Love me. Choose me.

{10} Love me

Five minutes past the scheduled end of PHY 101, and I'm trying not to lose my mind. A tall, swanky man in khaki baggy pants and a white t-shirt stood before us, his hands gesturing wildly as he tried to explain the concept of electricity and electrical charge.

"This concept will help you during your examination. If you have any questions regarding today's lecture, make good use of your textbooks." With that, he closed the textbook in his hand and walked down the stairs.

I grabbed my book and bag from the table and stood up in haste, eager to escape the crowded lecture hall. As I walked down the steps with rows of seats on each side, my phone started blaring. I reached into my bag, hung on my left shoulder, rummaging for the phone while continuing down the stairs.

Finally, I took hold of my phone and hauled it out, checking the caller ID. I took a step forward, but unfortunately, I lost my footing. My phone flew from my hand as my body landed on the ground. The entire lecture hall turned towards me, eyes peering at what was left of my dignity.

A guy rushed to my aid and helped me up, while a girl next to me gathered my things from the floor.

"Thank you," I said as I collected the bag from her. She gave me a sympathetic smile before walking away. I turned to appreciate the guy, but he had already left. I looked around for my phone but couldn't find it. As the students in the hall started walking out, soon the lecture hall was empty. I leaned against the tiled floor in search of my phone but found nothing resembling it.

I stood up in frustration but was shocked to see a red-haired girl standing next to me, her eyebrow arched.

"What are you looking for, leaning so close to the—eww." She scrunched her face with a gesture of irritation.

I sighed as I reached for my bag. "My phone fell from my hand when I tripped."

The girl sighed and reached into her jeans pocket. She pulled out my phone and stretched it to me. "Here, I think this belongs to you."

I collected the phone from her with a sigh of relief and a smile. "Thank you."

She took a step down and turned to me with a smirk. "My name is Maureen. What about yours?"

I walked down the stairs to meet her. "Noelle."

"That's a unique name," Maureen replied as we walked out of the lecture hall together.

I looked down at my phone screen, which was slightly cracked. I had two missed calls from my mom. Groaning, I put the phone back in my bag.

"Who's that?" Maureen asked, looking concerned.

"My mom," I told her, and she gave me a slight smile.

"That was an awkward moment back there, I mean the fall," she said with a sympathetic smile.

"Quite a fall," I agreed, my cheeks burning as I remembered everyone in the lecture hall turning towards me. "I'm glad my phone screen didn't get much of it. So what class do you have next?"

She paused, placing a finger under her chin. "Um, BIO 101. And you?"

"Same, but I don't think I might attend the class," I replied.

Her lips parted as if to say something to convince me to stay, but she paused and gave me an understanding look instead. "Okay, I'll catch up with you later."

I waved to her and turned toward the entrance. I was almost exiting the huge cyclone building with oxblood and white paint when I felt a hand grab me from behind and pull me close to a rock-hard body. I gasped, about to launch into the self-defense tactics my mom had shown me while growing up.

I looked up and saw Trent smiling, his face glowing as if a light from heaven was shining on him. I gulped, the urgency in me deflating into a love balloon.

"Hey, my love," Trent mumbled into my ear and pulled me close in a tight hug.

"You scared the hell out of me," I said as we pulled out of the hug. "I almost hit you."

He laughed, tucking his hand in his pocket. "Thank goodness you didn't. Sorry for that. Where are you heading?"

"Home," I mumbled, and he took hold of my hand, entwining our fingers.

"Did they cancel the rest of your classes?" he asked as we walked toward the bleachers.

I shook my head slightly as we settled on the bleachers. I leaned close to Trent, resting my head on his shoulder. I felt relaxed, my heart beating steadily as I stared at the blue sky, imagining the possibilities of my future with Trent.

He was the perfect match for true love—he was all I ever wanted.

"Babe," Trent called. "I'm having a house party tonight, and I'd love for you to come."

I lifted my head from his shoulder, making eye contact with him. "House party?" I mumbled. The memory of our first outing came to mind like a sharp sword piercing my heart. I'd never been to a house party before, but after my club experience with Trent, I never wanted to go anywhere other than a coffee shop with him.

He scoffed, staring at me like I had a clown mask on. "What's the problem, babe?" It was obvious he was trying to hold his laughter in, and I was feeling the opposite.

"I'm not the party type, and I'll be studying tonight," I blurted out.

"Come on, babe. Is it because of what happened last time? I promise it won't happen again. You can choose not to take anything, and I won't force you." He took hold of my hand gently. "Your love is hosting a party; it would be really bad if you're not there."

"I can't come. I can't sacrifice my studies for some goofy party." The last word came out before I could hold it in.

"Babe." His voice was calm, his gaze fixed on the sky. The wind blew past his hair, giving it a fascinating look, but I refused to fall for it. "I want you to trust me. It's just a party at my place. You can choose not to join the crowd, and we'll spend time together in my room."

I shook my head disapprovingly.

"I just want to spend time with you, that's all." He stood up and walked a little away from me. "But if you can't come, I understand."

At that moment, my willpower was failing, and I was confused. "Um, I'll come. But I won't join the crowd."

My heartbeat increased as he stared at me with a weird smile plastered on his lips.

I hope I don't regret it this time.

Top question

Have you ever tripped in front of many people before?

Do you think something bad might happen at the house party?

Have you ever been to a house party before?