Until We Meet Again

7. second place

It's hard to concentrate in class when all I can think about is Delilah. Again.

Four years gone and she stills occupies a huge space in my mind. She's simply a regular at this point. My professor is the background noise while she's the main attraction right now. It's just how she would have liked it.

I wonder what she would think of me now. Would she think I'm a fool for still thinking about her? Or would she love me for it? Would she love me at all?

A guy who goes by the name Dash tells me to wake up suddenly, and I can tell he's fed up by my constant disappearances in class. He's made it a point to sit next to me for the past few weeks, and at first I thought it was out of pity as everyone else already has their small groups while I'm always alone, but he insists that it's not.

He's been kind at least. He has short brown hair and hazel eyes with a pair of glasses that he always insists he does not need. Each day he shows up in different button up shirts, and each day he has a new thing to make a comment about.

I don't mind the company I guess.

Today, he makes a joke about the upcoming chemistry test, and even a few girls sitting behind us join our sounds of laughter with the growing fear about a poor grade. It's only been a month and a half of the new academic year, but we've somehow caught on to the ins and outs of this course.

It's notoriously difficult, with only fifteen out of one hundred people passing every year. We'll all fight to be one of those lucky few, but even I doubt my own abilities. I'm a hopeful writer, not really a strong STEM student.

I receive a text at that moment from Nina who is asking me if I'd like to attend some study session, and I decide to tell her yes.

"Who is that?" Dash asks.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes at him, but I know it's simple innocent curiosity. I can't insult him for it, and that's why I simply tell him it's my friend, Nina.

"Oh, I know her!" He exclaims. "Can I come along?"

I send Nina another text, and she tells me that she's fine with it. She even adds a winking emoji. She's clearly more than fine with it.

But, how clever. I don't know if that's toward Dash or for me. Dash is still waiting for confirmation when I look back up, and I tell him that it'll be at 7 later today.

"Count me in!" He says excitedly. I'm about to look away once again when he taps me on the shoulder, adding, "just between us, can you tell me if Nina likes anyone at the moment?"

So, that's why he's so happy about studying today. I resist the urge to laugh about it, and I tell him, "I'm honestly not aware about any crushes at the moment."

"If she hasn't mentioned anyone does that mean that there isn't anyone or she's keeping a secret?"

"I haven't exactly known her that long. . . " I tell him.

And that's the truth.

I wish I did know more about my newfound friend, and I think that'll be my next mission. Finding out small details like this is important to me, I always hold onto them. For everything and anything.

"Thanks for your help," he says with a smile.

From what I know about him, I do think he's good enough for Nina. But, of course, I'm not always the best on judging based on looks and basic conversations. And, again, I don't know him very well. It feels like I never know anything or anyone.

Then again, it's not like there's much substance with men. At least with the ones I've known. I recall a very short relationship I had in high school with some white guy who only ever talked about sports, specifically baseball. He couldn't even choose a slightly more interesting game. Others at my school only ever focused on superficial topics and impressing girls with their trips to the gym.

It's a perfectly sound judgement made based on my experiences which are totally a great representation of every man on Earth. I don't know, maybe Dash will surprise me. I don't really know what I'm supposed to expect either way though.

Instead of focusing on my own lack of drama, I might as well meddle in Nina's life. After all, what are friends for?

I send a text to Nina, asking her, "are you into Dash?"

She responds a short few seconds later with a ";)".

There's my answer.

I don't even know where they met or how they met. All I know is that there's a possibility and with a small chance, I will launch that into more. It's not like I have anything going on in my own life.

That's actually kind of sad for me. But, it's good news for her!

When our professor ends the lecture, I walk out with Dash and tell him, "I'll see you later."

He almost blushes at the reminder of the future event, and says, "see you then."

Later that day, I arrive at my dorm with an ounce of peace in my mind. Madison has gone off on a date, and I can finally be alone.

I value those rare moments where I don't feel like I have to hide. Life seems to be good right now though. I'm on a good path with Nina, and I feel like I finally might find someone I can be friends with. Back home, I never allowed myself to get close to anyone after my best friend moved away.

I always feared I wouldn't be good enough for anyone. I mean, why else did Delilah leave me without any kind of contact information or any signs? She poked a hole in my heart and left with her family to their next home away from me.

Before I can continue getting ahead of myself, I decide to travel to Nina's dorm on the floor below mine. I knock on the door before saying, "I'm here!" and walking in.

I find Nina pacing around the room and throwing out a million concerns about how this is going to go.

"We're just studying?" I tell her.

She looks like she wants to yell at me for daring to reduce the situation to what it is, but she doesn't. She asks what she's supposed to say, and I try my best to give her answers.

At that moment, we both hear someone knock on the thin wooden door. She's clearly nervous, so I decide to open up the entrance for him. They're both awkward as they greet each other and talk about how much of a pain in the ass university is.

Soon enough, they get in an easy flow of discussion that even ends up leaving me out. They're so obsessed with each other in some conversation that I feel awkward simply being there.

I think that's my moment. I come up with an excuse and tell them that I have to go out to the dining hall for some food, but as I walk out, I realize that they probably didn't even hear me.

Filler chapter! Something will happen in the next two :)