Wild Ride

Chapter 9: Something About Her

Carl's pov

My day started quietly. Soft golden sunlight slipped through my bedroom curtains, landing across my face and making it impossible to ignore the fact that the morning had arrived. I stretched beneath the covers and stared at the ceiling for a few seconds. I had no immediate plans outside the apartment, so I allowed myself a few extra minutes in bed before getting up.

Today was going to be productive. I had laundry to do, my apartment needed some serious cleaning, and, of course, there was my thesis. My thesis seemed to have a permanent place on my mind these days.

I started with the laundry, sorting through the pile of clothes that had somehow grown much larger than I remembered. I loaded everything into the washing machine, added detergent and turned it on. The gentle sound of the machine running filled the apartment.

While I waited, I picked up my phone and started scrolling through Instagram and WhatsApp. I replied to a few messages, responded to some friends and spent a little longer than I should have watching random posts.

I eventually caught myself. "Okay, Carl. Enough."

I put the phone down and started cleaning. I swept the floors, wiped down surfaces and straightened things that had been lying around for far too long. There was something oddly satisfying about watching my apartment slowly come back to life. Maybe it was because my mind had been so cluttered lately that cleaning felt like clearing some of the mess inside my head too.

Once I was done, I checked the washing machine. The cycle had finished. I took the clothes out, rinsed them and carried them outside to hang them up. When I was finished, I stood there for a moment, looking at the clothes swaying gently in the breeze.

"One thing down."

I went back inside and took a short break before turning my attention to my desk. Papers were scattered everywhere. Books were stacked on top of one another, and there were notes I'd written weeks ago that I had completely forgotten about.

I shook my head. "How do I even work like this?"

I started organizing everything, separating my research papers from my books and arranging my notes properly. By the time I finished, my desk looked completely different. I leaned back and looked around the apartment. It was clean, organized and for the first time that morning, I felt a genuine sense of accomplishment.

Then reality came knocking. My thesis. I opened my laptop and settled into my chair. The next few hours disappeared. I went through my research, analyzed data, checked references and worked on the sections that still needed improvement. Every now and then, I'd stop typing and stare at the screen, trying to find the right way to put my thoughts into words.

Writing a thesis wasn't just about knowing what you wanted to say. Sometimes, it was about convincing yourself that what you were saying was actually worth saying.

As noon approached, I began feeling hungry, realising I hadn't eaten breakfast. I wasn't in the mood to leave the apartment just yet, so I grabbed an energy bar and ate it while continuing to work. It wasn't a proper meal, but it was enough to keep me going.

I returned to my laptop. Another paragraph. Another correction. Another page. Before I knew it, the afternoon had slipped away. Eventually, I closed my laptop and rubbed my eyes.

"That's enough for today."

I realized I was genuinely hungry this time. I decided to go to my usual spot, grab something to eat and take a walk afterward. I needed the fresh air. I grabbed my jacket and stepped outside.

The cool evening breeze immediately hit my face. It felt good. I walked to my usual eating spot, placed my order and settled down. I ate slowly, enjoying the break from my laptop and the constant pressure of school. Once I finished, I sat for a few more minutes before finally heading outside.

The sun was beginning to disappear beneath the horizon, painting the sky with beautiful shades of orange and pink. The evening was peaceful. The breeze was gentle, and the faint scent of flowers and leaves drifted through the air. I walked without any particular destination in mind, simply enjoying the quiet.

Eventually, I stopped near a lamppost and leaned against it. I pulled my hands into my pockets and looked around. My mind was unusually quiet. Then, for some reason, I thought about her.

Xandria.

I smiled to myself. I still couldn't understand what it was about her. I'd met plenty of girls before. I'd had conversations with them, laughed with them, had one night stands with them and gone about my life without thinking much about it afterward.

But Xandria was different. There was something about her that stayed with me. Maybe it was the way she looked at me before quickly looking away. Maybe it was her quiet personality. Or maybe it was simply the fact that I wanted to know more about her.

I was still thinking about her when something made me look up. And there she was.

I smiled at her. "Hey."

"Hi," she finally replied. Her voice was soft, almost shy.

"Heading somewhere?"

She nodded. "I'm going back to my room."

I stepped away from the lamppost and came closer to her.

There was a brief silence between us, but surprisingly, it didn't feel uncomfortable.

I looked at her for a moment before deciding to take the chance. There was something I'd wanted to ask her for a while.

"You know..." I started. "I've actually been meaning to ask you something."

She raised an eyebrow. "What?"

I reached into my pocket, bringing out my phone. "Can I have your number?"

She blinked. "Sure."

She took my phone and entered her number before handing it back. I quickly saved her contact.

"Thanks," I said.

"No problem."

As she handed my phone back, our fingers briefly brushed. Her hand was warm. It was only for a second, but somehow I noticed it. And judging by the way she quickly looked away, I wasn't sure I was the only one who noticed. We continued talking. At first it was about simple things, our goals, school, assignments and how busy everything had been lately. But somehow, the conversation became easier.

She laughed at something I said, and I found myself smiling because she was smiling. I liked this. I liked talking to her. More than I probably should. Eventually, she pulled out her phone and checked the time.

"It's been nice talking with you," she said. "But I start heading back. It's getting dark."

A small part of me wished she'd stay. I'd only just gotten her number, and already, I didn't want the conversation to end. Still, I nodded.

"Yeah."

I smiled. "We should hang out one of these days, I could suggest a day and get to know if it would work with you and if it doesn't, you could suggest a convenient day for you and I'll try to fit it into my schedule. It was good seeing you this evening."

A small smile appeared on her face. "Okay,"

"Take care", I said.

"You too, Carl."

She turned and started walking away. I watched her for a few seconds, before she looked back at me. I smiled at her. She smiled back.

I shook my head. "What's happening to me?"

I couldn't remember the last time something as simple as getting a girl's number had made me feel this good. I continued my walk for a little while longer, but my mind wasn't really on the scenery anymore. It was on her. Her smile. Her voice. The way she'd looked at me. And the fact that I now had her number saved in my phone.

Eventually, I headed back to my apartment. The moment I walked through the door, I dropped my keys on the table and went to the bathroom to take a cold shower.

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