Unforeseen Echoes: A Love Tested by Secrets and Second Chances

Chapter 6

Though I couldn't tell if he was kidding, there was a clear look of amusement in his eyes.

"Plus, you're attractive," he said.

"What?" I blinked.

When he opened the door and ushered me out of the classroom and into the hallway, the frown had subsided. "Don't pretend that you are unaware of your beauty. If this is true, I'm going to lose all hope for humanity. You don't want to take accountability for it.

"It's not what I meant—I know I'm pretty." I sounded so vapid, ugh. I gave a headshake. "I don't believe I'm ugly." That is the reason for—

Alright. We've addressed that now. He pulled on my backpack and guided me to the stairway. Keep an eye on the door. It might be challenging.

I didn't pay attention to that. "What is the relevance of the entire attractive remark?"

"You questioned my kindness towards you. It is advantageous to both parties.

As it dawned on me, I came to a stop on the staircase above him. "Do you think I'm pretty because you're nice to me?"

Additionally, your dark eyes. I have a thing for large, brown eyes. He chuckled. "I'm a boy who is quite shallow. Hey, your beauty does help. It makes me feel like a great guy. makes me want to give you some of my cookies.

I fixed my gaze on him. "So you wouldn't be nice to me if I was ugly?" Cam turned around to face me. He was taller than me, even a whole step below. "Even if you were ugly, I would still be nice to you."

"All right."

A malevolent smile crept across his wide mouth. With a lowered head, he muttered, "I just wouldn't offer you any cookies."

I crossed my arms and made an effort to ignore how close our faces were. "I'm starting to believe that cookies is a code word for something different."

"Perhaps it is." He took a confident stride back, causing me to take another step while he tugged on my bag once again. And simply consider it. Whatever meaning cookie holds in code, sweetie, it's been in your mouth.

That bothered a small portion of me and, well, the other part? I let out a rather raspy laugh that surged up my throat. "You truly are..."

"Fantastic? Fantastic? He hesitated, furrowed brows. "Surprising?"

"I had planned to go with weird."

"Well, what a hell, what if I felt like I might get hurt?"

I smiled as we relaxed into a lighthearted conversation. "I suppose it's fortunate for you to be emotionless then, huh?"

"I guess so." After taking a few more steps, he came to a stop on the landing. "You're going to be late for your next class, so you better move quickly."

Oh my god! He was accurate.

I charged down the steps, and Cam chuckled at my wide eyes and moved aside. "I would be happy if you moved that quickly for my cookies, damn you."

"Cease talking!" As I reached the next set of steps, I threw myself over my shoulder.

He shouted after me, "Hey!" "Are you not curious as to what cookies is code for?"

"No! Oh my god, no!

He laughed, and I heard it all the way to my next class in the hallway.

Olivia replied, "Your flat is really nice," as she sat on my couch. On her lap rested an open, unread history text. "I wish I could live somewhere other than a dorm. When she sleeps, my flatmate snores like a banshee.

I was unaware of how Olivia and Miller had gotten into my flat after class, so I kept moving back and forth between the TV and the coffee table. We had discussed getting together and swapping historical notes over lunch, and suddenly my location was offered up. I firmly believe Miller came up with the concept, and because they were both here, we were hardly studying at all.

Fearful vitality soared through me akin to a hummingbird. I hadn't had anybody in my space in such a long time. Only my maid and family members visited my bedroom when I got home. I had been treated like a complete outsider not only in my town and at school, but also in my own home. But everyone, especially the studio females, congregated at my place before that Halloween bash. Back then, I was still dancing and everyone was still talking to me. Things had been routine up until that party.

Uneasy, I twiddled my bracelet. Because it was familiar and felt like the past, I enjoyed them here. Although it was what college students did, it seemed so... strange to me.

Miller reappeared in my kitchen with a bag of chips. "Set the flat aside. Do not misunderstand me. Although the flat is wonderful, I'd like to know more about Cam's cookies.

I got a chip out of the sack. "I shouldn't have disclosed that conversation to you."

He answered with a full mouth, "Whatever."

Olivia chuckled. "I have to know what cookies are slang for, please."

Miller sat down on the couch's arm and said, "Probably his cock."

I exclaimed, eating a handful of chips, "Oh my God." For where this conversation was going, I needed the fortitude in calories.

Olivia gave a nod. That makes sense now. The entire "don't share cookies with ugly girls" thing, that is.

I put a chip in my mouth and added, "I don't think he really meant that." Let's go back to our historical notes now.

"Ignore the past. Returning to Cam's c**k. stated Miller. "You know what, that means his c**k was in your mouth if cookies is a code word for cock."

My face burned as I choked on the chip and reached for my drink can, taking a sip of the liquid.

Miller said, beaming like a complete jerk, "That is theoretically speaking." He leaped to his feet. "Emily, I have no idea how you manage it. I would be glued to his front door from midday till midnight if I lived across the hall from him. And I would eat his cookies whole. Yum.

I shook my head, waving a hand in front of my face. "You're welcome to his cookies."

"Oh, honey, I would be all over that in a heartbeat if he swung batter-batter for my team."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "That was a big surprise."

"I don't understand why you aren't obsessed with his cookies,"

Olivia shook her head and remarked, "I don't think cookies mean c**k," as I opened my mouth to speak. Given that it's plural and everything, I believe it might refer to his balls.

Miller started laughing aloud. That implies that, in theory, his balls were in your mouth! That's some filthy baking, wow.

I stared at the two in shock. Was this a normal exchange of words? "Oh my god, I'll never be able to eat cookies again if we don't stop talking about his c**k and balls. as always.”

Not at all. Really? Why aren't you all aware of that? Like an adult cat, Miller clambered onto the back of the couch. "He's clearly making out with you."

"So," I answered, thinking that maybe I wouldn't die if I ate another chip.

Miller was in shock. "So?"

With a loud bang, Olivia closed the history book and let it fall to the ground. I guess that studying was fully abandoned. "Miller is in his mid-thirties and has no idea why you wouldn't want to ride the town bike. He's like a s*x-starved woman."

When I looked at Miller, he simply shrugged and remarked, "Very true."

Even I find it difficult to comprehend that. "Ethan has a great appearance," Olivia added. "And he should treat them well because I have never heard any girls talk bad things about him."

I collapsed into the black moon chair next to the TV, not knowing what to say. It was a big fat no-no to explain to them why it was all happening. "I'm not sure. Simply said, I'm not interested.

"Are your ovaries visible?" Miller enquired.

I gave him a quick glance. "Yes."

He moved to sit next to Olivia by sliding down the back of the couch. "So how do you not find this interesting?"

I shoved the remaining chips into my mouth and tried not to sound like a cold-blooded prude in reply. But wasn't I a complete and utter prude? or, depending on whom you questioned, diseased. In any case, even though I was intrigued by the concept of c***s and balls, I got shivers just thinking about actually having a close, intimate encounter with them.

And now I was perspiring. My stomach was starting to turn sour from the chips. Later, I would be breaking out the Tums. The email from last night was the first thing that instantly came to mind.

Lies.

I shook my head and wiped my hands over my jeans. "I simply don't want to be in a relationship."

Miller chuckled. We're not claiming, you know, that Cam is either. The desire for a romantic relationship is not necessary for a small bow-chicka-bow-wow.

Olivia gave him a slow glance. "Were you serious when you said that?"

"Yes, I did. And I was the owner of it. I'm going to have a shirt made that says that. Miller gave a quick smile. "Anyway, I'm just saying that this is a chance you might not want to miss."

That never even occurred to me. "Why are we even having this conversation? He lives down the hall from us and we are in the same class.

Olivia continued, "And you're partners for the remainder of the semester." "Going outside at night and stargazing is kind of romantic."

My stomach became constricted. It's not sentimental. There is nothing romantic about it.

She ran her fingers over her short locks of blonde hair, raising her eyebrows. "Hey, Debbie Downer, hello."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm just stating that I don't know him," He is unfamiliar with me. He's just a flirt, too. He's the town bike, as you have stated. Probably simply the way he is. He's a pleasant and amiable man. That's it. Can we now put it out of our minds?

Miller responded, "Yeah, you bitches be boring me to tears," and Olivia gave him a tongue-out. I winced, thinking it had to hurt, as light glinted off the bolt. "Plus, these chips need some salsa on them."

I yelled, "In the bottom cupboard," but he had already entered the kitchen halfway through and the doors were slamming and opening.

To my relief, the conversation strayed from me and the nonexistent thing that was going on with Cam. We briefly opened our history books as the hours went by and I started to feel more at ease with them here. They gathered their belongings and made their way to the door as it became close to nine o'clock.

Olivia came to a stop and lunged forward. She kissed me on the cheek and gave me a short embrace before I could get ready. I was kind of shell shocked as I stood there. She grinned. "Friday night, there's a large party at one of the fraternities. You ought to accompany me.

I recalled that Cam had mentioned he was busy on Friday, and that it was probably because he enjoyed partying. I gave a headshake. "I'm not sure."

Miller responded, "Don't be antisocial," and he opened the door. "We're fun folks to hang out with."

I chuckled. "I am aware. I'll give it some thought.

"All right." Olivia's fingers twitched. "I'll see you later."

Miller moved his hips and wiggled his ass while pointing at Cam's door outside in the hallway. I bit my lip to contain my laughter. It continued until Olivia grabbed his polo shirt collar and pulled him down the steps.

I closed the door and locked it, grinning. I was able to tidy up and get ready for bed rather quickly. I was not sleepy, so the whole bed thing was useless. Instead, I watched episodes of Ghost Hunters until I became convinced that there was a poltergeist in my bathroom since I was avoiding the laptop and my email. I rose up, turned off the TV, and did something I detested.