The Underworld

chapter three

"Hey girl," Hayley smiled as I sat across from her at the food court.

Hayley has long red hair that reached her hips. She has it parted down the center and tucked behind her ears. She had light greyish green eyes, light colored freckles along her nose and cheeks, and is five foot five. Hayley was the type of girl many considered a 'bruh' girl. She wore a light blue jean jacket over her oversized grey hoodie, black leggings, white sneakers, and white long socks.

"Want to get food from here or go back to the apartment?" She asked.

"Whichever," I shrugged. "What are you in the mood for?"

"Panda Express. I love their food bowls."

Thankfully we didn't have to wait much in line. Hayley and I made a note that if we wanted to eat on campus we would do so at this exact time. We ate our food in the food court.

"How were your classes?" Hayley asked. "How's Dean?"

"Just like every other first day of school. Went over the syllabus and they ended early. Dean's good. He went to see if he could buy a skateboard from the campus shop before heading to his next class. You?"

"I spaced out during most of class," she chuckled. "Then I spent the rest of the time buying stuff online." Hayley loves buying things online, especially stickers, posters, and hoodies.

"What did you buy?" I asked.

"Stickers for my laptop and under my board, and a poster someone made about the characters in Kakegurui. I saw a hoodie I really liked but I'm waiting to see if I'll have enough money after paying for financial aid."

I nodded. "College just keeps getting more and more expensive," I stated.

"Right! Like I don't even use half the things they charge me for. Why do I need to pay a gym fee if I haven't even stepped foot in it the past two years and don't plan on doing so?" She asked before eating a spoonful of her food.

We spent the next thirty minutes eating and talking about what this semester would hold for us.

"My mom says hi by the way." I told Hayley as we walked out of the food court and towards the computer lab.

"Hopefully I'm able to visit you guys again during thanksgiving break."

"Just let me know. You know my parents wouldn't mind lending you the guest room again if you need a place to stay."

Once at the computer lab, we logged on and printed anything else we needed for our classes. I always learned better when I printed the class notes and wrote over them, marking what would be most important.

"Hey Hayley," called out a guy as he approached us.

Hayley bumped fists with him. "Sup Ahmed. How's first day of classes?"

He pulled a spare chair and sat with us. "Pretty good," he answered.

He smiled and turned to face me. "Hey I'm Ahmed. Nice to meet you..."

"Alaina," I smiled. "Nice to meet you too."

Ahmed wore a black sweatshirt that nicely hugged his golden dark skin. The sweatshirt had the UCF logo written in gold on it. His black eyes matched his hair that had a short buzz cut hairstyle. His jaw was defined and he was well built.