Not So Cliché

two

I hate walking around campus with a smeared mascara on my cheeks. I hate everybody walking past me giving me weird looks or pitying me like I just got dumped, fuck off. I couldn't go back to my dorm because my stupid professor decided to start our economics class an hour earlier. The graveyard also just had to be an hour away from Columbia because my family lived in a small town north of Columbia university so I only had 30 minutes to get to class. I'm now speed walking my butt off just to get to this damn class. At least I don't have to do a workout today anymore.

I plan out the lecture hall's floor plan in my head. The bathroom is right next to my lecture hall so if I quickly wash off my splotchy mascara off my face, I might be able to be in time for the lecture.

I rush into the building briskly not wanting any more distractions or interference for I very much dislike when my scheduled plan is ruined and I get distracted very easily. What a nice duo. It makes my life so much easier.

I suddenly bump into this barrier. I look up to find that I indeed did not bump into a barrier, but a man. A very attractive man to be specific. God what am I thinking about right now? Focus on getting to class, idiot. I am not here to admire some guy I just bumped into. I glare into his dark green eyes as if saying 'get the hell away from me'. At least I'm hoping my glare was deathly enough. With smeared mascara on my face, I probably did not look very frightening, but looks like a raccoon.

I tensely passed him and headed to the bathroom. Go me! As I went, I could feel his forest green eyes scorch my back with his gaze. What a weird guy.

*****

I made it just in time for the lecture with my face bare and clean. I normally wear light makeup to class, so this is a first. It feels weird, my face being so naked and washed, but I supposed it's better than listening to a lecture with the dry and flaky mascara that was on my face from the crying.

I sit down in my seat and set my bag on the floor just in time to see him enter. By him I mean Brennon Huxley. Brennon Huxley. The hottest and prettiest man at this university. I just gotta say that I have a huge crush on him. It's pretty stupid. I mean, I'm a goddamn junior in college and crushing on a guy like I'm in elementary school. I can't help it though, with his silky black hair and bright blue eyes, who wouldn't like him?

He doesn't come into the classroom alone. He's with the green-eyed man from the hall when I was rushing to the bathroom. He looks different when I can look at him longer without being in a hurry. By different I mean much more attractive and very captivating. I squint to look at him closer due to my nearsightedness; he is very freaking tall, lean but very muscular (I can see his biceps coming from his gray cotton t-shirt that look like chicken legs), and has fluffy light brown hair. It looks like Brennon has some competition. I don't ignore the fact that a few girls became surprised or very aware of their presence really quickly when they sit in their seats next to each other. So this green-eyed guy must be pretty popular.

Our middle aged blonde teacher, Ms. Lennon arrives at the lecture hall and everybody snaps to her attention. I'm still a little pissed at her for starting the class an hour earlier.

"Good afternoon, my little business men and women! Thank you for coming an hour earlier for this class!" she exclaims happily. We mumble a greeting in response. Ms. Lennon is a very hyperactive teacher, I should say. She's probably like that since she was a second grade teacher before deciding to teach at Columbia.

"Oh! Nathaniel, you're back!" she cheered as her eyes found the green-eyed guy. This time, there were more responses. Guys hooted and welcomed him back while girls shrieked and smirked. So his name is Nathaniel and I'm supposedly the only person who doesn't know him.

"Good to be back, miss." he answered while shooting them a grin. And I almost faint because oh God, his voice is so addicting. Husky, but not raspy. Smooth, but not oily. Deep, but not croaky. It's like the voice of every attractive male character in the romance novels I read.

Ms. Lennon yelled at us to calm down and started explaining today's class, "So as many of you know, midterm tests are tomorrow." Many students groan in annoyance.

She continues after everybody shuts up, "But, I talked to the department secretary yesterday, and I decided that tests are boring. So I decided to have the 'midterm test' for this econ class to be a project where you will have to work with a partner." Many people perk up at this.

"This project will help your speaking, writing, and economics analysis. You and your partner will pick an economics topic, conduct research, write a paper, then we will have you and your partner share it with the class. A few of my classmates groan while some brighten. I wipe my sweaty hands on my black leggings when I heard that we would have to present our project to the class. I absolutely hate public speaking or performing in large crowds.

She starts to announce our work partners as I hear some scoffs and gasps in reaction. I wait to hear who my partner is. I hope they're smart and actually do the work with me.

"Nathaniel Romano with Ariel Caddel," Ms. Lennon says. So Mr. Romano is with the party girl, I smirk. Good luck with that, she's probably going to try to make out with you the whole time.

She finally ends her list of partners and says, "Brennon Huxley with Meilani Lin."

Holy shit.