Wild Ride

Chapter 16: What Damian Knows

Xandria's pov

It was sometime after lunch and I had already been done with two lectures when my phone vibrated beside me.

My first lecture seemed to had lasted forever. I had sat quietly, took notes while the lecturer spoke, occasionally looking at the clock. At one point, my mind had wandered to Carl but I quickly shook the thought away and focused on my notes. When the second lecture finally ended, I packed my things and went to get lunch. I had already planned to go to the library today, seeing as we were having a test coming up soon. I didn't waste much time eating and after eating I left.

I was currently sitting at a desk in the library, trying to make sense of the notes scattered across the table in front of me. My laptop was open, my notebook was full of half-finished sentences, and I had been staring at one of the same paragraphs for the past ten minutes.

Without thinking, I reached for my phone. As I saw the name on the screen, I paused. Damian. I frowned slightly. Why was Damian texting me?

It wasn't unusual for us to talk, but he wasn't exactly someone who randomly messaged me during the day.

I unlocked my phone.

Damian: Hey.

I stared at the single word. Then I smiled to myself.

Me: Hey?

A few seconds passed.

Damian: Yes. Hey.

Me: Is everything okay?

Damian: Everything is fine.

Me: Then why do you sound suspicious?

Damian: I haven't even said anything suspicious yet.

I laughed to myself.

Me: You texting me out of nowhere is suspicious enough.

Damian: 😂 Relax, I just wanted to ask you something.

I sat back in my chair. There it was. I knew there had to be a reason.

Me: What?

The typing bubble appeared, then disappeared, then appeared again. I waited, and finally, his message came through.

Damian: Do you like Carl?

My eyes widened as I looked around the library, as though someone else might have seen the message.

"What?"

I whispered to myself, even though I was alone. I read it again. Do you like Carl? Why was he asking me that?

I quickly typed.

Me: Where did that come from? 😭

Damian: Just answer the question.

I stared at the screen. My first instinct was to say no, but I didn't want to lie, so instead, I replied:

Me: I don't know.

His response was almost immediate.

Damian: That's not a no.

I rolled my eyes.

Me: You're annoying.

Damian: And you're avoiding the question.

I placed my phone on the desk and rubbed my forehead, I couldn't believe this conversation was happening in the middle of the afternoon. Eventually, I picked my phone back up.

Me: Why are you asking me this?

Damian: Because I think you should give him a chance.

I froze. A strange feeling settled in my stomach.