Through the Lens

Pleasure Principle

Two weeks. It's been two weeks since the universe played its greatest practical joke on Charlotte and made Engfa Waraha her tutor. Grumpy, abrasive, sarcastic, broody, apathetic, yet infuriatingly smart, Engfa Waraha.

"Are we really going to do this every time?" Charlotte huffed as she walked back to their usual meeting place in the library.

She had completely forgone her usual polite entrance of clearing her throat and acting apologetic for interrupting whatever make-out session was happening. But by now, she was done with it. And if she had to pretend to be anything other than completely annoyed at what she continuously walked in on, she might actually kill someone. Which would be bad. But, seriously. Did this have to happen every time they met up in the library? And where was she even finding these girls?

Engfa pulled away from yet another 'study buddy' and smirked at Charlotte. She wiped her bottom lip with her thumb slowly, "Jealous, babe?"

Charlotte just rolled her eyes and dropped her backpack on the ground before dropping down into one of the chairs. She started pulling out her notes as Engfa said her goodbyes. It was the same every time. Flirty smile, wink, whispering in the ear, then they went on their way.

"Like I would be jealous of your nameless conquests, anyway." Charlotte finally commented as Engfa sat back down on the couch, clearly pleased with herself.

"Nameless?" Engfa raised an eyebrow, "What makes you think I don't know their names?"

Charlotte thought about it for a second, "Cause you have a tendency to call people by little pet names."

"Only you, darling," Engfa smirked before opening up her backpack and pulling out a notebook covered with more doodles than actual notes.

"Right." Charlotte scoffed, setting her elbow on her knee and leaning her chin into the palm of her hand as she looked over the notes in front of her.

"Sarah, Pitchy, Faye..."

Charlotte looked up confused until it dawned on her what Engfa was doing.

Engfa flipped through her notebook, continuing her marit lazily, "Chompoo. Mmm, Chompoo. I should text her—"

"Alright, I get it." Charlotte groaned. She watched her for a minute as she realized Engfa was right. As much as Charlotte hated the nicknames Engfa gives her, and the fact that she had never once called her Charlotte in the short time they had known each other, she had to admit she hadn't heard her use the nicknames with anyone else. At least not those pet names. "So why give me stupid nicknames then?"

Engfa just shrugged without looking up, "Cause I know it annoys you."

Charlotte bunched up her face in annoyance and glared at Engfa silently.

The lack of response caused Engfa to glance up and her bored expression shifted to a smirk almost immediately, "And that bunched-up little face you make when you're angry is hilarious, honey." Engfa chuckled and grabbed a pen from her bag. Starting a drawing of swirls on her current page.