This Modern Love

Chapter 3

Caroline:

I jogged away from the house, leaning forward and resting my hands on my knees for a breath. In through the nose, out through the mouth. In through the nose, out through the mouth. He keeps getting to me. I hated that he kept getting to me. Setting me on edge, boiling my blood. He had some nerve, saying that it was my fault. If memory served, he was the one that told me to pour it in the beaker because it was in the formula. I told him it wasn't then... I sighed again, resting my hands on my hips. "Caroline, don't go!" Michelle pleaded when she met me outside.

"Michelle, I can't. I can't. I want to be here but him, he's difficult," I told her. I breathed in deeply, she gave me a sad look. I sighed. "I'm sorry for making a scene. He got to me."

"What's up with you and him, anyway?" Daniel asked when he reached us.

"It's a long story. I don't want to get into it. I just want to lie down." I slapped my hands against my thighs in exhaustion. Cameron, the douche. I'm gonna start calling him that.

"Did you two have a bad breakup?" He asked.

"God, no!" Daniel and Michelle looked at each other knowingly. "What?"

"Do you have a crush on him?"

"This isn't elementary school, Michelle where he tugs my hair because he likes me. Besides, he made it distinctly clear that he hates my guts. And I agree with the sentiment." I breathed through my nose, the air was making me calm.

"I heard him saying he's going to his room. We can have fun. You meet the other guys." Michelle tried to negotiate.
"I already spent so much time here. I don't want to ruin your night with my mood, you can stay."

"No, I'll go with you. We stick together, remember?" Michelle linked her elbow with mine. I smiled. I didn't want her to go home early and resent me for the rest of the night because of my selfishness. I decided to stay, stay for Michelle and stay away from Cameron for the rest of the night. We went back to the frat house, I grabbed another beer, and sat on another couch. I took a relaxed pose on the cushions, watching everyone dance to the beats of Ice Spice. A frat guy came up to me with flirty green eyes. His sharp jawline clenched when he sat next to me. Prominent cheekbones and messy hair he introduced himself.

"Hello there." He held out his hand. "I'm Dylan."

"Dylan. Hello there. I'm Caroline." I met his hand, shaking it. His hand is strong, callous. I squinted, I wasn't the type to hook for distraction. However he could be a great one for tonight.

"What's a beautiful girl like you sitting alone?" He smirked.

"I have leprosy." His smile dropped. I grinned. "I'm kidding. I just wanted to be alone.

"Well I've heard I'm a great company."

"Is that right?" I moved closer, attempting to give a come hither look. It seemed to be working, I saw him blush.

"It is. Want to find out?" I gave him a chance. Our conversation continued, we talked for what felt like hours. He kept my company, my mind and body occupied as we danced and made out.

***

I got his number, saying I should text him anytime. I wasn't in the mood for a relationship, but I wouldn't mind casual dating. He seemed nice. Charming. I liked kissing him. It's the first week, I was prepared. I had to be prepared, I didn't want to be the type that looked lost on her first day. I woke up early, had my shower and now I was going to get breakfast at the dining hall. Michelle was groggy when she woke up. My alarm woke us both up. We didn't drink as much, more of a tipsy hangover and came in at 3 am. On Sunday, I went over my syllabus again, making sure each deadline is set on the right dates. I got restless. The kind of restlessness I have when it's monday, the kind where anything is possible. I was dressed in a black knee high skirt, green long sleeved shirt, and brushed my hair down. Michelle came back from the bathroom, hair wet that she was drying with a towel. I found out she had Intro Biology, too.

"Wanna get breakfast?" I asked Michelle.

"Yes, I'm starving," she said. "I saw you making out with that hottie on the dance floor. Spill the tea." She held her hair up in a high ponytail.

I chuckled, "it was just a make out. Nothing else."

"What's his name?"

"Dylan."

"Was he a good kisser?"

"He was adequate." He made my knees weak, not as jelly as I wanted, but he was good at it. I liked how he held my hips, he wasn't a love match, a good distraction.

Her eyes widened in excitement. "You're gonna see him again?" She poked my shoulder.

"I don't know. I got his number, he hasn't texted me. I don't know his last name or major. What if he was a townie?" Oh my god, I might've given my number to a townie.

"He will, he probably wasn't a townie and you should be proud that you had fun, right?"

"I did. We should head out."

"Let me get one more thing." I placed my laptop in my backpack, wearing it over my shoulder. I waited as she was getting her stuff, jiggling my leg. I checked the time so we wouldn't be late for class. "Let's go."

I stood up, opening the door for us, and we walked to the dining hall. We had enough time but I didn't want to waste it. We saw Daniel in line, Michelle embraced him for a while. Kissing him from his cheek to his lips briefly. We greeted each other, and I waved back. The line wasn't long, I'm making great time, I could be the first in class.

"I gotta meet Cam later," I heard Daniel say to Michelle. I rolled my eyes.

To hell with him. As long as we don't cross paths, I could survive without wanting my head to explode. After breakfast, we made it on time, Intro Biology, signing our name at the entrance. Professor Stein was at her desk, typing away as the rest of us piled into our seats. Her red, curly hair tendrils hit her face. I felt my phone buzz in my pocket, Dylan was texting me. He sent a hi. I typed hey, withholding my smile. I placed it back in my pocket and took out my laptop, opening a word document for notes. My textbook was on the desk, opening to the introduction page. Class was about to begin, she stood up with a smile to the class. She discussed the syllabus, we followed along each bullet point and date for the semester. She took attendance, I raised my hand, and then I heard Cameron's name. Oh my god. I shouldn't falter. It's one class. It's fine. I could handle one class. It wasn't like senior year. It won't be like senior year. Michelle's here. As the hour passed up, I went to my next class, Nutrition 100. It was required for my major. He was here earlier than me, in the second row of seats. His forehead was covered in sweat, he was wearing his black rimmed glasses, I tried to not make myself known, picking a seat on the second row of the class. I squeezed my hand to calm down, pulling out my laptop, highlighter, and textbook. Professor Davidson came in. His black hair was slicked forward, button down white shirt and black pants were iron crisped, he greeted us and told us to turn to page 13. I did what was instructed.

One of the first assignments was to create a food diary, what we eat for the week and study units 1 through three in the textbook. I could tell he spotted me, feeling his eyes burning on my back. I had to focus. Go ahead and stare, I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere.