I lift myself back up in my seat, almost in a shock, with my pen still in my hand. Why is this girl so difficult? She lifts her bag from the floor and puts it on her lap to keep looking. Why is she going to all this trouble when she can just have my pen? I know she’s going to need it sooner rather than later, so I lean back and just wait for it. The professor walks over to turn the lights off so he can turn on the projector. She’s running out of time. I know it’s coming in just a few … Yep, lights out.
She turns her head my way, and I can feel the smirk pulling on my lips. I keep looking straight ahead at the professor, who’s putting his notes together and placing the first sheet on the screen, and swing my arm to her side, opening my hand out for her to take the pen. This time, she reaches her hand towards mine and takes hold of the pen with delicate fin gers.
“Thank you,” she murmurs with a sweet undertone. Without looking directly at her, I tilt my head in her direc tion.
“You are welcome,” I whisper back.
As the class goes on, I find myself continuously looking over, unable to keep my eyes off her. Stop staring at her, Elvis.
You’re embarrassing yourself! At one point, I go to look at her and her eyes are staring back at me with the same look she had when I offered her my pen. It seems like her eyes are concentrating on me, analyzing me, but then she quickly looks away when I catch her. I glance down at my phone on the desk.
Class will be coming to an end in a few minutes. There’s not much time, and I have to get her name.
I tear a piece of paper from my notepad and start writ ing …
In case you steal my pen and
I need to track you down how
can I find you?
I then lean over and place the piece of paper on top of her desk.
She reads it without taking the note in her hand and stares at it for some time before picking up the pen. She slides the note closer to her and starts writing. Once she’s finished, she folds the piece of paper neatly. I’m curious and excited to read what she’s written back t o me.
As the professor dismisses the class, she collects all her things and just as she stands up to leave, she leans over, places the note, along with my pen, on top of my desk and walks away. I stay seated, watching her disappear out of the classroom door, then reach over and unfold the note.
No need to track me down,
the pen is all y ours.
Ouch!
I keep staring at her words for what seems like a long time, then I fold it back the same way she did and put it in my bag. I walk out of the class and on to my next one wondering how this could be happening. It doesn’t make sense. This girl keeps shutting me out. There has to be a way to get her to just talk to me. I can hear chattering going on around me as I walk the halls, but I don’t tune in to any of it until I pick up on a familiar voice behind. Ph ilip.
“No, no plans tonight. That sounds good. I’ll tell my friends and we will be there,” he is saying to someone he is walking with.
I turn back to see him making a face at me. Beside him, a girl with short dark hair walks close by, making sure their shoulders are only an inch apart. The three of us all come to a stop at the same time.
“Hey, El, this is Leanne. Leanne, this is Elvis. He’ll be coming by the bar with me tonight,” Philip says, flashing me the you - b etter - n ot - r uin - t his - f or -m e look. Leanne looks between me and Philip hopefully. This is a wingman moment, so I do exactly what he wants me t o do.
“It’s nice to meet you, Leanne. We’ll definitely see you at the bar later,” I r eply.
“It’s nice meeting you as well, Elvis. I’m late for my next class, so I’ve got to run, but I will see you guys tonight,” she says, looking straight at Philip with a smile, then walking away.
I know the guys will want to go to the city tonight since it’s Friday. We normally celebrate the end of every week, and I’m going to try not to let this morning put a dampener on my spirit.
If that girl was interested in me, then it would show. But I can’t shake off the feeling that she’s closed up—she’s too
reserved—maybe she’s not the type of girl that would show it?
She’s actually not my typical type at all, but I can’t keep myself from wanting to know more about her.
There’s something about her that’s so intriguing, she makes me feel nervous to be around her … she gets my heart racing. I’m not sure why, seeing as I don’t even know her name. She has the most beautiful face I’ve ever seen. But hopefully tonight I will meet someone new to distract me from thinking about her. I need to get this girl out of my head. I decide to start by asking Philip about Leanne. He seemed interested in her, but he’s looking through some messages on his phone. I notice Liam walking the halls, coming towards us. Philip looks up as Liam stops in front of him.
“We’re going to a bar downtown tonight!” he tells Liam excit edly.
“Sounds like a good plan to me. Which bar have you chosen to celebrate the start of the weekend?” Liam asks.
“Glowbal Grill,” Philip answers, as we start to make our way down the hall.
Neither of them has asked me how my morning was, which I’m thankful for. They would have even more of a field day if I told them how she shut me down again. I desperately want to keep them from asking me and have to think fast.
“Leanne seems nice,” I say, looking straight ahead. Philip nods his head with a smirk on his face.
“Who’s Leanne? Liam asks.
“You’ll meet her tonight at the bar. She’s great,” Philip answers, and I’m a bit surprised by his response. It seems like he really likes her already. Liam looks over at me, noticing how quiet I’m being. I knew I couldn’t hide my morning away from my friends for too long.
“How did your morning class go?” Liam finally asks.
This time, even Phil looks curious, I guess they’re as surprised as I am about her attitude towards me. I wish I could lie to them, just to save myself from the teasing, but Liam would figure me out straight away.
“Uh, she’s a bigger challenge than I tho ught.”
Philip shakes his head in disbelief, waves, and walks towards the exit doors of the building. Liam and I continue walking side by side.
“El, I think the only reason you’re interested in this girl is that she didn’t throw herself at you like we expected her to. You
said it yourself this morning in the car, she’s not even your type. I’m surprised you’re even trying at all.”
“You could be right. There’s just something about her that I’m drawn to.” I rub my forehead in confu sion.
“Did you at least find out her name?” he asks.
“I tried, but … ”
I can’t finish my sentence. I don’t know how to explain this to him, or anyone for that matter. Liam puts his hand on my shoulder and forces me to stop wal king.
“Forget about her, El. There will be plenty of girls at the bar tonight. You won’t have a chance to even think about her,” he says with a smirk on his face, trying to cheer m e up.
“I know. This is ridiculous. I know nothing about her. No point driving myself crazy ove r it.”
“I’ve never seen you like this about a girl before,” he says.
“She’s taking a lot of your time.”