My Brothers Best Friend

Chapter 10: The First Day

NOAHS POV

Wednesday, first day of class. I am more excited than I thought I was. I had managed to avoid Brent the last few days. It’s not like he was exactly beating down my door to hang out but I had to keep making excuses not to run with him which sucked. Of course he was super understanding which made it all even harder. At least I don’t have to worry about running into him on campus. Brie dropped me off this morning. Her class schedule lines up with mine pretty well so we will be able to ride to campus together. I decided to try to balance my schedule out. Three classes three days of the week and two classes on the other two. I’ve always been a bit of a brainiac. I wouldn’t consider myself a nerd but academics always came easy to me and I enjoy learning.

I settle into my last class of the day with my notebook in hand. I’m 10 minutes early so I decide to look through my book. “Reading ahead already?” I hear a familiar booming voice. I crane my neck up to look at who it is. “Brent? What are you doing here?” I ask as he sits beside me. “I decided to take this class as an elective” he says pulling a notebook out of his bag. “Women of literature? Really?” I ask raising an eyebrow. He laughs at my facial expression. “Yeah, who wouldn’t want to know more about the great women of literature?” He says and I lift my chin while narrowing my eyes. “Really? Name 3” I say challenging him. He breathes out before looking at me, “Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, Charlotte Brontë, Mary Shelley, Louisa May Alcott..” he continues on. “Okay okay I get it. You’re familiar” I say putting my hand on his arm to stop him. My heart is now pounding in my chest. I had been going out of my way to avoid him and just like a cruel joke, here he is. Brent looked at me confused for a moment, “wait a minute..you’re grilling me about being in this class but how are you here? This is a year 3 class” Brent says laughing. I chuckle and shrug, “I don’t know. My advisor is actually the one who recommended this class” I tell him leaning back in my seat. A small smirk forms on his lips “okay, okay, I see you miss smarty pants”. “Oh, hardly” I argue starting to fidget with the hem of my shirt. Before either of us could say anything else an older women in a navy blazer and matching pencil skirt walked to the front. As she began speaking I adjusted myself in my seat and began taking notes.

BRENTS POV

I was more than surprised to walk into the lecture hall and see a beautiful brunette sitting in the back row. I hadn’t seen Noah since our run on Sunday. She had canceled on me every day this week. I knew she had been nervous about starting classes. But I couldn’t help thinking that maybe I was pushing myself on her too much. I had tried to nonchalantly ask Hayes about her yesterday but he didn’t really give me any answers. He was also sucking face with some chick named Kiera at the time.

I tried to focus on taking notes but every so often I catch a glimpse of Noah out of the corner of my eye. Her long lashes hooded over those blue eyes, the back of her pen pressed against her lips. I’d never noticed the light pink shade of nail polish that made her fingers look even more delicate. Every time she’d move I’d catch a whiff of her perfume and something would stir in my core.

“Over the course of our 16 weeks we will read through the list located in your syllabus. Our first book is arguably the best romance novel of the 1800’s. Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen was published in 1813. Please have the first 10 chapters read by Friday. Discussion questions are due every Monday. You will find the discussion questions on the portal. If there are no questions. I will see you all Friday” professor Mayne said before dismissing everyone.

As I stood up I leaned over to Noah, “study buddies?” She slung her bag over her shoulder before looking up. “Sure” she smiled. We started walking through campus. “Hey are coming to watch us practice today?” I asked. “Brie said something about it but I don’t know. I kind of wanted to get started on reading” she said crossing her arms over her body. “Why don’t you come watch us practice and then we can go for a run straight after?” She smiles but still looks hesitant. Before she can answer I know I need to sweeten the deal, “come on, we can go by ‘mom and pops’ after to grab coffee and see if Rhonda has any new pastries. You can read there.” I say hoping she won’t turn me down. She smiles even bigger, “man, how can I say no? You know my kryptonite. Alright, deal” she says, and I am internally fist pumping. “Great! I’ll see you later!” I say before heading toward my truck.

NOAHS POV

“You ready, little kangaroo?” Brie says coming to my doorway. “Just about” I say finishing my braid before adding, “Hey, I’m going on a run with Brent after they practice so I can just catch a ride back with him or jog home or something”. Bries stares at me and I dread the next words out of her mouth, “Eewww, do you know how sweaty he’s going to be after rugby and then running? That’s gross. Wait. Does that..turn you on?”. I open and close my mouth before furrowing my brow, “what? No!”. I look away before looking back at her, “I’m actually surprised you aren’t going to tease me about it” I say grabbing my backpack. “Patience little kangaroo..patience” she says walking out to her jeep. I shake my head and follow.