call it what you want

Chapter 27

Ameeriah

My exam is in two days, so I decide to head to the library to study for a bit because I'm sure as hell not going back to my dorm to try and study.
I never know when Rowan's gonna show up and she's so fucking rude to me for no reason.

When I get to the library, I keep my headphones in put my bag down to pull out my notes.
I glance down at one of the pages of notes that Jackson wrote on in his messy handwriting, but somehow the way he was able to explain it helped me, so I study his notes.

His handwriting reminds me of the events yesterday that I'm trying to push out of my mind.

After an hour or so goes by, I start to feel myself getting a little hungry, so I head over to the vending machines beside my table to grab a granola bar so I can keep studying for a while.

As I'm studying and listening to Mirrorball, I hear a voice and it prompts me to turn down my music a little bit before I realize the voice is trying to get my attention.

I look up and see Gale's face beside me.
"Oh hey," I smile as I take out one of my AirPods.
"Hey," he smiles back. "I know you're obviously busy right now," he says pointing down to the notes scattered across the table, "but once you're done studying I'm about to go grab some food if you wanna join me."

I glance at the time and see that I've been studying for two and a half hours, so maybe now's a good time for a break. "Yeah why not?" I say as I gather up my stuff back into my backpack.

"Ok yeah, perfect," he smiles back nervously as I zip up my bag.
"Where'd you wanna go?" I say as we start to walk.
"I heard there's a new Greek place right off campus if you wanted to try that? It's right across the street from Lench building, so we can just walk from here."
"That sounds good," I smile as I try not to notice how flushed his face is right now.

When we get to the restaurant, it's one of those places where you order at the front and then find a seat to eat.
We've talked about school and our classes and what we do for fun and our music tastes.

He's a nice guy, but he's really nervous. Like we've been talking for at least an hour and he still hasn't warmed up to me at all.

I can't help but think about how Jackson doesn't have to try at all.
He's completely and utterly so himself and so unapologetic about it and doesn't have to try at all. He's just naturally so easy to talk to.

As Gale talks about some of his friends, I notice how he's got short blonde hair.
Complete opposite of Jackson. Jackson has fluffy dark brown hair that isn't super long, but just enough for it to constantly fall into his face.

Gale also doesn't have the dimple that Jackson has whenever he smirks and he doesn't—
Not that I'm comparing them at all.

Just something I was noticing.

I snap myself back to what Gale is talking about when he asks, "so what about you? Do you have any siblings?"
I blink, "oh yeah I have a two younger siblings. They're 9 and twins," I smile.

We talk for a little longer whenever he fumbles with his hands on the table in front of our empty plates and nervously looks back up at me.
I think he has a hard time with eye contact because he's barely looked at me this entire time.

Jackson always makes so much eye contact that it makes me nervous sometimes and I like eye contact.

I notice him swallow before he finally starts to speak.
"I think you're really cool Ameeriah, and I like talking to you and I was wondering if maybe you would wanna start hanging out some more?" He pauses before continuing, "maybe like go on a real date?"