3- MEEETING LUCA FERRARI 2
1697 Words
JENNIFER
Luca Ferrari is a jerk. It seemed to me that his stunning looks had nothing to do with his manners. It's almost as if all these dazzlingly handsome men attend an exclusive academy where the curriculum is focused solely on teaching them how to become jerks. I watched him as he sauntered towards the Complex Hall, his words still echoing in my mind.
After I had called him out for what he had done, Luca merely chuckled and glanced around at the students who were now looking our way. He turned to the girl he had been conversing with.
"Trisha, darling, I will see you later," he casually remarked.
The girl's face twisted in disgust, and she scowled at me before distancing herself from us. Luca then turned his attention back to me, his gaze condescendingly travelling over my dirt-smeared attire. How dare he scrutinise me like that when he was the cause of my dishevelled state?
"You did this to me," I retorted, not giving him a chance to belittle me further. "You splashed dirt all over me and didn't even have the decency to apologize." But he remained silent, wearing a goofy smirk after my complaint. I couldn't contain my frustration any longer. "Say something!" I almost yelled.
"I don't know who you are, then," he finally said. "Look, I get it. You can't resist my charm. But darling, if you wanted to catch my attention, you should have aimed higher than this disarray. How do you expect me to be even remotely attracted to you when you're covered in dirt?"
I scoffed, hardly believing my ears. This guy must be the king of jerks. I glared at him and declared, "I am not attracted to you."
"That's not what your actions say," he taunted, his eyes once again scrutinising me before making a move to leave. He paused, giving me a last, lingering look. Then, without any regard for my feelings, he said. "You're not my type either. So quit trying."
With those words, he turned and left me standing there like an absolute fool. I should have listened to Sandy and avoided him altogether instead of making a public show of myself. I had come to CSU campus to remain as unnoticed as ever, not to be known as the girl who was rejected by Luca Ferrari. That kind of notoriety was not what I wanted. I glanced around and saw that most of the students, especially the girls, were trying to suppress their giggles, and some even had their phones out, recording the scene. I knew I had to clear the air before I was tagged as that girl and the story would not be nice when they tell it. So, I did the only thing that came to mind.
I hurled my textbook at him and was relieved when it hit the back of his head, causing him to stumble slightly. Gasps emanated from the surrounding students, and I couldn't help but smile inwardly. Luca turned around slowly; his gaze fixed on me. I clenched my fists, a silly smirk forming on my face.
"I am not attracted to you either! You are so not my type!" With that, I walked up to him, picked up my textbook, and breezed past him, brushing my shoulder against his. It didn't fully convey my anger, but it made me feel better.
Luca and the students stood there, bewildered by my actions as I walked away, leaving them in my wake. Oh, yes, they had no idea what had just hit them.
***
The incident with Luca had been completely unintentional, and I couldn't believe I had actually done it. I rushed into the restroom to collect myself, thankful that it was empty. This incident brought back painful memories I had longed to forget, reminding me of a time when I was considered a freak in high school.
Taking a deep breath, I focused on the mirror, trying to calm myself down. Then it hit me that I was supposed to be in class in twenty minutes. I checked my wristwatch and realised that my twenty minutes were already up. I removed my glasses and quickly rinsed off the muddy water, grateful that I had draped a cardigan over myself. I hurriedly washed off the stains on my skirt, wore the cardigan over my stained shirt and rushed out of the restroom.
I located the hall for ECON 101, but I was already late. Everyone was seated, and the lecturer was already teaching. I quietly opened the door and entered, trying to find an empty seat as quietly as possible. The last thing I wanted was to create another scene— two in one day would be unbearable, especially on my first day of college. I was so focused on my search for a seat that I didn't notice the uneven floor. I stepped on it, and I tumbled down the steps in the hall, creating quite a commotion. The hall fell silent when I finally stopped tumbling, and I refused to look up, consumed by embarrassment. The lecturer's voice broke the silence.
"Are you okay there?" she asked.
With a face flushed crimson, I quickly got up from the floor, and laughter erupted from the students. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to block them out.
"Are you sure you're in the right class?" the lecturer inquired.
I nodded, my voice shaky as I replied, "Yes, I'm Jennifer Hasting."
"I've never seen you in my class before."
"That's because I just started today."
"And you're proud of that?" Another wave of laughter from the students. "You're four weeks late, you know what that means. I don't want any failures in my class; I put in my best to teach and make sure everyone keeps up."
"I'll do my best," I responded, trying to calm my simmering anger.
"Please find a seat quietly. You seem to be quite the show-woman, making an entrance on your first day."
Another uproar of laughter filled the hall, and I heard some students agreeing with the lecturer, referencing my earlier incident with Luca Ferrari. I tried to ignore them. I would get back at them with my success. I scanned the room and spotted Luca. He wore the same smirk, but what left me speechless wasn't his oddly handsome face or his devilish smirk. It was the fact that the only available seat in the hall was next to him.
He must have read my mind because his smirk grew into a wicked grin before he tore his eyes away from me and focused on the lecturer. I approached his seat cautiously, taking measured steps until I reached it, sat down, and tried to ignore him. But I knew Luca wouldn't let me be. He pushed his notes toward me.
"Today, you've become my personal note-taker," he whispered.
"What are you talking about?" I replied.
"You'll take notes for both of us, or neither of us stays in this class. Your choice. Guess who that would affect the most. You, of course, because I've been here for a month and already know the basics."
I ignored him and concentrated on the board. But Luca wouldn't give up. He leaned forward and whispered in my ear again.
"I know you're just pretending, but you're doing everything to be near me right now. So, take notes for me, and I might consider you."
"It might interest you to know that I don't find you attractive, and I'm not your personal assistant. You can take your notes yourself."
"Have you ever wondered why no one sits beside me in class?" he asked.
"No, I haven't wondered because I just started school today. Oh, I forgot, you look smarter than you are."
"Oh, really," he murmured. "We shall see about that, Jennifer Hasting," he said with his signature smirk and turned away from me, giving me a semblance of peace.
I heaved a sigh of relief and focused on the lecturer. But my peace didn't last long. Suddenly, something was placed in my ear, loud music filled my ear, and I jerked in surprise, cursing aloud without even realising it.
"What the f**k!"
All eyes turned to look at me, but it was too late to take it back. Luca appeared as if he had done nothing, maintaining a straight face and staring straight ahead.
"Miss Hasting, you have disrupted my class twice now," the lecturer stated curtly.
"I'm sorry, it's... it's..."
"I'm going to have to ask you to leave. See you in the next class."
"What? No! He caused it. He's been distracting me."
"If I have to repeat myself, you won't only be leaving this class, but you won't be allowed in for the rest of the semester."
Fighting back tears, I shot Luca a venomous glare. He waved subtly; the same devilish smirk etched on his face.
***
"I shouldn't have confronted him at all if I knew he would become such a thorn in my flesh," I said, gazing into the distance.
Sandra held my hand and comforted me. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. That's why I tried to stop you from confronting him. Luca is a demon in disguise, a mean and selfish jerk who only cares about himself. I wonder why all those girls find him so fascinating." I could hear the anger in Sandra's voice, and it made me smile a little that someone was sharing my sentiments. "I think I'm the only one who's not charmed by him."
"Me too," I admitted.
Sandra turned to look at me in surprise. "Are you serious?"
I nodded. "I mean, he's cute and all, but his lack of manners is a major turn-off. It doesn't fascinate me at all."
Sandra gave me an enthusiastic hug. "Yes! Let's not give him that satisfaction of knowing he's gotten to us. I'm glad you don't find him attractive. He's not that handsome anyway."
I was taken aback by her excitement, but I smiled and hugged her back. Luca Ferrari was really handsome though. I did not agree with her on that.
- Writer
