Where my Heart Lies

Diffident

The next morning was cloudy. Small raindrops seemed to be falling everywhere in sight. Jessica and others were headed to their classes, and most of the students could be seen with big fat books open in their hands, with the exams looming over their heads. Ryan almost had his home setup in the library, while Jessica did not spare a moment for something other than reading and revising her notes. She was much focused on the classes, more than ever. As of Liam, he had to answer a phone call every now and then, which were mostly work related. Out of these three, only Liam had a terrible feeling in his gut. Jessica, was pissed. Ryan, was genuinely studying.

After a night of thoughts coming and going, Liam had finally decided to explain to Jessica. And... and apologize to her as well. He had been an ass to her, and he couldn't bother to make her hate him. It was a reckless decision on his part, that he regretted. So, he decided to see her after class and make things clear. By 5 pm, he headed out of his room, had coffee and waited outside the café for Jessica to show up. He saw her coming from a distance. She looked beautiful. Not once did his eyes move from her as she approached the café. Once she was close enough, he called out to her, in the most gentle voice he had.

"Jessica-"

"Jessica-", it was Ryan.

Jessica did not glance at Liam. She turned back at waved at Ryan, who was with one of his friends. 

"What's up?"

"Nothing really. Just grabbing some coffee." Ryan's friend looked at Jessica in a weird way. And that made her anxious. But she didn't want to face Liam. So Ryan was her best bet.

"Yeah, me too. Wanna go to Starbucks? This place seems shitty now."

"Sure." Jessica smiled at Ryan. And it made someone's heart burn.

"My car's over there. Let's go. I'll see you later." Ryan said to his friend as Jessica and he walked away. 

Liam felt an empty pit form in his stomach. 

"I thought you hated him?"

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"What kind of trick is this, Ryan?" Jessica looked at Ryan with a questioning look once they reached his car.

"What trick!?"

"Do not play innocent. I don't believe you want to grab some coffee. You hate me Ryan, ain't no way this is as simple."

"Are you dumb? Yeah I forgot you were!-", Ryan leaned towards Jessica,"-but then why did you agree if you knew this was a trick?"

His breath fanned Jessica's face, making adrenaline pump through her veins. Her body and mind had completely taken him or anything far related to him as a threat. 

"That- I wanted to see how far you can go." She looked in his eyes. How am I looking? She thought to herself. 

"Well, believe me or not, I realized I have been too much of dick to you. Although you deserve that. But since you said you wanted to date me, I feel we might as well give this a chance. I might be free from that sick Larry too, maybe."

"I never said I wanted to date you."

"You said I was like a trophy you wanted to win."

"But I don't want to participate anymore."

"Must you be so boring?"

"Yes. Bye"

"Okay. Let's grab a drink tonight. Seriously. The exams have been stressing me out. Just want to chill."