Sober

Ch. 6

After class the following day, I drive straight to the library, to not be questioned by Deja. Though, I don't think she would mind since she often invites friends over for drinks on Thursdays. Either that or they go out to bars.

I had a variety of things I needed to work on regarding my dances, so I was slightly inconvenienced, but I still had things I could do for other classes. I was also missing work, but I rarely took days off, so my boss likely won't have an issue.

Around half past four, I run into the library to book a study room last minute. After closing the door, I get comfortable and start killing time on my laptop, and after many minutes of editing and turning in some work I was behind on for other classes, I text Nick. My first text to him, to be exact.

'I'm in room 207. It's by the color printers :)'

A few minutes pass, and then I get a read receipt. He doesn't respond, but Nick never seemed like the type to reply urgently and elaborately to texts anyway. As I sit there, now distracted by my phone, a figure walks in, and I glance up, though it's not who I was expecting.

"Hey!" Louis beams. "Won't you get in trouble for keeping one of these to yourself?"

I snicker as he walks inside some more, and then I notice Nathan behind him. He wears all black, but due to the odd placement of the rips on his jeans, I can see the snake tattoo that runs down his leg.

I wave at him, and he quietly returns the gesture.

"I'm waiting for a friend," I chuckle.

Louis grabs one of the chairs and sits on it backward. The strap of his tank top falls, but he ignores it.

"Oh cool! Can we join you?"

I scratch my neck. "Um... I mean, we kinda have a project to work on and are trying to limit distractions," I lie.

Nathan leans against the door frame, not paying too much attention, yet his redheaded friend raises his eyebrows and then smiles.

"It's Nick, isn't it?"

Nathan perks up. "Nick?"

I sigh. "Y-Yeah."

The darker male places his hands in his pockets. "Hm. Haven't talked to that kid in a while. How is he?"

Louis slams his hands on the table. "You see? This is why I said we all need to hang out! Nate now too!" He looks at his friend. "Right?"

He shrugs. "Yeah. He's cool with me."

I nod awkwardly. "Yeah, I'm fine with that, just not right now. Maybe this weekend could work, though."

Nathan moves some of his hair out of his eyes. I swear it's gotten longer and somehow curlier since I've last seen him. Before it stopped above his ears and was super straight, but now it's on his shoulders. I wonder how he deals with that as well as all the frizz.

"You guys lookin' for a party?"

Louis stands up. "Nah, maybe we can just get dinner."

"I gotta say, the socializing and drinking is starting to get to me," I chuckle.

"Well, I'll add you all to a group chat, and we'll keep it in mind. But let's try and keep Saturday evening open."

We nod, and Nate, without hesitation, leaves the study room. The redhead then glances at me.

"So, you crushin' on Nick?"

My face heats up and he grins.

"Wait! I was joking—do you really?"