Until You

01 | One Last Year to Go

As the waves of the ocean touched my feet, I stood there, thinking how wild my year had been so far.

All I had wished for in the beginning was for the year to just go by as fast as possible.

I wanted to stay unnoticed, unheard and invisible, just like I always had been, but yet somehow, today I stood here and in front of me was a humongous crowd cheering for me, clapping their hands, giving me all the attention a person can get and yet, I didn't mind, I didn't run, I didn't cry, and most importantly, I didn't feel like I was alone, because, for the first time, I wasn't alone, for the first time I had someone next to me, someone I could lean on, someone I could hold hands with, someone I can rely on.

*****

Today was the first day of my final year and all I wanted was to get ready and reach college on time. However, no matter how early I am, Rose is always late.

"Honey, come down and have your breakfast," I heard my mom call for the second time.

"Coming," I replied as I bent over to tie my shoelaces, my chestnut hair sliding over my shoulder despite being pulled into its usual ponytail. These laces take forever to tie and when I'm finally done with them, they magically get untied after some time. I don't know what kind of sorcery that is. Some evil fairy probably.

I walked down the stairs and I see my mother was already seated on the table, waiting for me.

I gave her a quick smile, smeared some jam on my bread and shoved the whole thing in my mouth like I haven't eaten in decades.

Just then, I heard a car honk blare outside repeatedly and rolled my eyes because I knew it was Rose, my best friend

"Oh wow, no heads up for your mom who has been waiting here for the past fifteen minutes just to have a day's meal with her only daughter?" My mom remarked, dramatically, lifting her left eyebrow.

"Sorry mom, I'm getting late. I'll catch you later," I said as I threw my bag on my shoulder, grabbed my lunch and rushed out the door. "Love you, though."

"Yeah, love you too, hon," I heard my mom reply from behind me as the door snapped shut.

"Why do you always have to be so late?" I whined to Rose as I sat beside her in the passenger seat and dumped my bag on my lap.

"So that you can have your breakfast peacefully, you know, unlike the Neanderthal you are," she frowned, noticing that I was still chewing my bread. It infuriated her to no end when I was unruly: she's a perfectionist.

I rolled my eyes at her, as usual, which she ignored, as usual.

As she shifts the gear to drive, I plugged my earphones and stare outside diving into my train of thoughts. However, I'm jerked out of it when I nearly get shoved out of my seat, despite the belt. I threw a glare towards Rose.

"Ugh, you always do that. When will you learn to park your car? "

"I know how to park my car, and I can assure you I'm doing a damn good job with it," she said, winking at me.

I rolled my eyes again and growled when Rose snickered as I got out and hauled my bag on the shoulder.

"There begins my final year," I said to myself, taking a deep breath. "Just one last year to go."

With that, I walk towards the tall building in front of me with hundreds of other teens like me.

******

You know how every "educational institution" has people in different categories, tags to be more specific.

Well, my college is no exception. You will get to see every single person tagged into one category or the other.

We have the jocks, the nerds, the weirdos, the people with their heads in the clouds, the duffs, the outcasts, the bullies, the popular, the ones who are the embodiment of sculpted perfection, the mean queens, and then we have the people like me, the Invisibles.

We are the ones who people don't know exist. Or don't care about, to be more specific.

Honestly, I'm not even complaining, because imagine being popular. How hard would life be?

I mean all you would have to bother about then would be what dress to wear, how to style your hair, which bag would match the outfit or maybe which shoes would make the statement. Oh, and don't forget the untold rule, never repeat an outfit. Ever.

How can you remember what you have worn and what you haven't? I can't even remember what I wore yesterday.

Also, the most important thing about being "the popular" would be to always be active on social media.

All you have to invest your time doing is updating your location or maybe showing off your "outfit of the day", and sharing your current thoughts, emotions, etc.

It's too hectic and high maintenance.

Whereas, if you are among "the Invisibles", you wouldn't have to bother about anything. You can wear whatever you want, you can have any hairdo or even not comb it if you're too lazy.

Most importantly people won't notice you all the time, they won't stare at you, talk about you and also don't engage in a conversation with you, unless they have to.

I know, it can get a little lonely sometimes, but I'm glad I have Rose with me. I could survive a million years of solitude if I have her.

*****

As the bell rings, I walked towards my class, holding my books and looking down, absorbed in my thoughts.

Just then I banged my head on something hard and muscular.

"Ouch," I exclaimed, rubbing my head ruefully.

Without sparing a glance, I bent over to gather my books that had fallen on the floor due to the collision. Just then, I noticed a pair of hands helping me.

I looked up to see who it was. I beheld a pair of dark blue eyes staring right into mine. We are so close to each other that I can feel the warmth radiating from the body.

I took a step back and it is then that I notice the chiseled jawline, perfectly carved lips, and silky voluminous hair.

Remember when I said there's a clique that consisted of people who were the embodiment of sculpted perfection? This human is that.

I recognized the figure to be that of a boy about a head taller than me. I don't know his name and I haven't seen him around before either. But for some reason, I don't want to move my eyes off him. Honestly, I could stare at him all day.

"Sorry," I muttered under my breath as I piled up my books and stood back up. I rushed off to my class without uttering another word. I realized that if I stared any longer, I would look like a creep and just make him feel uncomfortable.

As I neared my class, I heard him call out for me from behind.

**********

A/N

Hey guys,

This is the first chapter of my first book, hope you guys like it

Let me know what you think of it in the comments below and how you think the story will proceed.

Next chapter will be published on Monday.