CHAPTER TWO

CAMILLA

Even before I could reach my boyfriend's dormitory, the rain was coming in sheets, going through me, soaking me to the bone. I had left my bag at home; without any money to hail a cab, I was forced to brave the storm. My clothes clung to my shivering body, water dripping from my hair to my toes. I banged on the door, my voice cracking with desperation. 'Matthew, where's Mark?' I asked, teeth chattering, as his roommate opened the door with a concerned expression.

He looked confused, and asked, "Didn't he tell you he wouldn't be here?" "Come in and sit down for a bit; you're drenched. Why did you walk in the rain?" he offered, but I assured him not to worry, as I was already soaked and would try to return to my dorm. Of course, I have heard too many stories of girls being assaulted by boyfriend’s friends or brothers. I can't afford to be that girl. So, I ran away. As I dashed off, I heard Matt calling from a distance, "Come and take the umbrella at least." But I was already too far gone.

I reached the front of my dorm, exhausted. Due to my room being on the second floor, I had to drag myself up the stairs since the elevator is restricted after 7 pm. My whole body ached from the strenuous day, and I pulled myself up the steps at a snail's pace. Walking toward my room, I heard a familiar voice call my name. I ignored it, I said, since paranoia is a side effect of fatigue and work. So as I approached the corridor, indeed. My boyfriend was kissing my roomie. When I thought this day wouldn't be more horrendous, this had happened already.

I was so shocked that I screamed before I could cover my mouth. Olivia turned her head towards me, then deliberately kissed him again.

I walked up nearer to them, whispered for them to move. As soon as Mark looked at me, he threw a frown and applied a fake look of concern. He held my hands and said, "Camilla, let's go in and talk." Just then, he was about to drag me inside when Olivia jumped in and reminded him they were going to the 1960 Pub. The 1960 Pub held a special place in my heart; it was where I met Mark and where we celebrated our first and second anniversaries.

"Camilla, come with us," he invited. I gave a timid "yes" reply and followed them to the pub. Olivia was widely known to all the students; the female students hated her because of her ruthless boyfriend-snatching behavior. I thought I would be safe being her room mate, but she did not spare me either. I knew she expected a meltdown out of me, but my emotions were deeply held in. I still couldn't understand when it all started and how it had reached this level with them.

We went downstairs and got to Mark's car. I was about to take the seat in the front, and Olivia's push was so strong that I just went to sit in the back. "Uh-oh! That's my place," she smirked. I knew she was trying to provoke me, but I stayed calm. She looked at me through the car mirror and said, "Mark baby, can't you see water dripping from her clothes? I bet she's going to damage your car seat."

I stepped out of the car quickly and told Mark to go on, that I'd catch them up at the pub. I knew it was what Olivia would want. The rain began to sprinkle as I took off running.

I entered the 1960 Pub, and I found them sitting together, while the opposite place was for me. I shrugged into the place, and Mark gave me a bottle of beer. I took it and opened it using my teeth and then took it all down. To Mark, I said, "what do you want from me?” They were intractable and still doing lovey-dovey in front of me. "Let's stop it, Mark. Let's call it quits," I blurted out. "Now you can let the world witness your public love life with your precious wretched whore.”

Olivia flipped her head to me, face now angry. "Are you mad your boyfriend is picking me over you?" she spat back. "You did this to yourself, Camilla. Just look at how rough you are, even with that ugly scar on your face. Your dress ought to speak for you but is always so plain. You do all these part-time jobs and have no time for him. What guy in his right mind would want to keep dating someone like you and not get bored?" She grinned smugly.

I snatched the drink glass in front of her and splashed it across her face. "Damn you, Olivia, you bitchy whore!" I screamed, my words oozing with venom. "Is this because I've not been losing my temper? Is it because I am not a fool like you and have realized that it is now finally time for a breakup? Are you then mad at me because I did not react as you wanted?" My voice echoed with righteous anger. "It's no secret on this campus; everybody knows about you and your waywardness. Maybe you're oblivious to it?" I continued my words cutting through the tension. "You've taken and claimed the trash that I need no part of in my life." With that, I stood up to leave while Olivia was shocked. She stood up abruptly and grabbed my hair so tight.

I shouted to let go, but she wouldn't, grasping my hair tightly from behind. The pub patrons turned around, and we were at the climax of an altercation. But not going to be a victim again, I turned around, totally disregarding the pain I was going to have on my scalp, and delivered a blow right into Olivia's nose. The force of the blow sent her staggering backward, blood gushing from her broken nose. I stayed my ground; I would not be intimidated at all anymore.