50 DAYS TO CALIFORNIA

"You are going to love your new school, Caroline," my mom said while I was focused on going through my college's yearbook

"That is the fifth time you are saying that today mum, I know that I will love it." I groaned, rolling my eyes.

"I know, I know, I am just really worried about you"

"Worried about me?" I raised my brow in confusion as I closed the college's yearbook and focused solely on my mother

"It is just that we stay in California, and your college is here in Sydney, the distance is a little crazy don't you think? "

"This is my dream college mom, and I am 18 already you have to stop being so overprotective. .... It's just a few miles, I will be a fine mom"

"You are an adult now, you can take care of yourself " she inhaled deeply trying to convince herself that it is the right time to let me go. She thinks there is something wrong with leaving me to stay all alone in Australia, but there was nothing she could do to change my mind since I was already determined to study in Australia ever since 3rd grade.

"We are here " the driver announced as he slowly winded down the car tinted glass to show me my new college

"It looks far better than I imagined"I muttered, opening the door to the car with a smile on my face as I observed my new environment while the servant helped in bringing my stuff out of the car trunks.

Just like most of the kids in this college, I also came from a wealthy family, but I am only going to have a problem fitting in because I was a total social outcast. My overprotective mother didn't give me the chance to live the life of a normal teenage girl.

"Do you like your new school?" My mother asked as she placed her hand on my shoulders while I answered. "yes" with a bright smile on my face

"I am glad you do, how about we check out your new room together? "

"You don't have to go through the troubles mom, I am sure I can find my way from here" I desperately wanted to get rid of her so I can live my life in peace, but it seems that is not going to happen without a fight.

"I insist Coraline, come on let us go" I rolled my eyes and sighed before nodding my head and forcing a smile

"Sure, let us go"

My mother caught the attention of students in the hallway as everyone focused on us due to the bodyguards clothed in black suits and fancy butlers that surrounded us.

"Are these guards really necessary mom?" I tried my best to keep my head up despite the uncomfortable stares I was getting from everyone.

"What do you mean?"

"Everyone is staring at us, you are just a wealthy businesswoman mum, not the president or an important famous politician, we don't need these guards"

"No Coraline, of course, we do"

"Look mother, you might be comfortable with all these bodyguards and the attention, but I am not, it triggers my social anxiety," I said and my mother stopped, staring keenly at me she said "Okay fine, you all can go back to the car" The guards nodded and immediately disappeared. I let out a sigh of relief as I flashed a smile of approval at my mother

"Are you happy now?" She asked

"Thanks, mother" I answered as I led the way while she tried her best to keep up with my pace. We finally arrived at my new room while I reached for the doorknob to push it open, but my mum held me by the wrist preventing me from doing that

"you don't have to go through all the troubles my dear, let the servants do that"

"Mom please, I got this" I answered as I freed my wrist from her grip and pushed the door open myself. The room wasn't half as big as my room back home, but it was pretty comfortable and well furnished too

"how come I only see one bunk, I thought we were supposed to be two or three in a room"

"well I had them reserve a room for you, I figured you will need your privacy"

"that was not necessary mom, you just ruined my one shot at having friends"

" I didn't think of that, I will fix everything right now"

"You don't have to worry about that mom, now get going before you miss your flight "

"Sweetie, we have our jet remember?"

"Oh yeah, well get going before you miss anything "

"Alright, I get it, you don't want me here anymore....how about a hug before I leave?" She asked as she stretched her arms out while I smiled and moved closer to her for a tight hug

"I will miss you, baby," she said as she wiped her tears with the back of her hand

"I will miss you too mom"

"So I better get going before I miss something," she said sarcastically. I chuckled.

"Yeah, you should "

"Bye"

"Bye mom" I waved at my mother who finally left the room and closed the door behind her. I let out a sigh of relief as I was happy to finally get rid of her mother for a while. I Love her, but that woman has been the one controlling my every decision ever since I was born, this is the perfect opportunity to finally get away from that for a while.

CAROLINE

"Now what to do next?" I nibbled on my bottom lip looking around the bedroom thinking of something to do. I was slowly beginning to regret asking my mother to leave so early, and now I am all alone here. "Library should work" I muttered as I grabbed the school map, stared at it for a while before walking out of my room.

The library was better than expected, and it had a variety of books to choose from. I stared at students who gathered around a table having fun and talking about their favorite book, while I am here all alone with nobody to talk to. I felt way too much pity for myself as I stood on my feet and went to the bathroom to release the after-effects of all the liquid I had earlier. I bumped into a student on my way to the bathroom, but I immediately apologized and walked away without bothering to look at the face of the person I bumped into.

"You can do this Caroline, it is not that hard" I gave myself a little pep talk while staring at my reflection in the mirror "you can do th....." I was suddenly interrupted by a strange sound coming from one of the rooms in the big bathroom

"Hello" I called as I moved towards the direction of where the strange sound was coming from "is everything okay?" I asked as I slowly picked up the mop stick lying on the floor ready to wack anything that runs in my direction with it. "Hello" I called again hoping it is not a crawling creature because I have a huge phobia for them.

"Is anybody the....."

"Hey you dropped this" a voice said from behind which made me scream and throw the mop stick away as I turned to my back abruptly

"Are you okay?" A tall blonde girl asked while stretching a pink wallet towards me. I exhaled loudly happy it is just a pretty girl and not some disgusting animal.

"Ye...yea... yeah, I just heard some weird noises over there"

"Really?" The blonde girl looked behind me with a puzzled expression "I don't hear anything "

"Well, it stopped for some reason " I was sure of what I heard but a little confused the noise just suddenly stopped when she popped out of nowhere

"Must be in your head. You dropped this by the way "

"My wallet" I collected it from her "how did you. .."

"You bumped into me earlier and dropped it"

"Oh, I am so sorry about that, I didn't mean to "

"It is cool, everyone makes mistakes"

"Thanks for understanding " I smiled lightly at her before putting my wallet in my pocket

"You look familiar, Coraline Hathaway? "

"How did you..."

"From Houston High school, you were the smart and quiet kid in class"

"I think I know you too, you were the tech kid of the class, always coming up with crazy inventions"

"I must say I am honored that Coraline Hathaway knows me"

"Really why?"

"Well everyone thought you are weird cause you don't have any friends and you only talk when the teacher asks a question, but still everyone wanted to be friends with you cause you are pretty and smart, you were a big deal"

"Oh"

"I am cassie Evans by the way, first-year engineering "

"Me too! I am new here, the first day"

"Well if you need anything just call me, here is my number " she stretched a card towards me

"Sure"

"Well I gotta go, see you later"

"Yeah"

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(Following DAY)

"You are late," Cassie said as I

I sneaked into the classroom and sat down next to her trying to avoid being caught by the professor

"Oh hello cassie, had a hard time locating the classroom"

"Just give me a call next time, I will help"

"That's a great idea, Caroline said with a smile as she opened her book to write " Mind if I borrow your note later? I already missed half the class."

" Sure. " Cassie said. I had tried my best to keep my eyes open throughout the class as the lecturer was a little boring.

"You will get used to it trust me, he Is boring so try not to sleep," Cassie said, encouraging me who was so close to giving up and sleeping off like over half the students in the class

"it's not that easy you know, he is not helping the situation at all," I said. Cassie put her hands over her mouth, controlling her laughter.

" I am sure you wouldn't taking over and teaching the class instead, right miss Cassie?" the professor asked. Cassie sobered up, apologizing immediately. "I am sorry Profe....." She began saying when the sound of an explosion interrupted her. Half of the students who were sleeping suddenly woke up and looked around, panicking.

"What was that?" I asked, looking around.

"No need to panic everyone, I am sure it is nothing serious." the professor said. He looked calm though he was also scared.

Screams were heard from the hallway followed by growling noises. A shudder ran down my spine as my heart began pounding.

"What is going on out there?" Cassie asked while I shrugged. Then the strangest thing happened. Someone jumped into the classroom through a small window close to the professor and tackled him to the ground biting him in such a beastly way.

Horrified, the students screamed as they ran out of the class, pushing each other on their way out.

"What the f**k is going on?" Cassie asked again, even more panicky. Now scared, I began packing my things into my bag, running out of the classroom as well. The hallway wasn't any better as more students were attacking each other and eating each other alive. The strange act of cannibalism disgusted me as I suddenly felt nauseous.

"Don't just wait there guys, run!" A student screamed at us, running alongside other students. We all ran out of the college through the main exit and stopped confused about where to go next. Everywhere was filled with people who suddenly turned into cannibals and innocent students running around to escape from the attack of these cannibals. I immediately noticed that whoever got beaten by these psycho people also turns into a psycho and starts attacking innocent people too.

"Is this some kind of zombie apocalypse, what the heck is going on here?" Cassie asked as one of the Zombies ran towards me to attack me but was immediately stopped when a bullet went through its head.

A black van pulled over in front of them as one of my mother's bodyguards got out of the car and escorted me and some students into the van. He fired his gun at every zombie running towards the van before he got into the van, closed the door, and drove off…

"What the f**k is going on?" The student who had earlier screamed at them muttered, running her fingers through her hair as she brought out her inhaler.

"Why is everyone attacking each other, who is this guy and why did he help us?" Cassie asked, staring at the man who drove at a crazy speed.

"He is my mother's bodyguard Collins" I answered, " Why are you here Mr?"

"Well your mother told me to protect you in secret, and I just have to rush to help when all this started" he replied, his eyes focused on the road.

"Bold of me to assume my mother will let me live my life" I mumbled underneath my breath.

"you should be grateful, we would probably be eaten by now if he didn't come to our rescue," Cassie said, making me scoff.

"Mr. Collins drove out of the school's compound and into the city. It was a lot crazier in the city as there was fire everywhere and more of the Zombies attacking innocent citizens. Zombies ran after their van trying to catch it but Collins ran over some who got in the way.

" When I said I wanted adventure, this is not what I was talking about" I whispered to myself. Growling and snarling filled the air as the city was in chaos. Dead bodies filled the streets as humans feasted on one another. The students were more than terrified as they watched in horror.

" Is this happening everywhere?" The student with the inhaler asked.

" I have no idea.