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CHAPTER 5: SANDRA

Author: Ivan
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

SANDRA

I detoured to the dorm room after my morning class. I shut the door behind me loudly and leaned against it, shaking my head.

I was about to go on a date with Jack Clove, resident playboy, all because of a stupid dare. But is it the dare that's stupid, or me for agreeing to it?

I think I'm voting for both.

I ran my brush through my hair and touched up my make-up, glancing at the sheet on the wall. Stage One, Attachment. Today's goal was to leave him wanting a little more, to make him come back tomorrow. I sighed and left the room, running down the stairs and out into the sunshine. My floaty skirt swished as I walked towards the campus Starbucks, butterflies going crazy in my stomach. Why do I have butterflies? I hate this guy. It's not even a real date.

That thought didn't stop the extra loud beat of my heart when I saw him. He was leaning against the wall outside, headphones in, and his head was bobbing to whatever he was listening to. His hands were in the pockets of his slim fit, dark blue jeans. As if he could feel me watching, he looked up and electric blue eyes collided with mine.

He smiled as I approached him, and the butterflies turned to stampeding elephants. I felt sick.

“Hey there, Angel,” Jack said and reached to open the door for me.

“Hey,” I replied, walking through the door. “Thank you.”

“You're welcome.” He placed a hand on my back and guided me towards the counter. “What are you having?”

“A grande double chocolate chip frappucino, please.” I smiled at his confused face. “What?”

“Chocolate chips in coffee? Why?”

“Why not?” I shrugged. “It's yummy.”

“Okay, I'll try that.”

“What do you normally have?”

“Uh, normal coffee. You know, like a normal person drinks?” He laughed.

“Are you saying I'm not normal?” I raised an eyebrow as we reached the counter.

“Not at all.” He smiled. “Hi, can I have, er, what was it again?” He looked at me sheepishly.

I sighed, rolled my eyes and shook my head. “Can we have two grande double chocolate chip fraps please?”

“And two blueberry muffins,” Jack added, looking down at me. I blushed slightly, and he slid his hand round so it was holding my waist. The barista stole glances at him as she prepared our drinks. It was all I could do not to roll my eyes again. We took our drinks, and Jack payed.

“Is it always like this for you?” I asked as we sat down.

“Like what?”

“Girls staring at you.”

“Who was staring?”

“The barista. Did you not notice?”

He shrugged one shoulder carelessly. “I don't pay much attention to it. If they're good enough to catch my eye then I'll pay them attention.”

“Oh, I feel so privileged,” I said sarcastically.

“Hey.” He raised his eyebrows. “I'm on a date with you, so you're not just good enough, Sandra. In fact, you're probably too good.”

I sipped my drink and picked a piece of muffin off, popping it into my mouth. “So why are you here then? If I'm too good.”

“Because I'll never know unless I try, right?” he asked. “Like this coffee. I never knew how good it was until I tried it. I'll never know if I'm good enough for you unless I try.”

Wow. Jack wants in my pants. Bad.

“You win that one.” I smiled.

“And Carl has his eye on you. I don't do well with competition.”

“Ah, so that's what yesterday was about.” They were fighting over me?

Neanderthals.

“There's a slim chance of you bein' right there, beautiful.”

“I'd say there's a really good chance.” I sighed. “You really were fighting over me? Me? Wow.” I shook my head.

“Don't sound so shocked, Maddie. We're not the only guys in that house that have an interest in you,” he admitted.

“You just thought you'd get in there first?” I commented wryly.

“Yes. I mean, no. I mean. Fuck." He groaned. "This is so not the way I wanted this to go.”

I raised my eyebrows and glanced at the clock.

“Yes. I thought I'd get in there first, but only because I'd get stupidly jealous if I saw you with one of those guys.”

“Right,” I said. “We need to get to class. It starts in five minutes.”

Jack sighed, and we both stood. I wrapped my hands round the take out cup and back out of the door. We walked back towards the main campus in silence, and I almost wished we didn't have class together. This no talking thing was tense, even if I do hate the guy.

“Sandra,” he said, pulling me aside before we walked into the room. “That wasn't supposed to go like that. I'm sorry.”

I looked towards the open class door. “It's no big deal, Jack. I mean, you don't date, right? Now you know for sure you don't.”

He reached forward and tucked my hair behind my ear. “It is a big deal, to me it is. Let me try again. Please?”

I narrowed my eyes and looked at him. “Are you asking me for a second date?”

“Yeah,” he said in a soft voice. “I am askin' you for a second date.”

“I'll think about it, and then I'll call you.”

“You don't have my number.” He gave me a small smile.

I walked towards the classroom and looked back at him when I reached the door. He was still standing by the side, watching me with that same smile playing on his lips.

“Then I guess you'll just have to wait, won't you?” I smirked and Maggie rounded the corner. Her eyes shot between both of us.

“How long?” Jack asked.

“However long I feel like making you wait.” My smirk changed to a grin. “Come on, you'll be late for class.”

I walked through the door with Maggie, and we slid into our seats.

“Second date?” she whispered in my ear.

“Yep,” I replied. “He just doesn't know that yet."

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    I knocked on Leila and Maggie's door before pushing it open. Both of them were stretched out on their beds doing schoolwork, and I dropped myself on the floor between them, letting the door shut itself.“Where's Kayle?” Leila asked, glancing at me.“She's, um, entertaining.”“Oh.” Her mouth dropped open slightly.“Yes. Oh.”“Who this time?” Maggie rolled over.“Darla somebody.” I shrugged. “I have no idea, and I'd rather not know to be honest. It's not like I'll see her again.”She nodded. “Mhmm. Heard from Jack?”“Why would I have? He doesn't have my cell number.”“Why not?” Leila smiled.“Because I'm holding out on him.”“Because he fucked up the first date, asked her for a second, and she hasn't answered him yet,” Maggie clarified.“You didn't?” Leila exclaimed. “Oh, nice one, Sandy. That's definitely gonna keep him coming back.”“It's not about that.” I picked at some lint on my jeans. “I see the way he walks all over girls, and it makes me sick. I won't be like that, running and

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