Chapter 2

                                 

"Hello, Celeste." The girl beside Lucy, Paisley greeted me, smiling.

"Hey, Paisley!" I greeted her back, smiling widely. Paisley was the sweetest girl, and she reminded me of my high school best friend who was currently studying miles away from me.

"Hello, guys." Carter, the guy who I had a secret crush on a while ago, greeted us and took a seat right next to mine.

He gave me a wide smile, and I smiled back. I hated that goosebumps appeared on my skin and that he still made me nervous. It had to be that damn smile of his and my attention lacking ass, that would get elated the second someone was nice to me.

I once again reminded myself that he liked Rihanna and would never look at me the same way. And although my stupid heart still had a crush on him, my brain knew better than anyone that a relationship was the last thing I needed right now.

The conversations went about, and I just listened to it all, only talking when I was asked something. And it was not like they were used to it by now.

"Can I have a bite of that?" Carter asked me after a while. My eyes widened by a fraction. It took me a few seconds to comprehend what he was asking.

"It's okay if you don't want to." He quickly added when he saw that I was quiet.

"Uh, no, it's alright. I have an extra sandwich you can have it." I quickly replied in embarrassment. I hand him the extra sandwich, and he takes it, saying a thank you.

He takes a bite of it and closes his eyes, as though he was savouring every bite.

"This is soo good. Your mother must be a really good cook." He adds. My cheeks warm up slightly at that.

"I made those," I reply shyly.

"Damn. It's really good! I want to taste more of your cooking." Carter added, smiling widely. I could feel my whole face warming up now, damn his smiles and his sweetness.

"Let me have a taste." Rihanna grabs the sandwich from his hands and takes a huge bite. I notice how Carter looks at her, a smile on his lips, which I doubt he is even aware of. It's that very look that brings me back to reality. I look away, feeling like I was intruding in a very intimate moment. I can't help but feel sorry for myself.

Phoebe notices it and gives me a small smile of reassurance. I smile back at her.

We continue with the conversations, my heart no longer focusing on Carter.

Soon the bell rings, and we fast-walked towards our last classes for the day.

We had an entrepreneurship class next. I know it's weird that I was taking a business class while I majored in Science, but our college had this compulsory credit course that we had to take for two semesters during our final year of college. I wasn't really interested in the course, but it was a must. It was either that or H.R and mind you H.R always reminded me of Toby from The Office, and nobody wants to be a Toby.

"I really hate that professor's voice. It's so squeaky, reminds me of a rat." Phoebe exclaimed out loud.

"Careful. You don't want her to hear about it." I reply, chuckling at her dramatic response.

We entered the classroom and took our seats in the middle of the room. The middle was always the safest place people often forgot that.

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"To the Library!" Alexandra stood up in her place and put up her fist in the air.

"How long are you guys planning on staying?" I asked

"I don't know." Alexandra shrugs, and Phoebe agrees with her.

We make our way towards the library, but get interrupted by some juniors that I didn't know much about.

"Phoebe, Alexandra, we are going to the cafeteria to sit and talk, wanna join us?" They ask the two of them, completely ignoring me like always.

"Umm, we were planning on doing some studying," Phoebe said with a little bit of uncertainty. I was used to these kinds of situation.

"Go," I reply when Alexandra gives me a pleading look. Phoebe looked a little hesitant, but she later gives in and follows Alexandra along with the kids, but not until she gives me an apologetic smile before disappearing from my site.

I let out a sigh. I guess that meant I could get more work done now without the distractions. But a part of me felt alone; it was a normal human reaction I guess.

I signed into the library and placed my bag on the shelves that were provided after retrieving everything that I need from my bag. I placed my belongings on the table that was on the far end of the library, where there were very few people. The library wouldn't usually be crowded unless it was the week before the exams. I place my books on the table, before making my way towards the shelves that held all the course materials according to the subject.

My college was small, and the library was not up to my expectation, but on days like these where I was alone and with very few people in the library is when I found comfort here. The thing about libraries is that you never felt out of place; you could always pretend to study and listen to music stuck in your own world.

I skimmed my fingers across the books that were placed in the shelves neatly. I pulled out the book that I needed and huffed when I felt the sudden weight of it in my arms.

I placed the book back on my table, but the stupid book made a loud noise on the desk, and I winced in embarrassment. Thankfully nobody paid any attention to me. I spread out all my books and started engaging myself with the work for the next two hours.

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I looked at my watch to see that I still had forty-five minutes left before the bust that I usually went in would make an appearance. I had finished most of the things that I was supposed to do for the day. I stretched myself out on the chair, my back hurting from bending over my books for so long.

"Do you mind if I sit with you?" I hear a voice interrupt my work. I look up to see who it was and was greeted with that same gorgeous smile that never failed to give me butterflies.

I quickly glanced around behind him to see that he was alone and what was even more surprising was that the library was nearly empty, and yet he wanted to sit with me.

"Go ahead," I replied, knowing that declining him would be seen as rude, although I was slightly flustered, with having to sit with him alone.