The Love Of Mine

~ ELENA ~

"Elena!!" I groaned and turned my back to check my door to check if my mum was calling me, but I couldn't hear anything. I tapped on my phone screen to check the time, and it was just 8:30 PM, I can't believe I slept off while packing my things for college.

"Elena!!" I heard my name again. This voice doesn't sound like a female voice, but it seems like the person was trying to sound like a girl," yes, who is it" I yell back. I decided to follow the sound, and it was coming from my window, I heard some footsteps outside the window. The knot in my stomach grew with each step I took closer, by the time I got close and held the window knob to open it I was already whimpering, is this another prank by Princewill or is it one of those boys who stalk me because I mean my neighborhood is mostly safe and there haven't been any cases of petty criminals in years. As I was about to go down to call my mum I heard someone laughing that annoying grunts is so familiar, I immediately opened the window and screamed "Princewill, can you stop with these pranks'', he stopped laughing and said can you come outside, sometimes I really can't understand him why can't he knock on the door or ring the doorbell, Argh? I am coming, it's going to take a while though, I said. Princewill has been my best friend since childhood. We stopped talking to each other when we hit puberty. It's weird, yes, but it's a long story lol... But we recently made up though after my best friend Sarah went off six months ago to school at the University of California leaving me behind as the only female who is a teenager in the whole neighborhood, Sarah much and I pretty much do everything together I miss her so much, we both decided to apply to different schools since her Mum insisted she must go to University of California where her brothers schools because she is the only female child in her Family, and they don't like the idea of her being in a different state alone, while on my part my Mum and Dad made sure I didn't apply to any other University than the famous "Stanford", what is their obsession with Stanford University? Parents can be quite annoying.

I spent the last few years nervously anticipating the freedom I will get when I finally go off to college. Every night, I stay up studying and preparing for the University entrance exam, while most of my high school friends spend their time partying and enjoying the freedom and stress-free life of after High school. The day I checked the school portal to see if I got accepted I was so excited but scared of me getting rejected and having to start reading all over again, My Mum was beside me when I checked, and I was accepted I have never been so happy even though I expected it, but that didn't take the excitement I felt that day away. My mum cried for what felt like hours, while she called my dad, and I could hear him screaming on the phone. I have never been more proud of myself. All of my hard work finally paid off.

"Elena", I heard again, this time my Mum called out, I lazily opened my room's door and walked down the stairs, Princewill is here, she said. Oh I forgot about Princewill he must be getting tired from waiting, I walked into the kitchen and I saw my mum mixing the chicken in hot sauce, my tummy grumble my mum looked outside the window and I checked to see what she was staring at as I came closer to the window, she turned and whispered in a soft voice," Why doesn't he like to knock and come in like a responsible boy", I wanted to laugh so bad I held it in, trust my Mum when it comes to saying the weirdest things, 13 good years of knowing Princewill, and she doesn't still feel comfortable with him being my best friend she said boys and girls can't be best friends without them catching feelings, I guess it's true because lately, I have been crushing on Princewill, and he doesn't even help with the situation he calls me like so often, we text each other like so much if I am not chatting with Sarah, it's with him plus he comes to visit me every night, and we stroll down the street sometimes even holding hands, and before I go back inside my house he tells me to hug him and when we resume texting?

Are you not going to meet him outside? My Mum asked. I am, I said while walking towards the door, I might take some time, though! I said while opening the door. I closed the door and I started walking toward Princewill, my heart beating faster than usual, I stopped in front of him and raised my hands up to wave nervously. He is looking a lot finer tonight, dressed in a black oversized top and gray joggers. His black hair neatly styled and trimmed falls at both sides of his face complimenting his brown gorgeous eyes.

"Hey short girl", He loves to tease me a lot, he smiles and waved back his bright perfectly lined tooth shining at me, why is his smile so attractive too before I could respond he pulls me in for a hug.

"Hey", I said as he released me from his tight grip. I looked up at his face and smiled back at him. I looked down at my feet and bit my inner lips thinking of what to say next to him. Can we take a stroll down the street he said, while slipping his hands into mine his palm is so soft and warm, at times I wonder if he doesn't find me attractive enough to ask me out. I mean after Sarah left for college we both spent the whole six months texting calling and seeing each other daily. He hasn't even brought up any conversation about him feeling something for me or me becoming his girlfriend, or am not beautiful enough to him, many boys find me very attractive especially now with Sarah gone they have been trying to get my attention some even goes as far as sending me messages on Instagram and when I look out of my window most times I see a couple of them stalking my house innocently hoping I come outside. I pulled my dirty blond hair to the side, even though I am quite petite and kind of old-fashioned. Not only that, but I am beautiful. I mean I look at myself in the mirror, obviously I can't just figure out what Princewill thinks of me. What are you thinking of you seem deep in your thought, Princewill asked I looked up again at his face and he let go of my hands and stopped walking I stopped too,

"I am going off to college tomorrow he said almost whispering like it's not just the two of us outside in the whole street, I felt a lump in my throat and looked down at my feet again" Can you look up Elena, I raised my face again and looked into his eyes it looks like he is worried plus I can't read his face expression I don't understand why, but today it feels like we both have a lot to say to each other but is holding it back?

"You are leaving next week to Stanford right? yes I replied he smiled again, he reached out and held my hands again this time pulling me closer to him, He smells so good "If I asked you to come over to my University dorm, would you agree? San Francisco Bay University is close to Stanford" you can stay over for like a week too he said looking at me with puppy eyes. "I blinked twice in disbelief, I haven't even left my house to my University or seen how the school looks like and all and he is asking me to leave my School and come over to his Dorm I would rather not offend him, so I just told him I will think about it", He didn't say anything again it became so awkward for me, I couldn't even look up any more I decided to pull out my Phone to check the time, and it was already 10:23 PM, I decided to lie to him that I wanted to pee so bad, so I could go back home.

"Princewill I am really pressed I need to pee urgently, I said. He checked his phone too, oh sorry it's like past 10 already, let's talk more about it on the phone, I guess. He said we both held each other hands again and started walking back to my house, when we got to my door step and said goodbye to each other as I was about to reach out for the doorknob Princewill called me "Elena", I turned to look at him, and he kissed me on my lips I froze my eyes went wide before I could process what's going on or return the kiss, he stopped kissing me and waved his hands and said goodbye. I stared at his back while he hurriedly walked to his house.

Waking up because of the annoying sounds from your Alarm can be quite exhausting and draining. I woke up and threw my alarm to the wall softly, so it didn't break, the sound went off. It's lucky it worked. I would have thrown it away. I stood up from my bed to peep at Princewill's house.

Immediately I opened my curtains to peep over at his gate, the gate opened up perfect timing I said, his dad's car drove outside and Princewill and his mum came outside while his little sister carried some of his luggage's too they placed his luggage into the boot and his sister hugged him and was most likely crying. As he was about to enter into the car he looked at my house I quickly close my curtain and bent down, did I get caught? I heard the sound of the car start and his dad was driving him off, I didn't stand up until I couldn't hear the car sound again. I am going to miss him, who am I going to talk to every evening now. After the kiss yesterday I was unable to sleep for some time, was just tossing around my bed and I didn't even touch my phone because I didn't know what to tell him. I jumped on the bed and picked up my phone and went straight to check the messages he must have dropped. Opening WhatsApp on my phone, I went to Princewill's chat over 5 missed call and this messages;

" I am so sorry for kissing you yesterday without your permission I couldn't help but think of what your lips taste like I have feelings for you Elena and I don't know how you will feel about it since we have been best friends from a long time, I am still waiting for your reply will you come visit me at my school?"

" Are you there??" !! Elena!! "Pick up, at least let's talk before you go to bed, I can still see your light is on meaning you are awake".

"Okay goodnight, guess you don't want to talk to me, I am sorry if I offended you".

Now I feel so, so bad, I groan to myself I don't even know what to say to him now, what do I say now? I guess I would respond later when I think of something to say to him, besides, he is on his way to school. I dropped my phone on my bed and rolled out of my tiny, yet very comfortable bed, I neatly tucked the corners of my bedsheet into the headboard when I was done arranging my bed, I walked towards my closet and pulled off my nightwear and panties and threw them inside the basket I put my dirty clothes in.

I really need to do some laundry, I can't take all this dirty clothes to college, why am I so lazy, I groaned again. After I finished brushing my teeth, I stepped into the shower and turned the shower on, the hot water came pouring down I wasn't prepared!!!

"Ouch"!! I screamed, but instead of running out of the shower like I usually do I stayed put and let the hot water loosen my strained muscles, I picked up my Vanilla Shampoo and poured a little into my hair and started scrubbed my hair aggressively when I was done washing my hair, I lazily run my razor over my legs to remove the little hairs that has grown over the week. I can't wait to get to school, I heard Stanford is so big, I can't wait to make friends and go to class and visit Princewill at school, oh shit !! Oh my gosh!!, I haven't replied Princewill's chat and WhatsApp will directly show those blue tick meaning I have seen this messages, but I didn't reply, I turned off the shower and quickly picked up my towel. As I wrap my towel around my wet body, I picked my phone from my bed and went back to our chat, I sat on the chair at the front of my dressing table I still can't think of what to say to him, I decided to try ; I am so sorry I slept off immediately I reached my room" No he would know I am lying, I don't sleep early. I cleared the chat and started typing again... My mum said I should wash a plate and clean the kitchen and when I was done I got tired and slept off so sorry for not replying last night" Before I could press send I heard my name.

!! Elena!! I hear my mum's voice call from downstairs. "I am coming down, I yelled". I opened my closet and picked a pink short and tank top and wore them quickly, my stomach started grumbling I am so hungry "I went downstairs hurriedly she must be calling me to come eat breakfast as I got downstairs I saw Larry, Micheal and Issac sitting down on the couch watching some videos on their phone how did I not hear their voices when they came in ??

"Your friends are here, I have been calling you since to come downstairs." My mum said. I was taking my bath and brushing my teeth "Why weren't you responding to our chat? Since last night, we wanted to tell you we are coming to your house today." Issac asked.

Oh sorry, I didn't turn on my phone Wi-Fi and I slept very early I walked towards the couch and sat down Larry asked if I would be going to school this Saturday. Yes I am, I said smiling, I am finally leaving this neighborhood.

"Elena." My Mum came into the living room, bring me the list of things I told you to write down that you need for school. I went back to my room to get it and gave it to her, she then said goodbye to me and my friends and went for the shopping alone I really wanted to follow her we planned we will go shopping together. As I closed the door and went to meet Isaac, Larry, and Micheal who were my high school closest male friends, we were all in the same class. They must have come to see me before I leave for college. "Your school name is Stanford University right? You told me, but I forgot."

Yes, it's I answered. Do you guys want Coffee or Tea? I am making tea and toast bread for myself.

"Tea" Micheal said. While Issac and Larry said they wanted Coffee. I walked towards the kitchen and poured water into the kettle, as I peeped over to them, they were still watching some videos they seem engrossed in it, I placed the kettle on top of the gas cooker and went to meet them. What are you guys watching since you came? I walked up to them and sat down on the couch and take a look at Issac's phone

"It's this group of guys, their group name is Ace nation, mehn they are so popular they keep shutting down every club". Like these guys are really ballers, they have over 1 million each and a lot of girls love them and would kill to date them. Their leader's name is Chris and he has the most followers.

Let me show you his page. Issac said. "He pulled his phone closer to me and I saw the username Chris hales, under I saw Ace nation was tagged, Issac tapped on one of his pictures and zoomed and damn this dude is so, so fine like who created him ?? And he is hot too, he is Black skinned, has green eyes and very attractive pink lips and killer smile his hair was in waves you can literally drown in those waves my eyes went to his lips again they are the most attractive lips I have ever seen. I looked at his following over 1.6 million followers with zero following not even following his friends wow. "This dude is also a student in your university, he uses the hashtag #Stanforduniverity# under some of his pictures, and when I scrolled down, I saw he plays basketball at your school." "Wow I said, he is quite handsome, but what is this Ace nation all about, is it a company?

"So basically, I heard they are a group of players who came together to form the group. They really do all kinds of stuff like drugs, they shut down big clubs, whichever clubs they go to their Ace of spades must sell out that day. I heard so many clubs even send them invites, they are also big time players like they break many girl's heart, they fuck and pass girls around then they block them. They became more popular when they played a game one time, they took a bet that whoever fucks the Counselor's daughter who is a virgin will get Chris's new car, Chris won and kept his car, I guess that's why he is their leader he wins more of any challenge they do." Larry said.

My eyes almost popped out.... Isn't that illegal, and why are they not in jail, they started laughing at me, I was pissed off why are they laughing is any of this funny??

"You don't seem to get what Ace nation is made of, Chris, Scott, Finn, Charles, and Derek are the Ace nation boys they are play basketball for your school, and they are also the one of richest guys in campus they drive fast cars and their parents donate tons of money to the school, I am even applying to come to your school hopefully next year I get accepted, I really want to meet them these dudes are badass."

Why does he seem so happy talking about them like they are some celebrities, I scoff, what kind of boys think they can just fuck a girl and just dump her.

"Do you know those guys don't fuck any girl that's not extremely pretty, plus I heard Chris dumped a girl one time when he wanted to fuck her and saw she had stretch marks on her ass, he left her in the hotel room alone. You must be a 10 before he smashes you."

I don't know why, but I felt hurt. I do have Stretch marks on my ass and I don't even have a fat ass, but they are very beautiful and look so attractive. When my mum saw them, she bought Palmer's cream and told me to apply them on it. I have always loved them. Do boys not find stretch marks attractive ??

"My girlfriend has those sexy stripes and I love them." Issac said grinning. Stretch marks are so sexy, why should anybody hate them ??

Do you have them? Let me see, Larry said, laughing. I threw my pillow at him while we all started laughing. I heard the kettle whistling and ran over to the kitchen to turn the gas off, the water had almost dried off. I started making the tea and coffee and I can still hear them talking about Ace nation. I hate those boys already. Who do they think they are ?? I can't believe girls still flock over them after knowing what they do.

After Issac, Larry and Micheal left I went back to my room and decided to do laundry before my mum comes back, after I was done with the laundry Princewill called me and told me he has gotten to his school and why didn't I reply his chat I just came up with an excuse and gave him, we didn't talk much before I told him I wanted to take a nap my day was already ruined with what my friends told me I wish I followed my mum when she went shopping than hearing about those group of boys

"The day has come, the most awaited day when I finally leave this town and state, I haven't left my state before I schooled here , live here and pretty much did everything here. I woke up really early and was just staring at my ceiling and looking around my room I will miss my room so much, I totally forgot I haven't packed some things into my bag plus my mum bought a lot of extra stuffs I needed to pack, I got up from my bed and stretched my body, music will be perfect to spice things up.

I reached out to my phone and turn on my Bluetooth, I went to my playlist and started searching through to find a song perfect for my mood.

Oh! I found it, "Dynamite by BTS", I am a big fan of BTS. They have a song for every mood. As the song started playing, I couldn't help but start dancing around my room. I started packing my bags too. I need to finish packing before my mum starts calling me, before I could even finish my mum called my name.

"Elena!!" I hear my mum's voice call from her room, I am almost done, just my panties and shampoos left for me to pack and for me to take a shower. I walked into my bathroom and turned on the shower without letting the water touch me I stretched my legs to check if it's Cold or Hot water running Luckily for me, it was cold water I really can't stand hot water right now I took a shower quickly and picked up my towel I packed all the stuffs inside my bathroom I will need and placed it inside the bag I put my toiletry, and I started cleaning my wet body.

"Elena!" Come to my room, we need to talk, my mum said loudly, We need to talk about what ?? I thought to myself. Please don't let it be about me staying away from boys and bad friends. Susan told me her mum gave her "those" lectures before she left for college. I guess it's my turn to receive mine, but I know better than to roll around with bad friends and boys. I am coming, please don't call my name again!! I yelled and started walking lazily to her room. With each step, I took towards her room the knot in my stomach grows I hate having those weird talks I signed heavily, and opened her room and walked it. Trust my mum she has already dressed up and was just brushing her hair in front of her dresser, while I was still in my towels " Sit down, she said. She seems very serious. What does she want to tell me ?? She stood up and walked towards me and reached for my hands, I swallowed hard with a serious stern on her face she sat down close to me on the bed,

"Elena, going to college is one thing but how you live your life in college is the main thing the minute you are stepping into college you are already making your bed, as you make your bed so will you lay on it. I and your dad won't be there to tell you what to do and what not to do, so you might feel that rush of freedom and start doing things that can ruin your life. Do you know the friends you make in college shapes your future, she asked me? I nodded my head and said yes. Pick good girls and boys who know what they came to do in school, avoid those bad boys and girls.

"You see sex," she said I have always avoided the sex talk, but now I know I can't escape it", I married your father as a virgin and I would love for you to do so too, don't allow any boy to sweet talk you into having sex with him when they get what they want they will leave you. Virginity is the pride of every woman.....

After what felt like an hour of her lecturing me on avoiding sex, drugs alcohol, bad boys bad friends and getting pregnant, she hugged me and we both cried, and she made me promise her I won't let her down. I went to my room put on the dress I had already picked out, and we put my luggage's into the car and drove off. My uncle was the one driving my mum called my uncle to come drive us because she wasn't used to driving long distance while they were both talking I opened my phone and started looking at the pictures I took of my room, house, and the pictures my uncle helped me and my mum to take. I put my headset on and started playing;

"Inner Child by V of BTS", he is actually my bias in the group. My eyes started feeling weak and I slept off. "Elena", wake up we are almost there my mum said tapping me, I opened my eyes lazily and in front of me I saw

"Welcome To Stanford University" I almost screamed of excitement wow the school is so big students were everywhere some were going in while others out of the school, we started driving in, I have never seen anything like this.

The campus looked so much better in person than the brochures and pictures I have seen online. The buildings are so big and elegant and everyone seems to be in their own world. Hundreds of people fill the area, parents can be seen hugging and kissing their children goodbye, freshmen were dressed in Stanford University gear from head to toe, while some walked around looking lost.

Can I be able to fit in here, I thought everyone seems intimidating? We had a short orientation, and I was given my dorm key with some palm filet which contains a map and guide around the school and how to get to my dorm. My mum and uncle helped me with carrying my things to the front of my dorm room, Parents aren't allowed in was boldly written on the signboard, so my mum couldn't follow me in. She told me not to follow them down, and I should just go in, we hugged each and cried again I hugged my uncle too, and we said goodbye. I watched them as they were walking back to the car and my mum would turn and wave while I repeat the same we waved goodbye until I couldn't see them again. I turned and face the door and said a short prayer before I knocked, I didn't want to use the key and just barg in.

"Hey", a girl said as she opened the door, she is stunning, she has long black hair and brown eyes and looked quite intimidating.

"H...hey... I was told this is my room," I said almost stammering my eyes looked inside the room and I could see two other girls inside they were all looking at me too".

" I was told we were going to be two only in the room, then they added another, and now you are here too, she said laughing her deep dimples appearing, I just stood there what am I supposed to do go back and complain or what, as I was still thinking, I looked at my luggages how am I supposed to carry all this down They are bust out laughing,"

"Welcome to Stanford" they said, I still stood there blinking, it's a prank another girl said, and she reached down and started helping with carrying my luggage she dropped it in front of what seem like my bed.

"Thanks," I said smiling then I walked in the room it's huge. Two beds, and two desks at each side of the room with two wall robe, we also have our bathroom and toilet with a large kitchen inside the room and a balcony. Wow, I said strolling round the room, my friend Susan called me crying about her dorm room how they also shared toilet and bathroom with no kitchen. I guess I am so lucky by choosing Stanford.

"Can we all introduce ourselves now," the last girl said I turned to look at her properly, and she really is the prettiest girl I have seen, She has bright red hair, with green eyes you can't help but want to keep staring at,

My name is Ella, we all came in Today and I only know your name she pointed at the girl who opened the door? The girl who opened the door for me introduced herself as Stephanie and the one who carried my bag for me said her name is Victoria, she also is beautiful with dirty blonde hair just like mine and Blue eyes. Three of them are gorgeous I can't wait to know them. After we finished unloading our bags and setting our room up after we were done, we decided to go to the cafeteria to get something to eat. Victoria bought meat pie and coffee, while Ella bought chicken nuggets and Pepsi. Stephanie and I decided to go with food instead. We bought spaghetti and meatballs.

When we got back to our dorm room we started eating while gusting and getting to know each other more, I really like them already. My mum called me to tell me she has gotten home and I told Princewill and Sarah about my new friends and how I am already fitting in. I can't wait for tomorrow. I am going to go for classes early in the morning, then I slept off.