In Two Years

Chapter 3: Coffee

It's Tuesday, and I have two classes that I have to get through. The first week is always the most tedious. The professors always want to go through the syllabus they made for their course, and sometimes they want us to go around the room and introduce ourselves, but that's usually only in the smaller classes.

I hear my phone buzzing on my desk.

Hey. It's Riley.

Me: Hey. What's up?

Riley: I just wanted to know when you were free to start working on our project.

Me: I'm free after 4 today.

Riley: Great! Would you like to start it over coffee?

Me: I would love some. I know a great cafe just outside of campus with great coffee.

I texted him the address, and we agreed to meet there.

When I think of seeing Riley outside of class it's like an anchor pulling down my lungs in the ocean making it impossible to catch any air. I don't know anything about him, and I am already intimidated by his presence. How the hell am I going to be able to work with him? Why couldn't he have just been a jerk to me? I wouldn't be so worried about how I come off to him.

It's time for me to head to class. I pack my stuff up and walk out of my room. I see Ella getting ready in front of our mirror in the living room.

"Hey. Where are you headed off too?"

"I have natural science and technology at 2:30."

"I have Cinematography at 2:30. Do you want to walk together?"

"Yes! Do you mind waiting a couple of minutes, so I can finish getting ready?"

"Of course."

I wait for Ella to finish her makeup and get dressed. It only takes 5 minutes. As we start walking to the elevator, we bump into her boyfriend, Michael.

"Hey, Mikey!"

"Hey, babe! What class are you two headed to?"

"Natural science. Where are you going?"

"I'm just going to grab a bite before my 3:30 class."

We walk into the elevator and Ella presses the lobby button. They stop talking, and it gets oddly quiet. We get to the lobby, and Michael looks into his backpack as he says "Oh shit. I forgot my phone."

"Oh okay. Well, we have to get to class, so I'll see you later." Ella says disappointedly.

"Love you." He says as the elevator closes.

Ella doesn't say a word after our interaction with him, which is unlike her.

"Hey. Are you okay?" I try not to be too nosey about their relationship, but I want her to know that she can talk to me if she needs to vent about their problems.

"I don't know. He hasn't done anything. It's just. Something feels off. How are your other classes going?" She changes the subject pretty quickly. Ella usually loves talking about her boyfriend, so I can tell things are a little rocky.

"I like my classes this semester. I already have work to do in psychology that isn't abnormal. It's a pretty demanding class. I'm excited about my photography class, but I already have a project in photography due in 2 weeks that I have to do with a partner." I respond.

"Do you have a partner yet?"

"Yeah. His name is Riley."

"Oh, it's a guy!" A huge grin slaps onto her face.