Can I be your favorite?

Chapter 11: A Normal day

One week earlier

Anika's POV

Listening to the professor teach us about bridges was extremely difficult after last night's rendezvous with Ricardo. 'Idiot Jerrys' constant pencil tapping wasn't helping my concentration either. Somehow, I frequently find myself seated next to him, like its intentional. However, what's even more strange is the fact that I don't mind him so much.

Like we formed some kind of comfortable routine together; I would find a seat far enough away from the professor's direct line of sight while still able to hear his voice clearly. He would stroll in few minutes after class starts and push my bag of books I had placed in the seat beside me, dropping into the chair. As a concession fees (for my silence) he brings me a cup of coffee and when I text him so, a box of macaroons. Free of charge, of course. I take notes while he steals my textbooks and highlights the important points. The professors usually turn a blind eye to us; I was one of the top five students, 'Idiot Jerry' has his rich privilege. Besides, it's not like we ever disrupted class.

I don't even remember when this arrangement even started. It's like we're... friends. I cringe at the thought, which earns me a suspicious look from him. He has the audacity to scoot his seat away from me. I shoot him a deadpan glare. I catch his small smile that he tries to cover with his hand but remains quiet. At least he doesn't distract me by chatting.

I hate people who whisper during class, breaks my entire concentration. Especially when someone has a snide comment they must make during the lecture. When I didn't appreciate it or respond to their hilarious comment, they get offended and completely stop talking to me. That isn't what I want, can't people just tell me after class? Thus 'Idiot Jerry' is the perfect barrier; people avoid him because he's obnoxious which means people won't sit near him. Since I'm seated right next to him, it applied to me as well. Now people just come with their jokes after 'Idiot Jerry' has left. The system works. I get my peace during class and 'Idiot Jerry' gets what he wants, don't know what that is.

I stare at my notes, feeling completely lost. I give up, unable to make sense of anything. I'll just borrow notes from 'cookie monster' later. I glimpse her electric blue head at the very front of the class. She is reverently taking down notes, her head bobbing up and down as she copies from the smart board. I roll my eyes; can't believe she is the topper of our class. I mean she doesn't even wear glasses.

The bell rings, signaling the end of class. I grab 'Idiot Jerrys' arm, which is strangely muscular, silently telling him to wait. He looks annoyed, his buff arms immediately crossing across his chest. Okay, how the hell did I miss 'Idiot Jerrys' brawn over brains? It's staring right at me. Ignoring this new fact, I point towards 'cookie monster.'

"What about her?" he asks, his foot tapping impatiently. "What's the 'cookie monster's' name?" I ask as I watch her still seated writing something in her textbook. He almost chokes on his laughter, quickly covering it as a cough. However, 'cookie monster' hears us and turns around to look at us. in an impulsive move, I wave her towards us. she lights up, immediately abandoning what she was writing, she slings her bag over her shoulder and cradles the book in her arms as she makes her way towards us.

Instantly I regret my choice, unease gripping my heart. Meeting new people was not something I enjoyed. In fact, I despise the awkward small talk and nervousness of meeting someone new. I prefer to stick to people I already know. It goes to say that I was not the biggest fan of my newfound popularity. I wouldn't call myself an introvert, however, I don't exactly enjoy the company of people very much. Ironically, I come form a joint family, where I was in contact with my aunts, uncles and cousins on a daily basis. While I would speak to everyone, I'm not goanna go out of my way to have a conversation with someone, Kown or unknown.