When We Were

Chapter 3

Elizabeth's POV

We were choosing between a rom-com or a straight out slapstick comedy flick. We ended up watching the comedy. I figured we didn't need the added tension. I finally have to admit that there IS some sort of tension. There was something between us, probably the past or the undetermined future.

We ate Japanese food this time. Christopher talked about his job and his work, purposely steering conversation away from his relationship with Laura whenever I tried to ask. I talked about school, I don't know if he could sense that I was hiding something. I also mentioned nothing about past boyfriends or suitors. Was he curious? He sometimes had this weird look on his face. I knew he wanted to probe deeper but decided not to.

We decided to walk around the park near the house for a bit more. It was almost midnight and the weather has turned chilly.

"It's so nice here. I can't believe I'm here!" I finally broke the silence. I sat down on the swing. Christopher started to push me.

"You've been to Europe. That's more exciting than California. And I bet there's more people to see... like hot Italian guys."

"Why do people immediately equate traveling in Europe with hooking up with people?!" I answered.

He laughed, "Sorry. But, you know... summer fling. No attachments. And, you are young. What's so bad about a hook up?"

It took awhile before I spoke again, "Sometimes flings can start something dangerous." 

There was silence. He finally spoke, "So, are you still interested to do some part time work?"

I stopped the swing and turned around. "Yes! What do you have for me?"

"It's nothing much. Just helping out another professor. He needs someone to help with his research maybe five hours a day? It won't pay much..."

"Sold! I just don't want to be cooped up in your house. You're mom might think I'm a furniture or something."

"I doubt that. You know she always wanted a daughter. Come on. Let's walk back."

There was small talk walking back to the house. We stood on the front porch, "I won't come in anymore. It's late and my parents are probably asleep anyway."

"Thanks for the movie. Maybe after my first paycheck I can pay you back with dinner?"

"Sold!" He pulls me close and kissed my forehead. "Good night Lizzie. Sweet dreams" With that, he went to his car and left.

I was a bit stunned from the simple kiss. It took awhile before I went in and another few minutes before I went up to my room. After changing into my pajamas, I lay awake staring at the ceiling. I thought about the tumultuous past year of my life. I now have to live with the bad choices I made and the people I hurt along the way. Christopher was an old friend and has his life together, I didn't want to make those mistakes again with him. I turned to hug my pillow and felt comforted. The last thought in my head was it smelled like Christopher.

--------------------------------------------------

After driving for thirty minutes, the sprawling campus where Christopher studied and taught came to view. The biggest building was right in the middle. It was a big edifice with roman columns around. There were four other imposing buildings around it. Everything evoked typical Ivy League university.

"So, the main library is the red bricked building by the back. Collin, Prof. Harper, is a nice guy. One of the few professors here I really call my friend. I'm sure you'll get along fine."

Christopher found a parking space near the entrance. Always the gentleman, he opened the door for me. He continued talking about the school and the research Prof. Harper was doing.

"...so, it's basically just assisting him with the data he gathered and encoding it for the system to run."

"Christopher!" Prof. Harper interrupted him. "Is this Elizabeth?" He held out his hand and introduced himself. He looked young, I was thinking mid thirties maybe. He looked fit too, not the typical nerdy professor.

"Hi Sir..."

"Please. Just Collin. You're not a student here anyway and a friend of Christopher. And any friend of Christopher is my friend too."

"Thanks Collin" I answered.

We managed to do small talk but Christopher had to leave for a class. Collin spent the next hour explaining what research needed to be done and what data needed to be encoded. The pay was on a per hour basis, which I prefers so just in case I needed less hours a day, I wouldn't have a problem. Eventually, I was given a laptop, a long table and a stool as my own workspace. I looked at the data given and started to work.

It was one o'clock when Collin asked if I was hungry and invited me for lunch. I declined and opted to stay in the office to eat the sandwich Christopher's mom packed for me. Collin didn't come back until three.

"Look Elizabeth, I'm about to go to my class. Why don't you sit in? You can continue that tomorrow." He asked as he was picking up his teaching materials on his desk.

"Umm, sure why not." I shut down the laptop and grabbed my things too.

The class ended at half past four. I took out her cellphone after the class ended and saw three missed calls from Christopher. I immediately dialed his number but the call went to voicemail.

"You have a problem?" Collin asked from the teacher's desk.

"I can't seem to contact Christopher. I forgot to ask him how to take the bus home"

"Nonsense. I'll drive you there. I know his house, had barbecue with friends there before."

I hesitated but accepted his offer. From the first introduction I felt Collin was trying to flirt with me.

Oh, God! Not another professor!

"C'mon. My car is just outside."

If only he could read my thought bubble! I thought. Nonetheless, I accepted and just sent a text to Christopher.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author's Note:

First A/N for this book! I know. This Chapter 3 is more of a filler than anything. Chapter 4 is better and coming sooner!

Feel free to leave a comment or better yet, vote!