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University Life - First Ch. 01

By: ParanormalQueen



'Mum, Mum...MOTHER!' Kainene screamed the last word. 

'Gah! What is it, Child?' Her mother snapped in irritation. She was trying to stuff her daughter's novels into her suitcase and it refused to shut. Her face was red, she was sweaty and her daughter was screeching in her ear. She was not best pleased.

'Don't yell at me mum, I'm trying to tell you not to bother squeezing them novels in. I've got space in this other bag.' Kainene rolled her eyes. Gosh, she was the one who had to move to Bristol to start university in about -- thirty minutes and her mother was stressing. She knew it was because her mother was sad that her only child was leaving but it wasn't like she was moving all the way to Timbuktu. Bristol was just an hour and a half away or thereabouts on the train.

'Well, why didn't you say so, you ungrateful child? I've been huffing all morning trying to...why do you want so many novels with you anyway? You're going to study not faff about. If you dare fail, I'll....' Her mother said.

'Oh mum, you know that's not gonna happen.' Kainene went round to hug her mother. She could tell that her mum was trying her hardest not to cry. Her face was going red with the effort to hold the tears back in. She truly felt sorry for her mum, but this was her day and she was excited. She had a whole new life ahead of her and had worked hard to get into the prestigious Bristol University and she intended to enjoy every second of it. 'Come on, mum. Let's go haggle Dad to get his dodgy car started now. Don't want it wheezing down the road now, do we?' That got a smile out of her mum, albeit wobbly.

Kainene looked out of the window as the grey, nearly conked out Fiat sped, or rather, smoked its way down the motorway. They had about twenty minutes to get to Bristol and her heart beat sped up every time she looked at the satellite navigator. She opened her compact powder case and stared at her reflection for the umpteenth time. Her green eyes stared back at her. With her golden unruly curls, her large green eyes and snub little nose, she was termed gorgeous by all the guys from her college. However, she didn't think she was. All she noticed was her more than full lips gotten from her Nigerian father, her long coltish legs with knobby knees and her stick thin figure which her anorexic class mates envied but she absolutely abhorred. She ate as much as she could but it didn't seem to be going anywhere, except maybe her height as she was 5'11. Her mother told her she could be a model, as did many other people, but her dad was all about education and luckily, she was a bit of a bookworm so she didn't feel too put out by her father's strict and overly protective way towards her academics. She was the only student in her school to achieve all A stars in her GCSEs and four As in her A-levels earning her a full scholarship to Bristol. This had made her father extremely proud as they were barely comfortable and could not have afforded to send her off to University. Now all she had to pay for was her accommodation which her student loan took care of and her allowance which she had saved a bit for and was going to get a job for anyway. She sighed happily to herself. Her two best friends Vicky and Anna were off to the fashion school in Hackney where all three were from, so they weren't as excited as she was as they still lived in familiar territory. She had never been out of London, except to Surrey to see her god parents on occasion and that was barely outside London so she was beyond excited.

Her mother's 'We're here!' snapped her out of her reverie. She looked out of the window to stare at a long driveway leading to a castle-like building. 

'Blimey!' She gasped out loud. 

A preppy looking girl stepped up to their car and said in the plumiest accent ever, 'Welcome to Wills Hall.'

'Err...' Kainene said, looking at her parents in bewilderment, 'Actually, I'm supposed to be at University Hall, know where that is?'

A subtle look of slight disgust crossed the girl's face as she whipped her hair lightly and turned away. Calling over her shoulder, she said, 'Well, you're in the wrong place, yah. You have to drive back out and turn left; you'll see directions from there.'

Kainene raised her eyebrows. Well, that put her in her place then. She looked at her parents who still looked a tad confused, 'Guess this must be the hall for them poshies and whatnot. Let's be off then, Dad.'

Her father reversed the car which spluttered a bit and they drove off towards the right hall. On getting there, she realised why the other girl had been so snotty. The building had a council flat-like atmosphere to it. A lot of students were milling about and as soon as she stepped out of the car, she forgot the rude girl entirely. She was finally here! University! She screamed inwardly and impulsively hugged her father who was struggling with her two suitcases in the boot of the car. 'Thanks Dad for making me work so hard. I'm well excited.' 

He looked at her tenderly. He was so proud of his lovely daughter. He had come from a dirt-poor home back in Nigeria and had worked hard doing night jobs in the local William Hill in order to take care of his family of two. Although he wasn't the richest of men, he could afford to feed, house and clothe his family plus he had a darling wife whom he loved dearly and his exceptionally clever daughter. What more could he want?

'Oh my darling girl, I am so, so proud of you. You have made me the happiest man alive. Get me that First class and I'll die happier.' He said in his thick Nigerian accent.

His wife nudged him, 'Stop talking about death, Chike and let's help Nene get her stuff to the reception hall. This isn't the end, you know. We still have to get her settled and all ain't that right, baby?' she looked at her daughter.

'Yup. Come on let's go, I wanna see how my room is.' She swung her bag over her shoulder and marched towards the directions leading to the reception hall.

An hour later, she had the keys to her block, her flat and her room. She opened the door to her room, and with the help of her parents dragged her suitcases and massive carrier bag into it. She looked round her room as she fell on her bed in exhaustion. They had had to climb up three flights of stairs as her flat was on the third floor and logging all her stuff had rendered her breathless. 

'Not bad, is it, Nens?' Her mum said, setting the carrier bag next to the bed. 'Do you need me to help you sort everything out, you know, arrange your clothes in your wardrobe...'

'Leave her be, Jennifer, She's not a child, she can do it by herself.' Chike's deep voice rumbled as he lined her suitcases by the dinky looking radiator. 

'Dad's right, mum, I can do it, don't worry.' Kainene, or Nens as she was called, knew how much her mum wanted to help so as to prolong her stay with her daughter, but she wanted her parents off so that she could get to know her flatmates better. She had already heard some voices coming from the kitchen and wanted to investigate. Although she was naturally shy, she knew that these were the people she was going to live with for one year and thought that the faster she got over her nerves and introduced herself, the better it would be in the long run.

'Okay, my darling. I guess we'll leave you now.' Her mum's voice wobbled at this last bit. She was going to miss her baby. This was the first time that they would be apart. Her college, secondary and kindergarten schools had all been walking distance from home and she was dreading going back to London without her daughter. Her husband put his arms around her as she started sobbing gently.

'Pull yourself together, woman. She's eighteen now. You knew that she was going to leave soon enough, she's not a child anymore.' He said gently. He also felt sad about his daughter leaving but he knew it was for the best and had resigned himself to that fact. 

Kainene looked a bit worried as her mum carried on crying. She was going to miss them too, but she could not bring herself to cry as she was too excited to do so. 'Come on, Mum. I'll pop down to London soon. I mean, who's gonna make me the best jollof rice in the world. Or fry the best plantains?'

Her mum giggled tearfully. She forced herself to stop crying. With one last sniff, she rubbed her nose on her husband's shirt sleeve to his quiet disgust. 'Okay baby, we're off now. Don't forget to call us. And make sure you eat well. And don't take no lip from no one especially them people that will be in that other hall. And study hard but not too hard 'cause you don't wanna give yourself those horrible migraines you always get, and...'

'Alright mum already. And I'll make sure to be careful when crossing the road. Go already,' Kainene laughingly cut in. 

Her father laughed as well and patted her shoulder once. 'Good luck my darling, and remember to always pray. Take care, Kainene Veronica Nwando.' He kissed her softly on her forehead and both parents walked out of the flat. 

Kainene waited a second for the sad feeling to come but all she felt was excitement. She squealed and jumped on the bed. She was a fresher at the University of Bristol, woo-hoo! She spent about thirty minutes meticulously putting all her stuff in the right place, and paid particular attention to her novels, arranging them alphabetically on the few shelves reserved for her textbooks. Those would have to go on her study desk, she told herself. 

Once she was satisfied with her room and the bed was properly made with her argos-bought bedspreads, she smiled to herself. Now she could go introduce herself to her flatmates. She put all her indomie noodles and tins of tuna, sweet corn and the like into the carrier bag and walked to the kitchen at the end of the hall. She was in a self-catered hall and had to cook for herself and her mother had gone mad buying up tins and tins of non-perishable food and cooked her three large Tupperware-bowls of jollof and fried rice and thick chicken and beef stews. She was definitely going to miss her Nigerian meals once she was through with her plastic bowls as she couldn't cook to save her life. 

When she got into the kitchen she saw four students sat round the dining table. As they were only five in the flat she knew that they were all around then. 'Hey,' she shyly waved at the others as she stepped in. They all looked up at her with wide smiles. There were three guys and one girl. 

The girl spoke first, 'Hey, I'm Lorna Williamson, welcome to the wonderful Flat B, of University Hall'. She went round to shake Kainene's hand. She was short, well compared to Kainene's 5'11 frame, and had long, beautiful red hair. 

'These are John, Matt and...oh bother, your name's skipped my mind again.' She said gesturing to the three guys. The last one whose name she'd forgotten laughed and shrugged. He had gorgeous hazel eyes and curly dark hair although he looked a bit short to Kainene, but he was sitting down so she could not really tell.

'That's alright,' He said in a northern accent, 'People always have problems with it though I really can't see why. I'm Mykelos. Lovely to meet you.' 

'Oh wow, you don't look Greek.' Kainene blurted out, then turned red as she quickly buttoned up. 

Mykelos chuckled, 'That's because I'm not. My mum fancied some Greek dancer when she was on honeymoon and decided to name me after him, or so my parents said. My other two siblings ended up with Sarah and Thomas, lucky sods. Although, it helps with pulling, having an exotic name hehe.' The two other guys laughed as well at that. 

Lorna rolled her eyes at Kainene, 'Oh God, we're stuck with three randy guys, what joy.' But this was said in an obvious jokey manner so no one took offence. 'So what's your name then? And you're from London aren't you?'

'I'm Kainene, although everyone calls me Nens. And yeah, I'm from London. It's the accent, innit?' she asked.

'Innit? Oh dear, my mum would have a coronary if I said that,' one of the guys, Matt said. He smiled a bit mockingly at Kainene as she turned red again. 

'Piss orf, Poshy.' Mykelos said to Matt, then to Kainene, 'Ignore him. He's been moaning about missing out on Wills Hall over there and how he applied late for accommodation and blah blah blah. Like, Lorna missed out as well, but she's not saying anything, he's just been grumbling and we've been here for two hours so get used to him as we've done.' 

Kainene just nodded, and couldn't help smiling apologetically at Matt as if she was in the wrong for her east London accent. She knew she sounded like a right chav but she couldn't help it. She sounded like a castrated frog when she tried to speak posh and she had simply given up on that. Sadly, the people she came across who heard her speak thought she was tough and ghetto because of her accent, but she was such a shy, timid girl and couldn't talk back to anyone. If she hadn't had her two friends, Vicky and Anna to stick up for her, she would have been bullied throughout college. 

She swallowed the apology that readily sprang to her lips because Mykelos was right. There simply wasn't anything she could do about how she spoke.

'Anyway,' Lorna quickly said to diffuse any arguments, 'I saw on the notice board in the common room, that there's a meet and greet at the bar tonight and there's going to be lashings of beer and wine. I'm excited about that.'

'Plonk more like.' Matt snorted quietly, but everyone heard him. Lorna simply rolled her eyes at Mykelos. John just looked out of the window. He didn't bother to contribute to the conversation and Kainene wondered if he was homesick already because he looked like he was. He was weedy looking, wore glasses and had the mousiest looking hair she had ever seen. He looked like a right Mummy's boy. She quickly castigated herself inwardly for thinking like that. It wasn't in her to be mean, but he truly did look rather drippy. 

'Plonk or not, Matt the wine connoisseur, its effect is to get us drunk and more friendly and I'm going to drink as much as I can without chundering, so Nens, is it? Up for a night out at the ole' hall bar?' Lorna asked.

'Yeah, sure. Not like I have any other thing to do.' Kainene nodded quickly.

'Cool, we should probably meet back here like seven-ish then we can all go there together. Everyone okay with that?' This was asked by Mykelos and the others agreed to it.

Kainene smiled at everyone and walked back to her room. This was going to be exciting.

***

Lorna turned to Matt as soon as Kainene left the kitchen, 'Why did you have to be so mean, you tosser? She's obviously shy and she looked like she was going to bolt once you made that silly comment. What on earth's the matter with you?' she asked, her eyes flashing.

'Oh chill out, Lorns. We aren't back at college, and you can't yell at me like that anymore. God, a cruel twist of fate it was, ending up in the same flat with you. Me and my ex-girlfriend, imagine that.' Matt rolled his eyes and lit a cigarette, opening the window as he did so and ignoring the obvious 'No Smoking Please' signs strategically placed on the kitchen door.

'Wow, both of you went out? Interesting.' Mykelos grinned, twisting an imaginary moustache. 

John just stared, petrified at Matt who was smoking and leaning nonchalantly against the window, 'We're not allowed to do that, are we?' He timidly asked Matt.

Matt merely gave him a blank look, and John quickly scuttled off to his room.

'How wet is he?' Matt muttered to himself loudly. The other two couldn't speak up for John because they were a bit irritated by him as well. Who followed the rules in University for the love of God?

'Well, it's already four thirty and I need a bit of beauty sleep in preparation for our night out...although it's just the stupid bar. This hall is a bit grimy, though. Matt's right about that. Ah well, c'est la vie. See you guys in a few.' And with that Lorna flounced out to her room, shutting her door with a slam. 

Mykelos chuckled to himself again. He looked at Matt who was staring at him. 'You guys went out, you said?'

'Yeah, for two years, can you believe? Shocking hunh?' He blew out a stream of smoke and flicked his cigarette out the window not caring if it landed in someone's hair or not.

'Hmm...and do you still fancy her then?' Mykelos asked. 

Matt sputtered at that for a bit, then sighed, 'Is it that obvious? Fuck. I mean, we broke up because, this was meant to be our first choice of Unis, we even picked the same halls -- Wills and this as a backup option. What I didn't tell her was that this was my second choice as I thought I wanted to...I dunno, explore a bit. I mean, we're eighteen, didn't wanna be tied down. Next thing, I got rejected by Durham, my first choice, and she found out that I'd lied about this being my first choice and we broke up. Over something as stupid as that, can you believe?'

'She probably felt that since you really wanted your space then you could have it.'

'Bloody Hell, how the fuck did you know that? That's exactly what she said?' Matt looked shocked.

Because it's pretty obvious, idiot.' Mykelos laughed, 'plus I'm gay. I know stuff like that.'

Matt looked at Mykelos more shocked than before. 'Are you joking? You don't look like a pouf, no offence, mate.'

Mykelos laughed heartily at that. This was not the first time he had heard that statement. He played rugby and was well-built. He looked nothing like the stereotypical gay person would look. 'That's alright mate. Everyone always says that. And don't worry about locking your door at night, you're not my type anyway.'

Matt blushed a bit at that, as he truly had been thinking of locking his door. 'Ah...hang on, what do you mean, not your type?' He was a bit curious as to why Mykelos would say that. He knew he was fit, with his blonde hair and blue eyes. He was also a rower and had a toned lean body, except he wasn't the tallest, at 5'11. Probably as tall as the Nens girl, he figured. But that didn't detract from his fitness.

Mykelos shrugged, 'Don't really like blondes mate, no offence. You obviously know you're a fit one, so don't fish for compliments, I'm not a sissy gay person. You just aren't, mate. But I think Lorna fancies you too, so try and work things out with her.'

Matt quickly forgot about Mykelos' gayness. Did he truly think Lorna still fancies him then? Hmm, food for thought. He absentmindedly waved bye to Mykelos as he walked back to his room. Time to work out how he was going to get Lorna back tonight, he thought to himself, his mind whirling.

University Life - First Ch. 02



Kainene stared at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a snug red jumper as it was a bit nippy, if the breeze from the opened window was a good indicator. She paired this with tight blue skinny jeans and black pumps. Although she was not overly dressed, she thought she looked alright for the student's bar. Pink lipgloss, and thickly mascara'd eyelashes and she was set. She went to the kitchen and saw the others already waiting, apart from John. 

'Oooh, you scrub up well, Miss Nens.' Mykelos grinned as Kainene blushed. Her golden hair was in a sloppy ponytail but a few curls found their way round her heart shaped face and high cheekbones. Her full lips shone and she actually looked very pretty. Matt thought this inwardly, but he pushed it out of his mind as he still wanted his Lorna back.

Lorna looked pretty as well. She had a short blue dress on and her wavy red hair was left flowing down her shoulders and back. Her large chocolate brown eyes looked larger and exotic with black eyeliner and she looked a bit taller thanks to her peep-toed heels. 

'Oh wow, you look amazing, I feel so underdressed now. Do you think I should go change? Have we got time?' Kainene panicked as she stared at Lorna.

'Don't be silly. You're gorgeous. You could wear a burlap sack and still look gorgeous so quit fretting!' Lorna stated matter-of-factly. She looked at her gold wristwatch. 'Well, it's a few minutes past seven but who gets to these things early anyway? You guys ready?' She looked round at the others.

'But what about John?' Kainene asked as he obviously wasn't there.

'Oh he's not coming. Has a cold or some ridiculously similar excuse. It's for the best anyway. Don't wanna console him while he drunkenly bawls about missing Mummy.' Matt drawled stubbing his cigarette out on the kitchen table.

Kainene giggled at that. He was rather mean, but so funny at it that she couldn't help but laugh. She studied him covertly. He was actually quite cute and had an amazing body. Mykelos was hot too, but he was a bit too stocky, kind of like Wayne Rooney. Matt on the other hand was lean and wiry and she loved blondes anyway. He was the same height as she was, but she felt she could tackle this by wearing flat shoes. Anyway, she sighed to herself snapping out of her fantasy, he was an obvious snob and she didn't really think he could possibly fancy her, except if she stuck a hot potato down her throat and started talking like him and Lorna.

'Okay party people, off we go to the bar to get as drunk as we can on cheap alcohol and make loads of new friends.' Mykelos said.

'And forget them as quickly tomorrow,' Matt dryly added. Lorna and Kainene giggled as this was so true.

The foursome walked out of the flat and downstairs, going past other students who chattered excitedly to each other as they went towards the brightly lit student bar.

When they got there, they stopped to look around for an empty table to snag for themselves. They found one by the ping-pong machine and rushed there quickly as they had spotted two other people eyeing the table up. 

'Phew, you go Lorna. Elbowing those unlucky, slow sods like that.' Mykelos said dropping on a sofa. 

Lorna grinned at that, 'Didn't play hockey for five years for nothing, my dear boy. So, who's gonna guard the table whilst the others get the drinks?'

'I don't mind waiting.' Kainene softly said. 

Mykelos nodded smiling slyly at Matt, 'Yeah me too. Get me a Bud will you dear? And you Nens?'

'Oh, some vodka and orange please. Thank you.' She smiled shyly at Lorna and Matt.

'One vodka orange and Budweiser coming right up.' Lorna chimed and went off with Matt tailing her.

'So why did you smile at Matt like that, Mykelos?' Kainene asked. She had noticed how Matt had blushed when Mykelos smiled at him.

Mykelos chuckled a bit, 'Oh Lorna and Matt had a bit of a thing back in their college. For two years actually.'

'Is it?' She gasped.

'Yup, it is.' Mykelos nodded happy to be spreading the gossip, 'And they broke up over something completely retarded, but Matt still fancies her eh, so I'm tryna help get them back together.'

'But does Lorna still fancy him?'

'Don't know. I think she does though. I've caught her staring at him a couple of times when she thought no one was looking. It'll be so cool, a couple in our flat, eh?' He giggled a bit at this.

Kainene smiled also. Well, Matt could definitely never fancy her then. She shook her head wryly to herself and looked around at the other students. There were already different groups being formed, obviously flatmates. She caught the eyes of someone staring at her direction rather intensely. She looked behind her at Mykelos who was staring back at the person. 'Why is that guy staring so much? Do you know him?' She asked confused.

'Nope, but I intend to.' He leered lasciviously and winked at the guy.

Kainene started at him astonished. Hunh? She thought. She looked back at the guy and saw him smiling now at Mykelos and the penny dropped. You're gay, she thought.

'Yup I am sweetie.' He nodded.

'Oh.' She blushed fiercely. She did not think she had said it out loud. 'Err, wow. You don't look gay. Not that I know how a gay person would look, or...oh crap!' She put her head in her hands. 'Shall shut up now before I dig a deeper hole, innit.' She groaned.

'Don't sweat it, babe. Same thing Matt and so many other people have said to me when they found out, or rather, when I told them about my gayness. Anyway, he is staring at me rather intensely isn't he? And he's quite cute, right?' Mykelos asked, running his hand through his hair and grinning at the guy in the corner.

Kainene giggled out loud. She had never met a gay person, or had a gay friend, and Mykelos just sounded so girly now. Bless him. She looked back at the guy who was grinning and mirroring Mykenos by running his hand through his own sandy brown hair.

'Oh he definitely thinks you're hot, mate. Better go talk to him. I'll keep your drink for you.'

'Oh you gorgeous, lanky doll. Ta!' He quickly stood up and strode rather purposefully towards the guy. Soon they were chatting away like old mates.

Kainene smiled to herself and looked around. Matt and Lorna were still at the bar as there was a bit of a queue there and she felt a bit awkward sitting by herself.

'Hey, are you okay?' A chirpy voice asked and Kainene turned round to see two girls smiling down at her.

'Oh hello, yeah, sure, just waiting for my mates to get some drinks at the bar.' She gestured towards the bar.

'Oh. Well. I'm Rachael. And this is Maude. We're from block A.' The same chirpy voiced girl said. She was a bit chubby and had scraggly brown hair and brown eyes. Maude was taller but not as tall as Kainene (She'd yet to see any girl as tall as her) and had dyed pink hair and piercings on her lower lip and both eyebrows. 

'Oh wow, I'm block B and so are my mates. I'm Nens...oh look there they are. Got the drinks at last.' She smiled at Matt and Lorna who looked rather cosy together as they walked towards the table. Her smile was part relief as she was not really good at making new friends and ended up sounding a total dweeb. 

Lorna smiled as she dropped the bottle of Bud and a large glass of vodka orange by Kainene. 'Hullo, hullo. I'm Lorna. You're clearly from University Hall too, right?' She asked the other two girls. 

'Yeah.' Rachael's voice had become rather breathy as she stared at Matt with ill-disguised lust.

Matt smiled uncomfortably at her, thinking inwardly that he could never get with such a mousy looking chub. Kainene noticed Rachael's scrutiny of Matt and his uncomfortable demeanour and grinned to herself. She was having fun at these utterly different characters to the ones found in her previous college. If someone from her college fancied another person, they asked immediately if that person 'fancied a shag then?' She would never have had the courage to say so which was probably why she was still a virgin. But she had never come across such coyness as Rachael was displaying, although she was certain Matt would never look twice at Rachael, regardless of him still fancying Lorna. 

'Err, where's Mykelos then?' Matt asked turning to Kainene as Lorna spoke to the other two girls. He didn't want to involve himself in a conversation with them as they looked incredibly unattractive and the pink haired one looked scary as hell. Although he would never have found himself in a situation where he would have crossed paths with someone who spoke the way Kainene did, she was actually really gorgeous and sweet. Pity about the accent, but there was clearly nothing she could do about it so he was determined to look past it and be friendlier.

'He's off chatting up some fit dude in the corner.' She replied looking over to where they were – or had been as they were nowhere to be found.

'Aaah, he's got himself a warm body for the night, I see.' Matt chuckled loudly.

'Oooh, who's got himself a warm body for the night?' Rachael asked a bit too excitedly. She edged Lorna closer to Kainene so that she could squeeze her ample arse into the space next to Matt. Maude looked so embarrassed. Probably to be associated with someone like Rachael, Kainene thought nastily and uncharacteristically, then quickly tried to push that thought out of her head, ashamed that she could be so spiteful. 

Matt looked at Rachael in horror and tried to move farther away. Rachael seemed oblivious and edged even closer. Lorna caught Kainene's eyes and snorted, quickly changing it to a cough as Kainene turned red trying to stifle her laughter. Maude just rolled her eyes at Rachael, muttered something inaudible and walked away.

Rachael looked at Maude walking off and turned to the others saying cattily, 'Well, I simply can't think why I hung out with that grunger anyway. She's so anti social don't you think? Anyway, Matt what were you saying?'

'Absolutely nothing. Well not to you anyway.' He rudely stated, then added as Rachael widened her eyes at him in disbelief, 'And could you get your arse off my hand? You're crushing my fingers and I need them to row.'

She gasped at this and looked round at the other two girls who quickly averted their eyes. 'Well, how rude...anyway you can't be faulted. I mean you do row, and I mustn't ruin your hands. I apologise, are you okay now?' She gushed, ignoring Matt's rudeness.

The other three stared at her, agape. Was she serious? Was she really that thick-skinned that she couldn't tell Matt did not fancy her? 

Matt gazed at her stunned, 'Talk about being bloody thick. I'm going to get some more drinks. Same for you girls, right?' And with that, he got up and walked quickly to the bar counter. 

'Well,' Rachael said to fill the gap of silence, 'I simply can't imagine what he was talking about. He didn't even ask what I wanted to drink.'

Kainene couldn't stop herself. She had to save this girl from further humiliating herself. 'Look,' she gently began, 'Matt's my boyfriend and probably felt a bit uncomfortable with all the attention you were giving him. Please forgive his rudeness. That's the only way he can get himself out of tight situations.'

Lorna snorted again at this and quickly gulped her drink to stop herself from bursting with mirth. Rachael stared at Kainene coldly, 'You? Matt's girlfriend? You have got to be joking. Where on earth did you guys meet? In a down-trodden pub?'

Kainene gasped stunned. Lorna was too shocked to say anything as well.

'What...What do you mean by that?' Kainene whispered, trying not to cry.

'Exactly what I said. I mean, you are passably alright, but you two are so different, you're like night and day.' Racheal snapped.

'And you think you and Matt are similar?' Lorna asked cuttingly. She had recovered and Kianene clearly couldn't stick up for herself, plus who did this fat turd think she was? 'Well let's make a list shall we? You're fat, ugly, short and you basically look like my grandmother's dull, chipped teapot which mummy discarded as soon as she possibly could. Matt - I need not describe as we all know how fit he is. And you think that there's an inkling of similarity between you two? Please.'

Rachael's mouth opened and closed like a fish. Mykelos chose this time to bounce back to them like an overexcited puppy. 'Hello my little angels, how are thee?' His eyes alighted on the still speechless Rachael, 'Oh, a new friend, I see. And you are?' He put out a hand to shake hers.

'Leaving' Lorna bit out. 'We don't abide rude people here Mykelos and that's exactly what this creature is. Why, I couldn't possibly imagine as she has got to be the plainest looking person I have ever had the misfortune of coming across. Now if you can't apologise to Nens for that hideous comment, then I suggest you take yourself away from here.' Lorna ended glaring at Rachael.

Rachael shook her head angrily and flounced off.

'Oh, Lorna, you didn't have to stick up for me like that. But thanks, really. That was wicked. Wish I had some backbone, myself.' Kainene gushed with happiness at Lorna.

'Well I wish you did too. I mean if I heard someone speak like you, I'd be scared that I was gonna get a knife in my back, and then you end up being as meek as a lamb. Grow some spine, woman.' Lorna dryly said.

'Okay, I definitely missed a lot, so out with it people. What's been going on?' Mykelos asked with gossip glowing in his eyes.

Kainene zoned out as Lorna described what had happened to him. It had been a rather eventful day, it had. What with her parents crying, meeting new people, getting insulted and getting stood up for. What a day!



University Life - First Ch. 03-04



CHAPTER THREE

'Oh God.' Lorna groaned dropping on the sleeping bundle on Kainene's bed, 'I can't believe it's the end of the week. We start classes tomorrow. Gahhhhhh!' She fell back heavily on Kainene who poked her head out of the duvet.

'Gerroff. You're deceptively heavy Lorna. Off.' Kainene half-heartedly tried to shove Lorna off her legs but to no avail. Lorna did not budge one bit. 

It had been a wonderful week. Going for talks in the hall during the day and going clubbing at night every single day of the week. She had been to the Wills Memorial Building where her course was to be held and had received her timetable. And there was a welcome talk to be held there on Monday morning which she was really looking forward to. She felt a bit odd to have spent such a long week doing nothing and couldn't wait to sink her teeth into some studying. Also she had applied for a job at the student union shop close to her hall and, to her delight, had got it and been working there for the last three days. Now, it was Sunday and she was finally having a much needed rest-filled day. She was nervous about starting classes the next day, but she was too tired to concentrate too much on it. She was studying law and had yet to meet any other person on her course from her hall. Lorna was studying history and had met quite a few people doing the same course. Mykelos was studying archaeology and could not care less about other students. He had hooked up with three different guys already and had declared as much as possible to the others that his goal in university was to pull at least two guys a week. He was definitely on course then! Matt, on the other hand, stayed away from everyone in the hall apart from the flatmates and had made friends with a few people from Wills. This was because he knew several of them from his old college and Kainene thought this made him a bit more relaxed and pleasant as he had clearly found his niche. He talked more nicely to her and when he started acting up she simple excused herself and went to her room. He had finally realised her way of dealing with his petulance and had, on several occasions, knocked on her door to apologise to her utter amazement. Mykelos, on the other hand, never paid any attention to him when he started acting up, and Matt fancied Lorna too much to be mean to her. John, no one really cared about as they hardly saw him anyway. 

'I wonder if I'm gonna meet any friendly people on my course. Or if it's gonna be difficult. I really hope it isn't or I'd kill myself.' Kainene muttered out loud to herself.

'Wierdo,' Lorna rolled her eyes, making herself more comfortable on the bed. 'Other girls, normal girls talk about meeting fit guys and you, swot that you are, are hoping for an easy course and yaddi-ya. Your beauty is so wasted on you, Nens.'

Kainene blushed as she always did whenever people referred to her looks. Looks she simply could not comprehend. 'Ah well. Whatever! We should probably stock up on food at the union shop. We can use my discount card ha ha.' She got off the bed and started rummaging through her wardrobe for her comfy tracky bottoms and college jumper.

'Oh yeah, I forgot you worked at the union shop. Wow, that is so true. We can get cheap booze! That's the only reason Matt drags you with him to the union. Tosser!' Lorna giggled and dived under the still warm duvet.

Kainene dragged the duvet off her, 'Get up, lazy. We need brain food this week. And this is gonna be the only free day I get every week so I'm going grocery shopping and you are coming with me. Don't want you nicking my milk later on.'

Lorna started to deny this and Kainene shushed her, 'Sharrap! I saw you using my milk for your tea. You know I don't care anyway, but we are gonna stock up on milk now, and anyway you use skimmed and I use whole milk so why torture yourself unnecessarily?'

'Bitch. Remind me about you using whole milk why don't you. Lucky skinny cow.' Lorna grumbled good-naturedly. 

Kainene grinned to herself shrugging off her flannel nightie and diving into her clothes. The first couple of days she had felt uncomfortable changing in front of Lorna, but Lorna, who had spent the past eight years in boarding school had poohed at her because this was something she was so used to. Now she, Kainene was free in front of Lorna, especially as she considered her to be her new best friend. 

'You going like this then?' She asked Lorna who was dressed in tattered Jack Wills tracky bottoms and a rowers rugby shirt. 

'Yah! Why would I change to go to the sodding union shop? There aren't any fitties in this stupid hall anyway.' Lorna said.

'Ahhh, but why should one care, when one fancies a certain Matt Holmes?' Kainene slyly asked.

Lorna blushed and shoved her gently, 'Bugger orf, idiot. And I do NOT fancy Matt okay?! And quit talking like that, you sound like you've got herpes.'

Kainene shrieked with laughter as they walked out of the flat together, 'Like I've got herpes? How the hell is that supposed to sound? And you would know wouldn't you?'

Both girls jostled each other jokingly, shrieking at the top of their lungs. As they got outside the union shop, Lorna spotted two guys walking towards them. She quickly stopped shrieking and tried to compose herself as they passed them and walked into the shop. Kainene was oblivious to this and still kept on joking about herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases.

'Shut it you idiot! Didn't you see Rufus walk past?' Lorna hissed at her as they got little baskets to fill their groceries with. 

'Hunh?' Kainene asked confused. Who the hell was Rufus?

'Who the hell is Rufus?' She asked, not bothering to whisper.

A guy turned to stare at her as she asked this. He had long surfer-like blonde hair, startling grey eyes and cheekbones you could slice cheese on. He was tall, far taller than Kainene and this was a first. Suffice to say, the guy was simply stunning. He smiled slowly at her then turned back to the guy next to him as they walked to the counter to pay for their juice cartons.

Lorna waited till they left then groaned loud and long. 'You had to say that loudly didn't you? That was Rufus, you...you...aargh, I don't even know what to call you.'

Kainene looked askance. 'So? He heard me, big deal.' She shrugged and put a bag of oranges in her basket.

Lorna hit her head with her palms, 'Nens, Nens, Nens. That guy, the one who you just acted like you hadn't a clue who he was, is THE fittest guy in Stoke Bishop. He's in Churchill Hall and is...adored by everyone, and I mean everyone here. He took a gap year from Eton! He's older than the rest of us, well majority of us girls anyway 'cuz he's 19! And his father apparently is a Lord or something, well some form of royalty anyway. Do I need to mention his absolute gorgeousness? I cannot believe you don't know who he is! I mean, did you not see him at The Lounge?' This was ended with a squeak.

The Lounge was the Friday club to be, or so the students said. Kainene shrugged again, she hadn't really paid attention to any of the people there. They were mostly rahs and had whipped their backcombed hair about irritating her to the maximum. She had danced with Lorna and Mykelos and Matt, on occasion, and ignored everybody else. Granted, this Rufus person was fit, and rich and all that jazz, but was there any point drooling over someone she knew was never, ever, going to give her a second glance?

'Babe, it really doesn't matter. I don't know anyone in Churchill so I don't think I'm gonna be seeing him any time soon, if ever, so really who gives a shit? Anyway how do you know all this? We've been to the same places and hung out together so who told you?' 

'Viola Featherington.' Lorna replied. Kainene looked blankly at her. Lorna rolled her eyes, 'Did you even pay attention when I introduced to some of my old college and prep school mates? Nens! Anyway, Viola's older brother Luke went to Eton with Rufus and they like knew each other or something. Pity Luke's not too fit though I mean, Viola has got like, the richest grandfather in the world. Her parents are a bit hippy but her grandfather left her and Luke like fuck loads of money in their trust fund. Anyway, I digress, so basically Luke knows Rufus and like Viola rang him up the moment she heard he went to Eton and got all the goss from Luke. Interesting, yah?' She squealed with delight.

'Very.' Kainene drolly remarked. She continued quickly before Lorna could fall to the floor bawling at her nonchalance, 'Spaghetti Bolognese, or Spaghetti Bolognese for lunch?'

CHAPTER FOUR

Oh God, oh God, oh God, Kainene muttered inwardly. First day at University. It felt like she was going to college for the first time. The butterflies fluttering in her stomach, her heartbeat racing like a Thoroughbred, it was devastatingly exciting.

'You ready, yet?' Lorna popped her head into Kainene's room. 'Oooh, you look nice. Well, proper, I mean smart, I mean...' She trailed off.

'You think I should change my outfit, innit?' Kainene asked wildly.

Lorna shrugged, mumbled something inaudible and sighed. 'Well, my darling gorgeous girl. Yah, as a matter of fact I do think you should change. You look like you're off to your first job interview, or someone's funeral, or something serious anyway. It's bloody uni, like a free-er form of college. You know, have fun, skive classes without detention, drink, have sex...' Lorna quickly hushed turning red. 'Well you know what I mean...just change. I'll wait for you in the kitchen.' She turned around and walked out of Kainene's room quickly. 

Kianene smiled to herself then stared at her mirror again. 

Oh shit on every level! 

She did look smart, in a dreadfully nerdy way. She was wearing a white blouse and a black high-waisted skirt with black pumps. She had on a black hair band to finish off the look. Oh Bugger.

Fifteen minutes later Kainene went to the kitchen. 'Well, what do you think?'

'Now you look like a normal eighteen year old fresher, albeit fitter than the average girl.' Lorna grinned at her. She had changed into a fuchsia pink oversized jumper and black leggings with black high tops. She had to admit to herself she felt so much better as the quirky image was more her style. 

'Okay, Lorna baby, let's tackle the great Redbrick University of the South West.' 

***

'You have got to be kidding me?' Kainene looked astounded. 

'Err...no I'm not actually. This seat is for my very best friend who is, unfortunately running a little late – unfortunately for you that is so skedaddle somewhere else.' 

Kainene stared at the brunette in utmost amazement. She could not believe it. She had come in ten minutes early and the hall was practically full. She had finally found a spare seat close to the front row as she had forgotten her glasses and was terribly short-sighted, and was being told to 'skedaddle'! 

'Excuse me? I got here first and you want me to leave for someone who did not have the courtesy to show up early? Knowing that on the first day everyone was going to be here? Are you completely insane?' Kainene snapped. She was a bit shocked that she could say this with courage but she was tired and not in the mood to placate any 'poshies' especially American ones who sounded like they were straight off the set from Gossip Girl!

The brunette gasped, her big blue eyes widening dramatically, 'Well...well...' she stammered and Kainene just rolled her eyes. 'Please get your bag off the chair.'

***

Oh my God! I cannot believe you said that. You fibber!' Lorna gasped laughing out loud. It was lunch time and they were sat at a cafe called 'Cafe Gusto', right opposite the Wills building.

'I know! I can't believe it either! I was just so angry at that point, although when I calmed down a bit I thought I was gonna have a massive heart attack. It was like a mad adrenaline rush, reflecting on what I said.' Kainene giggled and bit into her croissant. 'Oh and you know the best part of like everything?' She swallowed quickly and continued, 'Her friend, who was apparently running a little late, came in like fifteen minutes late and walked up to the girl and went, in a loud voice mind you,...' She put on her plumiest accent, 'Oh Heather dahhhhling, where on earth do you expect me to sit now?' 

Lorna burst out laughing, nearly chocking on her mocha. 'You are having the greatest of laughs! What the hell, like she interrupted the Dean?'

'Oh yes she did.' Kainene nodded, 'He was so stunned, he just stared at her with like, his jaw hanging and then she walked right back out of the hall and he continued, but her Heather friend gave me the darkest of looks, like...baleful!'

Lorna shrieked again, 'Oh Nens, Nens, Nens, first day of uni and you already have enemies. That's classic.' She sighed, wiping her eyes, 'Anyway babe, you out tonight. Apparently, it's like the best student night of the week, Mondays at Panache, absolutely gorg!'

Kainene thought for a second, she had to go to work at the student union shop that night. 'I dunno babe. I mean I've got work tonight and it's like 5:30 till 9:30. And I've got like the longest day today 'cause I'm through here like 5 so...we'll see, depends on how I feel.'

'That's utter fuckeries.' Lorna stated baldly. 'It's the first student night as a proper student not that silly fresher's fair where like we didn't spot any second or third years. Just babies.'

'Which we, kinna are as well.' Kainene pointed out dryly.

'Whatever! The point is, you are not missing this night...or I'm gonna...I dunno psyche Matt on you!' Lorna smiled wickedly as she said this.

Kainene could not suppress a little shudder. She had nothing against Matt, but he was best taken in small doses, like once a week, or better yet, a fortnight. 'Oh please not that. Okay fine. But if I fall asleep at the club you are going to take good care of me, log my unconscious body back home and make sure I don't look like a passed out drunk, plonker!'

'Deal.'

***

'You ready to partay?' Lorna screamed as soon as Kainene walked into the flat. 

Kainene sighed to herself and just smiled tiredly at Lorna. 'Just give me about fifteen minutes to rub my aching feet as I've been standing on them for, God knows how long. Then about another thirty minutes for a quick shower and rushed dressing, then we'll see.'

'Aww poor baby is tired, isn't she?' Matt sarcastically asked from the dining table.

Kainene rolled her eyes and shook her head. She was too tired to reply Matt, and anyway he just wanted some attention which she was not in the mood to give to him.

'Whatever, Matt. I'll try and be ready in like forty five minutes. An hour tops, so just keep on...doing what you're doing you guys.' She made to go to her room.

'Oh I'm not going with you guys.' Matt quickly said.

'What!' Lorna asked staring at him in disbelief. Then she smiled slowly nodding to herself, 'Oh I get it, we University Hall students aren't good enough for you so you're hanging out with your Wills people.'

'Come off it Lorna I never said that. I mean, you could not possibly be NOT good enough for me. We were in the same college for forever.'

'So is it me then, Matt?' Kainene asked. Lorna started talking but Kainene cut her off with a sharp hand gesture. 'No, I want to say this, Lorna so stay out of it. Look Matt, I am sick and tired of your condescending attitude, okay. I don't give a shit what school, college or fucking money you have or your parents, or whatever. I've stayed silent and basically ignored all your snide little comments. Do you think because I can't speak up for myself, that I'm completely stupid? Or dumb? Get over yourself and off your posh white high horse Matt, go with whomever you want. Yes. I said whomever. I may come from the rough ends, but my grammar is impeccable, forget the sodding pronunciation.' She took a deep breath, ignoring the stunned looks on Mykelos, Lorna and Matt's faces.

'I'm going to be out in an hour. Whoever's still here I'll go with, I really couldn't care if I end up with John.' And with that she walked into her room and slammed the door.

'Well,' Mykelos smiled to all of them in general, 'seems our little tiger has finally unsheathed her claws.'

Kainene lay on her bed staring up at the ceiling. It had been a very long day and she was already regretting her outburst. She did not really feel like going out anymore. She sighed to herself loudly. As she rolled out of bed, preparing to take off her jumper, she heard a knock. She quickly shrugged her jumper back on before emitting a tiny 'Come in.'

Matt poked his head into with a sheepish smile before stepping in fully. 'Erm, I came to apologise.'

Kainene started to interrupt and he quickly continued, 'No. Please. Let me. I really am sorry that I'm such a pompous arse, but honestly, just now, I didn't mean anything like what you thought I meant when I said I wasn't going with you guys. I arranged to meet up with a few chaps, yes from Wills, but these are my friends. I mean we do the same course and have hung out for like ten days now, and I wanted to go with them not my two female friends and gay friend. I need a separate life from just my flatmates. Do you understand? And for the record I don't give a shit about your accent. Well not anymore. I've been living a very sheltered life and it's time I get used to the fact that there are actually normal, lovely people who don't necessarily come from my world, but are so much better than most of my peers.'

Kainene looked at him quiet for a few seconds. Then said, 'Wow, Matt. I'm impressed. I think that's the best apology I've ever received. You sure Lorna didn't put you up to this?' They both laughed. 'Well, thanks. And I'm sorry too. For overreacting.' She continued.

Matt nodded and smiled at her. 'Okay then, see you at Panache later on?'

'Definitely.' She nodded. As he turned to leave she called out, 'Hey Matt?' 

He looked at her.

'Any of your mates fit? Wanna hook a sister up?'

Matt burst out laughing, 'Oh anytime Nens, just pick the person.'

They both grinned at each other and he turned back to the door, quietly shutting it behind him.

Kainene scrutinized herself in the mirror as Lorna straightened her hair by the bed. Mykelos poured tequila into three shot glasses and downed them all.

'Hey, don't look at me like that.' He blustered when Lorna stared at him, 'I'll pour some out for you, just need some Dutch courage for the guy...well guys I intend to pull tonight.'

'Oh and also get gonorrhoea from?' Lorna sarcastically asked. Mykelos just stuck out his tongue and poured some more shots for him and the girls.

'So what do you think about my outfit? Think I shall pull some chaps myself?' Lorna asked standing up and nudging Kainene away from the window so that she could look herself over. She was wearing a short ivory shift and red Louboutins. Her hair was in dramatic waves, shaping her heart-shaped face, and her eyes lined darkly giving her an exotic Isla Fisher look. 

'You look wicked, babe trust me. I feel like an ugly step sister next to you.' Kainene said staring at her a little enviously. Lorna's dress was simply stunning and was also a Lanvin dress, Kainene had checked out the label surreptitiously. She felt underdressed and a little cheap in her black skinny jeans from Primark and her striped boy shirt from H&M. 

'Oh shut it, little miss non-sunshine, you look gorgeous too. Both of you. I'd have a boner if you had dicks.' Mykelos slurred a bit.

'Oh my God, you disgusting fairy!' Lorna gasped giggling. Kainene laughed as well. Sod it, she looked alright too. Anyway, she just wanted to go dancing as she had not in such a long while and her outfit was perfect for a little bump and grind on the dance floor. She finished applying her raspberry flavoured lip-gloss to her full lips and some more mascara to her long eyelashes. 




University Life - First Ch. 03-04



'Okay ladies, three shots for the road and we're out!' She said excitedly and there was a unanimous 'Hell Yeah' to that.

***

'Okay, what do you think of that one?' Lorna asked, nudging Kainene slyly as she pointed to a red-haired six-footer.

Kainene sighed, 'For the umpteenth time, Lorns. No! I do not fancy him.'

Nens! You don't fancy anybody! You're a boring old lady. Pick someone for the love of God.' Lorna sulked at Kainene.

'I don't wanna pick anyone up. I just wanna dance. Oh, look. That fittie over there is staring at you. Quick, go talk to him.' Kainene pointed randomly at the crowd.

'Oooh, where?' Lorna looked round quickly, and as she did so, Kainene slipped away from her towards the bar, heaving a huge sigh of relief as she did so.

'Not very nice.' Someone whispered in her ear and she turned around with a gasp.

'Oh, it's you', She sighed with a hand on her heart. It was Matt. 'You scared me'. She punched his arm.

'Ow. Not my intention. Anyway, still wanna be hooked up?' He asked wiggling his eyebrows.

'Err, No. Given up on that. Not particularly pleased with the guys here. Bunch of ugly sods if you ask me.' She shook her head vigorously.

Matt chuckled loudly and led her towards a corner, 'Ouch! You've broken quite a few hearts with those harsh words. Come on now, not one person has caught your eye? Cuz I've been on the lookout, wingman and all, and I've been...shall we say approached, by a few people asking about you.'

'Bullshit.' She muttered looking longingly at the bar. She was definitely not going to get the vodka orange she had been dying for all night.

'Seriously. Would I lie to you?'

'Yes.'

'Okay,' Matt laughed, 'Yes I will, true. But this time, someone does fancy you. But he's shy...intimidated, more like.'

'Why?' Kainene looked surprised.

'Err, don't take this the wrong way, but think it's because you're...' Matt turned a bit red.

'Oh, 'cuz I'm black? Don't worry, that happens all the time.' Kainene shrugged. 'Well, is he fit then?' 

'I'm a bloke, so I can't answer that. But he's an alright chap. He's my mate anyway. Wanna meet him?'

'Can I get a vodka orange on the way, though. I really need one.'

'Okay you little drunk.'

'Oi!' she cuffed him again.

A much needed vodka orange in hand, Kainene could focus properly on what Matt was saying, or rather, who he was pointing to. Oh God, it was the same ginger boy Lorna had been referring to before.

'Erm, Matt, I don't really think...' Her voice trailed off as the red-haired guy had already spotted them and was walking towards them. Oh crap.

'Hey, Tom.' Matt grinned at him and did some guy-to-guy hug thing. 

'Yo, what's crackalacking, homie?' A plumy voice replied, clearly trying to sound as hip and ghetto as possible. Sadly, the effort was fruitless.

Kainene cringed at his effort. Oh God, no. Not another person trying to act 'black' and failing woefully. Why did they even bother, no one saw her trying to act or sound 'white'.

'So, this is my mate Nens that I was telling you about.' Matt said subtly pushing a very reluctant Kainene towards Tom.

Tom beamed at her. He was slightly taller than she was, and in heels, she knew she would definitely have been taller. A no-no already.

'Hey, babe. How's tings?' Tom asked, practically high-fiving her in his 'cool' attempt.

She turned to Matt with wide eyes thinking, you have got to be having a laugh. 

'Hey, I'm Nens. How are you?' She asked politely trying to indicate that she was not really up for his slang-fest.

Tom shrugged beaming manically, 'Not bad, not bad. You know how we is, blad. Just chilling and tings.'

Okay, enough was enough. She could not stand and watch the poor, clearly nervous boy, humiliate himself further. She turned to Matt and said, 'I have to go now, mate. Need the toilet effing badly. Been suppressing this shit for hours now and about to let a huge fart out, mate. See ya. Lovely to meet you, Tom.'

She spotted the quick look of horrific disgust that passed Tom's face and the amused look on Matt as she turned around hastily towards the toilet.

As she giggled to herself, she felt someone staring at her and looked round. She could not spot the person so shrugged inwardly and commenced guzzling her drink. She quickly downed her vodka orange and felt its effect almost immediately. Good thing she had really low tolerance for alcohol; made it a cheap night every time she went out drinking. A song went on as she spotted Lorna marching towards her angrily. 

'Lornnns!' She squealed, practically hugging her. 'It's 'Rihanna'. I love this song. Let's dance.' 

Lorna could tell that Kainene was a tad tipsy so she let go of her anger and laughingly let herself be dragged to the dance floor. Soon, Kainene was dancing her heart out and as she did so, she got quite a few stares for she was an amazing dancer. Lorna danced next to her but knew she could not compete as she was mediocre at best. As she looked around, her heart skipped for there was Rufus staring at Kainene intently. Lorna tried to nudge Kainene to inform her of this gorgeous tidbit but Kainene was caught up in the music and was twisting her hips away, lost in the beat of 'Please don't stop the music'.

Lorna surreptitiously stared at Rufus's direction and let out an audible gasp because he was walking towards them now. 

'Nens. Nens. Ne...' She tried to nudge her harder, but Rufus had already walked up to them. Without a word, he started grinding next to Kainene. Lorna slowly edged away so as to give them space to dance, smiling slyly to herself as she did so.

Kainene felt hands around her and turned sharply to gaze into the most gorgeous grey eyes ever. He looked awfully familiar, but she was too care-free and in the music to figure out who he was. He started to dance with her and she danced right back. God, he was an amazing dancer. Stereotypes were so rubbish, who coined that false saying 'white boys can't dance'? He was stunningly good.

'You're a good dancer.' She panted slightly twirling away in his arms.

He laughed gently in her face, 'Why do you sound surprised?' His voice was deep, husky and, as far as lust-filled Kainene was concerned, gorgeous.

'Oh, you know, white boys and two left feet.' She absently said. She then realised what she had uttered and gasped, clapping a hand to her mouth. 'Oh, err, I mean...'

'That's okay,' he gently interrupted grinning down at her, 'I get that a lot.'

She could only nod at him, his smile was amazing. 'Do I know you?' she asked. She was sure she had met him somewhere. Maybe he was in the same hall or something.

'No. I don't think so. I'd definitely have remembered you if we met somewhere before this.' He grinned sexily.

'Hmm.' She hummed at him smiling too. They kept on dancing oblivious to the stares they were getting, both admiringly and enviously. The latter, in particular, was from two girls who stared at the dancing duo balefully. Lorna, who was stood next to Viola at this point and staring at the two dancers overheard one of them say cattily to the other, 'If only I had known all I had to do to get his attention was dance like a slut, I'd have practised on a stripper pole.'

'How like, so true.' The other girl, in an American accent replied.

Lorna gasped at this turning to Viola. Viola stared back at her round-eyed. She had overheard the conversation as well.

'Oh, God, I know those two. The perfect bitches of Headington.' Viola whispered to Lorna.

'Hunh? You know them?' Lorna whispered back.

'Yah, Minty, the blonde one was in Headington with me, as well as Heather, the brunette. Heather transferred from some private school in America but I only knew her for a month before transferring to our school, so wasn't really friends with her. But she and Minty got on really well from the day she got there, and Minty had always been the year bitch, and clearly she hasn't given up her title.' Viola gossiped quickly.

'Heather, did you say?' Lorna frowned trying to remember something. 'Heather! That's where I remember that name from. Are they lawyers by any chance?'

'Yah, why?'

'Nens, my friend dancing with Rufus, well she met her, Heather and they had a bit of a row over seats. Golly, they probably have it in for her now.'

'Oh dear, not even close to the end of first term and a potential fight brewing.' Viola sighed. 'And from the looks of it, Darling Minty fancies Rufus. Look at her staring so obviously.'

Both girls turned to look at Heather and Araminta who, in turn, were gazing half-lustfully, half-angrily at Kainene and Rufus.

Kainene, on the other hand, was oblivious to what was going on around her. She laughed and danced to her heart's content with Rufus as the songs changed from one R & B song to another. 

'I love this DJ. He's so wicked, innit?' she spun round happily. She realised as soon as she said it that she had slipped back into her normal accent but she couldn't care less. She was having fun, and if the amazing dancer was put off by her way of talking then, sod it. She'd dance alone.

To her suprise, he laughed with her but did not mock her by replying 'innit' as well. 'He's rather good, isn't he? You hardly hear this kind of music nowadays on student nights. It's mostly dance, house and techno rubbish. I hate those kinds of songs.'

'Me too!' she shrieked grinning at him. At this point, his laughing stare changed into something more serious. She was surprised at this change and let out a tiny 'eep' as he pulled her closer to him. He bent his head and murmured in her ear, 'I really want to kiss you now.'

Oh, she gasped staring up at him. He smiled crookedly at her then bent to capture her lips with his.

Oh my. She thought.

'Oh my God'. Viola and Lorna excitedly squeaked.

'What the fuck?' Araminta snarled at Heather before stomping off.

Kainene was lost in his kiss. She did not know who he was, or what his name was but at that moment she did not care at all. He gently parted her lips with his and languidly stroked her tongue with his. She thought she was going to disgrace herself by swooning. Never had she been kissed in such a grown-up manner. When he raised his head, she followed his head with hers, rising on tiptoes and trying to continue the kiss without realising what she was doing. Immediately she did, she fell back on her feet, blushing furiously. He simply smiled down at her, 'I don't even know your name.'

'Kainene', she whimpered then cleared her throat quickly. 'I mean, everyone calls me Nens, though.'

'Nens. I'm Rufus.'

'Ohmigod, the hottie of Stoke Bishop...whoops!' She clapped a hand over her mouth at her utterance. How much more of a high school girl could she be?

'Hottie of Stoke Bishop. Wow.' He chuckled.

She blushed some more. Thank the Lord she was black, or she'd have been bright red by now, she thought to herself.

'Sorry, that's so embarrassing. It's what they call you in Stoke Bishop.' She muttered.

'Ah, I take it you're in a hall down there, then. Which one?' He asked.

'University,' she replied – and waited for the inevitable condescending look to cross his face.

To her surprise, he merely nodded, 'I'm in Churchill.' She stopped herself in time from nodding in the affirmative. Didn't want him thinking she was a stalker now, did she?

'Oh, that's good. Err, it was lovely dancing with you. I should probably get back to my friend.' She started to turn away, but he held her arm, stopping her from moving.

'Just like that? Or was I the only one affected by one of the best kisses ever?' he asked.

'Oh no. Oh NO! NO! I mean...I just...I thought it was a...you know...' she lamely trailed off.

'No I don't actually...but I'll let you off. Can I have your number before you go see your friend?' He asked.

'Oh, okay, it's...' she was cut off by a loud, 'Rufus, dahhhhhling. It's been absolute yonks since I last saw you. How goes it?' 

She looked over Rufus' shoulder to see Heather and her friend walking towards them. Heather's friend smiled sunnily at Rufus before planting a loud, wet one on his lips.

'Minty? Oh, I didn't know you were attending this Uni.' Rufus looked a bit confused but pleased nonetheless at seeing 'Minty'.

Kainene stared at the beautiful blonde-haired doll and her heart sank like lead. There was no way she could compete with that. She, Minty, looked like she belonged with Rufus. Two Thoroughbreds, and she, a skanky flea-ridden horse. She quickly muttered something inaudible and walked away quickly, ignoring Rufus's cries of 'Wait, Nens, wait!'

She walked rapidly to Lorna and muttered a quick, 'Can we leave now?'

Lorna nodded and waved hastily at a sympathetic Viola before walking off with Kainene.

None of the three noticed Rufus' confused, sad look as they left, or Araminta's triumphant one.



University Life - First Ch. 05-06



CHAPTER FIVE

Kainene sighed to herself yet again. She had been staring at the same page for half an hour but could not understand a word that was written. She tried to focus but knew that it was hopeless. Who knew Criminal Law could be so boring? 

Boring, a voice slyly replied. It's not boring; you just can't get Rufus, who's taken by the way, out of your scatty head.

Kainene groaned inwardly at that. Now she knew she was definitely going crazy. When the stupid voice inside her head was actually right for the first time. It had been days since the Panache episode and she still could not stop thinking about Rufus and what could have been if 'dahhhhhling Minty' had not interrupted. Lorna had tried to talk to her about it several times but she always cut her off. Lorna had finally gotten the message and had stopped pestering her about what had happened on the dance floor.

She sighed to herself once more. She could not pretend she understood the stupid objective and subjective tests anymore. Who cared about manslaughter and murder? Sod the OAPA 1861 Act. She was skiving the next lecture and heading home for some sleep before her shift at the union shop.

As she walked towards the bus stop, her phone beeped in her coat pocket. She slid it out and saw Lorna's number flashing. She shook her head slightly and slid the phone back into her pocket. As much as she loved Lorna, she was not in the mood to talk to anybody. As she looked up, she bumped into somebody and stumbled, crashing to the floor in an ungainly heap. She looked up and saw, her heart plummeting further, Minty and her shadow, Heather. 

'Are you, like, blind or something?' Heather asked irritated.

'I'm the one on the floor. Shouldn't I be the one complaining?' Kainene muttered getting to her feet and dusting off the bottom of her coat.

'Oh dear, I really hope you did not smear anything on my tote. It's Hermes, you know. I was on the list for yonks before I got this Berkin. Fifteen thousand pounds you know.' Minty whined rolling her eyes and studying her bag carefully for any dirt.

Kainene nearly choked on her spit. Fifteen thousand pounds for one bag? That was beyond outrageous! She shook her head in disbelief, 'Wow, I really hope the bag's okay, then. I really do. I mean, forget about me, a human being with a possible bruise. That bag simply must be alright.'

Minty could not decide if Kainene was being sarcastic or not. She looked closely at Kainene and suddenly realised that this was the girl Rufus had been snogging on the dance floor at Panache. Well, well, well. She smiled sweetly at her, 'Oh don't worry about it. Mummy promised to get me another one for my birthday and that's like in a month's time so it really doesn't matter. You're studying law, yah? So am I. Minty.' She stuck out her hand to shake Kainene's.

Kainene regarded Minty with suspicion. Why was she suddenly being so friendly? 'Nens. Yes, I study law. And so do both of you. I've seen you around.'

'Really? Well, we haven't seen you around but, now that we know you, we'll be sure to look out for you.' Minty smiled prettily at her. She made to walk away then abruptly turned back to the startled Kainene. 'Oh, by the way, a quick heads up. Do keep away from Rufus, this is just friendly advice of course, because you see, he's my boyfriend, and you aren't a boyfriend stealer now, are you?'

Kainene shook her head in disbelief. She had figured there was something between Minty and Rufus when Minty had kissed him and he had not pushed her away. But, boyfriend? Had that happened before or after he kissed her, Kainene? And if so, why the hell did he refer to their kiss as 'one of the best' if he was going to ask someone else out just days after? And what the fuck did Minty mean by 'boyfriend stealer'? Who the fuck said that on leaving college, for Pete's sake?

'Err, right. Good for both of you. Have to go now, there's my bus.' She made to walk away.

'Oh dear, the bus. Ah well, not everyone has a car I suppose.' Minty cackled to Heather who giggled back.

Kainene simply shook her head and walked off. If those girls weren't so irritating, she would have felt sorry for them. Who on earth still acted so bitchy and 'mean girl-sy' in university? Seriously?

When she got back to her room, she noticed that John's room door was open. She went to his door and knocked on it. She heard a timid 'Come in.'

On poking her head in, she realised that he was finishing with packing up. She looked at him bemused, 'Er, are you travelling somewhere then?' she asked.

'Oh no. I'm moving. To Hawthorns. It's closer to school and it's not really a flat as such. More like different rooms in the hall...' he quickly stuttered to her.

She nodded as quickly as he stuttered to end the painful conversation. Seemed the poor boy was finally fed up with their antics then. Sad boy, how and when would he ever grow up? 

'Well, good luck with your move then. Bya.' She quickly left his room to the sanity of hers. She truly hoped he found whatever he was looking for by moving, and the others would definitely be happier without him, plus that gave them a spare room till someone else moved in. Woo-hoo!

Two hours later, Kainene woke up feeling refreshed. She stared at herself in the mirror and chanted to herself, 'I do not care about Rufus. I do not care about Minty or her sidekick. I'm here to get a First, and a First is what I shall have.' She giggled to herself after her chant, it sounded like something that should have ended with an 'ooooommm'. She yawned happily and got her toothbrush out of its holder. Time to freshen up and head to the Union shop. She walked out and saw Matt and Lorna having a hushed conversation. She went into the kitchen and they clammed up immediately. 

'Alright then, you lot aren't talking about me then, ainchya?' She jokingly said. 

They laughed back almost forcefully, 'Talk about you, please.' Matt rolled his eyes.

'Hmmm, then I guess you lot are talking about how to get your relationship back on track then?' She slyly replied.

Lorna turned bright red, 'Hunh? Why, that's so silly. I mean...tell her Matt, we weren't.' She squeaked.

Kainene stopped her movement and turned to look at them properly. Lorna stared back wide-eyed and Matt looked steadily out of the window playing with his lighter furiously. Oh my God, they were talking about their relationship, or what they could make of it. She widened her eyes but did not say anything. They were clearly embarrassed and this was their business. If Lorna opted to talk about it later with her then that was okay but she was not going to meddle in their affairs. 

'Well, guess what Johnnie Mouse was up to today,' She said changing the topic, 'Or should I say, where Johnnie Mouse is?' 

The other two practically heaved their lungs out in relief at the obvious topic change.

'Where, in the warden's office looking for ways to get us heathens chucked out the flat?' Matt asked.

'Nope. Au contraire, he has found a way of getting rid of us...he got himself chucked out to the Hawthorns'.

'No!' Lorna gasped, 'He's gone?'

'Oui, oui. Le garcon is departe...or however the French say it. He's gone. I know I should feel a bit sad that we've lost a flatmate but, it's like the air is nicer. Not as uptight and stuffy.' Kainene said; a tad guiltily for feeling so pleased that John was going.

'Oh you are so right, wait till Mykelos hears about this. He's gonna do a victory dance on John's bed.' Lorna giggled.

'Ah well. Now that I've done my good deed for the day -- bringing such wonderful news to you's two, I'm off to the coal mine that is the Union shop. You two out tonight?' Kainene asked, making her way to the bathroom.

Lorna blushed immediately, and Matt cleared his throat.

'Well, we sort of are, you know, we are...'Lorna stammered.

'We have a date. Tonight.' Matt said, defiantly staring at Kainene to say something funny.

'Ah.' Kainene stated lost for words. She had a feeling this day would come. It was clear to anyone with working eyes that these two still had feeling for each other. She was actually pleased for them because she felt Lorna was the only one who could bring out Matt's more pleasant side on a regular basis.

'I'm so pleased for you both. Have fun. I'm gonna try get some more milk and eggs...oh and cereal for the flat.' She quickly said.

'Oh, that's lovely. I'll get some coins.' Lorna interjected. 

'No...Let me.' Matt put in as well.

'Oh naff off you two. I'm using my discount card so it's going to be cheap as Lidl bread. And anyway, once you lot are back I've got gossip for you Lorna about the 'perfect bitches of Headington.' Lorna had told her what Viola said and they both found it hysterical.

'Ooooh, can't wait!' Lorna squealed excitedly.

As Kainene closed the bathroom door, she heard Matt ask in confusion 'The perfect bitches of Headington? What the fuck?'

CHAPTER SIX

'Can't believe it's been over a month since we moved in. I mean, wow. How the days fly.' Lorna said walking hand in hand with Kainene up the Clifton Downs. It was the last Sunday of the month and the two girls were on their way back from church to their flat. 

'I know. I mean, so much has changed as well. Mykelos has a proper boyfriend, or so the poor *ahem* boyfriend claims. However, Mykelos does NOT want to be tied down as he keeps on clucking.' Kainene giggled.

'Oh yeah, and we have a new flatmate, as drippy as John, but at least she's hardly ever in the flat. Always with her equally drippy friends.' Lorna added as they reminisced about the past month.

'Ooh, and let's not forget, a certain Lorna is back together with a certain Matt.' Kainene said slyly.

Both girls giggled loudly, Lorna blushing as she did. 'Oh, lay off. It's been two weeks already. Let it go.'

'I know, but you're so easy to tease, I just can't help it.' Kainene replied laughing at the ever-blushing Lorna.

'Oh whatever. And you too, who thought you'd change from the quiet, never-talk-back Kainene to the feisty Nens that you are now?'

'Well, what can I say, University brings out the best, and the worst, in all of us. Mine being the latter of course. And I'm loving it.' Kainene exclaimed happily.

Lorna grinned back at her and they walked in companionable silence. 

It truly had been a fast, yet surprising month. Apart from these changes, everything else had gone perfectly for the flatmates. Mykelos was loving his course and his 'boyfriend', Matt had finally figured out a perfect balance for his flat-friends, other friends and his girlfriend, Lorna was head over heels in love with Matt and it was clear the feeling was reciprocated, and Kianene? Well, life was as well as it could be. The bitchy duo had left her alone once they realised she was not going after Rufus, she was enjoying her job as much as she could as it gave her some pocket money, and her university work as fantastic, she had gotten high firsts on her practice tests in all her modules. The only fly in her bonnet was, as much as she felt she was over Rufus, a part of her was still hurt that he had made no effort to look for her. At least she had told him her name and her hall. Clearly, the kiss and dance was something he did a lot and he must truly be going out with Minty then. At first, she had consoled herself that Minty was lying and wanted her to back off. Clearly she had been living in la-la-land. She forcefully pushed her thoughts out of her head. It had been a glorious month and she wasn't going to taint it by thinking about past events. 

Sadly, fate had different plans for her. A horn was honked loudly and both girls jumped, startled out of their respective reveries to stare at a black Maserati which was slowing towards them. A window was wound down and who should stare out, but Rufus himself. 

Oh God, why? Kainene groaned to herself. The day she let herself think about him in past tense, finally, he decided to come out of his hiding hole.

'Hey, do you know the directions to Cribbs Causeway? Because I've be...Kainene? Is that you?' Rufus asked in disbelief as he stared at Kainene and Lorna.

Lorna looked at Kainene wildly. What was she going to say?

'Hey, Rufus. It's been yonks.' She sarcastically said hoping he'd realise that was exactly how Minty had cut into their conversation. He clearly did as his face turned a bright red, filling Kianene with some form of perverse satisfaction.

'Yeah, it has. Look, I've been looking all over for you. I wanted to...' He started.

'You clearly didn't look too well now did you? Seeing that I told you what hall I was in, my name...you know...both of us being in Stoke Bishop together.' Kainene cut in snarkily.

He started to say something, but she waved it away, 'It really doesn't matter. It was just a dance, so really, let's forget it. You don't owe me anything, and anyway you're with your perfect partner now, so Congratulations, I suppose.'

He looked utterly confused when she said this, 'Perfect partner? What on earth are you talking about? Look can you come into the car let's talk about this properly. I want to apologise properly, and I can drop your friend off...'

Lorna nodded vigorously at this and at the same time Kainene shook her head as vigorously, if not more than Lorna. 'Oh no, I don't think that's necessary at all. Look Rufus. Forget about all this. Minty said you two are going out and really, why should she lie? It's not like you fancy me or anything.' She blushed inwardly at this but rushed on, 'Anyway, the directions of Cribbs are easy. Just go straight on after the last roundabout for about ten minutes then you'll see another one. Take a right and drive on, Cribbs isn't too far. Good day, come on Lorna.' She practically frogmarched Lorna unto the field itself so that Rufus would not be able to continue the conversation. She looked on as she heard a very audible 'Oh fuck!' and engines furiously revving as he sped off.

'What the...Nens. Are you psycho?' Lorna all but screamed at Kainene once Rufus had taken off.

'No I'm not. I'm very sane actually. He's got a girlfriend, and he clearly saw our...actions at Panache as a normal student thing -- which it was, to be frank. So let's all stop making a big deal out of this for fuck's sake and just let it go.'

Lorna opened her mouth but Kainene glared at her, 'Seriously, Lorna. I don't want to hear it. Please.'

Lorna just sighed and shook her head. Kainene could be very pig-headed about stuff and this was definitely one of them so she was not going to say anything if Kainene wanted it that way.

Later on that evening, Rufus lay on his bed staring angrily up at the ceiling. He still could not get the events of the afternoon out of his head. He was bemused at what Kainene said, about him being in a relationship with Minty. Why would she say that? He was friends with Minty, granted, but that was because their families had known each other since forever. Plus, he could not go out with Minty even if he was paid. She was too spoilt. Where could Kianene have gotten that idea from? He thought to himself. Granted, he had not looked for her, but he had been hurt when she walked off the dance floor leaving him there, especially as he'd just asked her for her phone number. He'd felt very stupid just standing there, and he still could not understand why she had done so.

When he had gotten over his stupid anger and pride, it had been almost a week since it happened and he'd asked some friends he knew from University Hall if they knew her but none of them did. He now realised that it was because he had been asking for 'Kianene'. He had forgotten that she was called Nens. He had conveniently tried to forget about her, but now that he had seen her again, he knew that it was futile. He sighed and tried to forget about her yet again. What was the point when she clearly hated his guts? He punched his pillow in anger. There was nothing he could do, sod it. He was not going to try to engage her in any conversation again only to get his teeth firmly kicked. If they ever met up again, however unlikely this seemed as their parts had not crossed at all, then he'd try to talk to her but if she acted as snootily as she had just done then it was over. His pride could not handle another blatant rejection.



University Life - First Ch. 07



CHAPTER SEVEN

It's getting close to the end of term. Whoop-di-doop!' Mykelos sang as he danced round the kitchen table with his slice of toast dripping butter everywhere. 

'Will you stop waving that everywhere?' Lorna snapped at him. She had spent the best part of the morning tidying up the flat as Kainene's parents were coming over for the day and she, Kainene had been shaking with part-nerves, part-excitement. 'Nen's parents are gonna be here any minute now and I just cleaned this kitchen so you better stop waving it or else!'

'Sorry, Miss Williamson. I shan't do it again Miss...Ow' Mykelos rubbed his smarting head as Lorna smiled satisfactorily at the wallop she had given him. 'Fine, I'll clean up now. Bloody hell, where's Matt when you need him to control his woman' He muttered to himself.

'I heard that, gay boy. Now clean!'

As the two of them bantered with each other, Kainene stared at herself in the mirror excitedly as she spoke with her mum on the phone. 'How far away are you?'

'Not too far my dear. Just going past that hall you know? We'll soon be there.' Her mum shrieked back excitedly.

Kainene cut the phone grinning to herself. She had not seen her parents in so long and she was literally vibrating with excitement. She had so much to tell them. And show them too, especially her newly straightened hair and her new practice test results. All firsts, as usual. Then she was going to introduce them to her new lovely friends, especially Lorna. Oh, and she was going to treat them to lunch at the Lebanese restaurant close to the Student Union Centre, Sands. She had been there once with Lorna and Viola and they served amazing falafels. She studied her outfit for the umpteenth time. Her grey blouse looked very fetching matched with her mustard coloured skirt. Her black coat that she had splurged on from Karen Millen, even though it was on sale, complimented everything perfectly. She slipped on black pumps and smiled to herself. Her flat bell trilled and she took in a deep breath before rushing out of her room to open the door. 'Mu...' her voice trailed off as she glared at Matt. 'Oh, it's you. Get in quickly, I'm waiting for my mum.'

'And a hello to you too, Nens. Yes, I had fun skiing with the guys. Didn't sprain any wrists or fingers. Oh golly, do you really think I look tanned? Shocking isn't it when the weather's so terrible.' He warbled in a falsetto to Kainene.

Kainene stared at him blankly, 'I see you have me mistaken for your girlfriend. Well let me remind you that she's considerable shorter than me, red hair, you know, white...oh and her name's Lorna. Now naff off. I'm waiting for my folks.' She shoved him roughly aside and looked out the door towards the staircase for any sign of her parents.

'Hmph,' Matt snorted as he walked towards the kitchen, 'When's shy Nens coming back? I miss her. And I detest this new one. Really horrible to me nowadays.'

'Get used to it, Matt! She's here to stay until she sees her parents, so better hope they're pulling into the parking lot downstairs.' She yelled back at him. As she made to close the door, she heard footsteps coming up the stairs and her mum's voice drifting upwards complaining to her dad, 'Can't imagine why they put her on the third floor. What if she was asthmatic? And no bloomin' lifts, Chike!'

'Mum!' Kainene shrieked and rushed to meet them at the last set of stairs, hugging and practically lifting up her 5'5 mother. 'Ohmigod, mum I've missed you so much!' 

Her mum hugged her back just as tightly and started crying immediately. 'My darling baby, you look so different. Your hair! It's gorgeous. Oh my, you are now a lady.' She hugged her daughter once more.

Kainene's father rolled his eyes, although good-naturedly, 'Come now, Jennifer. Can't I give my daughter a cuddle too? You're not the only one who missed her you know?' 

Kainene turned to her dad smiling as she hugged him, 'Hello, dad. I've missed you too don't worry.'

He gave his hearty chuckle and patted her back as they walked into Kainene's flat. 'Me, worried? Why should I be? Of course you've missed me, I never doubted that.'

Kainene half dragged them to the kitchen to meet Mykelos, Lorna and Matt who were sat with fixed smiles on their faces. The new girl whose name she forgot was nowhere to be found.

'These are my flat mates and darling friends, Mykelos, Matt and Lorna.' She introduced them. Each of them shook hands with her parents and gave the necessary greetings. 

'Okay, you've seen my flat. Again. Gimme a second to get my purse and coat, and we're off for lunch.' She ran to her room, grabbed the said items and went back to the kitchen. 

'Bye, you guys. Come on.' She grinned at the two older people and they waved bye to the younger three and left the flat.

'Well.' Mykelos grinned slyly, 'A bit pointless me cleaning up all that butter then....Owww!!!'

'So,' Kainene's mum asked as they dug into their food. 'You've talked about your school work, which is amazing as usual; your friends, who you clearly get along with...any boyfriends then?'

'MUM!' Kainene groaned as her dad shook his head at the same time.

'What?' Her mum sputtered, 'She's not a child anymore. At her age I'd had three boyfriends hadn't I? And was just meeting Chike...and now, we're married.'

'Well, this generation's different from yours, Mum. We don't meet the guys we're going to marry at eighteen. We do so at, I dunno, twenty eight?' Kainene replied.

'Over my dead body are you waiting till twenty eight to think of marriage!' Her father snorted and Kainene rolled her eyes. Yeah, yeah, she knew how her Nigerian side of the family felt about late marriages. They all believed that a 'woman' should be courted for two years from the age of twenty three, married at twenty five and popping out the baby, preferably a son, at twenty seven. Well that was not happening to her and she was adamant about that.

'Yeah, dad. I know. Anyway, Mum. To answer your question, no. There aren't any guys.'

'But why?' Her mum looked genuinely confused, 'It must be you then, because no one can resist you. You're gorgeous and I'm not being biased.'

Kainene blushed a bit at this and stalled by chewing her lamb properly, 'Yeah, well thanks mum. But really, I can't force someone to go out with me now, can I? And anyway, I don't really have time for guys. Have my mid-sessionals in January and it's almost December now.'

'That's what I like to hear.' Her father nodded pleased at her answer.

'Pssshhh.' Her mum snorted at the two of them, 'It's not like having a boyfriend is going to stop you from passing. You read all those novels and I hardly ever used to see you studying yet you still passed. Well if you don't wanna have one fine. Just don't come crying to me when you're forty and single with cats and a broken fence. I'll be living it large in Mallorca then.'

Kainene laughed out loud at this, 'Okay mum, I'll keep that in mind. Now let's finish up. I want to take you to see my law building after this and later, we'll go to this lovely place on the waterfront where they make the best crepes ever.'

'How did your parent outing go darling? Did she like me?' Lorna asked as soon as Kainene stepped into the flat. Kainene smiled to herself. Trust Lorna to ask if she was liked. Lorna continued, 'They better have woman. I cleaned up the whole flat and you didn't even notice, 'cause if you had, you'd have made sure they stayed for more than two minutes and admired my hard work!'

Oh dear, that's why she's angry, Kainene thought guiltily. 'I'm so, so sorry Lorns. I can't believe I forgot that you offered to clean up for them. Oh shit, forgive me, babes. Please.'

Lorna looked on stonily.

'Okay, what can I do to make it up to you then? Do the grocery shopping for a week? Two weeks?' Kainene pleaded.

Lorna seemed to be lost in deep thought, 'Hmmm, till end of term.'

'Till exams?' Kainene gulped loudly, 'But that's in six weeks!'

'I spent all morning on the flat. Every single second of the morning.'

'Fine!' Kainene succumbed grumpily. 'But just for the two of us, though. If Matt and Mykenos take anything, then it's on your head.'

'Deal.' Lorna smiled happily. 'Now that that's sorted, let's discuss operation Christmas ball.'

'Errr, not going, thank you', Kainene quickly said, getting a can of Pepsi from the fridge.

'What?' Lorna shrieked and Kainene winced at the sound. 'Are you joking? You must be. Of course you're gonna be at the Ball. It's like our first undergrad Ball. You are definitely going, mate. End of.'

Kainene laughed dryly at this, 'You can't force me to go, Lorns. End of to you too.'

'Hmph,' Lorna snorted. 'We'll see about that, Nens.'

***

It was a week to the Christmas Ball and Kainene was still refusing Lorna's pleas and threats. Even Viola had been roped into the new 'Operation get Kainene to the Ball.' Kainene had resorted to hiding out in her new secret spot, a computer room in the basement of the French building on Woodland road. She smiled to herself as she left the basement that evening. It was nine p.m. and if memory served her correctly, Lorna would be out with Viola and a bunch of her course mates on their almost daily drunken lash and Mykelos would be at his totty of the day's hall. As for Matt, he was either home or at Wills and she really was not fussed either way. He hardly bothered her as much as the other two anyway. She plugged in her IPod earphones and hummed along to herself as she walked to the student union to get the bus back to halls. Although it was further down than the normal bus stop, the student one cost seventy five pence and she was saving money for all the novels of the author she had just discovered, J R Ward. Thinking of her books brought a new smile to her face. She could not wait to get home and finish one of the novels that she had borrowed from the library. She quickened her pace as she thought about this.

Forty five minutes later, she opened the door to her flat and groaned in near horror as she heard girl voices. They were either Lorna and Viola or friends of Matt. She doubted the latter as she knew Lorna would rip his head off if she ever found out so that left her with Lorna... 'Nens!'

Kainene gulped as she heard Lorna's distinctive voice. 

She trudged slowly into the kitchen to see Lorna and Viola grinning excitedly at her. 

'Okay, we know you said you don't wanna go to the ball and we've decided that we aren't gonna pester you anymore.' Kainene's heart rose at this but plummeted when Lorna continued, 'IF you give us a very real and viable excuse why exactly you don't wanna be at the ball.'

Kainene rubbed the back of her neck tiredly and slumped down on a dining chair, 'I just don't wanna...'

'Uh-unh.' Viola shook her head vigorously. 'That's not an excuse. You have to come up with something viable, darling. Viable being the operative word here.'

'Okay.' Kainene conceded as she desperately racked her brains, 'Okay, I don't wanna go because I'll be working that night.'

'No you won't.' Lorna objected. 'Freshers are excused from working in the student union on the ball day.'

Kainene wrinkled her brows confused, 'Really? Wow, just like that? Without any reason?'

'Yup.' Viola put in. 'Guess they really want all the freshers to experience proper university life, hunh?'

'Fine. Well I can't buy the tickets now can I? I saw a poster up in the common room this afternoon. All the tickets are sold out. Even the ones without the Christmas meal.'

'Not true.' Viola howled triumphantly, 'Well, not in your case, anyway. We bought one for you in the hope that you would change your mind. And it's for the full event.'

Kainene could not suppress a groan at this. Crap, she was well and truly cornered. She tried one last time, 'But you're going with Matt aren't you, Lorns? He's your date.'

'Yeah, but we're all gonna be on the coach together so it's not like I'll be glued to Matt's hip all night. Plus Viola hasn't got any date and she's still going so quit with the silly excuses, Nens. You are going to the ball.'

Kainene looked at them defeated, 'But I have nothing to wear.'

Both girls smiled evilly at her. They knew she had definitely conceded then. 

'Not to worry, old girl.' Viola chortled gleefully. 'We're driving down to mine on Saturday to get some of Mummy's old stuff. Vintage, you know. Would be marvellous. And there's bound to be stuff for all three of us. In fact I'm certain there is.'

Lorna clapped her hands delighted at the turn of events and said just as much, 'Isn't this simply delightful?'

'Delightful.' Kainene croaked.

***

'Oh bothersome buggeration!' Lorna moaned in frustration. She had had her head stuck in the massive trunk in Viola's attic trying to find the most darling dress she was sure to be there. 'It's like this dress is eluding me. I pick something out certain it's the one for me, then I find something more darling. Gahhh!' She ended with a tiny scream.

Kainene shook her head at the two girls now covered in dust. She herself was sat on an old mattress staring at the two of them with something akin to disbelief. She did not think it was possible for girls to be that bothered about a ball. Granted it was meant to be THE event of the university calendar year, but for Pete's sake, it was only a ball. She said as much and nearly got mowed down with the sharp verbal attacks from Viola and Lorna.

'Only a ball? Are you starkers? This is the ball of the year. Our first ball as uni students. Our first adult Christmas ball. Do something Viola or I shall simply scream.' Lorna shrieked about to tear her hair out at Kainene's nonchalance.

'Okay, okay you guys. Keep your hair on. I'm excited about it.' This caused a loud snort from the two sceptical girls. Kainene ignored them and continued, 'As I was saying, I am excited about it, just not on the scale of you guys. Especially you Lorns. All the ball gowns here are amazing and would definitely look better than anything anyone else there wears, I am positive of it. So what you guys should be worried about now is finding one your...I mean our size and that's that.' She finished her impassioned plea and stared at them thinking she had finally gotten to them.

They stared at her blankly then resumed their moans completely ignoring her speech, 'Okay, do you think the organza one or the lilac one? Only that the lilac's got a fish tail so...'

Kainene sighed and left them to it. As she rolled her eyes turning away from them, she saw a flash of gold in one of the opened and discarded trunks a few feet away from the haggling girls. She walked towards it slowly, entranced by the bold colour. She knelt by the trunk and gently pried the dress away from the others shaking it out when she did so. Her eyes widened as she noticed what it was in her hands. 

The other girls gasped out loud and she spun round to see them staring at her with the same awe-struck expression she was sure she had on her face.

'Bloody hell! Nens, you definitely struck gold with that. No pun intended.' Lorna whispered in awe. 

Kainene numbly nodded looking back at the dress. It was a long gold number. It had no straps, a boned bodice and a seemed to trail to the ground. It was quite plain with no sequins or adornment but was so gorgeous in its plainness that it was clear the elegance of the dress was meant to speak for itself. 

Viola cleared her throat and said, 'I remember this dress. Mummy told me about it. She got it from Grandmama as her debutante ball gown but it was too long and she thought it was too precious to be adjusted so she kept it for me. Clearly I don't have the height for it so we just left it here. It's gorgeous and not in the least crinkly. Mummy definitely thought it was worth treating well.' She walked over to another small box and started rummaging, muttering to herself. She found what it was that she was looking for and raised it with a triumphant 'Ah-Hah!'

She turned round to the silently standing girls and showed them a pair of black delicate silk gloves. 'This was to go with the dress. Both you and Mummy are quite long fingered. Go on, try it on.' She urged, giving the gloves to a dazzled Kainene.

Kainene quickly shrugged off her jumper and jeans and slid into the dress. The collective gasps said it all. It fit her like a glove and was just the perfect size. She slid on the gloves reverently and turned round staring down at herself. Viola silently led her to the full length mirror at the far corner of the room and Kainene stared at herself, her mouth agape.

'I look...I look...' She gulped to herself.

Lorna finished her sentence for her, 'Simply stunning, darling. You look bloody amazing. Minty, eat your minging heart out.'

All three girls giggled at this. Kainene really did look gorgeous. This seemed to give the other girls hope that they would definitely find the perfect dress and they renewed their effort doubly. Kainene took off her dress carefully and folded it up with the gloves and joined them in their search. In no time, they found a calf length red dress with tiny straps and a forest green cummerbund for Viola and Lorna settled for the floor length organza gown she had seen before. 

Soon all three girls were shrieking to themselves with joy that they had found the perfect outfits. 'Okay, all we have to do now is find the perfect shoes, which we can anyway. Mummy has a Harvey Nichols card and we can get our shoes on it.' Viola said smiling excitedly.

Kainene quickly protested, 'Oh No. I couldn't. I can always get my shoes myself. Really you don't have to do that for me. I feel indebted to you already for what you've done, with this gorgeous dress and...'

'Oh shut it, Nens.' Viola chided gently, 'Mummy never and I mean NEVER uses her card because she's into her newfound hippy-ness and Grandmama's not too pleased that the card's going to waste so I rang her up and told her I was going shopping with a few friends. She practically clung to me through the phone with delirious happiness. It's going to be amazing idiot, so stop whinging.' 

Kainene smiled at this. She was overwhelmed with the obvious wealth the other two girls carelessly showed. She had known that they were rather well off, but she did not think it was this much. Especially Viola; her country home looked like a castle and was clearly not as run down as the novels portrayed country homes to be. Never in a million years did she think she would run in circles with such girls. Her friends back home in Hackney would shit bricks when she told them. 

Soon, the girls were driving off in Viola's little red Mini Cooper. It was truly a day for shopping and excitement was rife in the air.



University Life - First Ch. 08



CHAPTER EIGHT...

'Golly, it looks amazing, doesn't it?' Lorna gasped as she looked round the hall. The university had hired the hall of the museum next to the Wills Memorial building and it was really spruced up with beautiful red, gold and green decorations and strategically placed mistletoes. 

'Can't wait to find the first mistletoe and have a good ole' snogathon.' Lorna giggled at her friends.

'You best be hoping it's me you're having your 'good old snogathon' with, missy!' Matt mock-growled at her and bent to nip her neck playfully. She giggled and shrugged away from him.

Kainene smiled fondly at the two of them. Ah, long lost love. She turned round to Mykelos and Viola. 'Lorns' right. It looks wicked.'

'And yummy too,' Mykelos slyly added. Kainene and Viola turned to look at him askance. Yummy? Kainene started to ask what he meant then noticed what, or rather who he was staring at. There was a very fit, albeit slender looking boy standing next to the punch table.

'You're such an unapologetic whore, Mykelos.' Kainene shook her head and cuffed his head playfully.

'And don't you forget it, my dear girl. Now if you gorgeous ladies will excuse me, I have a date with a hunky man and the...my stars how fortuitous, exceptionally welcome mistletoe he's standing under.' With this unabashed comment, Mykelos sidled away.

'How on earth does he do it? And what if that guy's not gay and Mykelos gets punched in the face?' Viola asked worriedly.

Kainene laughed loudly, 'I doubt that's actually gonna happen. Mykelos just has this innate...I dunno, gaydar or something. He always knows who's gay and who's not. And he's so cool and whatever that even if the guys he chats up are straight, I bet he could turn them gay or bisexual at the very least.'

Viola stared at Mykelos who was now laughing and touching the other guy's arm slightly. Then she saw him lean over and plant a quick but proper kiss on the guy's lips and noticed the way the other guy's eyes widen with pleasure.

'Talk about macking.' She half-whispered impressed.

Kainene nodded, 'Told you. He's amazing to watch in action.'

They both heard some loud cheers behind them and turned around to see what the commotion was all about.

Rufus had come in with a few guys and all the rugby players were happy, it seemed.

'When will these people ever grow up and stop acting so immature?' Viola muttered a bit irritated. Then she hastily added, 'Excluding Rufus, of course.'

Kainene turned her head to look at Viola at that comment, 'Oh my God, Viola. I don't care about him anymore so don't worry about dissing him. I'm not going to jump down your throat in any sort of defence. Trust me.'

Viola looked sceptical at this but refrained from making any comments.

Kainene rolled her eyes and looked back at Rufus and his friends. Clearly her friends still thought she was hung up on Rufus when she so was not. Liar, liar, pants on fire, a voice chanted in her head and she hurriedly pushed it out.

She was about to turn her head away when Rufus suddenly looked up and caught her staring. She told herself to look away, but she couldn't. She felt like she was caught in the glare of headlights making its way towards her. She stared and kept on staring as Rufus told his friends something she could not make out then started walking towards her. She gulped audibly and glanced round to talk to Viola. Viola shook her head with a little knowing smirk on her face then whispered, 'You were saying?' Before letting out a tiny laugh and walking away, leaving Kainene alone. 

Kainene turned back and saw that Rufus was now standing in front of her. 

'Hey.' He said softly.

'Hey,' She replied in a forced gay tone. 'Wow, how are you?'

'Alright. Yourself?'

'Wonderful. Amazing actually. It's my first ball, so I feel kinna like Cinderella, you know. Like the clock's gonna strike midnight and I'll leave one of my glass...well not glass, slippers, or shoes behind and scuttle off. Although that would be incredibly stupid of course, as I'll have to walk for hours before I get back to Stoke and the whole midnight concept will be pointless. But that's why we have cabs, innit? So that's sorted. Best I call one for 11:30 or 11:15 as that way I get home before midnight, innit? And I shall stop rambling now before I combust here with utter shame and stupidity.' She ended breathlessly. Oh ye gods, make the floor open up and swallow me whole. Then cough me out in some faraway land like...Antarctica. 

But with nice warm clothes.

Rufus laughed and shook his head, 'No, that was actually a very interesting tale. Would make a delightful modern Cinderella story, actually.' He smiled again and ran a hand through his gorgeous hair. 'I never got to say sorry for how things turned out. Or rather I did, then I ruined it by speeding off in a stupid burst of temper. I'd like to apologise for that as well. For everything actually.' 

'Oh no, you have nothing to apologise for honestly. I was the stupid one who walked off and left you, understandably fuming. I'm the one who never gave you a chance to explain and I apologise for it as well. I'm the one who has to be sorry, really.'

Both of them stood there for a second looking apologetic, then they burst out laughing. 'Bloody hell, talk about awkwardness averted.' Kainene snorted as she pressed a hand to her side. This had been funny. It was like they both had to win a 'who can apologise best and last' competition.

'We should probably just wipe the whole stupid slate clean and start all over again. Friends.' She stuck out a hand.

'Friends.' He replied with a grin and shook her hand firmly. Then he added, 'But I would really like to explain about the whole Minty situation...'

'Remember, wipe the slate clean. That includes Minty stories. I don't wanna hear, lalalala.' She pretended to stick her fingers in her ears.

Rufus laughed and nodded, 'Okay then. Slate officially wiped clean. No more Minty stories. Hell, who's Minty?'

They both laughed at this. 'So, I take it you're sat with your friends, the red-haired one and Viola.'

'Yeah, I am. And some other friends too. Why?' She asked confused.

'Oh, just wondering. I could have possibly squeezed you in on my table. Or booted someone off.' He replied, grinning.

She laughed at this, 'That's extremely sweet of you, but no thanks. Don't want one of your rugby buddies using my head as his ball some day.'

They smiled at each other and lapsed into comfortable silence. Then, someone from Rufus' gang yelled out, 'Hey, Rufus. Get your skinny arse back here, mate. Ladies' man!'

Rufus blushed and gave the guy the 'V' sign. He turned back to Kainene and muttered, albeit jokingly, 'Stupid tosser.' 

Kainene giggled, 'Well, guess it's time for you to go back to your mates. See you around then.'

Rufus smiled at her gently, 'You'll definitely be seeing me around, Nens. Starting tonight. I'm gonna have the first dance with you later.'

'Wow, aren't we cocky?' She teased him.

He looked at her with a twinkle in his eye, 'Ladies man, at your service.' He doffed an imaginary hat. 'So, are we settled, then? First dance?'

She nodded with a sultry pout, 'Well of course. Since you asked so nicely. You shall most definitely have the first dance, young sir.'

Rufus arched an eyebrow and picked up her hand to place a gentle kiss on the back of her palm, 'Now that I take my leave, I hope I've left your heart all a-flutter.'

Kainene giggled, 'Oh piss off with you before your friends hurl a bottle at my perfectly coiffed curls.'

Rufus laughed and walked away towards his table, turning back to give her one last smile.

'Ooooh, check you out, smoky lad-aay!' A voice slyly cooed behind her.

She whirled around to see Lorna and Viola giggling and clutching each other excitedly.

'Oh my God, please tell me you weren't eavesdropping.' Kainene groaned in embarrassment.

'But we had no choice, young sir.' Lorna simpered.

'We had to know what was getting your heart all a-flutter.' Viola added cooing.

'Oh Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Naff Off!' Kainene cried, burying her flaming face in her hands. 'Why aren't you with Matt under a mistletoe or something, Lorns? And Viola...aarrgghh!' She ended with a scream.

The other two just laughed as they jostled each other playfully. 'Whatever, Nens. So, I take it we shall be seeing some amazing dance action later on tonight?' Lorns nudged Kainene slyly.

Kainene shook her head making her curls flutter around her, 'No you shall Not be seeing any amazing dance action and that's because it's mostly gonna be Christmassy and cheesy songs. Therefore, no amazing dances, but lots of hands flying and legs jumping.' 

Lorna giggled at that. 'What apt descriptive skills you have, Nens...and 'therefore'? Golly, Nens, are we still being all old and proper with ourselves? Hearts a-flutter?'

Viola burst into a fit of giggles as Kainene mock-choked Lorna. As they laughed and joked about, a bell sounded and they looked up to see the waiters all lined up ready to serve.

'Oooh, food time!' Mykelos said behind them as they whirled round at his voice.

'Trust you to be back once you see food. How do you stay so fit with all you consume?' Lorna said in a frustrated tone.

Mykelos rubbed his washboard abs happily, 'I'm just blessed, mate. Now let's go sit down and tuck into some Christmas grub.'

They all walked to their table to join Matt who had been looking around for them.

***

Kainene stifled a burp as she stared at herself in the mirror. Viola was re-applying some mascara and Lorna was in the ballroom with Matt. Kainene got out her lipgloss to put some back on. The food had been superb, especially the starter of baked goat cheese. She loved her cheese. Now, she had to gather up the courage to dance with Rufus; luckily, some of the nice red wine they had been served was working through her system and said courage was being gathered as she thought.

Viola turned to look at Kainene, 'So, are you ready to have your 'first dance'?'

Kainene let out a sheepish smile, 'You guys are clearly not gonna let me off on this stupidness.'

'Not in a gazillion years,' was the quick reply.

Kainene laughed and shook her head, 'Yup. I'm as ready as I can ever be. Although I don't know why we're making such a big deal out of it. It's just a dance with my new friend.'

Viola rolled her eyes at her, 'Uh-hunh. Just a friend. Let's not kid ourselves, darling. Rufus cannot be 'just a friend' especially when it comes to you. You guys already have this chemistry thing going on with you and anyway, he is too bloody fit to be just friends with any girl.'

Kainene shrugged good-naturedly, 'We'll see. Come on, let's go downstairs and dance!'

A few minutes later the girls were back in the ballroom and were looking round for familiar faces. Mykelos danced towards them, his tie askew. 'Ahoy there, ladies. Where've you lot been hiding? Come on, Viola, let's go dance.' Viola giggled as she was dragged away by Mykelos. 

Kainene smiled gratefully at Mykelos as he turned round and gave her a surreptitious wink. Mykelos was a lifesaver. She had been a bit worried about Viola and if she would feel left out if she was dancing with Rufus and Lorna was with Matt but now the problem was sorted. Time to sort out the other problem, like where on earth was...

'Been looking all over for you.'

Kainene spun round and saw Rufus with a playful smile looking down at her. She smiled back, 'Well, now you've found me.'

He tilted his head to study her for a long second and Kainene got a bit flustered, 'What's wrong?'

Rufus shook his head with a soft smile, 'Come on, let's go dance.'

Soon they were dancing and laughing happily along to The Vengaboys. 

'Oh my God, I can't believe this song is still being played. I used to love it loads when I was a kid.' Kainene grinned as she waved her hands above her head.

Rufus chuckled, 'Yeah so did I...okay I lie. I actually hated them. Same as the Barbie singer.'

'Aqua? How could you?' Kainene mock-gasped and stared singing in her tuneless voice, 'I'm a barbie girl...in a barbie worrllldd...'

Rufus laughed and placed a hand over her mouth to stifle her off-key warbling. 'Stop. You're killing me.' 

Kainene laughed as well, her breath tickling his hand. As they goofed about, they did not notice the dark looks that were being thrown at them from the corner of the dance floor. 

A few dances later, Kainene was exhausted and pretty sure she was sweaty. She placed her palm on her forehead and wrinkled her nose as she felt the moisture there. She raised on her tiptoes to shout in Rufus' ear above the music, 'I'm just gonna go freshen up in the loo. I feel eeky.'

Rufus grinned at the word 'eeky'. She was so cute. 'Fine. I'll go get us drinks if you like. Or would you rather the marshmallows from the chocolate fountain?'

'Oooh...that would be wicked.' Kainene widened her eyes with joy. She loved marshmallows...and the combination of that with chocolate...yum!

She smiled at him then walked off quickly to the loo to re-apply her makeup.

As soon as she got in, she opened her bag and got out her lip gloss and some Kleenex ready to attack her face. The door opened and she saw some girls come in, Araminta and Heather right behind them.

She groaned inwardly, this was what she needed, the sight of the perfect bitches of Headington. 

She tried to ignore them and concentrate on her makeup but it was futile as Araminta stood right next to her in front of the mirror.

'Aah, Nens is it? Fancy seeing you here.'

Kainene rolled her eyes to herself, 'It's the Christmas ball, Araminta. Why would you be surprised at my appearance?'

'Oh, never mind. Lovely dress, by the way.' Araminta replied airily waving her mascara in the air.

Kainene pursed her lips and nodded an abrupt 'thank you' at the 'compliment.'

She placed her lip gloss back in her purse and made to leave the large toilet and the next thing that happened shocked her to the core. Araminta turned at the same time with her full glass of red wine and 'accidentally' tipped it down Kainene's dress. 

Kainene gasped as the cold liquid penetrated through her dress down to her skin. She looked down and saw the large stain spreading from the top of her bosoms to her waist. Her eyes grew teary in horror. This gorgeous dress was ruined. And it was outrageously expensive and was not even hers. What was she going to do? And poor Viola. She looked up at Araminta and saw as the spiteful girl tried to hide a smirk.

Araminta said in a false sympathetic voice, 'Oh dear, clumsy me. What on earth was I thinking? How extremely clumsy of me, do forgive me darling. Whatever are you going to do now?'

Kainene just stared at her as she tried to hold back her tears. Why were they so hateful? She tried her hardest to stay away from them yet they always sought her out to terrorise her.

'I hope you are pleased with yourself.' She said in a quiet voice.

'Excuse me? Araminta replied shocked.

'I said I hope you are pleased with yourself. It's extremely shocking the way you behave. One would think you'd be classier seeing that you went to public school and whatnot, yet you continue to act like a spoilt baby.'

Araminta turned red, 'How dare you? It was a stupid accident, if you want I can get it dry cleaned for you or, better yet, buy a new dress. I mean, you probably used your life savings to afford this and I can write a cheque out for you right now...no skin off some people's backs.' She ended snidely. 

Kainene just shook her head as the tears threatened to spill. 

Araminta noticed how watery her eyes were and cooed falsely, 'Oh dear, you're not going to cry are you? How simply awful for you, would you like some tissue? It's lavender scented.' She held out a tissue she got from her purse and Heather tittered behind her.

Kainene could not hold the tear that slipped down one cheek and she pushed past them and the small group of girls that had been staring and ran out of the loo. This was all too much. Could she not have uninterrupted fun for one day? Just one day. She shook her head as the tears fell. She pulled out her phone and rang a cab number. She was going home. Thankfully, it would not cost a lot to take a cab home and she did not particularly care anyway. She just wanted her bed. In fact, she really wanted her bed back home in Hackney. She slipped outside unobtrusively not wanting to alert anyone to her disappearance and she got in the cab and went home.

***

'Hey, have you seen Nens anywhere?' Lorna asked Viola. She had been looking for her for about thirty minutes. 

'No. The last time I saw her, she was dancing with Rufus so I didn't really pay any attention. Why?' Viola replied.

'Because I can't seem to find her. And she's definitely not with Rufus 'cause he just asked me where she was. He said she went off to the loo some time ago and she's not been back.'

'Bloody hell, where could she have gone off to?' Viola asked worried as the two girls hurried to the toilet to check for her.

She was not there; she was not anywhere.

The girls were more than worried now and walked back to the dance floor looking around frantically. Matt spotted the scared look on Lorna's face and walked towards her quickly, 'What's wrong, babe?'

'It's Nens. I can't find her, and before you ask yes I've checked everywhere.' Lorna asked practically wringing her hands.

'Have you tried ringing her?' Matt asked

'Oh crap, I'm such a numpty. Why didn't I think of that?' She said rifling through her purse to find her phone. She dialled Kainene's number and waited for it to ring. It rang for a while then went straight to voicemail. She dialled it again but this time it went straight to voicemail without ringing.

'It's not going through.' Lorna said dropping the phone back in her bag.

Mykelos came up to them, a tad tipsy and slurred slightly, 'Why have you all got funny looks on your faces? You look like you'll took a dump down the wrong hole.'

Lorna glared at him as Matt shook his head warningly at Mykelos to lay off, 'This isn't the time for your stupid jokes, Mykelos. Nens is missing and I can't seem to get through to her phone.'

'Oh.' Mykelos sobered up a bit, 'Well did you check the loo? I saw her go in there.'

Lorna opened her mouth to say that she had indeed checked it, but Mykelos continued, 'Although it was pretty funny though, some blonde girl who looked like she had serious beef with someone hurried in after her with some American girl. Thought it was a bit funny the way they stared at Nens so intently.' He wrinkled his brow as he remembered.

Lorna swore angrily, 'Oh bugger-fuckeries-wank.'

'Lorns!' Viola gasped as the boys stared at her in shock.

'Oh lay off, I'm pissed off. I can swear if I want to. It's bloody Minty. And her stupid sidekick. They must have said something utterly horrendous to poor Nens and God knows where she is now. Probably gone back home. I'm going to have words with that skank-whore. She needs to be put in her place.'

She marched off leaving the trio staring at her in confusion. She looked around for Araminta and, as luck would have it, saw her laughing with Heather and some other girls by a secluded corner of the ball room. She glared at them and walked purposefully to where they were standing.

'Araminta, right?'

Araminta turned and saw Lorna. She raised an eyebrow and drawled, 'Yah, do I know you?'

Lornan gave a shudder and replied, 'No, thank the Lord. I just wanted to ask where the fuck you get off bullying my best friend?'

Araminta looked puzzled, 'What on earth are you talking about?'

'Nens. That's who I'm talking about.' 

'Oh,' Araminta rolled her eyes and shrugged, 'For fuck's sake I said I'd pay for the dress, it was a stupid accident.'




University Life - First Ch. 08



Lorna raised an eyebrow at that, then understanding dawned and she narrowed her eyes to murderous slits, 'Did you spill a drink on Nens' dress?'

Araminta shrugged again, 'Didn't you know? I thought that's why you marched here all righteously indignant. Please, it was a mistake. Really, what was it, Topshop, Monsoon, or maybe Karen Millen? I'll get two dresses okay, run along now.' She turned back to Heather and Lorna saw red.

She grabbed Araminta's arm and spun her back to face her. Araminta opened her mouth to protest and saw the murderous look on Lorna's face which quickly shut her up. Heather and the other girls just stared in horrific fascination.

'That was not Topshop or whatever. It was fucking vintage. And costs more than you'll ever be able to afford you snotty bitch. And that's not even the problem, it's the fact that you always pick on Nens 'cuz you know she'll let you get away with it. Now let's get this straight, I've let Nens handle this herself because I didn't want to make it worse but you better be aware that this is my business now. Whatever you do to Nens, you do to me and trust me you do not want to get on my bad side. So the next time you think about what crooked thing you could do to annoy my friend, think well 'cuz I will slap your face from here to beyond.' Lorna spat at her through gritted teeth. 

Araminta just looked with widened, scared eyes. Lorna made to leave then remembered something and added spitefully, 'And if you honestly think all this rubbish will get Rufus to fancy you, then you are so mistaken. I don't think any mature, university student wants to have anything to do with a silly 'mean girl' who doesn't want to grow up.' And with that she walked off leaving the gaping girl and her sidekicks.

The three friends watched as Lorna marched back to them still angry, 'Come on, I don't know about you but I'm leaving. I need to go make sure Nens is alright.'

Matt nodded immediately as well as the others. There was no point staying and having fun when one of them was down. They gathered their stuff and walked towards the front door to leave.

Rufus, who had been wandering if he had been abandoned on the dance floor by Kainene yet again spotted Lorna leaving with her friends and started walking towards them to find out what was going on.

Araminta suddenly stood in front of him with a wide smile on her face, 'Rufus darling, I've been looking everywhere for you. Wanna dance?' She made to take his hand but he moved backwards and looked over her head as Lorna walked closer and closer to the front door.

'Hey, Minty. Look I'm kinna in a hurry now so I don't really have time. I'll talk to you later.' He started walking around her but Araminta stood in front of him again.

'Are you okay? What's the matter? Tell me, I might be able to help.' She stated batting her eyelashes.

Rufus looked at her exasperatedly, 'Not now, Minty. Please. I said I'll talk to you later, now get out of the way.' He looked up again and saw that Lorna was nowhere to be found. He let out an audible 'Oh Fuck, not again,' and rushed towards the front door. As he got there, he saw a cab driving off, with them in it presumably. Clearly they were off home or somewhere, but he was left with no information on Kainene's whereabouts and he did not have either of their numbers, Lorna or Kainene. He went over what they had been talking about before Kainene left for the loo but he could not think of anything he said or did wrongly. And she had said she was coming back, and he believed her. There was no way she suddenly decided to ignore him again, but she had done so. Something must have happened to her and now there was no way he was going to find out as he did not know what flat she was in or her phone number and the only person or people that could have told him had gone off as well. He walked back into the hall running a hand through his hair in frustration and did not see the quickly hidden triumphant smile that had been on Araminta's face as she walked towards him.

She opened her mouth to say something to him but he shook his head, 'Not now, Minty. I'm really not in a good mood.' With that he walked off.

Araminta stared as he walked away, her eyes glinting furiously. Heather asked her quietly, 'What are you going to do now? He's clearly nuts about Nens.'

'Oh shut it, Heather. If you've got nothing useful to say then shut up.' She angrily said and walked off leaving Heather staring after her with a hurt look.

She was going to get Rufus, no matter what that ghetto Kainene and her scary friend did.



University Life - First Ch. 09



CHAPTER NINE.

It was end of term and Kainene was beyond thrilled. It had been a very trying last week. Ever since the Christmas ball, Kainene had not gone for any lectures. She had not missed her seminars as those had been compulsory and she could not bear to do so. Of course, not having either Heather or Minty in any of her groups had been a deciding factor as well. So for one week it had been no lectures for her as she did not want to see them. Partly because she just needed sometime away from them after the dreadful thing they had done, and partly because she needed her space alone in the flat with all the others gone for their own lectures and seminars. Although she had been very grateful and touched by the actions of the others, Matt, Lorna and Mykenos always bringing hot, sweet cups of tea to her room and providing chocolates for her, she had needed some time to herself without the stifling presence of her overly sympathetic friends. Viola had been the most understanding, telling her not to worry about the gown as it did not matter especially when Kainene knew how much the dress meant to Viola's grandmother and Viola herself. She had also stayed away from the union shop that week, pleading a terrible illness. As she was the most hardworking and the nicest worker there, they had told her to take the week off in addition to her Christmas holiday and to come back at the start of next term. That had definitely been welcome news.

Now she was packing some clothes and stuff into a suitcase to take home for the Christmas holiday. She was taking the 3 p.m. train and it was already 12 p.m. Matt and Lorna had left for Switzerland that morning for a two week skiing trip then they were going to Lorna's parent's holiday home in Tuscany for the last two weeks of holiday for Christmas. Viola had left the night before for home then she was off to the south of France with her family for the whole four weeks and Mykelos had just been picked up by his parents back to Liverpool. He intended to spend Christmas with them before heading off to Blackpool with some of his college mates for the New Year celebration. She smiled to herself as she thought of her friends' exotic sounding Christmas plans. She was simply happy to be going back home to London for some tender loving care, and to catch up with her old college friends, Vicky and Anna. A brighter smile found its way across her face. It had been months since she saw them and even though they all spoke on the phone at least once a week, it was not the same as before when they spent every passing day together.

She closed her suitcase with a firm click and looked round her room making sure that anything she needed for her trip back home was not being left behind. Satisfied, she took off her clothes ready for a relaxed bout of showering and primping before setting for the station. Having the flat all to herself was indeed relaxing, she thought happily.

A few hours later, she grinned in pleasant surprise when she saw two familiar faces wave excitedly as walked out of Paddington station. Her best friends had come to get her.

'What on earth are you guys doing here? I thought Mum and Dad were gonna come pick me up? She asked, dropping her suitcase and grabbing her friends in a tight hug which involved lots of rocking and squealing.

Vicky, a red-haired with piercing green eyes and a Vita Don Teese body screamed in her cockney accent, 'We had to come get you, luv. Your ma said to surprise you and we were well up for it.'

Anna, a slim black girl with large brown eyes and a short pixie hair cut added dryly, 'Unh-hunh. Let's not forget that you brought up the idea of surprising her as you wanted to show off your brand new death trap.'

Kainene turned in excitement and shrieked, 'You've got a car?'

Vicky smiled proudly, 'Yup, yup. A lovely old Volkswagen, okay it's a bit noisy but I bought it with my prize money from winning the best Newcomer Fashion Award.'

Kainene widened her eyes, 'But I thought you told me you were gonna use it for you and Nick's trip to Miami in spring?'

Vicky shrugged, 'Ah well, I did. But Nicky's just got a good job as a real good salesman and he said he wanted to spoil me, then I saw my baby and fell in love and the rest, as they say, is history.'

Anna nodded and said in her dry drawl, 'And that heap o' junk's is deffo going to be history when it's towed or giving a parking ticket.'

Vicky let out a sharp squeal and started hurrying to where she parked her car, calling out over her shoulder, 'You wicked witch, why didn't you remind me sooner? You know how I get when I'm excited!'

Anna just rolled her eyes and grinned at Kainene. Kainene herself felt like a heavy weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She definitely loved her Bristol friends but with her college friends, she felt like she was truly home.

'Come on, Nens. Let's go have some of your mum's wicked J rice and you can tell us all about life with the upper class.'

Kainene just shook her head and dragged her suitcase as she went arm-in-arm with her friend towards Vicky's car.

***

'No fuckin' way, mate!' Vicky gasped. The three girls were all stretched out cosily on Kainene's bed. They had had a lovely meal and had been listening to all the shenanigans that had occurred back in Bristol.

'I woulda ripped her face out and done the Spanish Tango on it in spiky heels.' Anna growled.

Kainene just shook her head. Anna had always been the hot head out of all of them; Vicky was the bubbly effervescent one and Kainene, the quiet one.

'Nah, s'alright. Lorna had a right go at her anyway, she told me. It really was no bother. She's a spoilt girl and likes attention and I'm just gonna stay well outta her way.'

Anna retorted angrily, 'You shouldn't stay outta her way, Nens. She should stay outta yours. I think it's high time I come pay you a visit at that uppity school of yours.'

Kainene got a bit irritated and said, 'Come on Anna, give over. You'll come over and then what? Yell at her? Beat her up? You'll just get both of us in trouble. I already have enough shit 'cuz of my accent, I don't need any more stress about being a ghetto street fighter as well.'

Anna stared at her in silence, then asked in a hurt voice, 'Is that what you think of me then? Being a ghetto street fighter? All 'cuz am rightly angry over the way you let people walk all over you? I can see you've really changed. I thought it was just the 'posh' accent but I see you are ashamed of your roots as well.'

'Anna!' Vicky gasped.

'Don't Anna me!' She retorted hotly, 'It's true. Look at you saying you get stressed 'cuz of your accent. Now that's something you shouldn't give a shit about 'cuz that's just who you are. But the important issue of being bullied? Noooo...that's not a problem. Let's just gloss over it and let the poshies win, I'm low class and deserve to be treated like cow dung...'

'Oh just shut the fuck up!' Kainene said, her voice trembling with fury. 'Where do you get off preaching to me about being soft? Do you know how intimidating you can be when you mouth off? Do you know how other people have spoken to me about the way you treat me sometimes? But I defend you 'cuz I know you're my friend and don't mean anything spiteful. Yet you come here preaching to me to grow some backbone. You think it's your God-given right to talk shit to me, but no one else can? Guess what, Anna I'm not your property, I'm your friend and you should respect my decision to drop this issue if I want you to. Just the same way, I'd do if you were in my shoes. If you can't do that, then I really don't want to speak to you right now.'

Anna stared at her darkly for a few seconds, then dropped her eyes, sighing loudly as she did so, 'I'm sorry. I was way outta line there. I guess I'm just a bit jealous that you're having so much fun and making loads of new friends in a strange place without me and Vicky to back you up like we always do. And I guess it's doubly worse because I don't want you to forget us when you're with your posh friends or get ashamed of us for reminding you about your 'ghetto' life.'

Kainene shifted to Anna's side and dragged her in a big hug, 'don't be silly, Anna. There's no way I'd ever forget you or Vicky. You guys will always be my closest and best friends. How do you know I wasn't a bit jealous that you guys will be so close since you guys are still together in the same school and I'd feel like the third wheel when I came back here on hols? But that's just stupid insecurities that friends normally have when they've been away from each other for a while. Lorna and the others have definitely made life so much easier for me there and have been rocks, but they can never take your place, okay?'

Anna nodded and Vicky gave a loud sniff. The other two girls turned to her in surprise and saw her pretending to wipe a tear off her face, 'I'm sorry, you guys are like a beautiful rom-com. It's all so happy and sad especially with the mature ending.' 

Kainene rolled her eyes as Anna hit Vicky over the head with a cushion, 'Oh Naff off, you stupid old cow.' All three of them giggled together.

'Well, now that 'Days of our Lives' here is over, can we think of the appropriate welcome for our Nens, here? Like that mental new club in Shoreditch? What's it called again? Electrik?' Vicky asked, her eyes shining.

'Yeah.' Anna replied excitedly, 'It's mad cool, Nens. Kate Moss was there, two weeks ago. And I know someone who knows someone who could get us tickets for free.'

Kainene laughed again, 'You and your connections, Anna. Well, sod it. Why the hell not? I'm definitely up for it.'

Anna shrieked again and dived into her bag to get her phone as Kainene leaned back against the wall. She was truly glad to be back home with her friends, arguments or not.

***

It had been four weeks of pure bliss being home. Kainene had gone clubbing almost every other night with Vicky and Anna. Had eaten so much, she was surprised she could still fit into her clothes, and had had a snow ball fight with her neighbours when a surprisingly heavy bout of snow had fallen on New Year's Eve making it a grand one. Now it was time to get ready for the trip back to school.

Her Bristol friends had had as much fun if not more according to their Facebook messages and occasional telephone conversations. She had spoken to Lorna several times and had heard Matt yelling at the background all the time. 

Apparently, Matt had tried to snowboard instead of ski like he normally did but he had ended up flat on his face eating snow...and in front of a gaggle of blonde girls that he had been trying to impress! Lorna had found it hilarious and had teased him for days after it happened. 

Viola on the other hand, had brushed up on her already perfect French skills and, as it was relatively sunny in Nice, had ended up with a nice tan which she couldn't wait to show off. 

Mykelos had had a quick fling in Blackpool with some random guy he met there (Wow, what a surprise, Kainene rolled her eyes laughingly) and was hoping he did not have any diseases as he had been so drunk he forgot about using condoms. He had checked himself and was anxiously waiting for the result. That would teach him about safe sex, Lorna had stated firmly when Kainene had shared the news with the two girls as they chatted on Windows Messenger.

Soon, Kainene was packed and ready to go. Vicky and Anna had come round to her house for last minute hugs and kisses. Vicky, the softer of the two was already blubbing that she would really miss her and stating the advantages of staying back home and switching to a London university. Anna had cuffed her over the head and told her to stop being a big baby.

As Kainene handed over her suitcase for her father to put in the boot of his car, she turned round and grabbed her friends in a fierce hug.

'Don't worry, I'll be back again before you know it, okay. Stop being such a cute baby, Vicky, it's just Bristol not Australia. Don't want Nicky ringing me up later and asking why I caused his bird to have puffy eyes and a stinging headache.'

Vicky let out a watery laugh, complete with hiccups. 

Kainene continued, 'Anyway, I have to go now, so I'll ring you guys later this week okay?'

Vicky nodded as Anna replied, 'Yeah, mate. Take good care of yourself, and remember to grow some spine. I don't care if this gets you angry again but you can't let that girl with the candy name, Spearmint or whatever, walk all over you. If she sees she can get away with it, she'll continue it forever. And better fight for your man, girl. Although why you had to fall for a guy with a doggie name I'll never understand.'

Kainene opened her mouth to protest that she did not fancy Rufus but Anna rolled her eyes and said, 'Whatever, Nens. You can lie to your Bristol friends, but I've known you since we was five. You can't lie to me for shit. Now better get your behind in that car before Chike grabs me by the neck and shakes me to death for delaying you's lot.'

Kainene giggled as her father could be rather hot tempered when exasperated. She hugged her friends again and waved before jumping into the backseat. Soon the car was driving off towards the South West and she let her eyes drift off as she wandered what the new term had in store for her and trying not to panic about her midsessionals that were coming up in two weeks and which she had completely forgotten to prepare for.

Gulp!



University Life - First Ch. 10



'Okay, is studying for exams boring or what?' Kainene heard Mykelos complaining as she closed the door to her flat. She sighed and shook her head, waving to the two guys in the dining area and going into her room. She had started her exams that day and had gone straight from the library to the Union shop to work then back to the library again. It was just past midnight and she had finally arrived back to her flat tired as hell. She knew it was not an assessed exam; it was just a way for the tutors and the university itself to see how far its students had progressed. Nevertheless she intended to treat it like a proper exam; she had never failed any before and she was not prepared to start now.

She dropped her massive tote to the floor by the side of her bed and contemplated getting something to eat. She had survived on two cans of Redbull, a pain au chocolat and a Danish pastry all day and her tummy was rumbling. But she was too tired to get off her bed and go to the kitchen. She had an exam by 9:30 a.m. the next day and going into the kitchen meant having to talk to Mykelos and Matt. Something she really was not in the mood to do at the moment. She sighed again and shrugged off her boots, coat and jumper dress, dropping them all on the floor. Her room was a tip. She needed to sort it out the moment her exams were over. 

It had been two weeks since her much needed holiday back home in London. Two weeks since Mykelos had informed her about his potential STD. She grinned to herself at this; thankfully he had had the all clear from his GP. Haha, imagine Mykelos with Chlamydia, he'd never stick his candle in a wick without some form of protection after that. 

She stretched across her bed as she tried to go to sleep. There was no way she was going to brush her teeth or wash her face. She was too tired to move. Plus she had not used any make up, so she could convince herself that it was not really necessary to wash her face. 

She groaned and turned over. Now that she needed to sleep, she could not. She tried to think about something, anything. Then her mind flashed to Rufus and the last time she had seen him. Standing there, smiling down at her as she asked for marshmallows dipped in chocolate. She shook her head quickly to get him out of her mind and shut her eyes tightly. She did not need this. Not now anyway. She had to sleep.

***

'Exams are fecking over, thank the great Lord.' Mykelos sighed dropping his knapsack on the dining table and going over to hug the fridge. 

'Psycho, not like you truly studied for it.' Lorna grumbled. She still had one last exam on Monday and it was over.

Kainene grinned at Mykelos over her mug of English Breakfast. 'I concur, Mykelos. Exams are indeed over. Poor Lornes here is obviously not too happy about it.' 

Lorna stuck out her tongue at her, 'Bleargh. It's not fair. Everyone's finished. Matt's gone to the pub with his mates. Viola's at some silly flat party at her hall. Even you are relatively calm, well compared to how crazy you were over these stupid exams. And they don't even bloody count. Fuck it, I'm not studying anymore. It's Syndicate tonight and everyone but everyone is going. So am I.'

Kainene stared at her with widened eyes, 'You're joking right? You aren't through with exams but you're still gonna come out tonight? Are you bonkers?'

Lorna rolled her eyes, 'Chill out Nens, it's only the mid-sessionals. And it's not like I'll be able to concentrate at all tonight knowing that everyone's out partying. Besides, I'm not like you. I don't care if I fail the stupid exams. First year doesn't count anyway and we all know that. I'll be more serious next year. So,' She continued glaring at Kainene when she opened her mouth to argue, 'What are we wearing tonight? We have to wow people, don't really want them thinking we let ourselves go 'cuz of stupid exams.'

Kainene stared at her for a second with her mouth agape. Then she burst out laughing, 'You're priceless you know that? Amazing, you are.' She laughed some more.

Mykelos merely shrugged, 'I agree with Lorns. We should live a little, not like I shouldn't anyway, I'm through with this shit and I'm all clear. I'm gonna go celebrate! With a bucket load of condoms, though.'

Kainene snorted out her tea with a loud guffaw, 'You'd better. Don't know what you could get this time.'

Lorna added giggling, 'Yeah, I once heard that some guy shagged someone else without a condom and some days later, his willy was red with yellow pus oozing out of it.'

'Eww, that's just nasty.' Mykelos said shuddering. 'I'm going to leave you two with your disgusting stories and head out to the bar for some celebratory drinks. Nasty creatures, you two.' He shuddered again and went to his room, taking his knapsack with him.

Lorna waited till he was in his room then turned to Kainene with a twinkle in her eye, 'That guy actually got it from a girl, but no need telling Mykelos that.'

Kainene giggled. Definitely. Mykelos had to stop his whoring, or cut down anyway.

***

'Okay, the red dress or my skinny jeans and this ultimate slinky green top?' Lorna asked, raising both outfits above her head at Kainene. 

Kainene spat in the bathroom sink and wiped her mouth, dropping her toothbrush back in its holder before turning back to Lorna. 'I'd say the jeans and top. It's just Syndicate. No need going all out and that red dress definitely qualifies as All Out.'

Lorna looked at the dress again, 'hmm, you're right. Jeans it is. What are you wearing?'

Kainene shrugged as she moved past her and back into her room. 'I haven't the faintest idea. The first alright thing I see in my wardrobe, I guess. I dunno, I don't care to be honest. I just wanna let loose a bit, you know. Dance, get a little tipsy...stuff like that.'

Lorna smiled at her shyly, 'So no hooking up with a hot random stranger tonight, then?'

Kainene giggled and threw a cushion at her, 'When have I ever hooked up with a stranger, hot or not?'

'You never can tell, Nens. Tonight might just be the night you do it. It's fun, trust me.'

Kainene giggled loudly, her face turning red a little, 'You whore! I can't believe it. You're so naughty.'

'Oh please.' Lorna rolled her eyes, shrugging out of her pyjama bottom and dragging her jeans on, 'like you haven't thought about it. Even once. We aren't virgins anymore, Nens.'

Kainene did not answer; instead she turned to her wardrobe to rifle through a few tops.

Lorna stopped tugging her jeans, gaping at Kainene, 'You're joking! You're a virgin?'

Kainene shrugged almost violently, blushing just as much, 'So? Since when was that a crime?'

Lorna shook her head in near wonder before turning back to her jeans, 'Wow. You're like the only virgin I know. We definitely have to do something about this. Wait till I tell...'

Kainen spun round so quickly her head hurt for a split second, 'You are not telling anybody, Lorna! It's not like I'm ashamed of being one, I mean I'm only eighteen. But I'd rather the whole world doesn't know about it.'

'I only meant Viola.'

'You aren't telling your stuffed animal, Lorna.' Kainene said firmly.

'Okay, sheesh. Keep your hat on.' Lorna said rolling her eyes and taking off her vest top. 'Anyway, this topic has officially gotten sour so unto new stuff like: a bra. To wear or not to wear?'

Kainene smiled almost in relief, 'To wear, you little tart. Your top is practically sheer, if you don't wear one, your nipples are gonna be all out.'

'So...' 

'Tart!' 

Both girls giggled.

Thirty minutes later, they were ready and waiting for a taxi. Viola had come to their flat and was looking rather pretty in a long cashmere jumper dress and leather boots. Kainene had opted for a lumberjack shirt dress, leggings and ankle boots with fringes. She looked boho chic, according to Lorna. 

'So is Matt coming then?' Viola asked putting on some more lip gloss.

'Not with us he's not. He's getting a cab with his mates and I'm gonna see him there. Twat. He's not too happy I'm going out when exams aren't over for me.' Lorna scowled a bit at this.

Kainene looked at her surprised, 'That's odd. Since when did Matt get serious?'

'Since he became a 'grown up boyfriend' according to him. Tosser.' Lorna replied.

Kainene and Viola giggled. Matt being mature...yeah, right!

Kainene's phone suddenly tinkled 30 seconds to mars 'Kings and Queens'. 'That's our cab, then.' She said as she grabbed her purse and turned off her room light.

The girls piled out of the flat and half-ran, half-skipped to the taxi as they had all opted to go without their coats and the cold winter night was absolutely freezing.

'Remind me again why we aren't wearing jackets.' Kainene half-stuttered as she eyed the cab-driver expecting him to turn on the car heater.

'Cuz when we get all tiddly and drunk, we aren't really going to feel the cold. Oh, and it saves us a pound fifty each.' Viola answered.

Kainene grumbled. True. But the weather was definitely a bitch though.

***

Kainene smiled to herself as she turned on her light and dumped her purse on her table. The smile turned to a full on smirk as she heard a quickly stifled moan coming from Lorna's room. It seemed she and her boyfriend were having some good old lovin'. She giggled silently to herself as she tugged her boots off. Mykelos had gone off with some random guy he had met at the club and Viola was back home, alone but happy. Kainene sighed to herself as her smiled faded slowly. Was she happy though? She, Kainene? Her thoughts flew to her previous conversation with Lorna. Was it odd that she was still a virgin at eighteen? Especially as it did not seem like she would be getting rid of it anytime soon. Not at this university anyway. She visibly shook her head to rid herself off the thoughts running through her mind. It did not matter. She heard her father's voice saying loudly, 'God's time is the best.' Then she heard her mother saying just as loudly, 'He better hurry up then.' This brought a much needed grin to her face. 

As she changed into her thick flannel nightgown, incredibly helpful for this silly weather, she thanked the Lord for the umpteenth time that Minty and her sidekick Heather had not been out that night. She had been surprised, pleasantly so, that both girls had been missing. Apparently, something had been going on at Lizard Lounge as well and that was the place for the 'Rahs'. Syndicate was definitely better in terms of music and company, but Lizard Lounge was for the people who acted all pretentious and whatnot. It seemed Rufus had been there as well since he had definitely not been at Syndicate. Well not that Kainene had seen him anyway.

She punched her pillow as she tried to fall asleep. Who cared anyway? Rufus was nice and being at the Lounge did not automatically deem him pretentious. Even if he was, it was not her business anymore. She had two and a bit more years to go through as a University student and she could definitely do without any more stress from Minty -- which meant staying away from Rufus. Call her cowardly, but her life was so much easier that way.

***

Kainene winced as her room door slammed. The flat was still quiet, Lorna and Matt still asleep, Mykelos probably not back from his rendezvous and their last flat mate whose name she could not for the life of her remember somewhere...definitely not in the flat though, she was sure. She walked to the kitchen, her footsteps silent in her warm bedroom moccasins. A quick foray in the fridge showed that she was out of milk, eggs and bacon. Crap! She really wanted a massive English breakfast. She went back to her room to quickly make a list of all the food stuff she would need. She changed into her tracky bottoms, massive jumper and dragged on her newly purchased Ugg boots. A large scarf wound its way round her neck and she grabbed her keys and purse ready for the reluctant journey to the union shop. 

As she grabbed a basket, she heard a voice ask behind her, 'Nens?'

She whirled round startled and saw a surprised, yet amused Rufus staring down at her. Her face felt hot as blood rushed into it.

'Oh wow, hey! You startled me.' She smiled at him, inwardly berating herself for not attacking her teeth and tongue with some toothpaste before venturing to the union shop. Oh God, let my breath not be as funky as it feels, she prayed silently.

Rufus did not seem to mind her breath as he swooped down to kiss both cheeks. 'Sorry about that. I haven't seen you in a while, Nens. Not since the Christmas ball; happy New Year by the way.'

Kainene nodded as she walked into the shop side by side with him, 'Yeah, you too. And about the ball; look I'm really sorry about running out on you. Something...came up and I got a bit upset and didn't really think. If it's any consolation, I walked out on my friends too.'

Rufus nodded as he picked up a carton of orange juice and dropped it in his basket, 'Yeah, I kinna noticed that as well. Wanna talk about it?'

Kainene looked at him then turned to the bowl of mushrooms and dropped it in her basket too, 'You aren't upset?'

Rufus smiled and shook his head, 'Don't you think it'd be extremely childish of me to still be upset more than a month later? No, I'm not. But remember, clean slate and all, friends...all of that. As your friend, I'm just asking if you wanna talk about it. Explain what happened. Of course it's up to you, I'm not gonna force you if you don't want to.'

Kainene thought for a second if there was any point bringing it up again then decided that it was not necessary. If she spoke about the Minty thing, he would feel obliged to talk to Minty about it then it would become a silly merry-go-round affair. Her word against Minty's. Unnecessary arguments that she could truly live without.

'Just some family issues, nothing major. It was stupid of me to leave without saying goodbye but at that point I really wasn't thinking.' She stopped walking and put a hand on his arm without thinking, 'I truly am sorry, Rufus.' 

He stopped and looked at her arm then looked up at her, 'That's okay. As long as you're alright now. Are you?'

Kainene nodded quickly and continued walking, looking at her list then bending to pick up what she required.

As they walked to the till with their full baskets, Rufus asked suddenly, 'Is it alright if I get your telephone number? I mean, just in case you disappear again I'd be able to call you not tag along after your friend hoping you re-appear.' He said this with a playful twinkle in his eye and Kainene grinned back cuffing him gently; the air of camaraderie between them nice and jolly.

'That's probably a good idea.' She replied as she typed out her number on his BlackBerry. 

When they got to the till, he offered to pay for her grocery and she shook her head. That was sweet of him, but she declined. Rufus shrugged and waited as the student behind the till bagged all her stuff. When she bent her head to grab her money from her purse, he quickly handed over his card to the student. She looked up and saw his card being swiped. She gaped and turned to an unapologetic Rufus.

'Rufus!'

'Sorry.' He shrugged. 'It's just the way I was brought up; old-fashioned if you like. I can't let a lady pay for stuff herself. Seems 'not right'.'

Kainene mock-scowled although she felt her heart pitter-patter in her chest. 'Fine, I'll let you this time since I can't do anything about it. But it's the twenty first century, 'my good sir', so get with the programme. I owe you a drink by the way. You see, I was brought up to pay for my stuff, so except you want me to feel very awkward whenever I'm around you for the rest of our lives, you better accept my offer for a drink.'

Rufus nodded with a chuckle, 'Fine then. You owe me a drink. I'll hold you to that, you know?'

Kainene nodded with a smile on her face, 'That's fine by me.' 

They left the shop together and stood outside for a second just staring at each other. Then Kainene quickly looked away and then back at him. 'I should get going now. If I know Lornes, my friend, correctly, she's probably growling the flat down screaming for some hangover food.'

Rufus laughed gently, 'Okay. Well, guess I'll see you around then.'

Kainene nodded, 'Yeah, you too.' She waved good bye at him then walked to her hall not looking back.

The moment she stepped into her flat, she heard Lornes whining to Matt, 'Dude, you need to get me food. Brain food slash hangover cure, I've got exams in two days you know.'

Matt's grumbling, yet playful voice snorted back, 'And who sent you to go 'partying' last night? I warned you, didn't I?'

Kainene rolled her eyes as she walked into the kitchen catching Lorna hit the back of Matt's head. 

'Stop the noise, children.' Kainene said dumping her bag of groceries on the dining table.

Lorna half-gasped gratuitously, 'Food!'

Matt shook his head, 'Thank God you're back. I'm handing her over to you.' He said as he walked to his room, an unlit cigarette hanging from his lips.

Lorna stuck out her tongue as his door closed then looked back at Kainene, 'Full English brekkie?'

'Yup.' Kainene nodded as she started breaking eggs in a bowl to whisk.

Lorna smiled happily as she ran her fingers through her snarled hair. She scowled at what she felt then grabbed a textbook from the haphazard pile on the table and started flipping pages.

'By the way, I saw Rufus at the union shop.' Kainene said conversationally.

Lorna gasped and shut her textbook with a loud snap.

'No way! SO...what happened? What did you guys talk about?'

Kainene shrugged as she put the cooker on and dropped a slab of butter in the frying pan. 'Nothing really. Just random stuff. Although he paid for my groceries though. A bit traditional he called himself. Now I owe him a drink.'

Lorna giggled loudly like a young girl who'd been given a peck on the cheek by Rob Pattinson, 'Oooooh, you've got yourself a manly saviour.'

Kainene looked at her askance then groaned as she rolled her eyes, 'You need your head checked Lornes, honestly.'

Lorna smiled widely then asked with a wrinkled brow, 'So what did he say when you told him about that silly cow, Minty? Did he get all pissed and shit?'

Kainene shook her head, dropping bacon strips in the pan. 'Nope.'

Lorna looked confused, 'How come? I'm surprised I must say.'

'That's 'cuz I didn't tell him.'

Lorna looked at her uncomprehending for a second then shrieked, 'Why on earth didn't you tell him? He should know what a cow he has for a 'childhood friend'.'

Kainene shrugged, 'It wasn't necessary, Lorna. It happened last year. Let's just leave it at that. And anyway, telling him, then him yelling at Minty or whatever he would have done and stuff like that...it's all so childish and pointless. And it's me swooping down to her level.'

Lorna just stared, 'I don't understand you. This guy likes you I'm sure of it. And the more you push him away because of Minty, the more he thinks you're just a twat yourself. You need to put him right.'

'Lorna. Drop it.' Kainene said coldly as she started pouring the eggs into the pan.

'Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you though.' Lorna grumbled opening her textbook again.

Kainene nodded curtly. Inside she asked herself confusedly, was she really doing the right thing by keeping Minty's nastiness away from Rufus?



University Life - First Ch. 11



It had been more than three weeks since Kainene saw Rufus at the union shop. Since then they had become tentative friends. They rang or text each other almost every other day just talking about random inane stuff. She had just gotten her own BlackBerry phone on contract and she could now chat with him on the BlackBerry messenger. She felt quite cool, chatting as she walked to school or sat at the union shop.

Her mid-sessional results had come out also, and not surprisingly, she had gotten firsts in all of them, with the highest mark in the year in Tort at ninety one per cent. Lorna had called her a lucky swot of a bitch and Kainene had smiled good-naturedly. She had known she was going to pass, although not as good as she had done. Her parents had been so thrilled she had to remind them that the exams did not count.

As she walked to Sainsbury's from Uni during her lunch break, she saw a girl waving to her by the bus stop. She waved back uncertainly, wondering if she knew the girl. She did not have her glasses on and could not see properly but she walked over to the girl. On getting there she saw that she still did not recognise who she was.

She smiled confused and the girl smiled back with a quick friendly wave.

'Hey there. Obviously you haven't the slightest clue who I am so I'm going to put you out of your confused misery. Basically, have you heard about FUZE?' The girl asked with a large smile on her face.

Kainene shook her head slowly. She had not heard, no.

The girl widened her eyes at her, 'Oh wow. Okay, that's a bit odd, but it doesn't matter. Anyway, FUZE is all about a fashion show and dancing and stuff. Like girls and guys model really cool stuff by our sponsors, I'm on the committee as I'm sure you've figured out...anyway by our sponsors like Jack Wills, Reiss and Whistles to name a few and they also dance and stuff...anyway the point is; I saw you and you are stunning. Plus you're like uber-skinny and tall so I was wondering if you wanted to come for the modelling try-out?' The girl finished breathlessly.

Kainene stared at her, mouth agape, then said, 'Oh...wow, I mean. That's flattering, but I'm not much of a model, you see...I don't know...'

The girl cut in quickly, 'Don't worry. None of them are at first, but you should still come. It'll be awesome. And there are loads of fit guys too, so...'

Kainene laughed as the girl grinned. She was really friendly and nice, 'Did you say dancing as well? Cuz I don't mind doing that, I mean I'm not the greatest dancer but I do love it.'

The girl grinned and nodded excitedly, 'Sure. I mean, you'd make a great model with that physique, but if you'd rather dance that's cool. The dancers kinna model dresses too, just not whilst walking of course. Ha ha, anyway, here's a flier and if you have other friends who can model or dance or whatever then come down. It's this evening at Churchill by 7. Be on time. You know what, gimme your phone number so I'll ring you.' She brought out her phone then laughed as she saw the dazed look on Kainene's face, 'I'm not this gung-ho, don't worry. I'm just so excited cuz it's my first time on the committee and I've already found a potential dancer. Yay me...anyway, my name's Siobhan, and I'm gonna give you a missed call so you can save my number.' She whipped her shaggy blonde hair out of her kohl-rimmed eyes as she typed in Kainene's number and dialled.

'What's your name?' She asked, fingers poised to type.

Kianene replied, 'Kainene...but everyone calls me Nens.'

'Nens. Cool, perfect. So...7 p.m, don't forget!' Siobhan chirped as she waved then crossed the road. 

Kainene waved back still a bit stunned. Wow, talk about full on enthusiasm. 

She looked down as she saw her phone beep and smiled reading Rufus's forwarded joke about a woman, a rat and a motorcycle.

Then she bit her lip as she thought then sent him a message about FUZE.

A minute later, he replied with a 'Why not? Count me in.'

She grinned widely.

***

'So you're gonna dance then? Aren't you like scared?' Lorna asked as Kainene put on her comfy tracky bottoms and dragged on a red vest top. 

Lorna grabbed the top's label and saw the 'size 6' written on it. 'Skinny cow, I hate you. And why aren't you modelling again, you lanky Peter Crouch?'

Kainene threw her discarded scarf at Lorna giggling, 'Hey! I resent that! Crouch is the unfittest man in the world. And I've told you a thousand times, I cannot model. You've seen me attempting to walk in heels before, it's disgraceful. I'd rather do something I can actually do, and that's dance. Anyway, I might not even make it. I spoke to one of the lawyers, Rita. She's in her second year, anyway, she auditioned last year for dancing and was like there were loads of different choreographies and she didn't go through. So there's a possibility I might not make it.'

Lorna laughed loudly and fell back on Kainene's bed, 'Hmm...there's also the possibility that you will make it! Anyway, it's such a shame that I can't come with to watch and laugh. Hahaha, imagine you falling flat on your bum in a complicated dance move.' 

Kainene rolled her eyes as she bent to wear her trainers. 'Aren't you a lovely friend hoping for my downfall? Tosspot! Anyway, good thing too; I'd die of embarrassment if either you or Viola or even Mykelos were there. It's bad enough that Rufus is...' She trailed off feeling her face flush as she grabbed a bottle of water off her table and threw it into her bag.

Lorna sat up immediately, her eyes flashing excitedly, 'Ahhhh...methinks one failed to give me some vital information. Rufus is going to be there then? How do you know? I swear you guys are meant for each other. Everyone can see it except you two thick-headed numpties.'

Kainene shook her head in amazement as she rifled through her clothes for her massive Bristol hoodie. 'You are a legend, Lorna. How on earth are you able to deduce from a simple statement like he's gonna be there, that we're meant for each other? Detective Lorna at it again.'

'Mock all you like, you lot are gonna end up in a relationship. Mark my words.'

Kainene nodded mockingly, 'Yes Madame Lorna the great. Whatever you say. Anyway, I'm off now. Wish me luck.'

Lorna stood up and hugged the visibly excited/nervous girl. 'You don't need luck. You're the best dancer I know...not that I know a lot though.' She shrieked laughingly as Kainene shoved her to the bed.

'On that helpful note, I'm off. Shall text you of all the shenanigans going on.' Kainene blew Lorna a kiss and she left the flat.

About ten minutes later, she was outside Churchill watching Rufus saunter towards her. Her heart skipped a bit and she could not help the grin that spread on her face as she watched him walk towards her looking as gorgeous as ever.

'Hey matey.' She called as he reached her.

'Hey buddy ole' pal.' He replied laughing as she flicked his head at that.

'I can't believe you're doing this with me. I honestly thought you were going to tell me to take the longest hike ever.' She said as they walked into the Hall of Residence.

Rufus smiled at that, 'Why would I have done that? You said you were shy and needed someone there, especially as your friend Lorna 'can't dance to save her life' so I offered. I'm not gonna dance though. There's no way I won't blow my top listen to someone commandeer me bossily.'

Kainene turned immediately, 'No! Don't say that. You're an amazing dancer. What are you gonna do then?'

He shrugged, 'Model I guess.'

Kainene guffawed loudly then saw that he was serious. She quickly sobered up, 'Model? Oh, wow. That's uhm...cool I guess. Can you model though?'

He nodded, although not conceitedly, 'I kinna modelled a year ago for Abercrombie and Fitch when I took a year out in the States. Was fun. So why not do it again?'

Kainene looked at him impressed, 'Wow. I'm friends with a model. How awesome. You're my official claim to fame.'

Rufus laughed although his face turned a dull red, 'Yeah, whatever. We're here anyway.'

She smiled at his obvious change of topic then her smile wiped off as she spotted Araminta and Heather stretching and talking to some cute guys in a corner. 'Aw fuck!' She mumbled.

He turned at that as he had never heard her swear before. His gaze followed hers to Araminta then he looked back at her.

'Oh, you know Minty? Although I take it there's no love on your part.'

She shook her head but declined to talk any further. They were not going to ruin her day. She saw them look up and saw the dark look Minty threw her when she spotted Rufus standing next to her. She looked coolly back at her as she remembered the comments from her friends back home and Lornes here. She did not have to lash out to prove she was not a coward but that did not mean she was going to cower every time she spotted the tiny bully.

She heard her name being yelled and turned to see Siobhan making her way towards her. She grinned at the friendly face. 

'Hey, wow. So glad you made it. And who's your friend?' Siobhan turned with an appreciative smile as she looked Rufus up and down.

Kainene hid a smile at her obvious stare and said, 'This is my friend Rufus. He's here to try out for the modelling.'

Rufus nodded and bent to kiss Siobhan on both sides of her cheeks, 'Hey. How do you do?'

Siobhan blushed as she tried to tuck her shaggy hair behind her ear, 'Very well, thank you! Wow, you'll definitely make an awesome model. Good work, Nens. So, it's quite full here and we're gonna be starting in a bit. Over there's Thomas and Leila, they're the choreographers and are gonna be showing you the moves you need to learn for the audition. And over there's Charles, well we all call him Paddy and Beatrice. They're the model tutors. So make your way over to Thomas, Nens and you Rufus over to Paddy.' She smiled at them once more and walked away turning to stare at Rufus again.

'Got yourself an admirer, Rufus.' Kainene nudged him slyly.

Rufus shook his head and tugged Kainene's corckscrew curls playfully, 'Whatever! Anyway, shall soon be seeing you bust your moves.'

Kainene retorted instantly, 'And you strutting your stuff.'

They both giggled at each other before waving and walking to their respective areas. 

Kainene smiled to herself, Lorna was wrong. They could definitely work as normal friends.

Rufus smiled to himself, his friends were right. He definitely wanted to take their friendship to another level.

***

Kainene could barely stifle her shriek as she jumped up and down in the Union shop. She had just received an email which she read on her phone and it was to tell her that she had made the cut. She was gonna be a FUZE dancer. Hehehe.

She could not believe she was so thrilled about becoming a dancer. She was officially psycho. She looked up quickly to make sure no one saw her jumping, but apart from the tiny teddy bears hanging from the counter, she was all alone working. She quickly text Lorna to tell her the good news then she bit her lip wondering if she should text Rufus. Surely if she had been told that she was through, that meant Rufus too would be aware of whether he made it or not. She shook her head a bit irritated with herself. This was so not a life or death matter so why was she worried if telling Rufus her news was going to get him all surly?

She forwarded her text to Rufus's phone as well. 

Almost immediately she got a voice note from Lorna screaming 'You lucky whore. I just knew it. You're gonna be grilled to death now, hahaha!' 

Kainene laughed out loud at that. Lorna always brought a smile to her face with her little potty mouth so surprising as she had such a pretty girl next door look.

Rufus replied her some minutes later as Kainene had begun to pick at her cuticles nervously. Her heart skipped a bit as she read the text but she berated herself silently as she exhaled. She was acting like a big love-struck baby. Why was she making a fecking mountain out of a mole hill?

She read the text then exhaled once more, this time with a grin on her face. 

Yes! He made it. They were going to be dancing and modelling as well.

Now if only God could be a wonderful prayer-answering being and ensure Heather or Minty did not make it too.

***

'Crap! At least, he should have broken their legs, hips or all the bones in their bodies.' Kainene muttered in the phone as she grumbled to Lorna.

She had just spotted Heather and Minty chattering away excitedly. She was at the gym ready for practice and half the people who had been in Churchill for the first try-outs were nowhere to be found.

She heard a soft 'Boo!' behind her and turned to smile at Rufus, whispering a quick 'bye' to Lorna and hanging up her phone.

'Why didn't you wait for me? I could have driven us here together.'

Kainene smiled apologetically, 'I had no idea. I came straight from uni. The union shop isn't too pleased with me, too. I had to ask for the next three weeks off and that means I'm spending Easter break here working. Crap!'

Rufus rubbed her shoulders and Kainene could not stifle the sigh that escaped from her lips. 'Poor you. Want me to go charm them with my good looks and friendly voice?'

Kainene laughed looking up at the stubble on his chin. She just about restrained herself from using the tip of her tongue to caress the little dent there. 'No need for that. I need an incentive to stay on here and study for exams anyway, so this is kind of a good thing.'

'Little swot! I mean, who aces their mid-sessionals?' Rufus chuckled giving her one last rub then kissing her forehead.

'Apparently I do!' She smirked back at him and he was cut off from giving a reply as Siobhan cleared her throat and said loudly.

'Hey you guys. Thanks for coming here on this arse-ily cold evening and congrats on making the dancing and modelling team.'

Everyone cheered at this statement.

Siobhan continued, 'Anyway, we have three weeks to get ready for this then it's the D-Day, or rather, D-Days as you guys very well know it's over two days. So you guys work your arses off and you all will be rewarded with envious looks and cheers on the proper days. Oh, and we get the VIP area of Ponana!'

This caused another raised cheer from the excited students.

'So you guys, break a leg while practising...well not literally as that will so not be good.'

Laughter broke out and Siobhan bowed blowing them a kiss before retreating to a make-shift corner for the organisers.

Rufus smiled at her, 'Well, go break that leg then.'

Kainene smiled back at him then walked off to the dancers' area. 

I will not fancy Rufus; I will not fancy Rufus; I will not fancy Rufus.

***

Kainene looked at her phone and saw Lorna's number glinting. She picked it up and gave a quick breathless, 'Hunh?'

'Just wanted to wish you good luck...again! Can't wait to see you showing those people how it's done. See ya soon.' Lorna shrieked excitedly before cutting the phone off.

Kainene smiled to herself, albeit tiredly. The show last night had been intense but had been more of a practice than the real thing. Not many people had come to watch them dance and model and she had been a tad disheartened. Siobhan had reassured her that the first day was not the real day, and this was why the dancers had not modelled all the dresses they were supposed to. The last day, however was the real day and Kainene held back a nervous whimper as she looked through the backstage doors to the main hall and saw it rapidly filling up. And it was still an hour till the show started. She looked back and saw some other dancers smiling at her. 

One of them, Neha a petite lithe pretty girl grinned at her, 'It's awesome, right? It's like so full and it hasn't even started yet. Yesterday was truly a test run, time for the real thing.'

'I think I'm gonna barf.' A Canadian beauty said, holding her tummy.

Neha laughed at that, 'Don't be such a baby, Marie. It's gonna be awesome. Once we start dancing, you're gonna forget all your nerves and worries.'

Kainene rolled her eyes at that as she walked away from them. Easy for Neha to say. She was an amazing dancer and had no fears of anything. Kainene did not think she had ever come across anyone as fearless and free as Neha. She bumped into a shirtless guy and mumbled a 'Sorry' ready to keep on walking. The guy grabbed her arm and asked in a familiar voice, 'Nens. You okay?'

Kainene turned and saw it was Rufus. He looked absolutely amazing and she forgot to breathe for a split second. 'Yeah, yeah I am.' She quickly said.

'I mean...wow. You look so...model-ly.' 

Rufus chuckled, 'Yeah...well that's the idea. You look nice as well. I didn't get a chance to see you properly yesterday or watch you dance, but the few dances I saw were definitely amazing. You are an even better dancer than I thought.'

Kainene dropped her head shyly, 'Really? Do you think so? I mean, I'm not gonna be all stupid and coy and say that I can't dance, I can. It's just...there are so many other wonderful dancers, I don't think I can be compared to them.'

Rufus shook his head as he gently raised her chin up with one finger, 'You're amazing. More than. And I think you are definitely going to wow them so shake off this shy persona.'

They heard someone shouting out, 'Okay last minute make-up and dressing guys.'

Rufus looked over her head to nod and then back down at her.

'Good luck then.' Kainene smiled ready to hug him and move on but Rufus turned her head at the last minute and planted a quick yet soft kiss on her lips.

She stared up at him shocked, then she smiled so beatifically that he bent to kiss her once more. 'Break a leg.'

Kainene muttered back, 'Not literally.'

They both smiled to themselves then Kainene nodded once more before walking away, her heart beating a steady staccato of joy.



University Life - First Ch. 12



Kainene did not think she had ever danced as hard or well as she danced that night. Maybe it was a result of the kiss she had shared with Rufus but she was certainly on fire. Siobhan said as much.

'Whoa, tiger! Where have you been hiding? You truly saved everything for the last day and by jove, is it all paying off.'

Kainene grinned at her as she wiped some sweat off her brow. She only had one more dance to go and there was an interlude now. Two other sets of dancers in which she was not a part of were going on after the break as well as some models, but she and her own set of dancers were ending the show whilst the models walked among them as they danced.

'I'm gonna pass out soon, I've been so nervous all day I didn't eat anything but I really need to do so now or someone's gonna make the wrong move when they hear my tummy growling.' Kainene said as she counted out some coins from her purse.

Siobhan let out a tinkling laugh, 'You do that, but remember what you lot are wearing for this dance. You don't want your tummy bloated.'

Kainene simply nodded. She did not want to say that she could eat a horse and her tummy would still be flat, concave even. Thanks to all the dancing she had been doing she had lost some weight. It would sound gloating.

She left Siobhan and walked out to mingle with the crowd. 

'Nens, you gorgeous dancer, you!' A voice squealed.

Kainene turned round with a wide smile as Mykelos grabbed her in a bear hug.

'No, Mykelos, I'm all sweaty!' She giggled trying but failing to get him to drop her.

He dropped her with a large grin, 'Like I care. Everyone's looking at me with envy that I know you. You are by far the best dancer there, no contest.'

Kainene smiled, her face flushing ferociously, 'You're just saying that cuz you're my mate.'

Mykelos shook his head vigorously, 'Nope. Trust me, I wouldn't lie to you. You're definitely ultimate. Haha...Lornes is going to go mental when she realises that I saw you and she didn't teehee.'

Kainene shook her head as she collected the ham and cheese croissant that she had just paid for, 'You are such a big baby, Mykelos.'

Mykelos shrugged and swooped down to grab a large bite from her croissant.

Kainene shrieked in mock-anger but Mykelos evaded her quick swat and moved away. 'No need over eating and being sluggish, I'm doing you a favour. Anyway, I shall be seeing you later my dear one, off I go back to the hall to watch you and cheer till my lungs get sore.'

Kainene grinned and waved him away as she turned back to the hall. She stuffed the whole croissant in her mouth as the Perfect Bitches of Headington walked by.

'God, did she just shove that in her mouth? What a fat pig!' Kainene overheard Minty say loudly to Heather.

Kainene simply chomped away not caring in the least. At least she was skinnier than Minty who had been watching all she ate for the past three weeks. Apparently she had been on a diet she got from 'The Devil wears Prada.' Eating a cube of cheese only when she felt like fainting.

What a numpty!

Soon, it was time to get ready for the last dance. The concept of the dance was different from what they had all done before and it had not been performed on the previous day. It was a dance off between the girls and the guys and there was going to be some free styling involved. Kainene adjusted her itsy bitsy top which skimmed her mid-riff and tugged her bumper shorts down to cup her peach of a bottom. Her legs looked like they went on forever regardless of the fact that she was not wearing heels. She turned to the other dancers as they huddled together for a quick victory cheer before running unto the stage for the dance.

The first song that went on was the old Missy Elliot 'Work it' and the dance started. As it progressed, Kainene felt free as she twisted and turned and jumped in a somersault only she could do with the guys while the girls dropped to the floor. As the song for the dance off started and the dancers free-styled to Beyonce's 'Radio' she barely heard a tiny chant coming from a group of people in the audience going: 'Nens! Nens! Nens!' She did a little break thing before ending with a bump and grind worthy of Shakira amidst claps and whoops, positive that the ring leaders were Viola, Matt, Lorna and Mykelos.

When the song was over, both dancers and models bowed to a spectacular cheer and ovation and she bounced off the stage, adrenaline pumping through her veins. She heard someone shout her name and she whirled round and felt herself being swept off the floor and into tight, muscled arms. She breathed in the unique yet familiar smell of Rufus as he spun her round once, twice before dropping her to the floor.

'Bloody hell. Nens! You were fucking fantastic. I almost missed my walk watching you dance. Bloody, bloody hell.' He gasped in her ear. Both of them were breathless from the show.

Kainene just grinned up at him as she panted equally. She was so elated and pumped she felt she could jump off the building and soar.

'It was awesome. Oh my God, I could do it all over again, it was fucking wicked.' She replied waving as other dancers walked past her and patted her shoulder or punched her arm.

Rufus took her hand in his as they walked together backstage. 'So are you gonna be at the after-party?'

'Is the sky blood red? Hell yeah, I am. I even scored four VIP tickets for my mates and they were ecstatic. I think, for the first time I'm going to get mind numbingly drunk.' She smiled as she turned to plant a kiss on his cheek. She did not even care that she had just done so; she was so chuffed at everything.

Rufus smiled at her impulsive kiss. He wanted to grab her and take her to his room, sod the stupid after party. 'Fine, do you need a ride back to Stoke Bishop? I'm driving back once I'm dressed.'

Kainene shrugged still happy, 'I'm just gonna call Lornes' and make sure they're okay then, yeah sure.'

She dialled the number and asked a screaming Lorna what they were up to.

'We're on our way to Mbargo for a quick drink then we're off to Ponana. Hope you aren't upset that we left without you, we just thought you wanted to hang out with your dancer friends.'

'That's okay, mate. I just wanted to make sure you lot were alright. Rufus is giving me a ride back home to get dressed then we're off to Ponana. I'll see you there, and don't forget your VIP tickets.' Kainene replied.

'Not to worry there, the tickets are safe and sound in my purse. No way would we have forgotten them.'

Kainene heard Matt in the background holler, 'And sit out with the plebs, God no!' She laughed to herself at Matt's customary snobbish tone and cut off the phone.

'So, ready in five minutes?' Rufus asked and she nodded as she went over to her bag.

***

An hour later, Kainene stood watching Rufus give her a very heated gaze which caused a tingle of arousal to slither down her spine and straight to her nether regions. 

'This is okay, right?' She asked, a tad uncertainly.

Rufus stared at her with hooded eyelids then quickly brushed a hand down his face before nodding, 'I have half a mind to say 'sod the stupid party' and just...stay here...with you.'

Kainene giggled nervously, her heart beating rapidly at the barely hidden lust on Rufus' face, 'We don't wanna spoil our friendship now, do we?'

Rufus muttered something which sounded like, 'Sod friendship.'

Then he said out loud, 'Fine. We're friends. Although I can't help but ogle this friend and dream of naughty things, but we're just friends. You look spectacular, Nens. Really.'

She flushed and gave a playful curtsy. She was wearing a new mustard coloured dress she had just bought from Topshop. It was one shouldered and skin tight, showcasing her thin yet lean and curvy body to the fullest. On her feet, she had on high blue heels she had had for a while but had never worn as she hated towering over her friends. With her hair straightened from the FUZE moment, and now wavy and tousled thanks to her washing it, she looked like a sexy sultry siren. She left her coat on its hangar and checked her black oversized purse to make sure that her keys were in them. Then she let out a gust of breath.

'Ready whenever you are.'

As they walked into the club, Kainene could hear stifled gasps. She looked a bit self-conscious and gripped Rufus' hand a tad tighter barely hearing his amused chuckled over the loud noise from the club. She had no idea how wonderfully they complemented each other. With her heels, she was almost his height, maybe an inch or two shorter and with her beautiful dark looks and his stunning fair looks, they looked like a celebrity couple. 

They walked together into the VIP room and Kainene smiled as she saw Lorna rush towards them. Lorna jumped excitedly grabbing Kainene in a quick hug and Kainene laughed excitedly as they rocked each other in a hug. Rufus just stared on amused.

'Oh, this is Rufus, as I'm sure you know.' Kainene quickly introduced Lorna.

Rufus bent to kiss her on her cheek, 'Yeah, I remember, rather embarrassingly, how I followed you about the ball looking for Nens.'

Lorna giggled girlishly, 'Oh yeah...I'd forgotten all about that.'

Kainene hid a quick snort. Yeah right, Lorna was going to carry that memory to her grave more like.

'Anyway, I'm gonna go over to the bar and get something to drink. You want anything?'

Kainene shrugged, 'Whatever. A vodka coke, maybe?'

Rufus started then turned back with a sexy smile, 'We're celebrating your prowess on the dance floor, no vodka coke for you. I'm getting some champagne.'

Kainene nodded and just said, 'I'm gonna go sit over at the table with Lornes and the others.'

Rufus nodded and walked, or rather glided cat-like towards the bar.

Lorna faked a swoon as Kainene half-dragged her to look for their other friends.

'Forgotten all about that my arse.' Kainene said laughing.

Lorna punched her playfully, 'Yeah, like I was gonna make a fool out of myself and tell him that I'd remember that day till my dying breath.'

Kainene let out a giggle at that. 

'So...still friends I take it?' Lorna asked slyly as they got to Viola and Matt. Mykelos was nowhere to be found.

Viola looked at them confused the smiled, 'Oh you mean Nens and Rufus?'

Kainene stared at two of them with barely restrained laughter, 'You guys are like the most jobless girls in the world. Have you lot been talking about us two? We're just mates.'

Viola rolled her eyes and retorted, 'Yeah, and I'm having Taylor Lautner's baby in nine months. I could practically bounce off the chemistry you two were emitting when you walked in. All, and I mean ALL eyes were on you two. You looked so freaking amazing.'

Kainene smiled softly to herself, 'You really think so? Oh, I mean...' She stuttered as the girls laughed and ribbed each other.

Matt just rolled his eyes, 'Okay, I'm outta here. Girl talk is just not for me.' He bent to plant a quick kiss on Lorna's nape then walked off.

Kainene just rolled her eyes and turned to them, 'I mean, we've been working so well at being friends and I don't wanna cross that line and ruin everything. I really like him, there! I've said it. But I'm scared that the moment we change things, it's going to go back to the way it was. Minty haranguing us, me being shy and silly and Rufus being...well he never really did anything did he?'

Lorna shook her head, her eyes on the lookout for Rufus so that he did not stumble on their conversation. 'Nah, I don't think so. I think you guys have gone past that whole rubbish and you guys really suit each other now. More so than before. And the way he was staring at you tonight, even before like whenever he came over to the flat just to say hello...that's not the look of just a 'friend'...'

Viola quickly cut in with, 'That's the look of someone who wants to hammer you senseless.'

'Viola!' Both girls gasped in unison.

'What? I'm not getting any, so I might as well live vicariously through Nens...or my fantasies of how it would be with Rufus and Nens.'

Kainene shook her head as her face flushed violently. 

At that moment, Lorna quickly hissed, 'He's coming.'

Kainene whispered back just as quickly, 'Oh shit, is my face red? It feels really hot.'

'You're black, doofus, it's not showing. Now give us a quick pose.' Lorna replied just as Rufus came and stopped Kainene from giving a snarky response.

'So, they haven't got any Dom P...just Veuve. But they do have the Pink one, so I got three bottles of that. They're on the way soon.' Rufus said as he swung his arm around Kainene and buried his nose in her hair inhaling deeply.

Viola and Lorna stared at each other before giving Kainene a look that said, 'Friends hunh?' 

Kainene rolled her eyes at them and leaned back into Rufus' arms. She was not going to think about tonight anymore. About being friends. She could not fight what was definitely building up between them. Tomorrow would deal with itself.

With that thought in her head, she turned round and planted a long, wet kiss on Rufus' lips, ignoring the excited gasps from the girls.

Rufus replied with as much fervour as Kainene. He kissed her top lip and sucked it in slowly, giving it a little nibble before releasing it and doing the same to the lower lip. Kainene gave a little whimper which caused her lips to part and Rufus used that opportunity to capture her tongue, sucking it slowly but deeply into his own mouth. 

Kainene could not hold back the little moan that snaked out of her, deep from her stomach. She dropped her purse and clutched his wavy hair with both hands, holding on for dear life as he gave her the best kiss of her life.

When he released her, she stayed as she was, her eyes closed as she slowly came down from her lust-filled haze.

'Bloody Hell, I'm off to look for Matt. That's got me as horny as hell.' Lorna whistled as she turned off to seek her boyfriend.

Viola just laughed and shook her head, 'Remember to use protection is all I can say.'

Kainene blushed at that and turned to bury her head in Rufus' chest as the other girl walked off too.

'Are you okay with this? I mean, I know we're supposed to be just friends but I've wanted you for so long and I can't help it anymore. I'm sorry if you're upset but I...'

Kainene raised a finger and placed it on his lips effectively shutting him up. 'Hey, trust me when I say you don't have to explain yourself. I feel the same way too. I mean, I'm not saying I suddenly want to jump into a relationship with you. I don't even know how or what I'm gonna do tomorrow, but tonight...I really want this to happen.'

Rufus searched her eyes at this statement, 'I'm not gonna try to change your mind. But all I can say is that I really hope you want more than tonight. I'm not gonna say anymore so that I don't make you start getting second thoughts, all I'll say is this, I really really hope it's not just for tonight.'

Kainene nodded. She could hear what he was not saying. He was hinting at a relationship and as much as she liked him, she wanted to see if it was just lust. She was ready to let go of her virginity with him. But she wanted to see if she still fancied him after sex. Sex was good and well, but she didn't want to commit then find out she didn't like him as much afterwards. It had happened to a friend of hers before and it had not been pretty.

Rufus smiled down at her nod. 'Wanna dance then?'

She grinned back and picked her purse from where it had landed when she dropped it. 'You betcha!'

The two went to the dancefloor and, fortuitously, the DJ started playing 'Radio.'

Rufus let out a laugh at this as Kainene squealed and started dancing just as she did on the stage at the show.

Soon, they had attracted a lot of glances as people realised she was the same girl that had danced before. When the song was over, a burst of applause was given and Kainene gave a mock bow just as Rufus grabbed her by the hips and planted a kiss on her lips causing people to whoop lasciviously.

'Wanna get out of here?' He whispered in her ear.

Kainene began to nod then she remembered something, 'But what about all those bottles of champers?'

'Screw the fucking champagne and come home with me.' He growled sexily into her ear.

She shut her eyes as shivers went down her spine and placed her hand in his as they walked out of the club and into his car.

Soon, they were in his room and shrugging out of clothes frantically as they kissed passionately in between. Soon they were naked and Rufus was attacking her clit with his talented tongue. Kainene gripped the bed sheets as she tried to contain her moans, thinking about his flat mates. Then he put a long finger in her pussy and curled upwards...she let out a loud moan suddenly forgetting any flat mates he could possibly have, her eyes shut to the world.

Then she began to feel something tighten in her tummy as she arched her back higher and higher off the bed. She opened her eyes as stars burst in her head, gazing unseeingly at Rufus' moving head below. Her mouth hung open in a silent scream as Rufus slowly licked from her clit down to her arse hole. He rimmed there and her eyes screwed back shut as she climaxed once more. This time her scream was far from silent. It seemed she screamed the flat down, her neck straining with the force of her climax.

Rufus smiled as he raised his head and slowly slid back up her body. He gazed at the panting girl as she raised a weak hand to brush sweat dampened hair off her face. She opened dazed eyes and stared at a smiling Rufus.

'Oh my God, what have I been missing?' She gasped to herself.

Rufus stared at her confused for a second, then his eyes widened as he got the implications of what she was saying, 'You're a virgin?'

She nodded then quickly asked, 'That won't be a problem now would it?'

Rufus smiled so beatifically at her, that her pussy gave a quick lurch at that. 'I like the fact that I'm gonna be your first.'

Kainene smiled back albeit shyly, 'So do I.'

He nodded and grabbed a condom from his bedside drawer before sheathing himself. He bent his head to plant a tender kiss by the side of her lips.

'Tell me if it hurts and I swear I'll stop immediately.'

Kainene nodded her face tense as he slowly slid in. She grimaced a little as she felt something pop in her, but apart from feeling uncomfortably full she did not feel any pain.

Rufus looked down at her, his face red and arms straining as he struggled to not move at all. The feeling was exquisite; being inside her extremely tight hole. 

'Are you okay?' He asked.

She nodded smiling up at him, 'Yeah. Don't worry. You can move now.'

He laughed at this and slid out before gently sliding back in. 

Her breath caught at the fullness of him. He was so thick he was touching every nerve in her.

He slid in and out gently for a few seconds then grunted in pleasant surprise as Kainene shoved his arse down unto her as he slid back in.

'I'm not breakable Rufus. Now, fuck me hard.'

Rufus head spun at her words then he proceeded to do just as she asked.

He slid out torturously slow and smiled as she gazed at him frustrated. 

Then he slammed into her so hard the bedpost slammed against the wall behind it. 

Kainene's eyes rolled behind her head, the delicious pain making her toes curl.

He started slamming in and out of her at a breath-taking pace causing Kainene's mouth to stay open and emit torturous sounding moans.

Soon he was slamming into her jerkily, obvious that he was about to come. Kainene could feel her own peak building but it seemed it was just out of reach and she did not know what to do to get there.

Rufus saw the strained look on her face and he placed his hand hard on her tummy, stretching his thumb to circle her clit in an anti-clockwise motion as he jerked into her.




University Life - First Ch. 12



This caused the desired effect as she keened loudly and started shaking so hard the bed groaned beneath them. Then Rufus felt a huge pressure on his cock and was surprised to see liquid squirt out of her. This caused his head to spin as he had never seen a girl ejaculate except in porno movies and he blew a huge load in his condom.

A few minutes later, both of them came down from their high and Rufus curled an arm around Kainene as she cuddled into his chest, her legs intertwining with his. 

He used his other hand to take off the condom and fling it into the nearby bin. 

Kainene whispered against his chest, her voice muffled, 'Sorry I wet your bed.'

Rufus laughed in her hair, his chest shaking against her face as his voice rumbled, 'No worries. I thought it was the sexiest thing ever.'

He felt her smile against his chest as she yawned sleepily.

Before she drifted off to dreamland, she heard him say above her head, 'Promise me one thing, Nens.'

She asked sleepily, 'What's that?'

'That you won't run off while I'm still sleeping. That you're going to give me a chance to change your mind cuz I already know you're going to be all awkward about it and I don't want you to be that way.'

Kainene smiled to herself sheepishly. This dude was absolutely psychic.

'Okay.' She replied.

'Promise me.'

'I promise. Now let me sleep or I shall attack you again.'

Rufus laughed again and placed a tender kiss in her hair. This was what he had wished for for so long and it was even better than he had dreamt. He smiled once more to himself as he fell asleep as well.



University Life - First Ch. 13



Kainene woke up with a smile on her face. She instantly remembered all that had occurred the night before and she panicked quickly before forcing herself to calm down. She remembered her promise and this made her smile widen. She looked over and saw Rufus looking cute and boyish in his sleep. She could not stop herself from reaching out and touching a soft curl. Then her tummy rumbled. Crap! They did not write these in her sappy novels. She had to take a quick shit. She hopped on one foot as she tried to remain silent. He could so not find her in this condition. 

She looked round for her clothes but could only see his discarded shirt and boxer shorts. She dragged them on and tiptoed out of the room looking for the loo.

A few minutes later she tiptoed back in shutting the door silently. She looked round and jumped with a hand on her heart startled. Rufus was sitting up in bed looking at her bemusedly. Then his face broke into a heart-thumping smile.

'You look gorgeous in the morning.'

Kainene thought to herself sheepishly as she snuggled back into his arms, you wouldn't think that if you knew what I was just up to. 

She smiled and sighed as he kissed her ear. She felt his breath wash over her and shook her head inwardly. He did not even have any bad morning breath. Some people were so lucky. She had gargled with someone's mouthwash in the bathroom.

She mumbled into his arm, 'See, I kept my promise.'

'I know and believe me when I say I'm glad.' He replied nuzzling her neck.

She smiled then bit back a gasp as she felt a finger slowly delve into her...well his boxer shorts then circle her clit.

'This feels wondrously odd, me feeling you up in my boxers.' He sniggered.

She laughed pantingly, her heart giving triple jumps as he circled round and round. 

Then she climaxed, biting her lip to stifle her moan.

She opened her eyes to see him staring at her with blazing intensity.

He smiled once she looked up at him, then lowered his mouth to hers, 'Now that's what I call a good morning.'

She wrapped her legs round him and whimpered as he slid into her.

He immediately stopped. 'I'm hurting you, oh shit.'

She shook her head hurriedly and kept him in as he tried to pull out. 'No, no. Don't stop please.'

He grinned at that then shut his eyes as pleasure coursed through him.

As he neared his climax he remembered that he had not worn any condoms and, at the last minute, pulled out spurting unto his shirt that she was wearing.

She looked down at her belly clad shirt and giggled, 'That was fun.'

He groaned and placed his damp forehead on hers. She was definitely something else. Then he groaned louder when he saw her dip a tentative finger into the little puddle which had found her hip and brought it to her mouth.

His groan turned into a laugh when she said, 'Well it's not as good as those novels say, but certainly not as bad as I personally thought it would be.'

Rufus shook his head as his chest vibrated with laughter. This was great.

***

'This is so weird, going out for lunch in your stuff.' Kainene muttered as she and Rufus sat in a cute little boulangerie in Clifton Village. She was wearing his college jumper and his track bottoms which she had had to fold over and over again to make it hang on her hips.

Rufus shrugged smiling as she wrinkled her nose. 'I think it's cute. You look cute in my stuff.'

She rolled her eyes at him, though pleased inside. It was going swimmingly well. No awkwardness at all between them that day. It was a good thing they had been friends first before...whatever they were now. If anything, she had fallen for him more than before. He was funny, sweet, cute, not to forget amazingly hot and fantastic in bed. 

She was tempted to ask him what it was exactly that was going on between them now but she stopped herself thinking it sounded very gauche and naive. Guys didn't ask girls out anymore did they? It sort of just...flowed from one stage to another. Or so she had read. She definitely had to stop living her life based on novels she read, life was definitely not what someone else had imagined in the confines of their bedroom or a cafe.

'So what do you wanna do today?' Rufus asked, spearing a mushroom in his mouth and chewing gently.

Kainene shrugged, she was ready to do whatever he wanted. Then she remembered she was still in his stuff and she simply could not trot about Bristol in his clothes. It may look romantic or cute to him, but she felt silly in them.

'I should probably go home and get changed. First. Then...whatever I guess.' She replied.

He looked at her with a mock-hurtful look on his face, 'You wanna get rid of my clothes so quickly.'

She laughed, 'I don't mind wearing the hoodie. But the tracky bottoms...unh-unh. They make me look like a skinny junkie.'

He guffawed at this nearly choking on his eggs.

'You certainly have a way with words.'

She shrugged grinning. That she did.

As she shut the door to the flat quietly and began to tiptoe to her room, she heard a loud, 'Not so fast, whore-nene.'

She groaned to herself. Talk about being busted.

She spun round and walked into the kitchen, slumping with a sullen expression on the kitchen chair as Lorna and Mykelos grinned at her. Matt successfully hid his grin as he tapped the ash from his cigarette out the window.

'You're here pretty late. And in his clothes I see.' Lorna cooed her eyes gleaming.

'I couldn't bloody well come back home in last night's clothes, could I?' Kainene mumbled as she dragged Lorna's mug of hot chocolate and slurped from it loudly.

'Hmm...me see thou doth glow.' Mykelos said laughing.

Kainene rolled her eyes as the other three started giggling.

'God, you lot are such overgrown babies.' She complained, her face feeling hot as she blushed.

Lorna giggled and ran round to hug her suddenly, 'Oh ignore us, we're so happy for you. I'm definitely delighted. You're glowing, you know. And you look absolutely gorgeous.'

Matt snickered, 'Yeah, the just 'knocked outta bed' gorgeous.'

'Hey!' Kainene complained flicking a full teaspoon of hot chocolate at him.

'I'm not gonna talk about it with you gossip mongers, no way! You're gonna rib me for the rest of my life.' She said.

Mykelos shrugged, 'We don't need you to tell us you just had the greatest shag of your life. It's like 'DUH!' What we want is details.'

Lorna nodded leaning forward. 

Matt shook his head quickly, 'No way, you girls can chat about that but I'm out.'

Mykelos slyly said, 'You ashamed that he might just be more...agile than you?'

Kainene 'ewwed' as Matt turned red, 'Wouldn't you like to find out?'

Mykelos arched an eyebrow, 'If Lorna wasn't here I'm more than positive the straight one would like to experiment.'

The girls shrieked with laughter as Matt flushed a very bright red before mumbling and rushing to his room.

'Good one. Now details...how big is he?' Lorna quickly asked.

'Eww! No! I'm not discussing it with you.' Kainene quickly said, then she grinned before adding, 'I don't know, not like I had a measuring tape or anything...let's just say he...hit all the right spots and then some.'

Lorna shrieked as Mykelos held his sides and guffawed loudly.

'Ohmigod! So it was good then?'

'More than good. Fantabulous.' Kainene said with an absent smile on her face as she remembered the night before.

'Oh dear, it seems someone's whipped, sprung and crucified.' Mykelos dryly said.

Kainene rolled her eyes as she shook her head, 'None of the above. I don't even know what exactly we're doing or what we could define ourselves as now.'

Lorna replied, 'Don't think about that now or it's going to occupy your daily thoughts. Trust me. Just...take the days as they come and have fun. Soon, you'll find out if it's real or...not.'

Mykelos nodded in agreement as Kainene looked at the two of them with an unconsciously cute and lost expression on her face. 'You think so? Okay, I guess you're right. I'm just gonna...see how it goes.'

Then she got up to go to her room.

'Hey missy! Where do you think you're running off to? You haven't given us all the details.' Lorna exclaimed.

Kainene threw her a superior smile, 'Unlike you boring lot, I have an early dinner and a movie to get to, so I have to get some beauty sleep before my preparation begins in earnest.'

Her two friends 'oohed' and hollered as she shook her head with laughter and shut her door quietly behind her.

***

It had been almost a month since Kainene began her 'relationship' with Rufus. It felt amazing. Every single day that had passed had been beyond description. The talks, the lunches and dinners, the movies, the sex...everything was out of this world. She could not believe that she had gotten such a wonderful 'catch'. Lorna and Viola did not tease her as much as before because they say how wonderfully matched they were. School work was more than perfect, surprisingly so. She had thought that being head over heels would affect her studying but it seemed her brain was sharper, wiser perhaps. She smiled to herself at this thought.

As she walked into the common room, she hummed under her breath alongside Paris Hilton's Stars are Blind coming from her IPod. Vapid blonde and terrible singer she was, but this song was actually alright...and kind of summed up her feelings. She smiled to herself again.

Then her smile turned upside down, and fast. She had spotted Heather and Araminta sitting by the window and chortling away to themselves as they were wont to do. Unfortunately, they had seen her walk in and walking back out would have been extremely cowardly. More unfortunately, no one else was in the common room but the three of them. 

Kainene sighed to herself inwardly and walked to the vending machine, a fifty pence coin ready to get herself a bar of Snickers. And, rather aptly, she heard some snickering going on behind her.

'I still cannot believe Rufus is with her; I mean, talk about delving through the bottom of the trash can.' Kainene heard Heather's American voice squeak.

'I know...the ghetto bin for that matter. Even if he wanted to hang out with a pleb, did he have to pick someone like her?' Araminta replied just as snootily.

Kainene did not know if they thought they were safe thanks to her headphones, but the fact that they were so rude in front of her got her angry.

She snatched off her headphones and turned to them, 'You're actually saying this? Right in front of me?'

Heather's eyes widened. She clearly thought Kainene had not heard her, but Araminta arched an eyebrow as if it did not matter. 

'Who cares what your opinions on our conversation are? And FYI, it's rude to eavesdrop.' Araminta rolled her eyes turning back to Heather.

Kainene shook her head as if in wonder, 'You're absolutely priceless. How incredibly immature, how amazingly daft can you be?' 

Araminta gasped shocked but Kainene continued, 'Why can't you just accept the fact that Rufus chose me? Yes, me. There are so many Sloanes here, so many poshies and even the grammar school ones, but he chose me. What upsets you more? The fact that he picked a ghetto chic over you, or the fact that I'm black?'

Heather gasped this time but Araminta tossed her perfect locks with a disdainful expression on her face, 'Oh get over yourself and don't pick that silly race card. I couldn't give a shit what colour you were, purple or yellow...what grates me is the fact that he chose your ghetto arse over me. Infact, I still don't believe it. He couldn't possibly be going out with someone so classless, someone who couldn't be trusted to eat with the right fork. Tell me, Nens or whatever your plebby name is, have you ever been to the opera; ever travelled somewhere far from the typical chavvy destination like Tenerife or Ibitha? Have you even ever gone skiing?'

Kainene just looked at her.

Araminta gave a little smile, 'Thought not. And you think he's with you for your taste or anything? My darling girl, he just wants to see how the other side lives. Experience something thrilling, something only the unfortunate 'levelling' University grants. So don't stand there feeling all triumphant and wonderful with yourself believing he chose you. Mark my words 'East London's finest', once Uni is over you are going to be dropped so fast your thick, cheap coat wouldn't even feel the dust from your mighty fall.'

Kainene looked at her with tears swimming in her eyes, 'You are so shallow it's unbelievable. Yes I'm poor, or I'm 'ghetto'; classless even. But even if I am dropped as fast as whatever you just said, he will never be with you. You're spoilt, rude and vapid. How you got into this Uni, I don't know...maybe you have some alumni parents or something. He's probably experimenting with me, who knows? But the fact is, it's my hand he holds round Bristol; it's my hair blowing about in his car...not yours. And never will it be, not in the next three years anyway. So deal with it and stop being a sore loser.'

Araminta gasped and stood up, her eyes sparkling with fury, 'You freaking tart. He's just fucking you. Like the little whore you are, that's all you're good for. Don't get all high and mighty because you're lucky enough to rub shoulders with him. In the next three years...what am I saying? When he's through with the novelty of your kind, you'll be dropped back where you belong. Silly little pauper trying to act all posh, 'innit'?'

Kainene took a step forward ready to slap the annoying twerp across the room and through the wall if possible, then she heard Rufus's familiar voice behind her asking in a confused tone:

'Hey, babe. Thought we were meeting outside?'

Then he looked at both girls standing with strained furious looks on their faces, and Heather practically wringing her hands in fear.

'What's going on?'

Araminta turned to him spitting with so much anger, 'It seems Nens here is claiming to be your girlfriend. Just wondering how true it is.'

Rufus turned to Kainene, 'Is that true? You said you were my girlfriend?'

Kainene looked back at him in shock. Was he saying they were not in a relationship then? They may not have spelt it out in black and white but she thought....

'Apparently I was wrong.' She smiled coldly.

She turned to a gleeful Araminta, 'You're right. I'm clearly never going to be one of you. I should have stuck to my kind...innit?'

She turned back to a confused Rufus who asked, 'What's going on? What's...what are you trying to say?'

Kainene just shook her head tiredly, 'I'm late for work.'

Rufus nodded, 'Yeah, that's why I said I'll come pick you up. Get you there faster.'

Kainene shook her head quickly, 'Don't worry. I'll take the bus. Excuse me.' 

She walked out of the room, evading Rufus's arm and his confused, 'What on earth is going on?'

Both of them were welcome to themselves. She just felt an utter fool for losing her virginity to him. He could not even admit that they were in a relationship? Guess she was the only one who thought hanging out and making love...no Fucking...doing stuff together...that was a relationship.

More fool her, indeed. She dashed her tears away angrily and hurried to the bus stop, changing Paris Hilton's croaky voice to a more apt Whitney Houston's 'It's Not Right, But It's Okay.'



University Life - First Ch. 14



'What the fuck just happened, Minty?' Rufus all but growled.

He was so confused. He had come in here to pick up Kainene but had met both girls looking like they were about to start tearing out each other's hair.

Then Araminta had said that thing about being Kainene's boyfriend. He had been in shock. But good shock. He was ecstatic that Kainene had called him that. 

Her boyfriend.

He had considered asking her out properly and had asked some of his friends if that was cool. They had laughed at him derisively stating that no one did that anymore. People just started relationships without having to be formal. He had asked how he was then supposed to know the date of him and Kainene's anniversary and they had replied that the both of them could pick a date. In fact, one of them, Paddy had snorted so loudly, Rufus had cringed in embarrassment. Now he wished wholeheartedly that he had not listened to them. He was not a hundred percent sure, but he had a feeling this whole girlfriend/boyfriend thing was the cause of Kainene's displeasure with him.

He asked again, 'Minty, what just happened? Why does Kainene have to even prove that she's my girlfriend?'

Araminta just laughed as she sat back down and smoothed her short denim skirt over her toothpick like legs, 'Oh you don't have to worry about that anymore. She's obviously been set right about being your girlfriend. Poor deluded girl. But you did lead her on quite a bit you know. Making her think she was important. Ha!'

Rufus just stared at her like she had two heads. Her tinkling laughter slowly faded as she saw Rufus' look of abject disgust.

'What is it? I simply told her the truth.' She wailed petulantly, rolling her eyes as she did so.

Rufus stared at her with one eyebrow raised, his jaws ticking as he held unto his rapidly rising temper, 'And what exactly is the truth, Araminta?'

At that point, Araminta realised that she had made a grave mistake. Rufus had never called her by her full name. Ever.

She swallowed audibly as she threw a panicked look at a white-faced Heather. 'I just...I mean, we kinna had a little argument. About her being your girlfriend. But she was the one who started it! I was just having a conversation with Heather about her being on the wrong side of the tracks and she blew it out of proportion.'

Rufus nearly fainted at the statement Araminta had just made. He knew Kainene was a bit finicky about where she came from. Every time they joked and laughed and Kainene said something that, to her, was 'un-posh', a scared look always came into her eyes. As if she were afraid Rufus would mock her. But he didn't care about it. About anything. He did not care if English was not even her first language. He loved her plain and simple.

'You did what!?' He all but roared.

Araminta shrunk back into her chair in fear, 'I'm sorry. I truly am. I didn't know you really liked her like that. I mean, she's a good dancer and she's...pretty I guess, but I thought you were just...'

'What?' He said so quietly that Araminta nearly did not hear him, 'You thought I was just what? Fucking her? And you told her this, didn't you? You ganged up on her with that silly little sidekick of yours...do you know what that's called? It's bullying. I can't...' He broke off and clenched his jaw, running both hands through his hair as he stared above her head. 'I can't even look at you right now. It's all your mother's fault. Filling your head with such nonsense about class and propriety and bollocks. I can't believe I once considered you my cute little, if sometimes spoilt sister. I am so ashamed of you right now...you disgust me.'

Araminta gave a little cry at the venom that filled his voice with those last three words, 'Rufus...'

'Don't!' He raised a hand as if he could visibly stop his name from coming out of her poisonous lips. 'Don't even...just stay away from me. Stay the fuck away. You just hurt my girlfriend...yes my girlfriend. Someone I already love so much that I'm even thinking of marriage. You hurt her, and now she's upset with me. I just hope she forgives me. Because if she doesn't, I will never forgive you. I promise you.'

With that he walked out, almost stumbling as he ran his hand down in his face; grieving as if all was already lost.

***

'This is like the hundredth time he's called, Nens. Just pick up the phone.' Lorna said as she lay across her bed staring at the obstinate girl sitting by her room window.

Kainene just shook her head. She had told Lorna all that had happened and Lorna had been justifiably outraged, saying that she knew a couple of hoodlums who lived in Hiatt Baker and who would not hesitate to rough a girl up. Just one phone call from her and the rest was history. Kainene had laughed at this reluctantly, but it did not matter. What mattered was that Rufus had not backed her up. Had not replied that he was indeed her boyfriend. She had been made to look like a complete fool, and all in front of the worst person – Araminta. She groaned out loud as she remembered all that Minty had said to her. They had all been unbelievably rude and hurtful, but at the end of the day, true. She was not like them. She was not even like Lorna, yet they were best friends. Maybe Lorna would get tired of her once they all got back to their real lives. She forced herself to get rid of these thoughts as she could not even bear them.

She looked down at the phone again as it rang and this time she picked it up and said tiredly, 'What is it, Rufus?'

Rufus's voice, awash with relief blared in her ear, 'Oh my God, Nens. Thank God you picked up. Are you okay? Are you at home?'

Kainene nodded then realised that he could not see her, 'Yes I am. Thanks for your concern. Is that all, 'cuz I've got other stuff to do.'

Lorna shook her head at her vehemently and Kainene looked away ignoring her.

Rufus replied hurriedly, 'No. No! It's not...look can we meet somewhere? I can't talk to you over the phone...and I really want to see you.'

Lorna could obviously hear him as she nodded vigorously.

Kainene simply sighed and said, 'Fine. Come over to mine.'

Rufus nearly stumbled over his words as he said, 'Yeah, yeah sure. No problem. Will be there in two ticks. Less than.'

Kainene just hung up.

'You have to give him a chance, Nens, you can't just break up with him over something as silly as Minty.'

Kainene gave a short bark of mirthless laughter, 'But how will breaking up with him be possible when we aren't even going out?'

Lorna just looked at her with so much sympathy in her eyes, 'Oh, Nens...'

Kainene shook her head once and vaulted off Lorna's study desk, 'I'm gonna go change into something else. He does not have the right to see me in my nightie anymore.'

Lorna just shook her head wordlessly as Kainene left her room.

The flat bell rang as Kainene threw her hoodie over her head. Rufus's college hoodie which she had taken from him as neatly folded on her bed. She let out one huge breath and walked to the door to open it. 'Hey.' She said and he smiled at her, though the smile was worried. She walked him into her room then watched as he sat on her bed.

She moved to her desk and sat too. 'What is it you wanted to say, Rufus? And that's your hoodie by the way. You can take it with you on your way out.'

Rufus sighed, his eyes filled with pain. 'You're upset with me, and I'm sorry. I wish Minty was a guy and I could pummel her for all she said to you but surely you must know that I don't think the way she does. I don't think any sane person does.'

Kainene shook her head sadly, 'It's not just what she said although I kinna see where she's coming from. The most hurtful bit is the fact that you didn't agree with me when she laughed about us being in a relationship. What have I been to you then? A fuck buddy? A...friend with benefits?'

Rufus shook his head, his hands going in the same motion, 'No! Of course not! Why would you even think that? I just...I kinna froze at that point cuz in my head, you've always been my girlfriend. I just didn't know if you felt that way.'

Kainene laughed bitterly, 'You didn't know if I felt that way? What the fuck, Rufus, do you think I give just anybody my virginity? What...I sew my hymen back in every time I fuck so it seems like it's a gift to every Tom, Dick and Harry?'

Rufus just looked at his hands as he replied in a soft voice, 'I love you Kainene. I really really do. And I'm sorry I didn't say anything then. But believe me, you aren't just my girlfriend...you're like my soul mate. I know it's been really short, the time between us, but it feels like you're the missing puzzle in the silly jigsaw that's my life.'

Kainene felt a tear slide down her cheek at that. Then she remembered, 'Fine. But what if Minty is right? I mean, I'm definitely a skanky donkey to your Thoroughbred-ness.'

Rufus looked a bit lost at that.

'I mean, I can't eat with the right fork; I definitely haven't gone skiing. I haven't even been out of this country except on field trips and it was to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. Wow! What a brilliant, exotic life I live. Maybe you should find someone more suited to you.'

Rufus looked at her incredulously, 'Are you even listening to what you're saying? You're just as bad as Minty is.'

Kainene burst out, 'I am not! How dare you? It's the truth, I'm a chav and you're a Rah. Rah's are bitchy and horrible and incredibly rich. Granted you aren't the first two, but you're definitely the last. I mean, who drives a Maserati in first year?'

Rufus stared at her for a second, then let out a small dark smile, 'Wow. You ARE like Minty, only yours is like reverse snobbery, and possibly inferiority complex. You take the piss out of yourself at every turn but if someone else like Minty points it out you're incredibly quick when you're insulting our 'privileged lives'. Have you never wondered why I don't tell you stuff about my family, yet I know everything about yours? Your friends, college...everything? It's because I don't want to irritate you, Kainene. I don't want to talk about the trip I took to my family's house in the Hamptons, or the time I went for the weekend to our villa in Hawaii just 'cuz I was bored. I don't tell you all these not because you'd get jealous or 'cuz I want to lord our differences over you. It's because you'd start beating yourself up. Because you'd start thinking about your accent or clothes or home. Sometimes you tell me about these wonderful memories without hesitating but I have to sift through mine because almost all of them have to do with some form of wealth or the other, and I don't want you going on the defensive like you always do.'

Kainene started, 'I don't go on the defensive...'

'Yes you do!' He burst out, making her jump. He lowered his voice, 'You do, Nens. You think I don't notice how you hurry to jump out of my car if you see anyone black, or how you flinch every time you use words you think are 'ghetto'? How you let go off my hand when we're out before forcing yourself to take it again? At first I thought it was a race thing...that you were ashamed of my race...then I realised that I was right...it is a race thing. Only you aren't ashamed of my race, you're ashamed of yours. Not only that, you're ashamed of how you are. I love you, poor, rich, black or white. I love the way you talk, the way you laugh...the little freckles on your nose that you think aren't visible 'cuz of your skin colour but I know they are...I love everything about you Nens, but you'll never understand or believe that fully until you learn to let go of this complex thing you carry about and love yourself too.'

'So are you turning this around and saying that I'm the cause of this problem? I thought the issue was the fact that you denied me? Oh and that your silly family friend was rude to me; but now it's all about the way I've been acting? The way I accept the truth that I'm ghetto and you're posh?'

Rufus sighed resignedly, 'You're doing it again, Nens. Please just stop. We'll never truly be happy until you stop lumping us into different categories.'

Kainene shook her head as she cried out, 'I'm not the one lumping us, it's society. I'm merely telling you to take off your rose-coloured glasses and accept the truth.'

Rufus looked at her, 'The truth. So you basically think we can't work, is that it? Because one person, out of the numerous friends we both have, someone who isn't even a friend...just a spoilt little girl...cuz that one person talked about this rubbish class affair, you want to throw away something beautiful?'

'No! I'm not saying that, I'm just...I don't know...you're right...maybe I can learn.'

Rufus began to smile. 

Kainene continued, 'I mean, people take elocution lessons right? And I can always learn this...posh stuff. And become...'

Rufus's smile faded as he said, 'You want to change then? Become another person, so what? You can 'fit in'? Don't you know you're perfect just the way you are?'

Kainene replied hotly, 'I'm doing this for you, can't you see that? I'm making life easier for you...for us, but mostly for you. This way no one's gonna take the mick outta you for having a ghetto girlfriend.'

Rufus just sighed tiredly, 'There's that word again, ghetto.' He ran his hand through his head tiredly. 'I can't do this. I can't watch you destroy yourself over something so stupid and unnecessary.'

Kainene stared at him as her heart galloped, 'So what...you're breaking up with me? We just made this official remember?' She tried to smile but her lips did not have the strength to curve.

'I'm not breaking up with you. I just....think we should go on a little hiatus. Till you learn to love yourself a little.'

Kainene smiled bitterly as she slumped against the wall, 'Don't put this on me, Rufus. Don't give me an ultimatum which doesn't even make sense. If you want to end this, do it properly and stop beating around the bush.'

Rufus stood up and made to walk towards her then stopped himself. He walked to the door.

'If you walk out, we're truly done. I won't wait for you, Rufus. I'm willing to work this out, I told you that before. Don't end something you just called beautiful.' Kainene whispered her voice taut.

Rufus had a hand on the door knob as he stopped, but he did not turn around, 'No, Nens. You aren't willing to work this out. You're willing to become a Sloane Clone. That's not the person I am in love with. And till you're ready to accept who you are and live with it happily then...I'll wait till then but I can't be with you now. You need help, and I would have loved to do it, but this is something you need to work out yourself.'

He opened the door as Kainene mouthed, her voice soundless, 'Don't leave, Rufus. Don't.'

He shut the door gently behind him and walked out of the flat, ignoring the tear that slid down his cheek. 

Kainene stared, dry eyed at the door, and when she heard the flat door shut she blinked. 

Slowly.

Her door opened but she could not see who it was that entered. She heard Lorna's voice, as if it was coming from far away asking, 'Are you okay? Nens? Nens, talk to me.'

She felt as if she was in a haze. Rufus had just broken up with her. 

He left. 



University Life - First Ch. 15



I've noticed that not everyone is too happy with the way Nens has turned out to be/is turning out to be, and I can understand why one would feel that way. But let's not forget, everyone can't be the strong heroine Annette is in Silver Eyes. Life's like that, some people are fearless and some aren't. Especially in the situation that I've put Nens in. I wish I could change stuff and write the way everyone wants me to but that just means I'm not being true to myself. I just write whatever pops into my head, I don't systematically plan on how to please people and I'm sorry some of you aren't happy with that, but c'est la vie, nest pas?

For those who are happy with whatever I throw at you, I thank you wholeheartedly. Especially the Anonymous people - Kirs NYC and the one above. Unfortunately I can't send you a private message thanking you for the feedback on Uni Life Ch 14, but thanks for hitting the nail on the head so amazingly.

Happy reading, anyway (I hope) xoxo

******************** ********************

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

It was time for Easter. Spring break. A month and a half since Rufus broke up with her.

Kainene sighed as she stared at her ceiling. She had to get up and start getting ready for her stint in the union shop. Luckily, now she had to work during the day which meant she could go to the library by night. This was perfect as she studied better at night anyway. 

She heard footsteps coming from the flatmate who kept to herself. Being with her alone in the flat had at least resulted in knowing her name. Gwendoline -- or Gwen as she preferred. Matt and Lorna were spending Easter at hers back in Peterborough, where she came from. Mykelos was back home in Liverpool and Viola was with her grandmother in Hampshire. 

This left Kainene alone. Oh, with Gwendoline who preferred to be called Gwen.

She sighed to herself again as she forced herself to a sitting position. Her mother had called her and, apparently she had not been convincing enough when she claimed to be fine as her mother had threatened to come down and stay with her during her two week Easter break.

She had protested immediately. She needed the time to study anyway. She had not been very attentive at her lectures and seminars since Rufus...for the past month and a half. She needed to make time up for that. 

She laughed to herself as she stretched and shrugged into her bathrobe. She had always laughed derisively when people spoke about being heartbroken and not being able to concentrate on life. She had never believed in a million years that one day she would be part of those 'people.' 

She walked to the bathroom and waved half-heartedly at Gwen who was munching on a slice of toast in the kitchen. As she scrubbed at her body, she thought absently how funny it was that Gwen stayed home more when the flat was empty. What did that say about the rest of the flatmates?

Twenty minutes later, she was on her way to the union shop in an oversized thick jumper and baggy jeans. She did not have to dress up. Not when there was hardly anybody still in halls.

She opened her Criminal law textbook and started to read as she waited for possible student buyers to start trooping in.

This went on for the next four days. Study whilst manning the tills, move from there to the library and come back home to conk out on her bed.

The next week, Kainene received a voicemail from Lorna. She had heard her phone ringing but could not be bothered to pick up and talk.

'Hey babe, you, like, don't reply my BBms and now you're clearly ignoring my calls. I'm getting really worried about you so I'm coming back to halls today to make sure you're ok. Matt's been kicked back to his so he's not coming back till next week so it's just gonna be me and you this week. And you have to talk to me because this is getting scary. So...later then.'

Kainene sighed and dropped her phone on the counter. Deep down she was pleased that Lorna cared about her that much to cut her holiday short, but on the surface she was a bit irritated as she preferred being depressed in solitude.

Later, as she trudged up the stairs and into the flat, she heard stilted conversation from the kitchen. She walked there and saw Lorna trying to listen to whatever Gwen was droning about and saw the immediate relief that Lorna could barely stifle as she spotted Kainene.

'Nens!' Lorna screamed as she ran round to jump on her.

Kainene winced at the impact and hugged her back, looking at a sullen Gwen who packed up her stuff and skulked back to her room.

'Oh my God, Nens! You're like skin and bone now. I mean, you've always been skinny but you're like...skeletal now. Courtney Love would wanna trade anorexic stories with you.' Lorna exclaimed looking at Kainene with horror and pity in her eyes.

Kainene rolled her eyes and walked to her room, Lorna close behind her. 'Whatever, Lornes. I just haven't had time for eating. I'm either working or studying so it's not like I'm deliberately starving myself. You know how much I love my food.'

'Yes. I do. Which is why I know there's something seriously wrong with you. And we both know what it's about even if you want to remain stupidly stubborn and keep mum.' Lorna replied almost sternly.

Kainene just groaned out loud, 'Oh God, Lorna. Don't even start with me. I'm not starving myself because of Rufus. I really don't have any time to eat.'

Lorna looked at her sceptically, 'Uh-hunh. Right. But let's not forget you worked and studied before all this and you still ate like a horse. Now, all of a sudden, you don't have time to eat? Maybe you'll get better when you stop lying to yourself and just admit you're hurting about the whole thing and talk to me 'cuz I'm your sodding friend!.' 

Kainene jumped a bit as Lorna had screamed out the last four words.

'Hey, calm down mate. I know you're worried and all and I appreciate it, but there's nothing wrong with me. I promise.'

Lorna stared at her for a second saying nothing. Then she stood up abruptly. 'Fine. If you want to keep on lying to me, that's alright. You look absolutely awful. Your hair's like shit. Your clothes smell like they haven't been washed in weeks, which is probably the truth. Your room looks and smells like a pig sty. You're breaking out, just in case you haven't realised and your mother even rang me because she's being trying to talk properly to you for days and you keep on shrugging her off. So yeah, if you want to insult me by telling such stupid lies, that's your problem. Let's forget that I kicked my boyfriend out just so I could rush back and see if my closest friend was okay. 

But don't insult your own intelligence by lying to yourself as well. You know you aren't okay about the Rufus thing yet you don't wanna talk about it. Rufus, according to Viola was also moping about like his world had ended and I'm assuming he's in denial like you. I think both of you are incredibly thick and dim-witted. You might be like, clever and stuff with school work, but you're acting quite daft right now. Both of you still fancy each other, maybe even love each other, yet you guys don't wanna get back together and put yourselves outta this unnecessary misery. And put us, your friends, out of it too. Fine. Be stubborn. I'm gonna stop caring about it since you're telling yourself the same thing. But don't come crying to me later 'cuz I won't be having it.'

And with that Lorna left Kainene's room, slamming the door behind her as she did so and leaving Kainene staring at her in shock, a tear sliding down one cheek.

***

Kainene stood outside Lorna's door, dancing from one foot to the other. It had been two days since the Lorna's loss of temper but, surprisingly, Lorna had stuck around although she was ignoring Kainene. 

Every time Kainene entered the kitchen when Lorna was there, she just up and went to her room and Kainene was getting really frustrated. She did not want to fall out with her friend over a stupid relationship issue. She understood that Lorna was feeling a bit put out that Kainene did not want to 'talk' about it, but there was nothing she could do. Whenever she got depressed or sad or upset she just...sunk into herself until she felt better. Even Vicky and Anna knew this. They tended to stay away when Kainene was upset until she rang them up explaining she was better. It had taken a while for them to get used to this strange behaviour but they had got it down pat now. Obviously, she was going to have to explain this to Lorna and hope she understood.

She took in a deep breath, gathering her resolve then knocked smartly on Lorna's door.

A second later, Lorna called out, 'Come in.'

Kainene stuck her head in and saw Lorna typing away on her phone. She smiled shyly and gave a little wave. Lorna dropped her phone on the bed, crossed her arms over her chest and stared at her.

Kainene sighed softly and got into the room fully, plopping herself on the desk.

'Look, I'm sorry I don't wanna talk about it. I'm sorry you had to cut your holiday short and come all the way here just to be met with a 'thick headed, dim-witted' cow who doesn't want to share. I really am. But that's just the way I am. It's the way I've always been. I don't share with others when I'm sad or upset. I kinna...stick to my lonesome till I get better. I may not have acted like I appreciate your coming here, but I do, believe me. And I'm sorry we've fallen out over something so small, but you're my best friend here and I don't want us to fight.'

Lorna uncrossed her arms and ran a hand through her hair, 'I think I kinna understand now. I mean, I think it's odd when one does not talk about issues 'cuz it makes one feel better, but if that's how you are then I guess I'll try to understand. And as for coming here, don't apologise for that. I opted to do it 'cuz I was worried about you and you're my friend. I don't regret it even though we haven't really done anything together but at least...I guess I feel better knowing I'm here with you regardless of us not talking. So come here you big numpty.' She stretched out her arms and Kainene jumped off the desk and went straight into them. Both of them hugged and squeezed each other tightly.

'Well now that that's over, I know you don't want to talk about it, but I shall and you just listen okay?' Lorna started.

Kainene nodded and sat back against the wall on Lorna's bed.

'Basically, it's alright if you're hurting and stuff, I mean -- although you guys like were together for only...what, three weeks? It seemed so intense, like you'd been together for yonks. So breaking up and hurting is normal. What's not normal is locking yourself up and not eating and being, well, smelly.'

Kainene opened her mouth to say something but Lorna quickly continued, 'Of course, now that you've explained it all to me, your weird way of dealing with stuff then I guess I understand it better now. Although being smelly is a bit dodgy, but ah well. Anyway, my point is, try to start getting your shit together and stop moping. We've got exams like in a month and the year's over. And that means we're all gonna be going away for like three months. Are you sure you don't wanna sort this out before summer break? Cuz once that's on, it's going to be really difficult for you guys to get back together after three months apart.'

Kainene shook her head, 'It's cool. Really. Obviously it's a bit funny 'cuz this was like my first relationship or whatever, but I'll get over it. And anyway he broke up with me. Wants me to do some soul searching or whatnot. And...you know what, you're right. I do have exams in a month and that's my main priority. I'm gonna stop moping and...stop being smelly. Whatever happens after that happens, but no matter what you say I am NOT going to talk to him about it. He broke up with me so he knows where to find me if he wants to get back together.'

Lorna opened her mouth then closed it. She sighed and opened her mouth again, 'Well that's not the result I wanted but at least you're going to do your laundry so that's great. And maybe...you know what, I'll butt out of your relationship issue. You know what's best for you, so I'll leave you be.'

Kainene nodded, sighing with relief inwardly, 'Yeah that's probably better. So...I guess I'll go do my laundry now.'

Lorna nodded as Kianene stood up and walked to the door. 

'Thanks for coming back, Lornes. I may be a cow sometimes, but I really do love you.'

Lorna smiled at her gently, 'You're a major cow but not as horrible as me so you're forgiven. And I love you too. Now go burn that jumper or something.'

Kainene grinned then walked out of the room. However, as she walked into her own room, her grin faded. Was she truly being adamant over nothing? Rufus had broken up with her, hadn't he? So he was the one who had to reconcile with her; if he wanted to that is. All that loving herself stuff...okay fine, he was right. She had acted a bit silly over the whole 'ghetto' issue and being from the 'endz' but he did not have to break up with her to tell her that.

No, she firmly resolved within herself. He had overreacted and she was not going to beg him. She was going to focus on her exams and if they did not work out then fine. Life was definitely not a bed of roses, was it? 



University Life - First Ch. 16



Exams had started and Kainene was half-crazed with exam stress. She had done two of her modules and she thought they had gone reasonably okay. However, her last two papers were on the same day which was the next day. She had never had two papers on the same day so she was understandably going mental.

At the moment, she was pulling an all-nighter in the basement of the French building on Woodland Road. She had not been there for the past two days as she had spent those days in the 24 hour computer room, but now it was incredibly full with everyone trying for last minute cramming so she had moved back to her favourite study room.

She chugged down her Red bull and noticed, with a wry smile on her face, the four cans lined up on her table. And to think first year did not count -- what was she going to do during her second year exams?

She paused the song she was listening to on her IPod and took out her headphones. She stood up to stretch and jumped with a little squeak as she heard the door above her open.

It was two a.m. and she suddenly realised she was the only person in a building at such a late hour. What was she going to use to defend herself against any mad rapist?

It did not occur to her, in her fright, to wonder why a rapist would know the code to the basement. 

She heard footsteps as the person walked downstairs and her eyes widened as the main door to the room opened.

'Oh my God, thank God it's you.' Kainene gasped as she held a hand to her rapidly beating heart.

Rufus looked at her slightly puzzled. He had not expected her to be so relieved to see him.

'Oh, I didn't think you'd be so happy to see me.' He said.

Kainene shook her head as she fell back down unto her seat, 'Better you than a rapist, innit?'

Rufus smiled at that, then he saw that her smile was fading and her eyes going cautious. 'Erm, how's studies going?'

Kainene replied with a, 'And how did you know I was down here anyway?'

Rufus looked surprised at the reply to his question, 'Oh, err Viola told me.'

Right. She was going to slaughter Viola the moment she laid her eyes on her.

As she studied him, she realised that he looked incredibly tired. And stunning. His eyes had dark shadows under it, and his hair looked like he had almost pulled them out of their roots. But he still looked smouldering. His jumper hugged his broad shoulders and his jeans hung on his lean hips. She suddenly remembered how she had looked when she left her room for the basement, and on recalling how shabbily she had dressed, she groaned inwardly. She was definitely worse looking than then, she was sure. Her jumper hung down one skinny shoulder and her clavicle looked very pronounced. Oh God and her tattered jeans had been held together by a dead belt which did not really stop it from nearly falling off her skinny hips. And her hair! It had not been near a brush in days and looked like a snarling monster.

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

'Right. Okay, well...how have exams been going for you then?' Kainene asked, trying to tame her hair, but to no avail.

Rufus shrugged, 'Well, alright I guess. It's finished now anyway. I finished mine today.'

Kainene smiled, 'Well guess you economists are lucky, innit. I finish tomorrow and I've got two exams as well.'

Rufus smiled sympathetically, 'That sucks.'

'I know.'

Both of them stared at each other awkwardly.

'Well, I've got to go back to studying now so...' Kainene said, pointing to her books rather stupidly.

Rufus nodded quickly. 'Yeah sure. Definitely. I understand. I'll just let you go now, then.'

Kainene nodded and swallowed the lump in her throat as he turned and closed the door behind him.

She turned and sat down with a sad sigh, then her heart rate sped back up as she heard a hurried clatter of footsteps as he ran back down and dragged the door open. 

Rufus stared at her with his eyes wide and his hair grabbed in his hands, 'I'm not gonna let you go now actually. I mean, I came here to talk to you, and I can't just leave without doing so.'

Kainene just stared at him, her eyes widened as well.

He continued, 'I should never have ended stuff like that. I was being such an idiot. I still am an idiot. I mean, I don't care if you've got issues and whatever. Warts and all, I don't think I can be without you. I love you, Kainene Nwodo. I'm in love with you and I've been so miserable without you. My exams weren't good, they were shit. I could not concentrate 'cuz all I could think about was you and how I left you back in your room and I felt like such a....villain for leaving you like that. And I promise I'll make it up to you, I swear. Just forgive me, I beg of you.'

Kainene stared at him as he made his impassioned plea. She did not think her heart could race faster than it was already racing but it seemed her thoughts were wrong. 

She said quietly, 'I guess I accept your apology. I mean, you were a bit of a shit to me that night. Not even letting me explain anything. It's like you were on a righteous mission or something. And, yeah I am silly with the whole my life is worse than yours and Minty's and Viola and Lornes, but I'm really trying to work on the whole issue. I mean, I talk how I normally talk and just be myself and don't care what anyone thinks about me anymore. Because this is who I am and I guess I should be comfortable with it no matter where I find myself. And I should definitely thank you for bringing my stupidity to my knowledge so bluntly and painfully but I don't think you had to break up with me to tell me about my faults. I mean, if you were a cow and an idiot I wouldn't have broken up with you to tell you about it. But I guess that's just the way you saw you'd get through to me, and guess what? You did. So thanks.'

Rufus looked at her bleakly, 'So that's it then? You're just going to throw away what we had 'cuz I acted like a right idiot?'

Kainene shrugged feigning nonchalance, 'This was all your doing, Rufus. So really, what did you expect?'

Then she jumped to her feet as she broke down and cried out, tears that she could not contain pouring down her cheeks, 'What did you fucking expect? You broke my heart Rufus. You fucking ripped it out and did the tango on it. And I waited for you, waited for you to come back to me. I begged you and you did not listen to me. And now you expect me to just forgive you like that? To just open my arms wide and hurl myself into you with gratitude that you've finally had time to think and you'll now take my 'warts and all'? Who the fuck do you think you are, a fucking god? It took you almost a term to decide on whether I was worth your effort or time. I gave up my virginity to you. In this fucking time and age when eleven year olds are doing it, I waited and gave it to you and you fucked me not considering then that I had an inferiority complex. I was already sad and upset over the whole Minty issue and you didn't even consider my feelings but just ripped into me. And now you want forgiveness. Just like that.' 

She abruptly stopped and tried to run her fingers through her hair but the snarls and tangled bits stopped her and she growled in frustration. The she sniffed loudly and wiped her eyes.

She had asked herself a thousand times what she would do when Rufus came back and now that it had happened, she had just gone with her heart. Now she probably looked and sounded like a harpy. She dragged the sleeve of her jumper to her face so that she could wipe her eyes and nose. 

Rufus stared at her, his heart breaking as her words pierced him painfully. She looked so vulnerable, all skinny and teary, and he just wanted to gather her up and cuddle her close to him. He had fucked up, oh how he'd fucked up majorly but he needed to be back with her. Viola had torn into him so viciously and he had been startled as he could not believe Luke's younger sister could be filled with such vitriol. Apparently Kainene had been like the living dead...and so had he. Viola had asked him why he was being so pigheaded when the two of them, him and Kainene were clearly suffering for it. 

Now, he wished he had spoken to Kainene immediately he realised how stupid he had been. And this had been the moment he stepped out of her flat after their row. But he had been too proud to go back in and apologise for being a prize bull and he had waited...and waited...and now it seemed it was too late.

'Kainene, I...' He started but she cut him off.

'What prompted you to suddenly talk to me? To suddenly realise how dumb you'd been?'

Rufus answered softly, 'Viola did. I mean, I'd thought about it and agonized for weeks but pride and stupidity and just...fucking being a retard stopped me from contacting you. Then Viola ripped me a new one and I asked where you studied and she told me here. And I came here two days ago but you weren't here. I waited for two hours and then I did the same again last night. Tonight when I saw you walk in here I nearly fainted where I was. I got scared all of a sudden. Then I just thought...I might as well do it and...here I am.'

Kainene forced herself to refrain from going all mushy upon hearing that he had been here two nights in a row. Then she could not help but smile as she thought about Viola yelling at him. Viola who could not yell at a fly to save her life. 

'So if I hadn't been here tonight then?'

Rufus shrugged, 'I'd probably have been here every night till term was over then. I mean, I'd have rung you but I was positive you'd have put the phone down. And coward that I am, I didn't wanna go to your flat 'cuz Lorna or even Mykelos would have ripped me another one...this time physical so...'

Kainene began to grin then quickly caught herself.

Rufus stared at her as she looked at her books, then at her watch. 

She sighed then said, 'I really can't think straight now. The fact remains you took your time to come here. Viola, of all people had to push you into doing this and I wish you had used your own initiative to do so. I can't...think about this right now. I've got two of my hardest modules tomorrow...well today actually and I have to concentrate on that without any added stress. I can't think about your need for absolution right now. You claim you love me, but you needed to be prompted into contacting me again. I just can't deal with all this.'

Rufus nodded, almost resignedly, then asked in a voice barely above a whisper, 'I understand. It's just...do you mean you can't deal with this now, or you can't deal with this ever?'

Kainene shrugged with her eyes cast down, 'I don't know Rufus. I just don't know if us together is a good idea. I need to think.'

Rufus swallowed and clenched his jaw, forcing himself from breaking down, 'Yes. I completely understand. Of course, you need to think about...well I'll leave it to you then, shall I? And good luck with your exams tomo...today. I know you can do it, you're a lucky swot.' He gave a sharp bark of laughter at this. Then he nodded again, shortly, and turned to walk out.

As he opened the door, Kainene shook her head with a strained expression as if she were battling silently with herself and called out, 'Then again better late than never, innit?'

Rufus turned around, his heart in his mouth and could not help the harsh sob that came out of his mouth as he saw Kainene's tentative smile.

Rufus gasped as he tried to talk and ended with a croak, 'Do you mean...'

'What do you think, you big eejit?' She replied chuckling, albeit tiredly. 'I am stressed out alright, but did you really think I wouldn't take you back? I adore you, you silly plonker. I'm just so angry you took your fucking time to see sense. Had to make you sweat a bit, didn't I?'

Rufus rushed to her and squeezed tightly in a massive hug. 

Kainene groaned laughingly as he rained kisses all over her face and muttered apology after apology.

'It's okay, honestly. You have to let go, Rufus you're hurting me.'

Rufus stopped immediately and released her, although his hand still roamed over her body. Her hair, her cheeks, her shoulders.

'Bloody hell, Nens. You've always been slim but you're like an Olsen twin now.'

Kainene gasped and shoved him playfully, 'None of your cheek, Mister!'

Rufus grasped her puny fist and raised it to his lips, kissing her softly. 'I'll never leave you again. Not ever.'

'Even if I...oooh I dunno, throw all your clothes in the river and set your house on fire?' Kainene asked, her eyes twinkling playfully.

Rufus grinned back, 'That's a bit extreme but,' He moved closer and tilted her head up, 'I still wouldn't leave you.'

Kainene's eyes fluttered shut as Rufus planted his familiar drugging kiss on her upturned lips.



University Life - First Ch. 16 & Epilogue.



Here's Chapter Seventeen and the Epilogue of my babies! I probably shouldn't say this but I have to admit that this was my favourite of the lot! I absolutely love this story and I'm a bit gutted that it's come to an end...shall deffo be missing Nens and the gang...and let's not forget Minty! :)

Anyway hope you lot enjoy this story and as I said in my bio I shall be going on a little hiatus whilst I sort out a few ish! 

Thanks for being on this journey with me and Merry Xmas and a splendid New Year in advance if I don't pop back on here before the end of the year.

Happy reading everyone! xoxo

*********************** *************************

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

'What are you doing?' Kainene asked breathlessly.

Rufus smiled against her collarbone as he placed open-mouthed kisses there. 'I'm helping you relax before you continue studying.'

Kainene opened her mouth to protest but a gasp came out instead as he trailed the bone from tip to tip with his tongue. 

'Oh God, Rufus! We haven't got time for this...I...oh shit...' Her voice trailed off as he sucked at the top of her breast, her jumper pushed as far as it could go.

Rufus said against her breast, huskily, 'You really...' He pushed forward, 'Really...' Her bra came into sight, 'Need to relax for a bit.' 

He popped a breast out as Kainene nearly hyperventilated, 'Your brain's probably on overload.' He placed his lips on her nipple and sucked hard.

Kainene doubled over his head groaning, clutching him hard as she did so. What was he doing to her? Her tummy clenched as pleasure slid all over her body. She tried to think of whether it was wise to be doing this when they had just made up, when she had an exam in less than six hours, then her mind trailed away to nothing but feelings. She would make up for it later. Now, Rufus was doing amazing things to her and she could not concentrate on any other thing but his lips and tongue.

Rufus sensed her capitulation and smiled inwardly to himself. He grabbed her by the hips and carried her to the top of a table, placing her there as he kissed her lips softly. She stared at him, smiling lazily, her feelings swimming in pleasure. 

Soon, her jumper was lying on her Redbull cans with a sleeve scraping the floor. Her jeans were on the floor and her bra hanging over a computer. Rufus slid her knickers down her legs and threw them on her jeans before grabbing her legs and wrapping them round his jean-clad hips.

He bent his head once more to kiss her. Kainene wrapped her arms around his head and clutched his hair as she kissed him back, his tongue thrusting into hers as if the urgency of their copulation had increased.

Kainene gasped as he suddenly dragged his lips away from her mouth and held her head between his hands.

'I love you.' He whispered, staring deep into her eyes.

Kainene nodded, sniffing as she felt her eyes well. She opened her mouth to reply that she loved him too, but he placed a finger on her lips and shook his head. Then he smiled and bent to kiss her again. This time it was done tenderly.

She smiled against his lips. She did not understand why he did not want her to say it, but she had a feeling he seemed to want some penance for what had happened and withholding her love from himself was some sort of punishment. 

Soon Rufus stepped back and divested himself of his clothes. Then he stepped forward and touched a finger to Kainene's pussy. She gasped as he slid it in slowly, torturously. 

'Just do it. Don't torture me, Rufus, just...' Kainene's whisper was cut off as he slid his cock into her so suddenly.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she adjusted to him inside her.

Rufus kissed her forehead and asked gently, 'Are you okay?'

She nodded inhaling. 

Rufus slid back out then into her again slowly. Kainene's eyes fluttered shut as she felt the walls of her pussy being stroked so fully. Then her eyes flashed open as he slammed into her.

She looked at Rufus's face and saw him staring at her so intensely that her tummy jumped as if her orgasm was already about to take place.

Rufus held her head with one hand and her leg with the other as he began to pummel into her.

Their sex which had been rather calm and tender at first had become frenzied.

As he slammed into her, the table creaked at the force of their fucking. Their harsh gasps were the only sound in the room, apart from the squishing sounds as his cock slid in and out of her pussy.

Then Kainene felt her heartbeat escalate and her toes start to curl in. 'I'm going to come!' She gasped out.

This spurred Rufus to fuck into her harder and faster. The thrusts caused her back to arch pushing her breasts into him as she clutched his head which was burrowed in her neck harder. Then a sharp groan was torn from her as she climaxed violently.

Rufus kept on pushing through her clenching pussy walls as he prolonged her orgasm till she fell limply against him. 

Rufus stood still as well, the veins on his neck and forehead throbbing. Then he slid out of her gently and placed a kiss on her sweaty forehead.

Kainene raised her head lazily, then her gaze cleared as she saw that Rufus had not come and was leaning against the table breathing heavily.

'What...aren't you going to...?' She asked confused.

Rufus shook his head once, and then smiled at her, although it looked painful. 'I can't come in you, I haven't got a condom. And I can't come on you either. Don't think you'll be particularly comfortable with dried come on you during your exams.'

Kainene giggled at that, then she looked at him as he just stood there with a hard cock jutting towards his navel.

He sighed as he rubbed his hair with his hand then he bent to grab his boxers to drag them on.

Kainene placed a hand on his and shook her head. He stopped and stared at her confused.

'I love you too, Rufus Lloyd-Butler.' She smiled at him as she stretched to place a kiss on his lips. Then she bent and took his cock in her mouth.

Rufus let out a long groan as she began to, tentatively, suck him.

Kainene held the base as she tried to take as much as she could into her mouth. She had never given a guy a blow job before and the most she knew was that she should not use any teeth. She decided that she would do whatever popped into her head and hope that he got pleasure from it. She started licking it from top to bottom, stopping to push her tongue into the slit on the head. This caused him to clutch her hair, although he did not fuck into her mouth. He wanted her to go at her own pace as he knew this was her first time doing this.

Kainene began to place soft kisses up and down his cock. She opened her mouth and sucked just the head, laving the underside with her tongue. She sensed that he liked this as he clutched her hair harder.

She started sucking harder and harder, her spit lubricating his dick as she jacked the bit that could not fit into her mouth.

Rufus began to breathe deeply as he panted, 'You need to stop now, Nens.'

Kainene stopped and looked up at him confused, 'Why?'

Rufus stared down at her swollen lips and his cock jutted once more at the sight before him, 'Or I'm going to come in your mouth.'

Kainene gave a large coy smile, 'That's the whole point of me doing this, numpty.' Then she put his cock in her mouth and sucked once. Deeply.

Rufus could not hold back again. He felt his balls tighten as he began to spurt into her mouth.

Kainene closed her eyes and did not think of the taste as she swallowed the first spurts. She was not sure if it was going to taste nice or bitter so she just swallowed as much as she could. When he stopped, she decided to push the remaining bit round her mouth in order to see if this was something she was going to be doing again.

Her eyes widened a bit as she realised that it was not bitter. It was not especially sweet as well, but it tasted salty and a bit...tart!?

She looked up as Rufus placed his hands over her cheeks. He looked down at her tenderly. 'You didn't have to do this, Nens. This was all about relaxing you because you looked so tense and a bit jittery.'

Kainene smiled as he raised her up and placed a kiss on her lips. 'Well this was to tell you that I love you, and I forgive you. And that the next time you act silly, you'll know what you'll be missing in future.'

Rufus let out a chuckle as he pressed her head to his shoulders in a hug.

Kainene rested there for a bit as they cuddled. Then she cleared her throat, 'I've got to get back to studying, Rufus.'

Rufus nodded and let her go. 'I could stay here if you want. I won't make a sound; I'll just sit over there then walk you to Wills when it's time.'

Kainene smiled but shook her head, 'That's sweet of you, but I don't think I'll be able to concentrate if you're here. And it's not even fair to you, especially when you're through with your own exams.'

Rufus shrugged, 'I don't particularly care, I can still stay. Not like I'd be doing anything else anyway but thinking of you.'

Kainene giggled, 'Sweet but corny. Still, I won't concentrate so just go. I'll see you when I'm through okay?'

Rufus mock-pouted but smiled as he started dressing up. Then he grabbed her and kissed her fully. 'I'll see you later then, good luck sweetheart.'

Kainene blushed as she heard the endearment, 'Thanks. Bya.'

She smiled as he walked away and turned round to begin dressing.

'Oh, and by the way, you do realise you're going to the summer ball with me?'

Kainene turned round, a surprised look on her face as Rufus stood by the door staring at her.

'I am? I mean, you've got tickets?'

Rufus nodded.

Kainene widened her eyes, a smile spreading on her face, 'Are you trying to tell me you got tickets for both of us without finding out if I was even gonna go with you in the first place?'

Rufus nodded again, this time grinning.

Kainene shook her head, 'Cocky much, Rufus?'

Rufus smiled and replied, 'Let's just say I had faith. And this faith was pretty strong.'

With that he waved and opened the door, leaving the basement.

She let out a huge sigh as she grabbed her clothes and began to put them on. 

He was such a numpty, but that was why she loved him. She was so thrilled they had made up. She felt so relieved. Plus the naughty sex they had just had in the basement; that had taken some time out of her revision but by God was it needed!

Then she looked up and spotted something which looked like a CCTV camera. Oh Crap! She gasped out a laugh. She hoped it was not working or some security guards would have had the show of their life. But she realised she was not as worried as she normally would have been. She was too happy and relaxed to care.

She thought about sending a quick text to Lorna then decided not to. Let her be surprised instead.

She sat back down and began to study once more, a shit-eating grin planted on her face.

EPILOGUE

'I can't believe it's been a year since we've all been together.' Lorna squealed. 

'I know!' Kainene squealed back.

Exams were over and it was the night of the summer ball. The three girls, Viola, Lorna and Kainene were sat together as people milled about talking or dancing. 

'I can't wait for Mykonos.' Kainene continued. This was her first proper trip outside England for holidays. Rufus, Lorna, Matt and herself had pulled resources together to rent out a villa for two weeks for the holiday then Rufus was going with his family to the Hamptons. She had been invited but she had already promised Vicky and Anna that they were going on a 'road trip' round Scotland and she could not back out. But when he got back, they were going to hole up in his London flat and maybe go to the Channel Islands. It had not been decided yet.

She grinned excitedly as she chatted with her new best friends. Matt was off talking to some of his mates as was Rufus. Mykelos was nowhere to be found as usual. Kainene smiled wryly to herself as she wondered what he was up to, or rather who he was up to.

The girls had already found a gorgeous house in Clifton Village which was a fifteen minute walk to university. She was particularly excited about it because they had drawn straws and she had ended up with the master bedroom which had its own ensuite bathroom and toilet. And it was a five minute stroll to Rufus's one bedroom flat. 

*Insert gleeful smile*

As Viola described, with great excitement, the cute guy she had pulled in the cloakroom, Kainene looked up and saw Rufus staring at her from across the room. She smiled softly at him as he did the same back to her. Then he started walking towards her.

Lorna looked up and saw what Kainene was looking at.

'Awww, boyfie alert.' Lorna giggled and Kainene cuffed her playfully.

As Kainene stood and walked towards him, Viola turned round to Lorna and said, 'I'm so pleased for her, and slightly envious. They look fantastic together and he like really fancies her.'

Lorna nodded, 'True, true. And don't be envious you numpty, you're going to be getting some tonight too.'

Viola shrugged. There was no need pressing the matter. They both knew that what she meant was she wished she was in a relationship too. Lorna was in one as was Kainene which left her as the only one out of the three of them single. Ah well, there was still next year, and the year after that. She shook her melancholy thoughts out of her head and turned back to Lorna to talk about other stuff.

***

Araminta muttered snidely to Heather as Rufus and Kainene danced with the other couples. 'I can't believe they're back together again. This is so freaking annoying. And now he's not even talking to me, all because of that silly girl. I'm sure I could still get him if I wanted.'

Heather then did something shocking. She rolled her eyes and hissed at Araminta, 'Belt up Minty, just give it up. It's over. She got the guy and you didn't. Give it a rest, will ya and let's concentrate on something else, Gawd!' And with that she stalked off.

Araminta stared after her gobsmacked. This was the first time in the history of their friendship that Heather had ever spoken back to her. She quickly looked around to see if anyone had witnessed what happened. Satisfied that no one had, she quickly hurried after Heather. She had been exceptionally nasty to a large number of people and without Heather she was friendless so she could not afford to sulk and stay away from her. She was all she had in Bristol.

***

The year had been great with all its ups and downs but Kainene would not have had it any other way. She had made new friends and bagged herself the world's greatest boyfriend. All she needed was her results which she was getting during the summer holiday then all would be splendid indeed. She smiled once more as she placed her head on Rufus's shoulder and they spun around the ball room with her friends as they all danced to cheesy summer songs.

END