Gianni and Me

Chapter Seven

When you need to process on your own, the best place to go to is where you know no one will be. 

In my case, since it's currently 7PM, and everyone had dinner at 5PM, I head to the kitchen. 

Maybe a part of me hopes Liam will be there too. I didn't dress up or anything, but I'm not looking bad. My hair is down in it's natural waves and I have on a pair of black leggings along with a University of Main at Augusta college sweatshirt. Casual. Comfy. Deliberate. 

Unfortunately, he's not in the kitchen when I arrive. And it's not like I have his number. Not like I have my phone either. Mr. Ricci did promise to give it back to me within the week, so that's good. Damn it. I should really move on from my one night stand. 

Not entirely hungry, but also wanting to do something, I settle on making a smoothie. Gosh, I wish there was music here. 

Chopping up some fresh mangos, I start to sing "You Can't Hurry Love", quietly, of course, I don't want to draw attention. I grab a banana and put the whole thing in the blender. By the time I reach the second verse, I hear a chair move behind me. 

I whirl around, heart attack style, the blender in my hand and eyes wide. 

And there he is. Just on time. Well, in my book, anytime I see him is the right time. Annoying, right? 

A black cloth headband holds his curly hair back, he's in a dark green hoodie- those damn hoodies- and he's wearing dark jeans. Odd. I haven't seen him in jeans since our first night. 

"You- why didn't you- how long have you been here?" I blubber out. Nice, Olive. Really smooth. 

He smirks, his exterior as a whole completely different from how he was this afternoon. "Please, don't stop on my account." He leans back slightly in his chair and comfortably folds his hands behind his head. 

"That looks unnatural." It so didn't. But he immediately drops his arms, as if my words had an affect on him. There's no way they did...

"So today." He swiftly changes subject. "What were you doing in the Mission's Hall?" His eyes assess me as I get back to work on the smoothie. Shivers run up and down my spine under his gaze. 

I sigh, still exaggerated with my own stupidity. I pick up a knife and start chopping spinach. He furrows his brows at the action. Why am I chopping my spinach instead of just putting it in the blender? Because he makes me all jittery and I need something to do with my hands, that's bloody why. 

"It was terrible, actually." I push out and throw the spinach in the blender. I grab almond milk from the fridge. "Do you want a smoothie?" I ask, looking back at him. Why does it feel like we've known each other way longer than this? Even on our first night together, we've felt... close immediately. 

"Sure. Thanks." He says. I nod and pour the milk into the blender. He waits patiently, watching my every movement. 

I look up at him and stop my actions briefly to respond. "I was looking for a bathroom, mainly because the training at Unit Five... freaked me out. Which you weren't there, by the way, after you said you would be." He raises an eyebrow. "I ran into Tricia on the way." I say as if that should answer his question. 

Liam sighs out a laugh, which is so sexy, and shakes his head. "I'm sorry for not showing up today. I was pretty occupied, unfortunately. But that doesn't answer why you were in the hall with two other people." 

"You're right." I agree with a nod. I look up at him. "Do you think orange juice would be good in this?" 

"You're easily distracted, aren't you?"