Unmooring

Jannette’s POV. 

Thank God for Alison, or I would completely hate college.I think to myself and roll out of bed, as my alarm so promptly reminds me to.I hate mornings, I do. With my whole heart. Shuffling toward the bathroom, I mutter under my breath at the relentless beeping. The room is unbearably cold. Hastily, I wash my face and brush my teeth, pondering what I want to have for breakfast and silently praying that my parents have already left for work. Morning conversation is beyond me, let alone to tolerate a pestering companion at such an hour.

I exit the bathroom and go downstairs, only to encounter my brother, seated on the kitchen stool holding a bowl of cereal in his hands. He’s a year older than me, supposed to be in college as well, but here he is, squandering his days with video games and soccer. His ambition to become a professional soccer player, rendered academic concerns trivial. I feel a vague pang of envy, though it is fleeting.

“Morning to you too, kid” he remarks, eyes fixed on his cereal as I’m passing to open the refrigerator. I decide cereal will suffice.

“Will you drive me to college?” I inquire, hoping he is in a good mood today.

“Why would I do that?” he asks, his tone indifferent.

“Please, Drew.” I plead, employing the “devoted little sister” strategy in a bid for persuasion.

“Pretty please?” he teases.

“Yes.” He better.It’s a thirty-minute walk and I’m having a slow morning, today. Maybe I do need to get a dorm and stop living with my parents, but it is kinda late for that now, isn’t it?

“Alright. We’ll leave in 20” Which reminds me I should really get my own car at some point, and leave whenever I please.

After breakfast, I walk back upstairs to get dressed. Given the chill, a sweater and jeans would suffice—classic, comfortable, and suitably presentable. My sweater, a delicate shade of light red, complemented the ensemble. I gathered my bag and phone, texting Alison that I’m on my way.

I shuffle back downstairs, slip on my shoes and shout at my brother.

“Are you done yet? We have to leave”

“Coming” he shouts back.

I’m putting on my jacket and open the door. Drew is right behind me, as we’re walking to the car. Once inside, I turn the radio on—a habitual provocation of my brother, which I enjoyed with quiet satisfaction. Isn’t that what siblings are supposed to do?

The drive to college was short and uneventful and I felt a familiar drain as we’re approaching it. Drew pulls over and I exit the car only to meet Alison waiting, as she does every morning.She’s the best, also the best class buddy.

“Hey” I greeted her cheerfully.

“Hey back” she says, eyeing me up and down.

“What?” I ask, sensing her unusual scrutiny. She doesn’t normally do this.

“You look different this morning,” she says somewhat approvingly, a remark that brings me quiet delight.

“Different how?” I inquire, genuinely puzzled. I didn’t do anything different than every other day.

“Maybe casual looks good on you” she laughs lightly.

“Perhaps, yet I daresay everything suits me” I brag, but really I don’t believe half of the things I’m saying all the time.

“So are you excited for this year?” she asks as we’re approaching my classroom.

“Not really. You?” She shrugs, sighs heavily and finally blurts “No”Oh boy! Isympathize.

“See you at lunch” she says and I enter the classroom, taking a seat. Professor is yet to come, so I’m scrolling through my phone, when suddenly Luke approaches me. He is as confident as always, having that smug look on his face.I don’t really know him that well, besides having only encountered him in class, but there is something completely off about him.

“Morning sunshine” he says while greeting me with that award-winning smile.

“Luke, are you ever serious?” I respond sharply, ignoring his presence.

“Oh that I’m not, but I could pretend if you wanted me to” he laughs, but I find no amusement in his jest.

“Is that the line you’re going with? Couldn’t come up with anything better?”On the other hand, I find myself pretty amusing.

As I’m turning my head around, I spot Corey, staring at me, laughing at my come back, which I find very weird, since Luke is supposed to be his best friend. Our eyes meet, and I can not look away; his gaze compelled my own. He seems to notice so he smirks at me, while I’m trying to compose myself and hastily avert my eyes. His eyes are beautiful. He is one of the most good looking people I have ever seen.He is really tall. His dark hair is shiny, and his buggy clothes are hugging his body in a breathtaking way.Why is he always wearing black clothes? Too bad he has the worst reputation ever or I could have been intrested in him in no time.

I’m suddenly feeling a wave of embarrassment as he could actually hear my inner voice. Please, Jannette, focus, he’s got a bunch of girls following him around, you don’t wanna be another fan standing in line. But, God he is beautiful and those green eyes...

A sudden poke from Myriam, seated beside me, jolted me from my daydreaming.This is so embarrassing!

“Hey, are you sleeping already?” she teased. I shrugged, hoping she could not perceive my inner turmoil.

What has gotten into me? Did I wake up horny today? Jannette, get a grip, I repeat to myself. Proffessor walks in, and greets us with a plain “Good Morning” to which no one replies.Poor Mr Heinfield. I like him.I turn once more toward Corey; our eyes meet again, and I smile, as he licks his lips in a way that sends shivers down my spine. He then looks away and I swift my gaze, staring at the blank white wall behind him, wondering what have I gotten myself into?