Duplicitous (F.C)

Distorted Reality

        Besides Farleigh's ruckus, I couldn't stop thinking about her. How easily she fit in with the elite misfits of Oxford, and how perfectly she melted into Felix Catton's figure. There just had to be more to her than this perfect American studying abroad, and finding her college sweetheart. When they were together, my attention always found its way to her. As the days went on, my infatuation altered from the preppy college boy to the mysterious brunette who seemed to occupy his time.

        As I pass the dining hall, I notice Felix walking out of it, Calliope falling right beside him. She tries to manage the flyaways that have been created by the sudden wind. Felix laughs at the girl. "Where to next?" Felix flashes his boyish smile. "Would you mind walking me back to my dorm, so I can get ready for class?." He agrees, changing his direction. "You should probably get that." He motions to the phone buzzing in her back pocket. "It's just my cousin checking up on me." She shrugs off his concern. "She's not much of a texter, which sucks for me because it's pretty much the only way I communicate on the phone."

        My attention is adverted from their conversation when I notice Michael walking towards me. "You do know that our dorms are that way, right?" He chuckles at what he thinks is me being directionally challenged. "Yeah, but I-" He cuts me off once his attention lands on Felix kissing Callie goodbye. "What's your obsession with those two?" The last person who I wanted to show my cards is Michael Gavey. "It's really got nothing to do with you, Gavey." 

        He chuckles to himself, knowing that he's struck a nerve. "You don't think that Felix Catton is going to fall for you, do you?" Michael finds other's misfortunes comical, and it's another reason why no one truly likes him. "You're waiting for a miracle that will never happen, mate." It was like having a conversation with a British Farleigh. "Oh, stop it." My tone is firm. "Stop trying to read me like I'm some bloody tabloid." He's taken aback by my outburst. "Whatever version you have of me, is the one that makes the best story in your head, and I'd appreciate it if you'd just leave me the hell alone."

        Michael crosses his arms as he backs away from me. "Just because you run from what I'm telling you, doesn't make that distorted reality in your head any more truthful." He sneers at me. "You don't want to just fit in with the elite, you want to consume everything that they have to offer..." He points to the open window, which Callie happens to be standing by. "Everything that loverboy will so eagerly give to her without a second thought." He looks at me like a dog with a broken leg. "You've got your work cut out for you, Quick." He goes to pat my shoulder and I'm quick to brush him off. "May the odds be in your favor." He walks off. "See you around." Michael acts as if he wasn't just sneering at me moments before.

        I'm left with my racing thoughts after Michael leaves. He was right, I needed to try harder to be what he wanted, and who he needed me to be. Lending him my bike earned me a few charity smiles as he passed me in the halls, but not an invite to their table. He probably has heard my name briefly, due to Farliegh's distasteful comments about myself. Anyone else in the group couldn't look me in the eyes longer than a second, as if I had some sickness. She was it, she was my key.

        Before I head to my next scheduled class, I hear an argument from the dorms. "This is what I was afraid of, Mom" Maybe my venture wasn't over yet.  I make my way over to her window, which is pretty accessible compared to others in the courtyard. Most have bushes outside of them, while Callie's was just grass and pavement. There was even a bench about five feet from here. "You're in another country, the least that you could do is pick up the phone, Calliope." Her mother's tone seemed off for what should be a concerned mother; she seemed angered. "You get this glamorous life thanks to your father, while I'm at home figuring out how I'm going to survive." Silence filled the room for the both of them. "Can we talk about this another time, please?" 

        Calliope was trying to avoid the situation that was about to go south. "It's so easy to brush off when this isn't your reality." Calliope's sweet demeanor didn't come from her mum. "I'm paying for what your father couldn't, but as long as you're in fantasy land and ignoring me, everything is fine." I couldn't tell if her mum was usually this manipulative, or if it was the fact that she had been drinking that aided her be so cruel to her daughter. "I gave you the option." Her mum scoffs. "Well, we can't make all the best decisions like your father, right?"

        Hearing her mum on the phone made me want to call home more often than I do. "I'm sorry that you got stuck with the shitty parent." Her mother mutters. "Whatever memories you have of him, keep them, but don't forget about everything that I have to deal with now." I wondered if she realized that her window was open for people to hear. "I'm sorry." She apologizes even though her mother's childish actions were beyond her control. "I have class but I'll call you as soon as I get out." Calliope didn't wait for a response before ending the call.

        Moments after she shuts the laptop, the door to her room shuts. I take that as my opportunity to move so it doesn't look like I've been lurking around. Callie comes out of the building with her attention on her phone, sniffling to hold back the tears that are trying to come through. I take advantage of the fact that she's not paying attention to walk in front of her  "Fuck, I'm so sorry." She quickly looks up from her phone. "I was the one who ran in front of you, I should be apologizing." 

        I'm surprised to see her smile. "These things are dangerous." She raises her phone, revealing the start of a text message to a girl named Lola. "Texting and walking is a serious casualty around here." She laughs at my awkwardness. "I'm Callie." Between her infectious smile and puppy dog eyes, I can see why she's the talk of Oxford.  "I'm Oliver." My plan is in action.

Hello, lovelies! I'm so sorry for stepping away from the story for a minute, but I'm hoping to be able to update like I want again. Thank you so much for all the love on the story while I've been gone! I hope that you continue to enjoy it as much as I enjoy writing for you guys! Again, thank you for still sticking around :)