University Drama Ch. 01

This is the first time I've written such a story so try and take that into account. Constructive criticism will be invaluable. Sorry if such a tale does not meet your standards. There is no sexual content in the first chapter so if that's what you seek, you may wish to go elsewhere. I won't guarantee that there will be sexual content in the next few either although there may be. Later chapters have not been fully fleshed out either so any feedback as to the direction of how you wish the story should go would be appreciated and taken into consideration.

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"I think I must have spent half my life on trains" I thought to myself, yet again, sitting on the incredibly dirty and uncomfortable seats of the Great Western rail service traveling from Swindon to London on a sunny Sunday. Staring out of the window I observed my reflection in the grimy glass. I smirked slightly, noting that my dark brown hair looked much better in its current state, relatively short and swept to the left, compared to a few weeks ago when I was too lazy get it cut. I've always been apathetic about my appearance at best. My deep blue eyes stared back at me, as reflections are well known to do, silently pondering whether sticking a needle in my eye would relieve my boredom. Just then a woman in her mid thirties gently tapped my shoulder breaking me out of my daze as I turned to look at her.

"Excuse me, but would you mind helping me, I can't reach the overhead rack to put my bag inside," she said to me.

"No of course, no problem" I replied as I took her bag from her outstretched hand and reached up, tucking it away safely. I'm used to such menial tasks, being 6ft, or as I prefer to say 5ft 12, and living with my mother and sister both of which are under 5ft 5. I smiled pleasantly at her and sat back into my seat. It was at that moment I noticed the Labrador she had with her. I grinned, I'm a dog guy, which she immediately picked up on.

"His name is Cody, I've had him for just over 6 months, I'm sorry, he's still a little curious puppy," she said as Cody sniffed around me.

"Don't worry, the best way to travel is when being mauled by an adorable puppy. I've always wanted one, but was never allowed," I replied, not taking my eyes off the cute bundle of fur in front of me.

The rest of the journey past was rather unremarkable, but it seemed to be so much quicker than usual, probably because I was preoccupied playing with Cody. As the train pulled into Paddington station I reluctantly released Cody and smiled at the woman, before getting up and grabbing her bag for her before collecting my own suitcase from the racks by the door. The train came to a stop, jolting the carriage somewhat, before the doors swung wide open and people queued in British fashion to disembark. The woman was ahead of me and smiled one last time in my direction as she got off and wandered down the platform to get on the tube, never for me to see again. Now on the platform I slowly began walking, my eyes on the ground, preoccupied with fishing in my pockets for my wallet so that I could retrieve my ticket. Suddenly I clattered into the back of someone, startling them as they fell unceremoniously forward a tad.

"Hey! Watch where you're going!" the young black haired woman barked angrily at me, frowning.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to... My apologies" I garbled, noticing the slightest hint of a smirk on the edges of her lips. Clearly she wasn't as mad as I first assumed.

"It's fine, I'm just messing with you, it's hardly end of the world if someone knocks you after all" she mocked.

"True, but it's polite to apologise even if it's not an egregious misdemeanour" I retorted. She smiled up at me and laughed as she began walking towards the ticket barriers, with me a step behind.

"You speak weirdly and you should relax more" flashing me a smile as she spoke. I couldn't help but admire how pretty she was at that point. She wouldn't pass for a model as she was too short, she couldn't have been more than 5ft 3, but her dimples were very attractive to me. Quickly passing through the ticket barriers we both moved together to get on the London underground.

"So, I assume that you are starting university too?" I questioned, basing my enquiry on the large bag she carried and the suitcase trailing behind.

As we made our way down the escalator she replied "yeah, I'm moving into UCL (University City of London) halls, I'm studying psychology. What about you?"

Author's Note: 'Halls' refers to Halls of residents the British equivalent of Dormitories

"I'm studying Mathematics there too as it happens, who knows we may even end up in the same flat (in halls)" I said, both of us stepping on to the tube for the Hammersmith and City line.

We continued to make small talk, she was clearly passionate about her studies and knew that she wanted to be clinical psychologist once she graduated. We talked about the different things we wanted to do in whilst in London. She was new to the area too but hadn't visited often, which struck me as odd given she lived in Kent, so I offered to show her around sometime, which she said she would take me up on. Conversation turned to which societies we would join, I wasn't particularly sure, wanting to meet people who I could casually talk about a wide berth of topics but I also wanted to maintain my mildly muscular physique, having spent a lot of last year transforming from my former skinny self by playing rugby and football (soccer), so would probably take up a sport. She wanted to join the theatre society, even though she claimed not to be very talented.

Conversation was easy and light-hearted, so much so that when we arrived at Great Portman Street, we almost forgot to get off! We hurried off the tube and on to the street, walking towards our accommodation. We signed in and were told our respective flat numbers. I was in 34 and she was in 19. Walking across the courtyard together I quickly realised that I had no idea what her name was.

"Oh by the way, I completely forgot to introduce myself, my name is James."

She smiled and said "I'm Emily, I hope to see you around" then she turned and walked into her block and out of sight. I smirked to myself, glad to have made a friend so easily and quickly. I made my way to my block and up two flights of stairs, unlocking the door to number 34. Wheeling my suitcase down the corridor I remarked there were another 5 separate rooms in the flat. I quickly entered my room and dumped my suitcase on the floor, before turning around and heading to the kitchen to get a glass of water as I was parched. I opened the door and stepped in, a little surprised to see three girls sat at the kitchen table, who had all turned to inspect their new flatmate.

End

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