After a long day of classes, Victoria was finally going to have dinner. She was at the dining hall, which connected three dorm houses, looking for a place to sit when she heard a familiar voice.

“Hey Vicky!” She saw Emily waving at her. “Come sit with us!”

Victoria smiled and walked towards the table. She was sitting with another girl and two boys that also looked older than her.

“People never called me Vicky.” Was the first thing she said when she got to their table.

“Oh you don’t like it?” Emily asked. “I can…”

“No that’s fine. I love it actually, it’s just that I’m not used to it.” She smiled and sat next to her.

“Oh you’ll get used to it.” The girl that was in front of her laughed. “Em always has a nickname for everyone.” She stuck her tongue out for Emily. “I’m Amanda by the way. You can call me Mandy.”

“This is Michael and Christopher.” Emily continued the introductions.

“Mike and Chris, right?” Victoria said, making everyone laugh.

“So freshman, what are you taking?” Mandy asked after a few seconds of silence.
Victoria cleaned her mouth with the napkin. “Film and media studies, I always wanted to be a film producer. How about you?”

“Communication studies, we are in the same class.” She pointed towards Emily.

“We’re taking Anthropology.” Chris added.

“I can give you a tour of the campus if you want to.” Emily offered as they exited the dining hall. “That way you won’t get lost anymore.” Both laughed.

“I’d love to.” Victoria smiled. “How about tomorrow at lunch?”

“It’s a deal. I’ll meet you here then.”

Victoria said goodbye and walked outside, feeling the soft breeze on her face once she opened the door. It was not quite night yet, but dusk had already settled in. She searched for her cell phone inside her purse, unaware of the presence of the dark haired man, leaning against the brick wall and taking long drags of his cigarette. His emerald eyes analyzed every move she made, his mouth slowly forming clouds of smoke. He started to walk in her direction, but suddenly her phone rang. His muscles tensed up and he resumed his place, lighting up another cigarette while watched her taking the call and walking away from him.

His cell phone started to ring a few minutes later.
“Hello?” He answered in a dry voice.

“Mr. Baker, where were you all day? I tried to call you several times! I only allowed you to take the day off yesterday, not today! We needed you here.” A man in a harsh tone spoke on the other side of the line.

“I know that.” He gave the smallest hint of a smile. “You won’t need me anymore. I quit.” He hung up immediately.

***

The next morning Victoria woke up and got ready to go to classes, leaving the bedroom with her roommate still asleep. She shook her head and smiled while she closed the door. Her roommate was a real party girl.

Soon came lunch time and Victoria was already waiting for Emily. She got up once she saw her at the entrance, leaving her coat and her purse on the chair.
Sitting on the table behind her, the green-eyed man glanced back and took the chance to get up. He calmly looked around, examining all the strange faces, his tattooed hand then slipping inside Victoria’s purse.
He walked by them as he exited the dining hall, his head down but his piercing eyes following them as they sat at their table, a smirk plastered on his face.

It was only a matter of minutes until Victoria noticed that her wallet was missing, her heart skipping a beat and blood rushing to her face.

“What’s wrong?” Emily asked.

“I think I lost my wallet.” She answered apprehensively. “I had it here, I know it.” She kept on searching inside her purse.

“Maybe you forgot it in your dorm.” Emily suggested.

“No, I didn’t. I’m sure I…” Victoria’s words were cut off by a male voice. “Are you looking for this?” Both girls looked up, seeing a man holding her wallet right in front of them. He extended his tattooed arm towards Victoria. “I found it at the entrance.” His smile was reassuring.

“Thanks.” She said shyly, taking the wallet from his hand. He kept on staring at her intently.

“It’s always a pleasure. My name’s Zacky.”
He wasn’t even paying attention to Emily’s presence. Victoria's sweet chocolate eyes were everything he was focused on, her pale skin looking even more perfect from a closer view.

“I’m Victoria.” She blushed slightly.

“It’s a beautiful name, it suits you perfectly.”