The Book Club

Chapter 3

It was my last period of the day, math. I was eager for the bell to ring so I could make my way to the library. Why was I so excited? It's Thursday, meaning the very first book club meeting. I tap my pencil on the desk, staring at the clock ticking on the wall. 5 minutes left. Nevaeh must've noticed me spacing out and tapped me on the shoulder.

"Hey, focus, I need help understanding this! I can't believe they made us do a math course..."

"Sorry. I'm just so excited," I say with a more chirpy tone than usual.

"Look, I get it, you're excited to see the hot professor, but think about that after class please," she gave a small smile before going back to the textbook. I sigh, trying to focus on the work again.

...

I reach the library and open the door, taking in the sight. The walls were tall and there was a second floor, accessed by a tall wooden ladder. The shelves reached the ceiling, each filled with different books. As I ventured further in, I took a deep breath. The smell of pages and wood filled my lungs, a pleasant smell. I ventured further in and saw Professor Pascal sitting on an armchair in front of a fireplace. On a couch next to him, Lil - Chase was sitting chatting to him happily, a book in his hand. I make my way over and sit on the chair opposite of Chase.

"Hi, Y/N," Professor Pascal greets me warmly, holding eye contact longer than necessary.

"Well, since it is just the three of us, please, call me Pedro," He smiles at the both of us. "Well, since we're all new, let's get to know each other. Be as open as you want. I'll start," He clears his throat. "My name is Pedro, I'm a classics professor and I love sweets. Your turn, Chase."

"My name is Chase, I'm a tik tok influencer and I'm studying to become a historian," He says. "Your turn, Rosie."

"I'm Y/N, not Rosie, I love to read and write, um, and I hope to become an author," I say, tucking a lock of my brown hair behind my ear. Both of them look at me with something unidentifiable in their eyes, but I shake it off.

"Alright, well this week the book is Pride and Prejudice, so here's a copy for each of you," he hands out the books, "and next Thursday we'll discuss it. For now, let's just get to know each other more. Both of you, tell me a bit more about yourselves. Where are you both from?"

"I'm from North Bay Village, outside of Miami," I say, avoiding eye contact with both of them.

"I lived in San Joaquin for most of my life before moving to LA," Chase said, flicking his eyes back to me every few seconds.

"Where are you from, Professor?" I said, ignoring Chase.

"Call me Pedro," he said with a smile, "And I was born in Chile but moved to California before I turned one." he said, his beautiful hazel eyes never leaving mine. Beautiful? I thought. What is this man doing to me?

After a few moments of eye contact with Pedro, I blushed and looked away to see Chase staring daggers at him. What's that about?

My thoughts were interrupted by my phone buzzing in my pocket. Mariane. I had told her we would have dinner and catch up on our assignments. I had told her to meet me at seven. I checked the clock: 7:30. Shit.

I stood up and started picking up my book and putting it in my bag. "Sorry, I forgot I had made dinner plans with my friend. I was supposed to be there a half an hour ago but I completely forgot."

"That's completely fine," said Pedro, "I'll see you in class tomorrow, yeah?"

"Oh, yeah of course," I said, picking up my bag before looking up and seeing Chase still glaring at Pedro. He noticed me looking and turned to face me before smiling and softening his gaze.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Rosie."

"If you keep calling me that, no you won't."

"Mhmm see you."

...

During dinner I was very distracted. I couldn't stop thinking about Chase and Pedro. I couldn't stop thinking about the moment I had with Pedro. Could you even call that a moment? I also couldn't stop thinking about Chase and the way he looked at Pedro when he was looking at me. Was it jealousy? I wasn't paying attention when Mariane ordered the appetisers, and I didn't notice what she ordered until it arrived. Garlic bread. Shit. My fear food.

"I... have to go to the bathroom, I'll be back," I said, quickly standing up and hurrying to the hallway where the bathrooms were. I was so distracted by the thought that I'd be expected to eat my fear food that I didn't realise who was in front of me until I ran into a wall. A warm wall at that. It was soft and hard at the same time. What? I push off it gently, feeling the slight dip between each soft yet hard brick. Reality crashes down when I see who it is- Professor Pascal. My face turns beet red as I hurriedly scramble off him and straighten myself out.

"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry, that was an accident, I-" I stumble, biting my tongue before I can go on anymore.

"It's okay. Are you alright? You seem scared," He says, low and calming. It makes something inside of me move, almost like butterflies but more intense.

"I- Yeah I'm just- I'm- I can't-" I stumbled over my words and I could feel my throat closing up.

"Hey, can I get you some water or something?" He asked, looking concerned.I nodded and he hurried to the bar to get the water. He returned swiftly and passed it to me, by which time I had slid down the wall and tears had started falling down my cheeks. After a while of silence he finally spoke.

"Is there someone you'd like me to go find?" He said, his low voice giving me that same feeling again. I shook my head. I don't want Mariane seeing me like this.

"No I'll be fine," I said, trying to blink away the tears now streaming down my face.

"That is not the look of someone who is fine," He said. "Do you want me to leave?"I looked up at him, his features softer in the dim light of the hallway. I shook my head.

"Please stay." I say in a small voice.He came closer and sat down next to me. I wasn't intimidated by him or scared of him. I felt like everything was going to be okay when he was there. I felt safe.