Chapter 1 - New beginnings

Ava dropped onto the couch as she wiped a few beads of sweat from her forehead.

“I thought moving in would be way more fun than this,” she said to herself as she glanced around at the various boxes and clothes scattered in the room. It was a hot Saturday, and the AC in the dorm was not cutting it for the short brunette. Ava let herself sink into the cheap pleather couch as she took her much needed break after 20 minutes of mostly focused work. Ava wasn’t lazy exactly, but she has never been fond of anything that makes her sweat. Despite this, her competitive nature has always overtaken her hate for physical labor.

She glanced at her watch. “Ugh, 9:24. My roommate will be here in a little over thirty minutes, and I have barely made any progress.” She heaved herself off the couch with the little motivation she could muster. She winced as her slim thighs ripped from the plastic-ish cushion then made her way to her side of the room. She caught a glimpse of herself in the flimsy mirror she hung on the door to the shared bedroom. Her long hair was loosely tied into a knot her head with several wavey strands messily framing her round face. Ava chose to wear a loose t-shirt and gym shorts to help her stay cool, but now she felt she looked a mess. Even with a large shirt you could tell Ava carried most of her weight in her breasts. Ava wasn’t a chubby girl, but she could never get the body she always longed for. No diet or work-out plan ever made her lose the extra cushion she had on her abdomen. Thankfully her larger breasts often made her waist seem smaller, and she knew she had killer legs. Ava decided she needed to change out of her work clothes before her new roommate arrived. She wanted to make a good first impression as a college freshman and she only had one chance. Ava quickly put away her clothes and made her bed, saving the décor for when she could consult her new roommate.

“9:48. Ok, I can change quickly.” Ava chose a pair of dark blue cut off denim short that showed off her smooth legs and a solid black fitted tank. She glanced in the mirror, her bright green eyes staring back at her.

“I have got to lose this pudge,” she thought as she pinched her waist. She was 5’2 and 115 pounds. She was not overweight by any measurement and stunning to most, but she always kept a close eye on her diet so it frustrated her that this was the best she could do. Just as she began to focus her attention on putting together her desk she her loud bang and, “Anyone here?!” Ava peaked around the corner to see a gorgeous red-headed girl she assumed to be her new roommate.

“Eee! Hi! I am Hadley! You’re Ava, right?” The girl was warm and bubbly, the type that immediately made you smile and feel like you are best friends. Her eyes were a deep blue and her face freckled like a true ginger. She was quite a bit taller than Ava and very slim but with a bit of an hourglass figure. Even though Hadley was much taller than Ava she felt so small when she went in for a hug.

“Yeah, welcome to your dorm, haha. Well, I guess our dorm. Sorry if I am sweaty, I’ve been trying to make things presentable,” Ava said nervously. Hadley was wearing baggy denim shorts with a white cropped tank. Ava was happy she had changed before. Hadley was followed by her dad who introduced himself and quickly began setting up her room as Hadley happily directed him without lifting a finger of her own. Before she knew it Hadley’s side of the room was complete, and she was relaxed on her bed with her phone.

“So, Ava, do you wanna explore campus a little bit? Maybe go grab some lunch?”

Ava wasn’t too hungry with it only being 11:30, but she thought it was a good idea to spend some time with the person she would be living with.

“Sure! I am tired of messing with the stuff anyway.”

The two girls hopped up and began making their way out of the dorm. Hadley was very much the extroverted type. She said hi to just about every person they passed while Ava mostly avoided eye contact. She didn’t know how Hadley was so confident in such a new place. She was gorgeous of course but it seemed like she had been going to this school for years not moving in on her first day.

“So, you’re a freshman right?” Ava asked trying to keep up with energetic 5’9 ginger.

“Uh, haha, yeah? We are in the freshman dorm together.”

“You just seem so comfortable here. Like everyone knows you.. or should know you if they don’t,” Ava felt small saying this but she could see Hadley’s eyes light up.

“Well they should,” Hadley winked at Ava and kept walking. “I really just want to have a good time while I am here. Don’t you?”

“Of course. I am just still warming up to it all.” Ava has always been a go-with-the-flow type. She got the grades and played the sports her parents expected her to in high school. They basically picked out this school for her, but now is a fresh start. She was excited to see how living with Hadley would help her come out of her shell a bit.

“Mmm do you smell that? I didn’t realize how hungry I was!” Hadley’s pace quickened as she hungrily approached the cafeteria. She was right. It did smell way too good to be a college cafeteria. Ava wasn’t even hungry, and she felt her mouth start salivating. As they walked into the large cafeteria, she saw plates piled high with various foods. Ava approached cautiously. She was fairly strict on what she ate mostly because she despised exercise. She would go for a jog occasionally but only enough to keep the extra inches at bay. Hadley, despite her small frame had ravenous eyes. She quickly swiped her card into the buffet area and began grabbing a double cheeseburger with a sizable portion of fries.

“Oh, I know I must look like a pig, but I swear I can eat just about anything and not gain a thing. Honestly, I wish I could fill out my frame a bit,” Hadley said as she topped her plate with a few mozzarella sticks. Hadley was barely 120lbs and with her height, she looked a bit too thin. Ava looked at Hadley’s plate with envy as she made her way to a small, seemingly forgotten salad bar. She filled her plate up adding some bacon and chicken tenders to try to satisfy her craving. When she found Hadley and sat down, Hadley had already blown through half the meal.

“Wow that’s quite an appetite for someone so small,” said a low voice behind Ava. She spun around quickly to see tall, dark-haired boy staring at her friend. “You must not be afraid of the freshman fifteen like your friend here.” Ava’s face turned hot with embarrassment.

“I welcome the freshman fifteen!” Hadley proudly proclaimed finishing off the last bite of her burger. Ava stayed quiet hoping no one could see the embarrassment on her face.

“Oh, come on, Shorty, you gotta have thicker skin than that. I am just messing with you,” he said noticing Ava’s obviously red face while smacking her shoulder with a strong hand. “My names David.” The boy, a senior, sat down with the two, He set down a small salad and a burger. Ava couldn’t help but stare at him. He seemed like something out of a magazine. “I know you two don’t realize this, but you’re sitting at the athletes’ table. I know ‘so high school’ but it’s the one closest to food, and we are hungry after practice.”

“Is this an invitation to leave or stay then?” Ava said trying to sound more confident than she was feeling.

“You are welcome to do what you want, Shorty,” he said playfully making Ava blush again.

“My name’s Hadley and this is Ava. We are roommates and just met to be honest. What’s your major, David?”

“Electrical engineering, senior. You?”

“Oh, you’re one of those athletic nerds. Business for me. Maybe accounting? I don’t know yet. I’ll be back,” Hadley said leaving for dessert.

“And what about you, Shorty? What is your major?” Ava felt his eyes lock with hers. She couldn’t tell if he was just messing with her or trying to flirt. Either way his brown eyes took her breath away somehow.

“I- uh, English.”

“You don’t say much, huh. You might need to help your friend out. Looks like she was serious about the freshman fifteen.” Ava turned to see what David was eyeing behind her. Hadley was briskly walking toward the table with a tray full of desserts.

“I see your faces. Hush! I wanted to try them all! Please take some I don’t think I could possible finish this.” David caught Ava nervously eyeing a large slice of caramel pecan cheesecake. David pushed the heavy slice her way while grabbing a cookie of his own. Ava took a bite and melted into the flavors. She quickly made her way through half the slice before noticing her pace and slowing down. David suddenly felt the denim of his jeans grow tighter as he became aroused. He could tell this girl had a serious appetite she was suppressing and probably for a reason. Hadley could eat sure, but Ava might be more fun to spend time with.

After some light chit-chat and the massive tray of desserts later everyone stood from the table. Hadley despite eating enough for a grown man barely looked like she had eaten a thing. Ava on the other hand felt the large slice of cheesecake and uncertain number of brownies heavy on her stomach. She wasn’t used to allowing herself any sweets.

David’s tall frame turned toward Ava locking eyes again, “Do you guys wanna come to a party tonight? There’s one just off campus. I can text you the address.” Hadley quickly chimed in, “Oh my gosh! YES! Here is my number,” she grabbed the boy’s phone and put in before he could say a thing. He had to admit he loved her confidence.

“Sounds good I will see you both there.” As he walked away Ava finally got a full view of the senior’s athletic frame. He was muscular but lean making him slightly less intimidating. Still, tight t-shirt showed of his well-defined back. His brown curly hair was a little unruly but in a way that made her wonder if he styled it that way.

“Can you believe it?! We got invited to a party! Ava, girl, he was so into you.”

“What? No? I think he was messing with me,” Ava said smiling.

“Mmm hmm ok. Well, we need to figure out what we are gonna wear tonight cause this is our chance to impress. And your chance to get with a hot senior.”

Ava half paid attention to Hadley. She never had a boy so attractive flirt with her. It made her excited for what college might have in store for her. For now though, she needed a nap.