Chapter 9 - New Life

Joy POV 

As soon as I settled in my room, I asked Viv to hit a bar. She laughed at me, she explained that people here go to pubs and that they are excellent places to meet new people. We dressed up casually and walked a block to get to her favorite pub. 

Viv was like a celebrity there, everybody greeted her and it gave me the vibe of a big extended fun family. She explained that she is a regular customer there and that she loves their fish and chips. She has met some other regulars, and that is why she is like a fish in the water there. 

The people were super nice and the bartender was hot as hell. I could see Viv having a little crush on him. “Viv, he is hot…” I looked at her and moved my head towards the guy. She blushed furiously and I knew I´d got her. We giggled and then we continued with our conversation. Viv and I are more of the kinds of shy girls, while Jewel is super outgoing. If my sister was here, she would be pissed out drunk, dancing on top of the bar. 

Suddenly the lights dimmed and a guy came out to a little stage, with his guitar. The guy was amazingly handsome. He was tall, with sandy blonde hair, and green eyes. He was a more masculine version of Barbie´s Ken. 

I was mesmerized by his voice and his skill at playing the guitar, he was absolutely amazing. I couldn't blink away from him. After a good set of songs, he started singing “All of Me” by John Legend, one of my favorite songs and I was singing with all my heart. 

That song was the last one of his one-hour set at the bar. It was amazing, I turned around and headed toward the bar, where Viv was talking to the bartender, I was about to order something when the singer came and stood next to me. 

“I saw you from the stage…” He said near my ear, sending shivers all over me. I quickly turned and locked eyes with him. For a moment I got lost in his green eyes. 

Realizing that I was quite longer than expected, I cleared my throat. “I loved your last song. It is one of my absolute favorites.” I said trying to distract the attention from my awkwardness. 

He smiled at me and my heart melted. “Thanks beautiful.” He winked at me, and extending his hand he said “By the way I am Brian.” 

I smiled at him and took his hand in a handshake, I said: “I am Joy, Nice to meet you Brian.” He took my hand and after a proper handshake, he lingered there for a moment. 

“So you're new around, but you came with Viv.” He said and I nodded. “Yes I just moved in, Viv is my best friend, and now we are roomies,” I said making small talk. 

“Oh, so you are Viv´s bestie that comes from New York?” He asked and I nodded. “Well, Joy… I will be seeing you around. Hope you enjoy your time in London.” He said, taking a pint of beer and walking toward a table full of guys. 

Good Lord, he is awesome and I can't wait to meet him in a more personal way. If you believe in love at first sight, this would be it. 

We decided to go back to our place, tomorrow Viv will be back at Oxford and I will be going to the Royal Academy of Arts for the first time. 

I woke up early and got ready to take the tub and get to school. Viv instructed me on how to move around and as always we were in contact through our phones. It was exciting this kind of freedom, and I could clearly see why Jewel wanted to take her way separate from me. 

The place was everything I thought it would be. The artistic energy surrounded me in an instant and I felt at home. I walked in, and started searching for the room I should go to for my first introductory lesson. But I was completely lost. I knew that there should be an area for plastic arts, but I could only hear music. 

I saw my schedule and I walked inside a room with the number 405. I entered and the door shut behind me. Suddenly I realized that the music had stopped and I saw a pair of green eyes staring at me. 

Is that Brian? s**t, I was not expecting to see him here. I thought he was just an aspiring musician, trying to make it big in the industry, but never expected him to actually study in a prestigious academy, such as this. 

“Joy… Hi.” He stood up from his chair and my smile beamed on my face. I couldn't believe he remembered me from last night. 

“I am sorry, Brian. I just got lost. My schedule said room 405, but maybe there is more than one 405 around.” I said showing him the paper of my schedule. 

“Oh darling, yes you are lost. This is the music department, you should go to the art department…” He handed me back my schedule and I was about to walk away when he said “Let me walk you.” 

He walked with me and by the time I arrived at the correct room, we were completely comfortable with each other. “So there you go…” He said and I nodded. 

“Thanks… I guess I'll see you around?” I shyly asked and he nodded. “Of course, I will see you tonight.” He winked and waved goodbye my way. I couldn't help but feel my breath hitch. 

Mike POV 

To say that it didn't hurt to know that Jewel was asking me to keep my distance is an understatement. I know I have been an asshole to her and I know that I shouldn't pursue my feelings for her, but I find it inevitable. 

I have a girlfriend, Camila Livingston. We met in our first year and we hit it off. I do care for her and up until a few days ago, I was certain that she held my heart. We have been together for almost 3 and a half years, and we have talked about our future. 

She calls herself my fiance, although we have only talked about it. I haven't even bought a ring to go with the word. We have had our ups and downs, she is super independent and we have our alone time, but she is also adamant about living her university years to the fullest, so it is not uncommon to see her hanging around her friends, while I do my own s**t. 

We have been sexually involved forever and she is my comfort zone. I know she comes from a wealthy family and I feel confident that she loves me for me, not for my status and money. I think that maybe by Thanksgiving, I could propose at the mandatory Thanksgiving dinner my parent's host every year. 

As for what Jewel asked of me, I need to man up and comply with her request. It is going to be hard because I feel drawn to her like a metal piece to a magnet, but I guess it is for the best. 

Camila POV 

Since we started this school year I feel Mike is being distant. I haven't heard any rumor about him cheating on me, so I know it has to be something else. 

I, on the other hand, can´t say I am completely faithful. Mike Astor is a great guy, handsome, and everything a girl can dream of, but he is not my type at all. I love bad boys, rebels, strong-tempered and sexy tattooed bodies. 

So about a year ago, I met this guy that is my dream come true, and we hit it off instantly. So much that I pretended to hang out with my friends in order to have passionate meetings with Aaron. 

I am struggling with the idea of complying and marrying Mike, but as my father says, it is a small sacrifice that I have to do to save my family. You see, my dad is well known for his oil business, but lately, bad investments and other bad financial decisions jeopardized my family´s position. We need money and a lot of it to rescue our already bad financial situation.

Mike believes we are still loaded and I need it to be that way, we have talked about commiting and marrying each other, so to put some pressure on him, I call him my fiance, although it is nothing official. Let´s just hope he proposes and I can make my way to his money soon.