Chapter 2 - Weird

Emerald 

For a second, I was stuck for words and looked behind me to make sure he was talking to me. There was no one behind which was obvious, unless he was cross eyed since he made too much eye contact with me.

I cleared my throat, playing with my ponytail. 

Turning back to him, he waved a hand.

"Oh," I said, widening my eyes and touched my chest. "You mean me, hi?"

He chuckled and smiled, revealing his cute dimples. 

Not so bad. And he clearly wasn't bad in a white plain shirt with-- I looked down at his faded blue jeans that was rolled way up his ankles, with a long socks to cover the exposed area

What century was this, the nineties?

It wasn't even cold. Surely, he had to be coming from a circus.

"I'm Devin." He brought his hand forward for a handshake. "You seem new here. Freshman?"

Now I was clueless. Was I going to let my taste for guys make me lose my manners? I mean, it was only a friendly gesture.

"You sound in your final year when you sound like that but yeah, I guess I am!" I remained cool wearing a small smile. His brown eyes lit up when I spoke. He seemed nervous and composed all at once which was weird. His eyelashes were thick and long as he batted them down.

What was he looking down at?

"Oh!" I laughed, realizing I had left his hand hanging. "I'm sorry." 

"It's no problem," he said with an almost perfecect smile. "You're doing enough already."

I didn't know what prompted me, but I ended up shaking him. His palm was a rock--firm, just how I liked my men. Wait, what?

"Your hands are really cold. Huh, what's the name again?" 

"Hurry up man!" One of the guys from his band who were steps away from us yelled and he twisted in their direction.

"Oh fuck off!" He threw an arm in the air. "You can go without me."

"But we're using your car," the professionally dressed one said.

"Um..." he searched for the key in his jean pockets.

Was he about to ditch his friends for me? Cause the small talk was soon going to be over.

And where was Mimi for the upteenth time?

"You could go with your friends. I have somewhere to be too," I said.

"No, they're only being a pain in the as--neck cause I'm talking with you." He but his pink lips softly, staring into my eyes like he had discovered a treasure he could stash all for himself but he didn't look like that. More like Robin Hood giving back to the people.

Okay, cliques waiting and being a pain in his ass...I hoped it wasn't some bet shit I had read and seen in movies, but why would they even want to bet on me? I wasn't even that innocent. I'd play them in their own game.

"And why's that?" I asked, squinting.

"Cause you're beautiful..."

I scoffed humorously. Boys never ceased to amaze me with their same old lines and sweepstakes. I basically would have fallen for that years ago but I was way too experienced for their boyish little games.

So what, I was beautiful? There were a lot of other beautiful girls they could go after. I could remember some who left for someone more prettier, hotter or just someone else. I was sick of their bullshit.

"Okay," I said, wearing a straight face.

He furrowed his brows. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Do you feel you did?" 

"No..."

I half shrugged. "Well then..."

"Woah...you are kind of uptight," he said and I looked away.

"Hurry up dickface!" An annoying voice of another friend of his. I didn't care to look this time.

"Think your friends really need you," I said wearing a grin."

"But they have eyes to see I'm with you."

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head.

He leaned forward but there was still space between us. "Did I say something funny?"

Boy, I didn't know why I was still there myself.

"Please give me your name." The words fell out his lips effortlessly at the same time, it sounded like we were in one of those archaic romance novel stories.

"Why?" I tried to subdue a smile already tugging at my lips but failed woefully.

He jerked a shoulder forward. "Cause you know mine already. What's the deal? Let me guess. An undercover agent or the daughter of a celeb?"

I was about to speak when he cut me off.

"Could be that. In fact, totally buy it cause you have the same hair as Madonna."

I burst into laughter. "Dude..."

He chuckled. "Tell me."

"Emerald."

"Oh wow, cool name for a nice girl," he said. I never liked telling people my name because of the fuss that came with it. 'You sure it isn't a nickname?' blah blah blah, but Devin took it well.

Besides, it wasn't bad, was it? Better than names people pronounced wrongly.

"And FYI (For Your Information), Madonna doesn't have any girls. Well, she does actually, adopted so... none as the same color of hair. Besides, who's to judge by that when there's genetics, you know? She may have kids with a black haired man or something."

He fist-bumped the air. "I said it! I could tell you were a fan with your firmness and all."

"Oh, really?" 

"Yeah," he said and his eyes were on my body, looking me up and down and if only looks could act, he was going to be one of those Telemundo stars making me feel the passion.

"Ahem." I cleared my throat. "This has been one long talk. Unfortunately, I have to go now." I meant to say fortunately.

"Just when we started to get along. I hope to see you some other time though. What are you studying?"

My phone rung in my purse and I exhaled, guessing Mimi was here already. Since I was leaving anyway, I ignored it and gave him what was left of the attention he could get.

"Journalism, you?" I said, nodding and he squinted.

"You aren't answering that?" He asked and I shook my head. "Okay, Real estate management. See you around?"

"Sure," I said and he nodded before spinning around. Some part of me was disappointed he left with his friends like that, without pressing for my number. Perhaps, he only felt like talking to some random freshman on campus?

Why was I thinking into this anyway?

My heart flew out of my chest at the honk of a car's horn.

"Move it, sucker!" A female voice yelled at me and I turned to see who it was.