Through her Ribcage

5

I navigate my way through the campus using the map I was provided, trying to find my first class.

Realising I am still quite ahead of schedule I change my plans and head to the campus coffee house, which is on the way. I take a second to appreciate the rude man that invaded my dorm room this morning. If it wasn't for Spencer acting so obnoxiously I wouldn't have left as early as I did and wouldn't have had as much time to get myself a coffee on the way to class.

"Hi there, can I please have a strong latte in a to-go cup?", I ask the alternative boy at the counter of the Harvard campus coffee house.

"Of course. What was ye name?", he asks. His English accent surprising me.

"Adeline", I say shyly.

"I'm Dominic", he introduces himself then flashes me a smile.

"Nice to meet you Dominic", I reply, fidgeting with the coins in my hand.

"That'll be $2.90 fank you beautiful", he says letting a smirk appear at the corner of his mouth.

My cheeks flash red and I suddenly feel nervous.

I grew up and spent my entire childhood with all the boys my age back in Vermont. We went to kindergarten together and attended the same high school. Other than from Jesse, I never was the girl who got much attention from the boys. They were all my friends and they never saw me like that.

I hand the change over to Dominic to pay for my coffee.

"I'll call ye name when it's ready okay?", he says sweetly, "You can take a seat if you like".

"Thank you", I reply tucking a loose curl behind my ear before pulling out a chair at a nearby table and taking a seat.

I check the time to ensure I'm still on schedule and I see that I'm still early. "Thank goodness", I think to myself. I really am looking forward to my first class. I can not wait to dive right into college.

I pull the map of the campus out from my planner once more to confirm the route I need to take, to get to my first class.

"Hello? Adeline?", a voice startles me, causing my head to snap up.

"Yes?", I say before I register who it is. "Oh, it's you... Can I help you?", I say, my voice laced in irritation and a lot ruder than I'd intended when I see that it's Bethan's older brother, Spencer.

"I just wanted to apologise for being rude to you earlier", he says running his hand through his hair and down to rub the back of his neck.

I watch the leather of his jacket strain against the flexing muscles underneath. "What are you doing!?", my conscience appears front and centre causing me to snap out of whatever perverted head space I was just in.

I roll my eyes dramatically. "Did Bethan tell you to say sorry? Because you really don't have..."

He scoffs cutting me off.

"No she didn't but I can see your first impression has your mind made up about me. Just forget I spoke to you", he says turning on his heel to approach the counter.

He is so arrogant and childish. My goodness is he childish. My first impression of him was not incorrect in the slightest. "And you were perving at him!", my conscience appears again. "I was not!", I say inwardly, burying her back down where she belongs.

"Adeline!", Dominic calls my name, breaking me from my thoughts. He's letting me know my coffee is ready.

"Thank you Dominic", I say, ignoring Spencer who is still ordering with the young girl at the counter to the left of me. I wrap my hands around the to-go cup and pull it to my lips for a sip. Mmm coffee.

"Have a great day beautiful", he says flashing another knock out smirk at me.

I blush again. I know I have a boyfriend and Jesse is absolutely everything to me, but the attention is new and kind of nice...

"You to", I smile and take another sip.

I hear Spencer scoff at our interaction.

"Is there a problem sir?", Dominic asks him bravely.

"Nothing at all", Spencer answers smugly, raising both hands as if Dominic had a gun.

I roll my eyes. What is his deal? He is so rude!

"See you round Dominic", I say before turning and exiting the coffee house.

"Goodbye Adeline", Spencer calls after me sarcastically but I ignore him.

Right, that is enough distractions for today, it's time to focus.

When I get to my freshman 'Pure Mathematics' class the door is pinned wide open so I take a step inside. The seats that fill the lecture hall are empty and I see I am the first student to arrive. The professor who is standing at the podium at the front, centre of the classroom is looking through paper work.

"Wow", I say out loud, taking in the large space before selecting a desk in the front row and taking a seat.

I pull my Maths text book from my bag along with a note book, pen and my planner. I begin scanning over the first lesson at the beginning of the book completely unaware as the classroom begins to fill with more students.

"Oh hey! Adeline right?", a familiar voice makes me look up from my book.

It's Dominic from the Coffee House.

"Hi", I say in a squeak.

"May I sit 'ere?", he asks, pointing at the empty desk next to me.

"Of course!", I say excitedly. Maybe if we can get past the flirting, we could be friends.

"Fanks", Dominic replies. The mixture of his accent and his pronunciation of the word 'thanks' is cute in a sort of childish way.

"So you're a freshman?", I ask him as the lecture hall continues to fill with students. He looks a little older than me but not by much.

"Sophomore actually. I got to take freshman maf matics for me double major ye see", he replies, accent and English slang thick on every word. "Mind numbin' class for extra credits basically. What's your major?", he asks smiling at me.

"Mathematics", I say smiling to him.

"Oh shit... Sorry... I er completely just insulted your study", Dominic says looking nervous.

"It's fine really. I love Maths and numbers. They're so intriguing... But not many people would agree", I try to assure him, giggling lightheartedly at his nervousness. "So what are you majoring in?", I ask.

"Sorry though, really... It's not mind numbin'", he tries to convince me.

"It kind of is", I say still laughing slightly, "But I love it", I shrug, "So your major?".

"Uhm so I'm doing a double art major, creative writin' and er music", he says with an awkward smile. "Completely opposite to ye", he laughs.

"Completely", I say returning a laugh, "Contrast isn't a bad thing in friendships though", I smile.

"I guess not", Dominic replies.

"Right! Good Morning Class!", Professor Tido begins.