It Has Always Been You

Chapter – 3

Chapter – 3

That Cute Boy

There were still three long hours till 2 pm, and in those three long hours, I had one more lecture which is just an hour-long and for two hours after that, I will have nothing to do else than getting bored all alone all by myself in this huge campus.

I was sitting alone in the empty lecture room to spend my thirty minutes doing nothing before my literature class will begin at 11. The room was all quiet and deserted, and I strangely felt at peace there. No one there to make me pretend to be chic and all. I can be the lazy me here. I was scrolling through my phone when suddenly I felt a strange presence from behind. Like someone was staring at me, a burning gaze. I suddenly felt uncomfortable in the room which was the haven seconds ago. The footsteps were getting nearer and nearer to me. I just wanted to ignore it and kept my head down, buried between my folded hands, when suddenly I felt a light tap on my shoulders, which startled me. I alerted my wits and looked behind to see the same guy standing behind me, looking kind of happy I could see it in his eyes. I don’t know why. If it was me, I wouldn’t be happy to see someone who, instead of apologizing after bumping into them, ran away without saying a word of guilt or gratitude.

“Hey angel, remember me?” his pink and perfectly plump lips fluttered uttering out those words. He doesn’t seem to be angry or rude about this morning. I still don’t know why he looked so happy though, almost like we knew each other. But whatever, it had to reply though, right?

“Oh hi, I am sorry for earlier. I was running late for the class so I didn’t thank you for helping me. Thank you.” I said with sincerity, standing up and turning my whole body in his way.

“No need to thank me, I figured it might be the reason, seeing your hurried state, so relax.” I relaxed a bit with his statement and words. I was so not used to this calmness. I think Gaby is right. At last, appearances are important, much over one’s personality. “So, why are you in this empty classroom? Have nothing else to do?” he again asked, pulling out and sitting on the chair beside me.

“It’s nothing. I had some extra time between my next lecture, so I decided to just stay here. The class will start in a few minutes, anyway.” I answered him honestly.

“You don’t have any friends around?” he asked again. His reactions were as if he had quite a shock from what I said. Is that too unbelievable? Maybe for someone like him. He must be an outgoing person. I thought, but said nothing.

“Actually, today is my first day here, so I don’t really know anyone around.” I spoke. “But I have an orientation in my department today so maybe I’ll make some friends there.” I added after; pausing a few seconds just to observe his expressions change.

“Really, orientation? Which department are you in?” he asked.

“Chemistry” I answered.

“That’s great, wait a minute, you are, what the name was… ahh… Elena, aren’t you?” he said after much thought making me confused about how could he have guessed my name, I couldn’t help but asked him, “yes, my name is Elena, but how did you guess my name?”

“It wasn’t a guess, to be honest. My friend Mia said that she met a freshman in her class earlier today, and with how beautiful she described you, I can straight up tell it could only be you.” He complimented me, making me all tomato red. He really has a lot of compliments in-store to use. Is this how pretty girls feel being complimented by handsome boys. I never knew this feeling. He must be a flirt then. I said nothing and just looked at him when he added.

“Do you want to have a tour with me?” I agreed as soon as his words fall in my ears. What could be better than that, right? “Okay then, I will take you on a tour tomorrow after your classes are done.” I nodded in agreement with him.

“Take my number. I will take you to our department when your class is done. I am the best google map of this college. You will get lost on your own.” He said, and I had to agree. I mean, he was cute, and he asked to help, so it will be rude if I refused him, right? And it was the first time that someone as handsome as him approached me on his own. I will be crazy to refuse this offer. “By the way, my name is Gannon. Save me by this name and not with ‘that cute boy’. See you, bye angel.” he said and left the room because my next lecture was about to start and other students were pouring in. 

After the class was over and I walked out of the hall, I wanted to do something other than get bored for a whole ninety minutes. But I didn’t really have anything to do. The orientation will not begin in an hour and a half, and I don’t really feel like looking for an empty place to get bored again. My life sucks. I am in college and I don’t have any friends to chill with. At least in school, I could bury in my books being the nerd I was. What will happen to me here? Suddenly, I remembered the guy from earlier, Gannon. He said that I can call him if I need any help. Should I ring him? Or maybe it will be rude. After all, we just met. Uh… I don’t really enjoy taking help from anyone.

But he offered me on his own. A voice in my brain said.

Forget it. Let’s just look for something to do. There has to be something on this whole campus that I can do. I pushed the voice back inside my brain, making sure it will not pop out again and confuse me.

So, I went to the cafeteria just to see how it was. I mean, I was kind of hungry too but I still have some time left to break my fast, so I can’t eat till then. But what is the harm to look through the place, right? It’s not like I will have any calories consumed just by doing that. 

I looked for the place on the campus map that I downloaded when selecting the college. I don’t want to get lost in this wide space, of course, so a map always comes in handy. It was in a secluded area of the premises, which took about a ten-minute walk to go there. But to be honest, it was worth it. The place was huge and amazing, almost like some high-end diner. It had high walls, painted white. The glasses were blue and green. It had color-coordinated furniture as well. The tables were all white, and the chairs were green and blue. My school cafeteria had long rectangular tables, just plain brown. These here are more pleasing to the eyes. Light colors calm me down. The air in the place is aromatic. The food must be as good as the smell. There weren’t many in the cafeteria. It is not lunchtime yet. But there must be an enormous crowd in here after some time.

On my way back, I spotted a garden there. It must be the botanical arrangement of the biology students. I study about it back in school but lost all interest after I got interested in chemistry.

I took a walk in the place, I'll burn few extra calories, it’s not a bad thing. I spend my extra time doing things that are not really important, but as the time on my clock was about to strike at two pm, I was getting more and more nervous. Meeting so many new people all at once could be too overwhelming for me. I don’t know what is gonna happen in the orientation. It will be exciting, I bet, but will I be able to be a part of it or will I be just left out, as I've ever been. My nerves calmed and got replaced with excitement when I thought about meeting Emiliano there soon. He will surely be surprised. I just want to see his face when he looks at me. We haven’t met in a year, almost. And I am so looking forward to that. I am sure he’ll be happy; he is the best after all.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It was 2 pm when I finally, after all the contemplation and hesitation, fished out my phone and dialed the number saved in my phone with the name ‘Gannon’ and not ‘that cute boy’. He picked up the phone after two rings and told me to just stay in here, in the garden where I told him I was in. And that he will come to take me in a while. Usually, even if it is something this little, I don’t want to owe anyone, but my sister told me I should sometimes let people in rather than building a wall. It is not a good thing to always depend on yourself. I don’t always have to be afraid of getting hurt and sometimes ask for help even if it is not very important. Not everyone will be in my life to hurt me. I should sometimes just relax. She just doesn’t yet know the pain of getting hurt by the person who means you the most.