Awakenings: The Greek, The Russian and Me

Chapter 25

I wake up rested and in time to get dressed and head to school. I drive feeling elated that this is the last Thursday class of the year. I park and head to class, grateful that I've made it through my first year of college. Now all I need to get through are finals, and I'm free and clear for the next two weeks until summer session starts. I sit through the lecture and take notes, feeling confident that the final is going to be a piece of cake, since history was always one of my strongest subjects in school. After class has finished, I walk over and grab a study packet that they're giving out and head to the door. As I walk out, I know immediately that I'm not alone. He's standing silently with his book bag across the hall, watching. Our eyes meet, and I quickly look the other way, making believe I didn't see him.

I continue walking down the hall, and I feel his steps behind me. Deciding to put an end to this, I stop in my tracks and turn around. "What is it?" I ask in an annoyed voice.

He smirks. "I haven't said a thing. I'm just walking."

"I got your message; I really don't think there is any- thing to talk about," I say in a low voice.

He walks closer to me, and I can smell his cologne. I briefly close my eyes, bracing myself for this confrontation. As I open my eyes, I see that he is inches away and looking very amused. "Shall we go and talk in the library or some other quiet place?" he says with a grin.

I feel my heart beating fast in his proximity. "No, we are not going to any secluded place. That's not going to happen again. I'm not making that mistake," I say indignantly.

"You make it sound as if I forced you," he says mockingly.

"Look, I have plans and have to get going. There is really nothing to say. Pete said he could take you to the airport. I wish you luck on your finals and a pleasant vacation in Cyprus." I turn to leave. Suddenly I feel a painful steel grip on my arm, and my gaze falls to his hand. "Let go of me," I say in an icy tone, and he loosens the hold but doesn't let go.

"Why are you doing this?" he asks in a low voice.

"Doing what? I don't know what you are taking about. We have gone out several times, but not once have you clarified where we stand. You don't introduce me to your friends or even hold my hand in public. I asked you to give me your contact information for Cyprus, and you changed the subject. I get it. You got what you wanted! You got in my pants!" I hiss back at him.

He looks shocked for a moment; then he recovers, and the mask is firmly in place, not letting any emotion show, except his eyes, which show genuine hurt. "I never lied to you, Fran."

"No, you didn't have to. You led me on, and stupid me with no experience thought we had something else. I have feelings for you, but I'm not your doormat. Pete explained about how most people from your country return and marry their own. I get it, but it sure as hell would have been better to know from the start and hear it from you," I reply, hearing my voice crack.

"Let's go somewhere and talk about it. Please," he says, freeing my arm from his hold.

"Tell me I'm wrong," I say defiantly. His silence cuts through the very core of me as I take a deep breath. "I wish you the best in life. But I need someone who is not playing games. I need a friend and a lover, not a pastime," I say as I briefly close my eyes and inhale deeply.

He grabs my arm again, this time gently caressing me with his thumb. "Fran," he says, but he is interrupted as a female voice calls my name, and I look to see Olga com- ing down the hall at a brisk speed.

"Here you are. Remember, we are going shopping this afternoon, and you are my designated driver, as my cousin Erik had to work today," she says with a bright smile as she takes hold of my arm.