Love Lessons

C H A P T E R T H R E E || J E S S

||T H E D E A L||

The raindrops rolled off my large blue umbrella as I walked back to my dorm building. The winding sidewalk held people slushing through the rain, heads covered in hoods or umbrellas, muttering colorful words under their breath. Glancing at some hoodless students, it was obvious that many did not check the weather and walked to class with a nasty scowl on their faces. In my own realistic world, I would have someone walking under the umbrella with me, enjoying the sounds of rain, cracking jokes until we made it inside to drink hot tea and cuddle. Of course, it was probably corny and excessively stupid, but each time I saw a couple, my heart clenched. It was tiring to see everyone together and know that I can't have a boyfriend because I'm not as pretty as those girls are.

Riley told me once that if I never got up and meet people, then I would never be in a relationship or married in the future. Although her words held nothing but truth, it didn't make it less bitter. Riley had an easier time talking to people and catching attention. I, on the other hand, happened to be too shy and not good looking to catch a boy's attention.

A crack a thunder hit as I hit my building and I listened as girls screeched in the distance and the boys passing me swearing under their breath. Closing my umbrella, I walked inside and relaxed in the heat from my building. I listened awkwardly to my shoes screech, hoping that no one would find him or her as annoying as I did. The lack of homework I have made it easier to go back to my dorm, knowing that I could put on Netflix and relax. I almost couldn't contain the excitement of changing out of these uncomfortable clothes and sitting in front of the TV.

My enjoyment tanked when I confronted a very pissed off Cole pacing outside my door. I raised my eyebrow at him as I made my way to my door, wondering what the hell he was doing. Of course, as he debated something, I took a quick glance at him. His dark wash slim fitting jeans and his name brand sweater had my mouth watering and I tried to find something unattractive about him. Cole smelled shower fresh as I came close enough and I tried hard not to lean over and smell him. Cole notices my presence and sighs, scrunching his nose at me.

"Uh, can I help you?" I asked, fumbling around for my key in my backpack. When I found it, I had hoped he would have left, but instead, I faced an annoyed Cole. He looked me up and down, clearly not pleased with my appearance. He ran his hand across his jaw and sighed.

"Look, if you're going-"

"You'll do." He sighed. He grabbed my arm and pulled me toward his room. I started to protest but one glare from him and the sound of older people in his room has my mouth closed.

"Babe, meet my parents." He smiled. My eyes widened and I felt my jaw drop, unable to form appropriate words. Once again, he's left me speechless and yet it's still in a bad way.

"Uh, excuse-" I start to say, but before I can finish Cole wraps his large arm around my short frame and pulls me against him, knocking his body against my sharply. I gasp out in pain but mask it with a smile. He pulls me into his room-which is exceptionally clean. His clothes hung perfectly organized in his closet, his bed was made, and his desk was clean. There was no sign of garbage or anything out of order. His shoes seemed too aligned to pass as straight but before I could analyze his room, I came face to face with his parents.

His mom sat on the edge of his bed, scanning the room as if she didn't find it appealing. Her Silver jeans made her body look younger and her hair was perfectly curled. I didn't know them well, but I could tell where Cole got his looks. Same hair color, same cruel look in the eye; it freaked me out. Cole's dad smiled at me, his blue eyes seemed genuine and although he seemed over six feet tall, he seemed harmless. He continued to talk on his iPhone, shoving one of his hands in his suit pockets. After a couple seconds of awkward staring, Cole finally opens his mouth to say what I should have killed him for.