Pucker-Up

Chapter Four - Mathew

The final twenty minutes of researching and note writing flies by and the tutorial draws to an end. I stand and shove my pen back into the pocket of my baggy fit black jeans, tossing my backpack over my broad shoulders. I look down to watch as Gaby takes a moment to pack up her belongings into her tote bag. She organises it carefully, like there's a specific routine to it. "Maybe we could get some lunch and finish off our task together?" I suggest as she stands, seeming surprised for more reasons than one when she looks me up and down a bit. "Oh I'm not sure, I have other study to do." She placed her heavy tote bag back over her shoulder, her body beginning to lean to the side as if she was about to topple over from the heaviness of it. I instinctively placed my hands onto either sides of her arms, helping her stand back upright. We both laugh, her laugh more nervous sounding compared to mine - probably filled with embarrassment. "Let me carry that for you. Where are you headed?" I asked as my hands are already removing the bag from her shoulder - and she's right, the bag is really heavy. "Oh it's really alright— I'm headed to the central courtyard." She seems flustered as I place her tote bag onto my shoulder, nodding to her as we start walking in that direction.

Heading towards the exit of the Law Building, her eyes are preoccupied by looking around the new architecture. The way she looks at the structures and focuses in on the fine details makes me like to think that in another life she would've been a great interior designer.

I open the door and hold it for her to walk through, Gaby flashing me a small smile of thanks before as she swooshed past me. I follow by with her, then catching her looking up to me. "You've changed quite a lot from last year- Feels like you've gotten taller." Her demeanour feels more gentle now, like she's more relaxed. "Sounds like you've been studying me, huh." I tease her, watching her eyes widen as she instantly tries to battle against the allegations. "NO— I just- almost didn't recognise you." Gaby let's off a sigh of relief, believing she's now covered herself. I chuckle at the many emotions she just went through, then shaking my head a bit "No but you're right. I've been working out a lot.. Were you wanting to grab a coffee?" I look to her and she's already nodding.

Swinging by a cafe on campus, we both step in the line to order without even needing to look at the menu. I let her in front of me when our time comes, listening as she orders an Iced Long Black with a dash of Oat Milk. She's a woman of particular taste. I, myself, order a protein shake. It's the same one I've been getting most days before hockey practice - made with Banana, Honey, Coconut Water and Protein Powder. Simple, but effective AND delicious. We walk out with our drinks, finding a table to sit at in the middle of the courtyard so I can I carefully place her tote bag down, being mindful to not damage her laptop that's inside.