for you our first visit is this upcoming Sunday, you don't have to come if you don't want to. We don't force people to come along and you can bring friends along, the more help the better."
I nod.
"Good job everyone, I'm happy this year's new members have potential, did you all take art class before coming here?" Professor Joe jokes, "as you know we also voluntary at community centers around the city to help citizens unlock their artistic side as well. For those who are interested, I'll meet you at the front of the art department at 2:30 pm, other members see you on Tuesday for the meeting. Dismiss."
We get our things and leave, it's a bit after 5 pm now. Maybe I can call Darcy and we can eat together before she leaves to go home.
I call her phone.
"Hey, Beth."
"Hey, are you still on campus?"
"Yes, I was getting a drink at the cafe before leaving. Do you need anything?"
"Wait for me I'm on my way."
I hang up.
I enter the cage and Darcy is sitting by a table talking to a guy. She laughs at something he says as I get closer, I realize it's Marc.
"Hey Beth", he greets.
"Hey", I take a seat.
"See you in class Darcy", Marc leaves.
"I have to leave soon, Beth."
"Can we have a milkshake together before you leave?" I suggest.
"Sure, how was the art club?"
"Good, I miss painting."
"You were so good back in middle school, I can't wait to see more of it here."
Me too.
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- Writer
