Love me. Choose me.

{14} Love me

I settled into a quiet corner of the library with my textbooks, focused on revising the topic. Annoyance crept in as Maureen hadn't arrived yet. It was all her idea for us to study and she wasn't here, I hesitated to call her, knowing phones weren't allowed in the library.

As I kept my eyes on the textbook, someone suddenly took a seat beside me. Initially, I thought it was Maureen, but when I glanced up, I was surprised to see a guy dressed entirely in denim. His presence invaded my personal space, and I wasn't thrilled about it. Despite my irritation, he looked oddly familiar.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, interrupting my thoughts.

"Sure," I mumbled, not wanting to engage further.

"I'm sorry about leaving like that," he said, breaking the silence between us.

Confused, I looked up, trying to understand his words while reminding myself to avoid getting too involved in conversation, especially with a guy.

"That day in class when you tripped." He smiled as if he could read my thoughts.

I stared at him, my expression blank, hoping he'd get the hint that I wasn't interested in chatting.

But he was determined, his eyes boring into me. I felt uncomfortable, but I couldn't be ungrateful. He did help me, after all, and I hadn't had a chance to thank him properly.

So, I turned toward him with a thin-lipped smile. "Thank you for helping me." My voice lacked genuine warmth, a clear indicator of my lack of interest.

"Yeah, what are you reading?" He leaned closer, his arm almost touching mine. His breath on my neck made me uncomfortable, so I adjusted, creating some space between us.

"It's an assignment for PHY 101 class. I was supposed to study with my partner, but she hasn't shown up yet," I replied.

His eyes glanced at the gap I'd made between us and my uneasy demeanor. "I'm sorry if I'm making you uncomfortable."

I shook my head quickly and forced a slight laugh. "No, don't worry about it."

He studied me for a moment, his deep blue eyes locking onto mine. My heart started to race, and I looked away, focusing on the textbook.

"What do you understand about electric conduits?" I stammered, my voice higher than usual.

He took the textbook from me and flipped through the pages. "Electric conduits are pathways that carry electrical wiring, usually made of metal or plastic. They protect the wires from physical damage and provide a safe route for electrical currents."

As he explained, I listened intently, grateful for the distraction from our earlier awkwardness.

"The assignment the professor gave is quite simple if you consider the concept of electrical conduits," he continued, his voice smooth and confident. "It's all about understanding how electricity flows through these pathways and how they're used to protect wiring in buildings."

I nodded, feeling more at ease as he explained. "That makes sense. I've been struggling a bit with the technical aspects, but your explanation helps."

He smiled with a warm expression that eased my nerves. "Glad I could help. I'm Dean, by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Dean. I'm Noelle," I replied, offering a small smile in return.

"So, Noelle, what department are you doing?" Dean asked, his curiosity genuine.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure how much I wanted to reveal. "Biochemistry, as a first-year student I had to take all related courses."

"That's smart," Dean said with a nod. "There are so many fascinating fields within physics. You've got plenty of time to figure it out."

As we chatted more about our studies and shared interests, I found myself enjoying our conversation. Dean was easy to talk to, and his passion for physics was contagious. I didn't care about personal space anymore and soon, I found myself smiling genuinely at him.

Suddenly, the library door swung open, and Maureen hurried in, looking flustered as she made her way to meet me.

"Sorry I'm late, Noelle!" she exclaimed, setting her bag down in the seat next to Dean. "I had to stop by at the cafeteria."

I glanced at Dean, realizing our conversation had been interrupted. "No worries, Maureen. Meet Dean. He's been helping me with the assignment."

Maureen flashed a smile at Dean, and then an uncertain gesture at me. "Nice to meet you! Thanks for helping."

Dean chuckled. "Happy to help. If you need help regarding the assignment, I'll be happy to help."

"Sure, I was hoping you'd join us," Maureen answered with a meek smile.

Maureen joined us at the table, and the three of us dove into our study session. With Dean's explanations and Maureen's input, the assignment felt more manageable.

As we wrapped up our discussion, I packed my things, feeling grateful for the unexpected help.

"Thanks again, Dean. I appreciate your assistance," I said, offering a genuine smile.

"My pleasure, Noelle, Let me know if you need any more help," Dean replied, returning the smile.

Maureen glanced between us, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Looks like I interrupted something here. Did I miss out on an introduction?"

I felt my cheeks flush, but Dean just chuckled. "Nothing much, just talking physics. Nice meeting you, Maureen."

With a final wave, Dean gathered his things and headed out of the library. The moment Dean was gone Maureen gave me a confused look and then deflated it into a smile.

"He seems nice! Maybe you've found your physics study buddy," she teased.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't deny that meeting Dean had made my day a little brighter. As I left the library with Maureen, I couldn't help but think about our conversation and the friendly encounter with Dean. Perhaps it wasn't that bad to talk to a guy, as long as it didn't exceed friendship.

"Thank goodness, I was feeling so confused about the assignment, but now it doesn't seem that difficult," Maureen said as we walked across the lawn toward the parking lot. "So, can we hang out tomorrow? Maybe attend classes together?"

"Yes," I replied.

"Cool, see you tomorrow," she said before heading off.

Let's just say I've been away too long and I started to forget the storyline, but thank goodness I was able to keep things on track. But I promise until I finish this book, I'm not taking any anymore. 

So this chapter is kinda flat but good.

Let's discuss something.

What do you think Dean is up to?

Do you think he has a major aim or he's just trying to be helpful and friendly?

Thanks for reading this chapter to the end.

With love
Clara Joel