Why Don't We?

Chapter Three

I pulled into the parking lot of UCLA around 1:00PM. The campus was completely packed out with students filing out of their classes and going on about their lives. So Ellie mentioned he was a professor here? We'll see how long that lasts. I had no idea what I was doing. So he wanted to play games, did he? I smiled. I had my doubts he would find me here. I had no idea how long I had but I was going to thoroughly enjoy telling the board here about it. I stepped out of my car and realized how well I blended in. Perfect. He couldn't pick me out of the hundreds of students here. 

After finding a few students to point me in the right direction, I headed towards the main office. I enjoyed the beautiful sunny day, breathing in the relatively fresh air for LA. It was surprisingly clear today. I looked down at my phone. Ellie had texted me. 

"We might have to rain check for tonight. Something came up. Sorry!" That didn't bother me. I had no idea how long this was going to take. Instead of responding, I called her again. "Hey, what's going on?" Her concern was undeniable. 

"Well, you said he worked at UCLA right?" 

"Who? Aizawa? Yeah. Why? Please tell me you're not there right now." She knew me too well. 

"Maybe. Why?" I was standing before the office, kicking around a few stray gravel pieces. For my own sake, I remained outside for the time being. 

"What did he say to you?" Just the mere question made me upset. So I told her everything. From the second that I had finished explaining his behavior towards me and about my past job, she let out an angry sigh. "I'm sorry, Aria. I tried warning you." 

"I know you did, but how was I supposed to know that he was an ace detective too? I mean I literally said nothing about it! He simply recognized my name for some reason and just made things worse. I don't know what I'm going to do." 

"Well you can't tell the board anything." My mouth dropped open. 

"Why not?" 

"Because, what do you expect them to do? Fire him? He's on that board." Because of course he was. He really was starting to become a real pain. I groaned. 

"Are you serious? What the heck am I supposed to do then? Just wait for him to say something? He pretty much tore down every wall I built over the years. He doesn't know a single thing I went through to get here." 

"Perhaps. And you're right, he doesn't. Maybe he was trying to coax it out of you, even if it was in a strange way. You know how men are. They love to tease. And forgive me, but you are rather easily teased. They'll exploit that just for a reaction. I'm sure you running off was exactly what he was hoping for." Once again, she was probably right. My face drained. So that might mean he possibly could have found his way here. Oh no. 

"Right. As long as he's out of my hair, I'll be fine." I mumbled more to myself. 

"I wouldn't be too sure, Aria. Even if he hasn't said it, I don't think he's gonna leave you alone any time soon. That sounds incredibly creepy." I laughed even though I was nervous. I was keeping a wary glance around the campus. He could be anywhere and I wouldn't notice. I didn't know this place at all. 

"Gee thanks. What do I do? I don't...god I haven't known him for a full day and he's already becoming a pain." I complained. Ellie laughed again. 

"You say that about everyone. I think you're just afraid to open up. After all, if he was able to tear down your walls that easily, maybe that's not a bad thing. It's okay to open up once in a while." I frowned down at the ground. 

"I don't know." I heard her laugh again. 

"Aria, you are about the most stubborn and skeptical person I have ever met. And besides all that, you're incredibly smart. He'd be an absolute fool to not see that. I know you're scared but running away won't solve your problems." God dammit. I didn't like this one bit. Why was everyone so intent on exposing my feelings? And why was she so on point with everything?