Opposite Attract

Chapter 4: Chaotic Collision

Noah's pov

"Dude, I already told you, I'm not joining the frat this year." I squeezed my phone firmly against my ear, my fury growing as I pushed through the science building's doors. Josh just refused to let this go.

"Come on, don't be an i***t," he insisted. "Your father was president back in the day. "It's tradition!"

I rolled my eyes as I moved along the congested hall. "Yeah, well, maybe I'm tired of doing stuff just because it's what he wants."

Joshua sneered. "So what?" Are you going to toss away all of those alumni connections? That lovely rent-free accommodation? Get real, Noah. We're talking about your future.

"I don't know what I want my future to be," I said. "That's kind of the entire darn thing. Maybe I should forge my own route for once."

Josh resumed blabbing about legacy, devotion, or something. I ignored him, shouldering past a crowd of laughing females who grinned and muttered as I passed. Normally, I would cheerfully stop and speak, but right now, all I wanted was for this ridiculous call to finish.

Why was the notion of carving your own path so difficult for someone like Josh to understand? He merely continued following the comfortable, predictable path of law school and golf club memberships that had been mapped out for him from infancy. I was fed up with people presuming they knew what was best for me based just on my last name.

I arrived to the building's main door, and freedom was finally within reach. "Yeah, that's great, dude." I cut off Josh's endless talking. "Anyway, I've got to get to economics,"

I rushed outdoors, the October brightness briefly blinding me. At the same moment, someone else rushed up the path, head down and arms full of books.

I hardly had time to detect the impending accident before it occurred. With a muffled shriek, the girl crashed into my chest, launching people, bags, and loose papers across the yard. My phone dropped into the grass.

"Damn, watch where you're going!" I exclaimed irritably, as she stuttered, "Oh my God, I'm so sorry!"

I took another glance at the agitated girl, who was hastily retrieving scattered notes and textbooks. Something about her seemed strangely familiar—perhaps I'd seen her around campus before? She wasn't my type, however. Baggy thrift shop clothing, no makeup, and hair pulled back harshly. Unfortunately, she had lovely eyes that were large and black, with long lashes. It's kind of adorable in a funny manner.

What was I doing eyeing out this odd, clumsy girl? I needed to make it to class.

I swiftly crouched to assist retrieve the avalanche of items, grabbing what seemed to be a biology textbook and notes. "Bio major?" I inquired in conversation.

The girl shook her head, her cheeks still flushed from humiliation. "Pre-med. I'd want to get a jump start on criteria.

I raised my eyebrows, pleased with her effort. "You should respect that. "I'm Noah." Then I recalled my abandoned phone and muttered under my breath. Where the heck did that monster land?

The girl gave me a hesitant grin and introduced herself as Zara. Her grin made her seem rather nice. Noah, please concentrate! I gave myself a mental shake and swiftly collected the remainder of the items for her. She, like me, had someplace to be. I gave back the untidy stack with what I believed was a nice, regretful expression. Perhaps I'd see her around campus later and make up for our tumultuous meeting.

I stood aside to allow her to go without further delay. Zara beamed her huge, dark eyes at me gratefully and dashed toward the science building. I watched her little figure vanish through the doors, a strange sensation of fascination remaining.

Shaking it aside, I saw my phone was half-buried in the grass. Fortunately, the screen had not shattered.

"Dude? Are you still there? Josh's voice blared over the speaker as I returned it to my ear.

"Yeah, sorry," I said, realizing that I truly had to go to class. "Gotta run, guy. I smashed into someone. "Talk later."

I swiftly cut him off before he could deliver another sermon about squandering my talent or anything. I put my phone away, adjusted the backpack strap across my shoulder, and walked more cautiously across the quad.

But my mind kept returning to the sudden confrontation with Zara. Something about her astonished expression and modest grin lingered in my mind, which was bizarre. I didn't know the girl. Nonetheless, I found myself looking back toward the science building, partially expecting to get one final sight of her hurrying off to class.

With an annoyed grin at myself, I pushed my gaze ahead again. If some strange bookish girl was consuming my brain throughout summer vacation, I must have softened. Senior year hadn't yet begun, and I was already losing my edge.

I put on an additional burst of speed, aiming to get to economics before the lecturer. Perhaps an hour studying supply curves and margins would help to clear my thoughts. But I had a feeling those serious dark eyes and unexpectedly lovely grin would be difficult to resist.