Love Under Water

Putting Valerie In Her Place

I settle myself on Mia’s bed with the book on my lap. She passes me a can of beer and chips, which I indulge in diligently.

“So what happened exactly?” she asks once she is comfortable in the bed.

I pass her the book and ask her to open the first page and read it. She reads it aloud and then looks up at me.

“You lost the bracelet your dad gave you?” like she couldn’t believe I could do something like that. Well, the truth is, I wouldn’t deliberately, but this was purely accidental.

“It happened by mistake and by the time I realized it I went back to check but it wasn’t there.”

“Yeah, coz Mr. Kisser here had it and we need to get it back before your dad finds out.”

“I know that Mia,” I ran my hands over my face, “How did he know I would be issuing this book? Has he been following me?”

“Look, we won’t know anything for sure till you go and meet him tomorrow.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. What if he doesn’t give it to me and lures me into a trap? We don’t know anything about him while he managed to find me.” This was distressing.

“Since when have you become such a pessimist, Ariel?” she leans back against the bed.

I get up and throw the empty chips wrapper in the dustbin while taking a swig of the beer, “I don’t know, him finding me so easily just doesn’t settle well with me.” I lean against the desk in her room.

“I know what we’ll do,” the way Mia’s eyes gleam, I know she has an idea, “We will both go. While you go inside the sauna, I will stay outside and wait for you.”

“I like the idea, my mind would be at ease knowing I am not alone.”

“Great, then tomorrow you get to meet Mr.Kisser.” and she puckers her lips and hugs herself, making kissing sounds.

“Eeewww Mia,” I throw the pillow at her and she falls to the floor laughing.

Matt’s POV

I am looking forward to meeting my mystery girl today. Being anxious is an understatement. I take time to pick my clothes, as they say, ‘first impression is the last impression.’ I’m sure I’ve already made a pretty good first impression by kissing her. I never had a problem in that department. After all, I am known as a chick magnet. Now just to make sure she likes me in person too. Giving myself one final look, I leave my room. Grabbing a tub of Greek yogurt, I down it in one chug, a bowl of oatmeal awaits me which later I leave squeaky clean. I don’t cook, my house help does.

Today is an exciting day. I can feel the cool October breeze rustling past the leaves as I trod inside the campus to attend my first class and sit next to Ashton.

“You look excited today, for obvious reasons, of course.” He whispers.

“No I don’t, I just hope that she has read the note.”

“What if she didn’t? How do you plan on finding her then?”

“We’ll get to that later.”

Then I focus my attention on the lecture. As soon as it ends, I make my way to the library to see if that particular book has been issued, and thankfully, it has. My hopes rise. I sit at the library to study before one of my classes.

“Can I join you?”

I look up from my book to find one of my classmates standing next to a chair beside mine. I don’t remember her name, but I am sure we take a class together as her face looks very familiar.

“Sure.”

I am clueless when it comes to her name, Sylvia, Cynthia, Brittney, or Lucy.

“Hi, I am Sophia. I take software design and architecture class with you.” She stretches her hand towards me.

Oh right, Sophia. We shake hands and she places one leg over the other, her hand gripping mine longer than necessary. Of course, I notice.

“I am studying for a class, this professor can ask you random questions so you want to get prepared,” I say glancing at my watch. There is still time for the class to start.

“I see, I haven’t taken one of his classes yet. Actually, it would be nice if you could guide me as to what other subjects I should take up. We can meet sometime for coffee if you’re free.” She flashes me a smile.

“Yeah, sure we can. Just that I’m kinda busy with training nowadays.”

“Of course, and your girlfriend wouldn’t like you meeting me either.”

“My girlfriend?”

“Yeah, I saw you two yesterday talking in the hallway.”

“That’s Valerie and she’s not my girlfriend.”

“I see but she seemed pretty possessive about you and she goes about telling everyone that you are her boyfriend.”

“We are friends, that’s all.” Friends who end up having casual hookups I want to add, but then stopped. Why divulge my private life in front of a stranger?

Seems like my words give Sophia a boost of confidence who bends towards me, giving me a hundred-watt smile and resting an elbow on the table, “I’ll look forward to that coffee with you, or if you want, we can have a movie night, your pick.”

And she leaves me with a wink. This girl didn’t waste time and now I also have to talk to Valerie and stop her from spreading these false rumors. I pick up my stuff and text Valerie, ‘Where are you?’

‘In class, will be free in five minutes.”

I walk towards her class and wait, leaning up against the wall. I’m pissed. I check my watch, the class would be ending any moment now. The door to her class finally opens and she is the first one to come out, along with her side kicks. As soon as she sees me, she asks them to stay back.

“Hey, I didn’t know you were waiting for me, missed me too much.” Valerie winks. I take her by the arm into one of the empty classes, leaving the door open.

“What's wrong? Why did you bring me in here?” she looked confused.

“To ask you a couple of questions and get straight answers, no lying.” I cross my arms over my chest.

“Of course why would I lie to you, shoot.” she chuckles, making me roll my eyes.

“Have you been telling everyone that I am your boyfriend? That we are a couple?” I stare at her pale blue eyes and she looks back at me her face breaking into a smile.

“What’s wrong with that? Yes, I did and I alone have a claim over you. Everyone should know that.” She walks toward me and starts to fix my hair. I step back and give her a hard glare which stops her from coming forward.

“We are not a couple Valerie, and we have never been. Yes, we’ve hooked up a couple of times, but it was far from romantic. It's better you put a stop to these lies or the entire college will know you for the liar you are.” With these words I turn around and leave not bothering to look at Valerie, she needs to know her place and it was my mistake that I encouraged her. So much for my good mood.

Ariel’s POV

As the lecture ends, I pile my books and start to leave the class with Mia beside me.

“So are you excited about your meeting today with your secret kisser?” She whispers in my ears.

“Nope, I’m actually anxious. What if he’s a jerk?”

“Ariel, even if he’s a jerk, just get your bracelet back and leave. You’ve got nothing to lose, gal.”

The sight in front of me makes me stop dead in my tracks, I can’t take my eyes off him and the fact that he’s holding Valerie’s arms means that they know each other. My eyes follow them as he leads her to an empty classroom. I exhale, sighing deeply, which catches Mia’s attention.

“You weren’t listening to me?” she looks at my face as I run a hand over it. “What’s wrong, Ariel? Is everything okay?"

“I don’t understand how girls like Valerie always end up with the perfect guys. I mean look at her. Don’t these guys look anything beyond a girl’s face and her body? What about her heart?” I feel exasperated. “It’s not fair.”

“Hey, calm down buddy. Tell me what happened?” she takes a look at Valerie walking away with Mr.Swimmer there.

“Do you know the name of that guy with Valerie?” I ask Mia, my eyes refusing to leave them.

“Uh yeah, who doesn’t? He’s Matt Cavanaugh, the star swimmer, the celebrity of our college.”

“Oh Matt, I see.” I am thinking for a moment, “Are they a couple?”

“Maybe or maybe not, why do you wanna know?” when I don’t answer her, Mia starts shaking my shoulders, “Oh my god, you like him. Since when”?

“Since I saw him swimming, but I had no idea he was seeing Valerie.”

“Maybe he’s not, maybe they are just friends.” She tries to sound optimistic.

I shake my head, “Nah, look at them. It looks like they know each other really well. Let's go!” I sound dejected. We walk towards the cafeteria and sit at our usual place.

“I am not looking forward to the five o'clock meeting anymore,” I confess to Mia.

“What are you saying, Ariel? How will you get the bracelet back?” Mia can’t seem to believe her ears.

“You can go instead of me, please Mia.” I place a hand over hers.

“Go there and then tell him what? That I am the girl he kissed.” Mia looks at me unbelievably, “Hey, I didn’t know you had a thing for Matt, but I don’t think he and Valerie are together.” Mia tries consoling me.

“It doesn’t matter not that I had dreamed of a wedding with him.” I give a short laugh, “Please go instead of me, I’ll do your next assignment.” I look at Mia hopefully.

“Fine, I’ll go, but I won’t lie to him.”

“You’re the best.”

Matt’s POV

I’m running late for my next class. If Valerie thought I would let this slip, she was wrong. I will never allow her to run around and spread false rumors about me. I take a deep breath before entering the class and thankfully, the professor hasn’t arrived yet. I drop my bag next to Ashton’s and lean back into my chair, spreading my legs in front of me. A couple of girls smile at me but I ignore them.

“What's with the attitude? I thought you would be looking forward to your meeting today.” Ashton is quick to notice my foul mood.

“Just came back from giving Valerie a piece of my mind, the nerve of that girl,” I tell Ashton while twisting the pen between my fingers.

“What did she do now?” but before I could answer him, the Professor enters the class and the lecture starts. In between the lecture I get a text from my dad, ‘Call me ASAP.’ I have no idea why his text sounds so urgent, but it has got me anxious. I can't wait for the class to get over and run out to make the call as soon as it does.

“Yeah dad, is everything okay?” I ask breathlessly.

“Son, it’s your mom. She collapsed so we rushed her to the hospital.” His voice is strained.