Chapter Eight
1922 Words
Nuclear Fusions II
“I can suggest you a book I used as a reference before if you like.”
My eyes lit up. How lucky I am, really. Help with essay and with a guy. The odds may be against me graduating with no failed remarks, but no way it’s going against me getting the boys.
I flashed him a sweet smile. The type I knew boys would immediately fall for, hopefully it would work with him too. “That’d be really helpful, thank you.”
“Here.” He started walking further into the aisle of shelves, scanning from left to right. He looked like he was familiar with the library, so I’m guessing he’s one of the smart ones who actually read and process everything in their heads. He must be a senior. I’m not even being polite but I mean, it’s a guy, there’s no age barriers here.
We stopped and he started scanning through the many books. He tapped the edge of the book before he pulled it out. He walked back to me and handed me it with that obvious confident look.
“This is also a nuclear fusion book, but from a different author. This book had the concepts you need in order to answer and finish the essay. I should know, I’ve done it before. It’s a better choice for you requirement, but if you still insist on having this—”
“This is really good.” I cut him off. I wasn’t really in the best mood to hear him talk about his precious books. I’m in it for the flirting, and to finish this goddamn essay. “I appreciate you helping me out. I was actually worried that they might have gotten all the books we need in order to answer the questions, so thanks.”
He nodded and smiled. “Are you from the Science Department?”
I shook my head, looking at the book he just gave me. “Engineering, actually.” I answered looking back up to him with my best of the best smile. This is the least I can do, so he can take the hint and give me his name now before I go do my stupid essay. I owe him, after all.
“Tristan Reed,”
Tristan Reed.
If I didn’t meet him in a library, I’d think he was a bad boy. The name just sounds like he could be a part of a gang or something. I guess the name just gives me that vibe out of instinct.
Tristan Reed.
He extended his arms towards me for a handshake while saying, “Year 5 from the Science Department.”
My mouth fell open. Year 5? Jesus. I knew he was older than me but I didn’t think he would be that older than me. I bowed in guilt, but honestly, I just wanted to look cute, who am I kidding. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful awhile back.”
He’s quite cute and he’s smart. Smart is the new sexy after all. I don’t sense him as a challenge, but maybe… just maybe, I could work my way with him. It’s always the smart ones that’s hard to deal with.
I heard him chuckle.
“It’s okay. You don’t need to be so formal with me. People often mistake me as a freshman.” Freshman? I almost smirked in disbelief, but I managed to keep it cool. He knows he’s good-looking. Okay, he’s confident. That somehow turns me on, and I like it.
“Achelois Bartel. Just Lois is fine.”
He smiled. “Well, I have to go. I just came to grab this book for my professor so, I’ll see you around, Ms. Achelois Bartel.” He started walking away, but then he turned his head back to me to say more. “Let me know how it goes after.” Although, I was sure he just wanted a second look of my face so he remembers it well.
I waved at him charmingly.
When he was gone, I rested my hands over my waist, thinking of what to do next with the book he suggested for me. The only thing I’m good with now are boys, I’m not even surprised. Now I have to find the motivation to finish the essay. Would be easier if I managed to convince Tristan to stay and help me with it, but I couldn’t risk moving too fast or I’ll miss my chance. Although, he did seem like the type of guy who wouldn’t be able to say no. Maybe I had a fifty-fifty chance if I asked him to stay.
There’s no point going on about it now. The man’s already gone. I guess I’ll just have to shoot my shot next time I see him. And if I still remember.
I joined the rest of the group in a table. Some were already starting, and I was just coming back from flirting with a random guy and just starting. I sighed and took a vacant seat, unsure how to start this freaking write-up.
Tristan was right when he said I can get my answers from this book very directly. I’m glad I bumped into him accidentally. I get to finish my work efficiently, and I get to meet a new guy. That’s hitting two birds with a stone. The odds really do be messing with my classes but not my fate with them gorgeous men.
I sat by my chair after turning in my essay at the front desk. I was about to leave when my phone suddenly rang, so I pulled it out of my pocket and saw an unknown number ringing. I creased my brows, but I answered it anyway knowing fully well that I wasn’t being cautious about it. I mean, I kind of got used to it, receiving calls from unknown numbers. Partly because I knew they could be guys’ numbers that I don’t ever save in my contacts. I landed my hands over the teacher’s table, leaning my weight over my arms.
“Lois Bartel,”
Who the hell?
“Hey!” I prolonged my greeting trying to think of a name I can remember, but only Tristan was on my head right now. Probably because he’s the most recent one I’ve encountered. “Uhm…” I bit my lips, thinking really hard.
“Harry.”
“Harry, hey!” I repeated my greeting, hoping he wouldn’t realize I couldn’t remember his name, let alone his face. “How are you? I missed you, baby. You haven’t called.” What am I talking about? I don’t even remember him or whatever we did or when he last called.
“Yeah, I miss you too, but Yena’s keeping an eye on me these days. I can’t go anywhere without her. The dorm’s the only place I can be free from her suffocation.”
I raised a brow, grinning at the thought of wanting to do something rebellious. “I can sneak in your dorm room at night? So she won’t see?”
“That’s too—”
“Okay, I get it.” I rolled my eyes. “You don’t have to say it’s dangerous as an excuse of you not wanting to see me. I get it. You don’t want to be with me. You’re tired of me.” I sighed, checking my perfectly cut nails. I was being dramatic, that’s for sure. I don’t feel anything about it though. I wasn’t even planning to do whatever I just suggested anyway.
“Th-That’s—”
I cluck my tongue. “What do you really want then?”
“I-I want to see you.”
“I want to see you too, but you know the circumstances.” Knock! Knock! I turned to the door, frowning and I almost choked when I saw Snoopy waving at my direction. “I’ll call you back, okay? Focus on your girlfriend for now, distract her or something, and I promise we’ll meet soon. Bye.” I hurriedly whispered over the phone and jumped off the platform, staring at him in surprise.
“I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.” He said making me shake my head.
“What brings you here, Snoopy? I think you might have went to the wrong department. Weren’t you under the same department as Andy? That’s like miles away from where you are right now.” I chuckled. “I even get parched from walking that much distance every time I go there for History class and come back here for the rest of my classes.”
He bobbed his head, chuckling. “It is tiring,”
“So? What are you here for?” I mean, let’s face it. I already know he’s here for me. That look just gives it all off. The effort of coming here, my classroom for the period, that ain’t coincidence. He can’t tell me he was just passing by because I’ll just call it bullshit. “Your eyes are starting to sparkle, by the way! Seeing you so down like that is just a terrible first impression I have of you so I can’t help but point it out.”
He looked hesitant to say anything but he spoke anyway. “I actually came to see you.”
Not surprised but okay. Let’s sound surprised and not interested to keep this dynamic going. I crossed my arms. “Are you here to pay me back for the food I treated you before? Because I really don’t mind.”
He laughed. He liked being playful. The way he reacts to everything I say playfully tells me he likes them otherwise, he wouldn’t laugh like this. Snoopy’s a very easy person to read. He doesn’t like it when you’re just talking about yourself without engaging him. “Sort of but better?”
Better? I frowned trying to figure out what this is about. Maybe it’s soccer. He seemed to really like me talking to him about Man City and their games before back at the mall. “Could it be…”
At that, he brought his hand up, holding two seemingly familiar tickets. “I have tickers for a local soccer game!” Local? That’s so anticlimactic. “It’s not Man City, but I figured you still enjoyed watching soccer games so I just bought them. You just reminded me of it when I saw someone selling it.”
I grabbed the tickets from him excitedly though I wasn’t really excited. I mean, soccer game, cool but not Man City is just… meh. “Are you kidding me? This is sweet!” The duality of my brain and how I speak is just great. Fantastic.
“You can go with Aiden with those tickets if you—”
“No way! You bought these! It’s only fair I go watch it with you, don’t you think?”
He immediately flashed a smile. “I’d be more than willing to join you.”
I guess having Jett as a friend, occasionally, isn’t as bad as I thought. I earned a fair amount of boys that I’m friends with that liked me after being friendly with them, and I won’t be surprised if he’s about to be a part of that list. They’re all cool in their own ways, but I’m not close to them as I am with Aiden.
Aiden’s just – well – a different story.
- Writer
