It was always you

Chapter 3

Author's note: I shouldn't, I know, but I have to publish this not completely edited chapter because I am itching to get to the next meeting with Aaron and I want you to read it and enjoy it just as much as I enjoyed writing and envisioning it. In sight of that, I am publishing this chapter ahead of schedule and without enough edits. so excuse any mistakes and leave below any suggestions. Much love!

With Allen's story of Jasper's last relationship still fresh in my mind, that Friday I met him for our third meeting with new eyes.

I tried not to. This was one reason I disliked gossip. I could never separate what I had heard from the person in front of me, even when I realised fully how false gossip could be.

Still, if there was an inkling of truth in the stories of his last relationship and the reason to their eventual end...I couldn't look at a superficial, manipulative man and not judge him.

I tried not to. But...my best attempts fell short.

I hadn't been overly friendly with him to begin with, ensuring any exchange between was limited to the newsletter. But this time I showed up for the meeting later than the assigned time in the hopes to avoid being with him on my own so my new perception of him would be picked on.

Worried though at being too late, I was glad to meet Fiyah and Arthur, head of photography and arts section for the news letter respectively, just outside the rec building we had scheduled this third meeting at.

"Natasha! Thank god you are late."

That shocked a laugh out of me, "What?'

"What Arthur is trying to say is that if one of the main editors shows up late, Jasper will forgive us for our tardiness."

"Will he?" I queried even as I began to lead the way to the meeting room I'd booked yesterday.

"Well, he will have to. You have been filling in for the gap made by his busy schedule and Jen's absence, so he can not but be kind to you and then, hence, us." Fiyah trailed off at that, glancing worriedly at my stoic face.

Arthur didn't pick up at my mood, instead picking up for her, "He does enough work for us to not discount him. Still we are glad to have you, you've led us well."

His words appeased me some. Because whatever my personal opinions, Jasper had worked harder than me on the newsletter. And it was never good to encourage dissatisfaction in the people working for you.

"He does do his job, doesn't he? He has been guiding me well too. Editing for a college paper isn't something I was used to."

Fiyah smiled placatingly at her, having clearly sensed my earlier discomfort, "We value every member of Celebron's team. The news-letter is a success due to a combined effort only". The girl always saw more than others. Was it what made her a good photographer or was her being a good photographer that made her more perceptive?

"True, though my eye for art is what adds the right finishing touches to it."

Fiyah snorted, "The shite you call art only makes the final cut for to appease other wanna-be art connoisseurs on the campus."

"Hey! Resemble that remark!"

I grinned as they continued their good natured ribbing, enjoying their easy relationship with each other. Both were freshmen like me, though I shared no classes with either. Their majors were more creativity focused, something my science one didnt allow space for. Though next semester I was planning to take a language course which Fiyah had said she would join me for.

The dark hair British had a sharp wit and sharper tongue yet somehow that complemented Arthur's direct personality deeply, something I'd noted in the handful of times I'd met them.