UK CAMPUS - Maria
1426 Words
MARIA POV
I opened my room's door to find two pairs of silver eyes ogling me from head to toe.
"What?" I blurted out. "I don't dress to impress. Problem with that?"
"Ladybug, I will never have any problem with your clothes, whether you wear them or not," Henry said, winking at me.
"Neither do I," Dax piped in.
Are they messing with me? Seriously?
"Whatever," I rolled my eyes and passed them, heading downstairs with the jocks hot on my heels.
As we walked through the grand hall and out the front door, the warm Kentucky sun greeted us. The twins led me to a sleek black SUV parked in the driveway. Henry opened the door with a flourish, gesturing for me to get in.
"Your chariot awaits," he said with a mock bow.
I climbed into the backseat, trying to ignore the fluttering in my stomach. Daxton slid in beside me while Henry took the driver’s seat. The car roared to life, and we sped off toward the campus.
"So, what's the first stop on this grand tour?" I asked, trying to break the tension.
"We thought we'd start with the main campus buildings," Daxton replied. "You know, the library, the student center, and a few lecture halls."
"And then," Henry added, glancing at me in the rearview mirror, "we can show you some of the fun spots. Cafés, the sports complex, and maybe the arboretum."
The drive didn't take long, and soon we were pulling into the university parking lot. The campus was buzzing with activity—students walking to and from classes, groups lounging on the grass, and the general hum of academic life. It was overwhelming and exhilarating at the same time.
Henry and Daxton led me toward the heart of the campus, pointing out various buildings and sharing tidbits of information. As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the attention the twins were attracting. Heads turned, whispers followed us, and I even caught a few envious glances in my direction.
We stopped in front of the William T. Young Library, an impressive building with grand columns and large glass windows.
"This is the main library," Daxton explained. "It's a great place to study, and they have almost every resource you could need."
"Plus, it's a good spot to meet people," Henry added with a smirk. "Lots of study groups and late-night cram sessions."
We walked inside, and I was immediately struck by the quiet, studious atmosphere. Students were scattered around, some deeply engrossed in their work, others whispering quietly in small groups. The smell of books and the soft rustle of pages created a sense of calm that I found oddly comforting.
After a quick tour of the library, we headed to the student center. The large, bustling building was a stark contrast to the library's serenity. It was filled with students chatting, eating, and hanging out. There were shops, food courts, and lounges—an all-encompassing hub of student life.
"This is where you'll spend a lot of your downtime," Daxton said. "It's a great place to unwind between classes."
"Or to grab a quick bite," Henry added, pointing to a popular café. "They make the best coffee on campus."
Intrigued, I followed them into the café. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, and the place had a cozy, welcoming vibe. As we approached the counter to place our orders, I noticed a sign that read "Barista Wanted."
During the previous summers, I had worked at a Starbucks in St. Petersburg. Maybe this could be a solution. I could pretend to follow courses at the college, save up some money, and investigate Robert. A well-spent gap year.
"Excuse me for a moment, I need to use the restroom," I said, leaving the twins to devour their gigantic slices of cake. I walked over to the counter and caught the attention of the guy working behind it.
"Hi, I saw the sign. Are you hiring?" I asked.
The guy looked up and smiled. He was tall with broad shoulders and a sharp jawline. His brown hair was neatly styled, and his hazel eyes had tiny golden flecks that seemed to catch the light. "Yeah, we are. I'm James, the manager here." He handed me an application form. "You can fill this out and bring it back for an interview. How does 3 PM today sound? It's a pretty quiet time, and we can take our time to get to know each other."
"Perfect, thank you," I replied, feeling a surge of excitement. "I'll be here."
James's smile lingered a bit longer than necessary, and I couldn’t help but notice the way his eyes seemed to roam over me as he spoke. It made me blush, but I quickly regained my composure.
As I made my way back to the table, I noticed Henry and Daxton's expressions had shifted dramatically. They looked madly pissed off, both of them.
"Now what? Did the cake go down the wrong way?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Henry was clenching his jaw, and an annoyed Daxton spat, "Was he hitting on you or vice versa?"
"Who? What are you talking about?"
"The coffee guy," Henry venomously spat back.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Their jealousy was completely uncalled for, and it hit a nerve. I stood up, feeling my cheeks flush with anger.
"Listen, I don't owe you any explanations," I said, my voice trembling with indignation. "You two are nothing but rich, spoiled brats! Is it so wrong to work in a café and serve coffee? Not everyone has a daddy filling their wallet."
They looked taken aback by my outburst. I didn't care. I grabbed my bag and stormed out of the café, needing to clear my head.
I walked briskly across the campus, feeling a mixture of anger and frustration. How dare they judge me? They had no idea what it was like to work for a living, to struggle and make your own way. I had always been independent, and I wasn’t about to let two entitled brats make me feel small.
I found a quiet spot under a large oak tree and sat down, trying to calm myself. I needed this job, not just for the money, but for my sanity. It would give me a purpose and a way to stay under the radar while I figured out what Robert was up to.
By the time I had to head back for the interview, I felt more composed. I returned to the café, determined to make a good impression on James. I had received several calls from both Henry and Daxton, but I ignored them. Eventually, frustrated, I sent them a w******p message telling them to go to hell. I would get home with an Uber; they could go to the gym or hook up with some jersey bunnies. That was uncalled for and out of line, but they deserved my wrath.
"Hi, James," I said, walking up to the counter. "Here's my application."
"Great," he replied, looking it over. "Let's go to the back and talk."
The interview went smoothly. James was impressive—his broad shoulders and sharp jawline only added to his charm. He was genuinely nice and attentive, though his eyes did hold a hint of amusement that made me blush more than once. It seemed he knew exactly how to make me feel flustered but managed to keep the conversation professional. By the end, he offered me the job on the spot. I accepted, feeling a sense of relief and accomplishment.
As I left the café, I saw Henry and Daxton standing by the door, looking sheepish. I walked past them without a word, not ready to forgive their earlier behavior.
"Maria, wait," Henry called after me.
I stopped but didn't turn around. "What?"
"We're sorry," Daxton said. "We were out of line."
I took a deep breath, trying to reign in my emotions. "You were. And if we're going to live under the same roof, you need to respect my choices. I'm not here to play by your rules."
They nodded, looking genuinely remorseful. "We get it," Henry said. "It won't happen again."
"Good," I replied, finally meeting their eyes. "Because I'm not going to let anyone dictate my life. Not you, not Robert, no one."
With that, I walked away, feeling a newfound sense of empowerment. This was my life, and I was going to live it on my terms. No matter what.
- Writer
