Steal His Heart: 3

III

A week had gone by quickly, and I sat at the café as usual. I had quickly adapted to the new routine. Right after my first class I would go down to the café, and read the hundreds of pages that were assigned or continue writing my essays. Then I would run back to my next class. Jeremy would always sit with me on his break. He would have his usual wrap and ice tea, and talk about my day.

I would meet Kate after my third class at my room, and then go off for some dinner at River Island Diner that was only a few minutes away from the campus. But today, Kate had cancelled on me to see her sister in Franklin. So, instead of dinner I bought a few snacks at the Café. Jeremy was gone. And a girl took his spot as the cashier.

“Hey Red” A too familiar voice rang from behind me, I turned my head and there stood Josh, all handsome as usual.
“Oh, hey, how are you?” I asked, grabbing my wrap from the girl’s hand.
“I’m good, where’s Kate? Don’t you usually do out for dinner?” He asked, with a concerned voice.

It surprised me that he knew that, but then again he was quite close to her.

“She went to Franklin to see her sister,” I answered, awkwardly as he paid for his wrap and chocolate bar. “Oh” was his answer. He grabbed his food, and walked next to me towards the exit, Josh opened the door for me and smiled. “Well, I’m not doing anything right now. It’s still quite hot outside, do you want to sit and eat?” He asked, hesitantly.

I looked outside; there the sun was setting. And it did look nice out to sit and chat… But what would I say to him? He had all these interesting stories meanwhile I was terribly boring. He frowned, “It’s okay if you don’t want to… I’m sure you have lots to do…”

“No, no. I’d be delighted,” I answered quickly, before he changed his mind.

We sat next to the same tree; the one I had seen him sit at everyday. He slowly unwrapped the tinfoil off his wrap and placed a napkin on his crisscrossed legs. I quickly looked away, as I caught myself staring again. It was hard not to, he was so intriguing.

“So, how are you liking your classes?” he asked.
“They’re okay. Stanley is a good professor. The rest are pretty… boring.”
He laughed, “Stanley is amazing.”

We ate our wraps in silence and took quick glances at each other. Maybe it was my mind, but I had a feeling that he could potentially be into me. Which really did surprise me.

“I bet you miss New York” He suddenly said, as he grabbed both our tin foils and made them into small balls. “Not really,” I answered sincerely; his eyebrows scrunched, “I didn’t like the… busy-ness. I like it here, it’s peaceful” He smiled, “Well, I’m sure you miss your family” I frowned, “My Mom and I don’t really have a good relationship. My sisters live with my Dad in Seattle.” He looked at me apologetically. “Boyfriend…?” I smirked, so that’s what he’s trying to get out.

“We broke up when I left. I don’t do long distance,” I said sincerely.
“Oh, well yeah, it would be pretty difficult. With your homework and all…”
“Well yeah, plus Ben and I weren’t too serious” I looked down and played with the grass. “That’s good…” he muttered, he looked up quickly as he realized what he said. “I mean…”

I quickly interrupted him, “What about you? You seem to have all the girls mesmerized,” I laughed.

He smirked, “Yeah, I guess. No one had caught my eye…” Had, until now?
“Really? I would’ve thought you’d be with someone” I said, looking down at the grass trying to hide my blush,
“Well, I’m not. Happily single” He grinned, “Well, Red. It’s getting late, you probably should be getting back to your room before they kick you out” he laughed as he eyed the blonde girl that had first helped me out with my room.

“Is she one of your disciples?” I laughed as he rolled his eyes
“Unfortunately, some people can’t understand a simple ‘No’.”

I grabbed my bag, and smiled up at him. He was much taller then I and looked even cuter up close. “Thanks for dinner” I said, as I played with the hem of my shirt. “It was nice talking to you” He smiled, “It was my pleasure” I started backing away hoping that he’d stop me and, like in the movies, hold me in his arms and dramatically proclaim his love for me. But instead, he waved and smiled. I turned on my heel and walked towards my entrance door.

“Wait… Hayles!” He called out, and right on queue I felt the butterflies activate in my stomach.

“Yeah?” I turned towards him.
“Give me your phone,” He demanded, a shy smile on his lips. I handed it to him and watched him type something in and handed it back to me.

“Text me soon” He said with a grin.

I watched him walk away towards the parking lot. I guess he lived somewhere close… My stomach was flipping, as was my heart. We definitely had some chemistry.

I looked down at my phone.

Message: Josh Farro
Hey Red ☺

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