Irish Oxytocin

Cherry Blossoms | 5

                             ❁ Chapter 5 ❁

                            6 hours later...
                  Cora's Point Of View

I knew this wasn't a good idea. He didn't have to tell me. But I really, really, really wanted to.
And he did too. He didn't have to tell me that, either. I saw the way he looked at me, and I knew deep down he didn't want to be an ass. So, I wouldn't let him be. He'll have to try a lot harder.

I knew this wasn't going to get me anywhere, but I couldn't help it. I was drawn to him. I wanted to get close to him. I wanted to get to know him, and not the version of himself that he shows the world. Call me stupid, but I'd rather be stupid for him for this one moment than stop trying for something that could be great. Who knows, maybe this is the universe's way of showing me I deserve a second chance.
Showing me I'll find a purpose.
To explain to a full extent how I felt right now would be extremely difficult. Truth is, I didn't even really know who Nolan was yet. It was almost like an invisible magnetic pull that drew me to him.
I watched him during the day, trying to read his face. His expressions were always a sullen brew of mystery. He never seemed to pay complete attention to what was going on around us. Yet, he was never behind.
His hands scribbled fast in his notes in Caveat handwriting. It was professional, and his literature was clean. It was like sitting next to a human dictionary, which could spell words like onomatopoeia and Worcestershire without second doubts.

Gym class was the most mesmerizing to watch. It was the only class the entire group had together, and we were mid-volleyball season.
As I stood at the back of the class whilst Jamie and Aaliyah tossed the ball back and forth, I watched him speak to Chase. He seemed to loosen up more when he was around them; the guys.
He wore cut-off basketball shorts and a slim T-shirt that looked similar to the one he was wearing yesterday. They messed around more than they actually played.

Daniel and him never spoke. They played from opposite sides of the net and walked away from each other when they'd take breaks.
Some of the other guys in the grade were friendly with him, and he never seemed to be as cold with them as he was with me. Most of them were on Daniel's football team.
It was clear now that there wasn't very much that he wasn't good at. He picked up on things easily, and it only made me more curious.
He was so intelligent; crazy smart. His brain worked faster than anyone else's that I knew. It was probably why his ego was large. He thought he was better than everyone else.
And clearly, he was.

The last period ended with a slow ring of the bell. I was on the phone with Ethan as I walked to my locker since I hadn't seen him since lunch.
Nolan sat with us again, this time talking with my brother more.
They both pretended I wasn't there, and I spent the entire lunch researching things for our essay.

"I really don't know about this, Cora," Ethan doubted.
I got to my locker and I held my phone up between my shoulder and ear.
"Relax, Eth. I'm not on my way to date the guy. We're just hanging out," I reminded him again.

Ethan sighed from the other side of the phone. I listened as he put me on one of the shelves of his locker so he could change for the gym. Jacob and him go almost every day.
"I know, but...I know you, Cora. No offence, but you jump head over heels for anyone who remotely gives you attention."

I rolled my eyes as I did my combination. He was right, I guess.
It wasn't like that this time, though. He wasn't even attempting to understand that.

"Chill, bro. He's one of your good friends and I thought it would be nice to get to know him. I promise I won't date him, okay?" I promised, zipping my bag closed.
"Are you sure, Cora?"
"Yes, I'm sure. I promise I won't date him. It's not like he's magically going to be my soulmate or anything. Besides, I'm capable of having guy friends! I have you, don't I?"