CAMPUS HEARTS

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 10

I walked over to the girl and offered her a smile. "Hi, Olivia."

She turned toward me and immediately smiled back. "Wow, you know me?" she asked dramatically. "That must mean I'm famous." she exclaimed.

I laughed. "Well, if it's only one person who knows you, I don't think it counts."

"Ouch." She pressed a hand to her chest. "That was rude."

I laughed again. For a moment, she seemed exactly like the friendly, talented designer I had imagined. Then she tilted her head slightly. "So," she said. "To what do I owe this lovely visit?"

I shifted my weight. "I'm Katherine Jones." Recognition immediately flashed across her face. "I just wanted to tell you how much I admire your designs." I smiled. "They're incredible."

She said nothing. I continued anyway. "I was hoping maybe we could be friends." Still nothing. "Honestly, I think your designs are some of the best I've ever seen."

I laughed lightly. "Sometimes I wonder how mine were even considered the best in class. I swear the system must have been rigged."

The smile vanished from her face. Completely. I blinked. The sudden change in mood caught me off guard.

A moment ago she had seemed friendly. Now... She was Not so much. Her expression was hardened.

There was something in her eyes. Something unpleasant. Jealousy? Resentment? Maybe both. She cleared her throat.

"So you're Katherine Jones."

I frowned. "Yeah."

She gave a short laugh. "It's nice to finally put a face to the name of the person ruining my life."

I stared at her. "What?" For a second, I genuinely wondered if she was joking. Unfortunately, she wasn't. "Do you know me?"

Then another thought occurred to me. "Wait." I pointed at myself. "Am I famous or something?"

Olivia laughed humorously. "It doesn't count if only one person knows you. Your words not mine."

I winced. Okay. Fair enough.

My own words. "Do you hate me or something?" I finally asked.

Because at this point I was completely confused. Olivia let out a loud scoff. "No, Beyoncé." I blinked.

She continued. "I don't hate you." Her tone suggested the exact opposite. "In fact, I absolutely love you." I already knew I wasn't going to like whatever came next. "I love that you took my place as the best student."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I love that everyone suddenly talks about Katherine Jones." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "And I especially love that you used your connection to Rachel Forbes through Charles Martinez to get into the competition."

My stomach dropped. What? "I love everything about you ruining my life."

I stared at her. For a moment, I didn't even know what to say.

Finally, I shook my head. "I didn't know anything I did affected you."

Olivia laughed. A cold laugh. "Cool." She folded her arms. "But I just want you to know something." I had a bad feeling about this. "You messed with the wrong person."

I blinked. "I what?"

"You better watch your back." Her eyes narrowed. Then she leaned slightly closer. "You major bitch."

Before I could respond, she brushed past me. Her shoulder deliberately slammed into mine. Then she disappeared into the crowd.

I stood there for several seconds. Completely stunned. What had just happened? Maybe introducing myself had been a terrible idea.

Then again, she already knew who I was.

At least now I knew she hated me. For reasons I hadn't even known existed. Wonderful. Just wonderful.

I sighed. The club suddenly felt less fun. Rebecca had vanished, and she was my wingman. My mood had vanished too

At this point, I just wanted to go home. So I headed toward the exit. Unfortunately, life clearly had other plans.

Halfway there, I walked straight into a very solid chest. I stumbled backward.

"Would you watch where you're—" the person said, I then looked up. "Oh."

Charles. Of course. Who else?

He stared down at me. "Babe?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Why do you always seem to be everywhere I go?"

He looked thoughtful. "Maybe the universe wants us to be together."

I immediately smacked his arm. "Stop."

He laughed. "What?"

"Don't say things like that."

"Why not?"

"Because they're ridiculous."

He placed a hand over his chest. "You hurt me."

I rolled my eyes. Again. Honestly, I deserved an award at this point. "Are you stalking me, Martinez?"

He looked genuinely offended. "As if I have that much free time."

I folded my arms. "So why are you here?"

He shrugged. "The hangout I told you about."

Oh. Right. His friends. I had completely forgotten. Then another thought hit me.

"Wait."

"What?"

"Is Maxwell here?"

Charles stared at me. Then his smirk slowly appeared. Uh-oh. "Why?"

"No reason."

He nodded. "Is it because your friend, my friend's girlfriend just left with my friend?"

I groaned. He looked way too pleased with himself. "You figured that out all by yourself?"

"I know. Impressive."

I resisted the urge to kick him. "Yes."

His grin widened. "I saw everything." Of course he did. "And Maxwell saw it too."

My eyes widened. "Really?"

"He was standing right beside me all night."

Oh no. Rebecca was definitely going to regret that tomorrow. Maybe not because they were exclusive.

Because they weren't. But still. The two of them clearly liked each other. And this situation wasn't exactly ideal.

Before I could say anything else, another voice joined the conversation. "Hey, Kathy."

I turned around. Maxwell.

He offered me a quick nod before looking at Charles. "I'll catch up with you later." Charles nodded. "I'm heading to the den." Then he left.

I frowned. "The den?"

Charles immediately looked amused. "Of girls."

I physically shivered in disgust, "That's disgusting."

He laughed. I shook my head. Boys. Absolutely unbelievable. At this point, I was done with the entire night.

"I'm leaving."

Charles raised an eyebrow. "Already?"

"Yes."

"I thought clubbing was supposed to be fun."

"It was." I paused. "Until everyone abandoned me."

He chuckled. I ignored him and continued toward the exit.

Outside the club, the night air felt cooler. Quieter. Much better. I pulled out my phone and checked for available taxi's.

Nothing.. Great. Just great. I sighed and leaned against a nearby railing. Maybe one would show up eventually.

A few minutes passed. Still nothing. Then a familiar voice spoke from behind me. A voice I was starting to hear far too often.

"Let me drop you off, hun."

I closed my eyes. Of course it was him. Who else would it be?