Chapter One
**ARIA**
I grunted heavily as I pushed my way past the crowd of cheering athletes and regular civilians, all of whom were adorned with the blue and yellow of the school’s hockey team regalia. The “Peckers” they called themselves. My dorm room was well situated on the end of the building, away from the lounge and the noise as I had one goal alone in this school.
To study.
I was here to study, and be the best medical biologist the world had to give.
It took a lot to get into a big school like Blake University. It was an institution for the richest of the rich. My parents weren’t on the lesser end of the scale, but even a big school as this required me getting a full ride scholarship which I got, and there was no way I was bound to lose it.
I let out another grunt as I opened my journal and stared at the boldly written letters at the first page;
“‘1.No dating.
2. No messing with athletes.
3. Stay away from distractions
Men
.”’
It was a full proof plan. Two years at Blake University, and I was off to grad school where I would venture into the real deal. A smile crossed my lips as I inhaled the sweet scent of being a freshman.
My dorm room was solo, with a single bed frame which looked like it had seen better days, a couple of wall posters of a famous metalhead, and some coasters dangling by the window sill as some sort of decorations. My nose twitched a little from the funny stench oozing out of the place.
“Hi.” I heard someone knock on the door and rolled my eyes surreptitiously, hating to be interrupted from my daydreaming. I turned around.
“Hi.” I forced a smile.
She was beautiful, really beautiful to the point where it almost unnerved me. A subconscious part of my brain preempted myself to be bullied by her. She did the unthinkable instead, walked up to me and wrapped her arms around my body into a very warm embrace.
“I’m MJ. Mary Jane to be precise but I just go by MJ.” She said over a giggle, “I’m the girl at the next room.”
“Oh.” I mouthed, thanking whatever deity existed up in the skies that she wasn’t the mean person I thought her to be. I gulped hard, hoping she wouldn’t notice the reverie that just flashed through my eyes of my high school memories.
“It’s so nice finally having someone around these parts. Since it’s a coed dorm building, there’s barely any girls around here all thanks to the hockey team.” She walked herself to my bed and sat on the edge, beaming with excitement, “When I heard there was a freshman moving in, I was so glad you couldn’t even understand. So it’s really nice to meet you.”
Mary Jane was a sweetheart, I thought to myself, “The pleasure is all mine. I’m Aria, Aria Blackwell.”
She nodded with the wide grin still plastered on her face, “So Aria…..
“Wait, did you just say the hockey team?” I couldn’t help but interrupt.
She nodded, “Yeah. A lot of the athletes live in this building, it’s close to the skating rink so it’s more of a convenience thing. They’re nuisances, I can promise you that.”
I could already feel the color draining from my face, and I knew she saw it too—alas the grin on her face when she tried to ask, “About the athle—
“No.” I cut her off again, already smelling her question from afar, “I’m not seeing anyone. No, I’m not interested in dating anyone. Yes, I’m just here to study. No, I’m not into college parties. Yes, again I’m just here to study. Finally….Yes, I hate athletes.”
Her mouth gaped wide open after she blinked exasperatedly, “All??”
I sighed and nodded, “Yes. I hate all athletes. Can you point me to where the library is please?”
********
The library was exactly as I envisioned it—neatly stacked books arranged in chronological order, from encyclopedias to academic manuscripts. It was my own version of heaven, the sweet smell of old and new crisp paper, the solemn silence and the perfect air conditioning to keep the books from molding.
I smiled for the first time since arriving, walking down the aisle as my hands glided through the hardbacks on the shelves. It wasn’t until Mary Jane spoke up that I realized she was still with me.
“Earth to Aria.” She said.
I blinked, “Oh—sorry, I didn’t know you were still here.”
She shrugged, “I’m here to show you around remember?”
I nodded uncomfortably, wanting nothing more than to be alone at the moment but she was kind enough to show me around, the least I could do was be grateful.
We kept on walking until we reached the study area. Some of the chairs were ridden with dust but I didn’t mind, as I excitedly sat down and stacked some of the books I picked on the iron riddled table.
“You really meant it huh?”
“Pardon?”
“The studying.” Mary Jane muttered, “You really meant it.”
I shrugged, “I’m on a scholarship. I’m here to graduate. I have no time for distractions.”
She smiled at me, I was starting to like her even more, “Distractions? Having a college life can still happen Aria. Blake University is a cultural melting pot, there’s so many things to explore—do you like hockey at least?”
Hockey. I wanted to gnash my teeth.
Instwad I snorted, “No.”
She gasped, eyes widening, “Tell me you’re joking.”
I shook my head, “I’m not. I don’t care for hockey, never have, never will.”
A scoff followed after, almost like she didn’t believe the words coming out of my mouth, “You can’t be serious. It’s hockey!! A game of champions. Blake University has had the best team for years. We almost made it to the playoffs last year even, there’s no way you came in here without wanting to—
“No.” I shook my head, “I think hockey is a game for losers.”
“Aria!!”
I remained defiant on my stance, “You heard me. I think hockey sucks, the concept of the whole game sucks, I think it’s a waste of student resources and the school’s money. I did my research and the school pumps a whole load into the team, which I think is pathetic. So you heard me loud and clear—Hockey is a game for losers.”
I heard the sudden sound of a book thudding on the floor, a gruff but manly voice followed suit right from behind me,
“What did you just say?!”
