Danitza POV
I could feel the bruise on my face from the slap that I received from Anthony, trying my best to ignore the slight stinging in my cheek. I admire how beautiful Evercrest really is. I wonder if Sanika is here yet.
"Excuse me, are you lost?" I hear a familiar voice behind me. Instantly putting a smile on my face.
"RYKERRRRRR!" I squeal as I turn around and hug him very tightly. "Ryker, oh my gosh, it's been forever. How have you been?"
"Other than the regular school stress and the thought of killing myself sometimes, I have been fantastic," Ryker answered.
Ryker is my best friend! Yes, he is a boy, but he has always been there for me, no matter what. He is actually the only friend who knows the truth about my life. Ryker is three years older than me, which makes him wise, well, when he wants to be. He is also the most anti-social person that I have ever met; he really doesn't like people, which makes me feel so honored that he considers me his best friend. What I like the most, though, is how brutally honest he is; he doesn't care much about others' feelings. Ryker just always speaks the truth.
Ryker is 5'8", brown-skinned, has a sleeper build with hazel eyes, and, believe me, he is a girls' magnet, but because of his emo-like personality, girls don't approach him. He also believes that white people are the superior race, which always sparks a debate between us because I am a brown-skinned individual, and so is he, so I don't appreciate him forgetting where his ancestors came from.
"I'm so glad that I get to see you here, I am deadass so relieved because I was literally saying that I am not going to fit in here. I know that you don't live in a dorm here, but it's still going to be nice seeing your face around this school. By the way, why didn't you tell me Evercrest was this beautiful?" I ramble to Ryker. I really haven't seen him in so long.
"Danitza, what happened to your face?" Ryker asks. I was really hoping my talking would distract him. Curse my sensitive skin!
"You know, ummmm, it was when I was packing this morning. I hit myself in the face when I was try... trying to take my shirt off." I said shakely, hoping it at least convinced him.
"Anthony is hitting you again," Ryker said. He wasn't even asking anymore.
"Ryker, it's nothing, we just got into an argument on our way here and..."
"DANIIIII!!" I'm cut off by Sanika calling my name as she runs to where Ryker and I are standing with her rainbow suitcase. That suitcase can hold a house.
"NIKAAAA!! You made it!" I could see Ryker rolling his eyes from the corner of my eye.
"Ryker, hey, long time no see. How have you been?" Sanika asks, trying to make conversation with Ryker. I don't mind because she just saved me from explaining to Ryker how the slap went down.
"Sanika, please don't even bother with it. You know I don't like you." My very nonchalant, anti-social bestie said to Sanika very boldly.
If I am being honest, I really don't know what happened between them, because they were actually really good friends before I came along. Which makes me question if I am the problem? Back then, when I asked Ryker what had happened between them, he would always say it was nothing serious.
I have to intervene before Sanika can reply. But what should I say?
"So! Sanika, you are planning on dorming with me, right?" Don't judge, I didn't know what to say or ask.
"Girl, of course I am, hopefully. As long as you are okay with a little male company over now and again." Sanika said with a laugh and a wink. I chuckle a little at what she is insinuating.
I glance over at Ryker, who is still looking at my bruised face. He is so not going to drop it. I have to go because I have been standing at the gate as if I were the security of the premises.
"Ummm, so, Ryker, we need to get going. I will see you around. I guess we will catch up later. I'll call you, okay?" I try to say reassuringly.
Ryker only sighs and walks away. I will tell him what happened, just not right now; today is supposed to be different. I am starting a new chapter in my life after all, I can't allow the past to affect my maybe promising future.
"Dani girl, I swear I don't know how you stand him. He is so rude! I hate his no-care attitude," Sanika says, referring to Ryker. I look at Nika, confused, because they were friends before.
"Can we please just go?" I ask because I am so not having that conversation with Sanika.
As Sanika and I walked fully into the institution, I must say, it really is beautiful—the vibrant green grass being watered by the sprinklers, the birds chirping in the trees. Evercrest really is peaceful. As we walk, I am making notes of places where I can isolate myself. The school is really big, so there isn't any alleyway, just vast land space.
"All first-year students, please report to the Crescent Auditorium to begin registration."
"All first-year students, please report to the Crescent Auditorium to begin registration."
A lady announced on the intercom. I look at Sanika, but she's buried in her phone; she probably didn't even hear the announcement. I know we both have no clue where the auditorium is.
"Hi, excuse me." I try to stop a young lady. "Sorry, I don't mean to be a bother, but could you possibly tell me where the crescent auditorium is located?" I ask politely.
"Oh, yes, sure. So it's straight up ahead, and where you see the fountain with an angel in it, you are going to take the second right and then continue straight until you see a big door with a crescent moon on it, and that's the auditorium." She answers with a big, bright smile, which is very welcoming.
"Thank you so much, I really appreciate it." I returned the smile to show how truly appreciative I am.
Sanika is still on her phone, very oblivious to her surroundings. So they expect us to carry our own luggage around this place. I left my boxes at the gate because I couldn't carry them with me, and I am not registered in any dorm room as yet, where I could put them. I hope it's still there when I go back.