Chapter two

Beast is studying psychology and Emerald English literature. Barf. I hate English. In high school I'd prefer to be run over by moving train than take an English course that wasn't compulsory.

And now I'm studying Pure and Applied Chemistry. Sigh. I should have applied English literature.

Oh well I'm I didn't and now I'm stuck calculating acids.

Ew. Okay you got me, I just hate education in general.

I went to my chemical structure and bonding class and after exchanging casual Hellos and His, I as usual took a seat in the middle of the class.

I saw my reflection in the window across from me and hated it. I have to apply makeup sometimes to cover the physical bruises but how does no one see the pain in my eyes. Not even my best friends. I mean they definitely know something is wrong but had never really gotten around to finding out. I really wish they knew cause it'd be easier than saying 'Attention Emerald and Beast. I am about to tell you my horrible life story so that you may pity me and give me money to run away with my sister.'

Yeah, not so good. Don't get me wrong. I don't want their money. Their sympathies maybe a tiny little bit of me wants it but call me prideful or whatever but I'm not a charity case.

My sister gets home today from their school trip. I hope she doesn't meet our step mother in a too foul mood cause she's always in a foul mood as long as it's my sister and I. Why won't she kick us out though, I have no idea but I'm grateful because we have a roof over our heads at least.

Sometimes I do think myself as Cinderella, wash the dishes, do the mopping, the sweeping, and don't forget the stripping.

Yes stripping. The nights I hate more than my mornings are spent in a stripping club. Thank to my step mother dearest of course.

I could be a waitress, cashier or even a bartender but no. I am a College student by day and stripper by night.

Sigh.

I am in severe hate with life.

Don't get me wrong I'm not suicidal or anything. I am not going out without proving to this woman that despite all her efforts I am a winner. I shan't fold. Not to mention, what would happen to my sister if I did.

The idea is sometimes tempting though. Until I met him.

Adrian Peterson, the new transfer student in my class who just walked in now. Tall, rich and egoistic and a bad influence, I nearly sighed out loud. The man of my dreams. In my 20 years of life I've never been in love, didn't even believe in it but this, this is it. Mrs Catherine Peterson, rolls right off the tongue, doesn't it? Or thoughts rather since no one knows of my love for him. Except of course Beast and Emerald. They think it's just a crush and he's a jerk who doesn't deserve my affections but they don't know him like I do. Since the first time I saw him slam the door on a lecturer I knew our first son's name was going to be Adrian junior. Yeah, he's an antisocial guy with anger issues but he has his reasons I'm sure.

The class ended and as I was walking out of the lecture hall, I was trying to get my vibrating cell phone out of my bag while walking and bumped into Adrian who seemed to have been distracted too.

He mumbled an apology and I couldn't help it. I giggled. Out loud.

He gave me a puzzled look and then left.

I am going to combust. Adrian looked at me. Our love was true after all.

"So?"

Emerald said trying to make sense of what I had just said.

"You don't get it. After we made body contact, he looked at me.” I tried to explain.

"Like I said, so?"

"So, now that he's noticed her,that is progress." Beast supplied helpfully.

One of the reasons Beast knew more secrets than Emerald was because of his positivity, not at all because of the fact that he agreed with me a lot. At all.

"The guy looked at her. Do you know how many guys have looked at me versus how many guys actually dated me?"

"Not sure about the former but pretty sure the latter is zero.” I smirked.

"Ya think."

"I know. And we are talking about my impending marriage here not your dating life, or lack thereof." I cooed.

"You're not getting married, least of all to a guy like that. And I will have you know that I have dated seven guys."

"That's seven relationships you were alone in." I said as Beast and I laughed and high fived.

"At least it wasn't in my head."

"Neither is Adrian. We are in love and are getting married. "

"Just like you were getting married to Paul and Ryan and Tom and John and -?"

"This is different. I can feel it."

"Just like you felt it with Brian and William and Andrew-?"

"Okay, okay, I get it."

I said and glared at Beast who was trying and failing to hide a grin.

We walked over to where Beast and Emerald parked their cars and as usual Emerald offered her a ride and as usual I declined.

"Is it the awful part of your life that you'll never let us talk about or just my driving that is scaring you."

"Like you said, we are not talking about it."

"Cathy..."

"My step mother's a bitch there's nothing to talk about."

I said trying to end the talk noticing how awkward Beast felt.

Another reason I like Beast? He minds his business. Until that day.

"You know Cathy I think its unfair how three of us solve mine and emerald's problem but all we get to hear are your crush stories which you probably use as an escape or coping mechanism. We are asking you cause we care."

I also think it's unfair how you both have perfect grades, perfect family, and mine is in the crapper. But I don't say anything.

"Okayyyyyy. We'll meet tomorrow I guess."

Emerald said and got into her BMW.