Collecting Signs

Chapter 4

Jared's P.O.V:

A week. I had spent a whole week trying to find Emily at the university, in vain. God knows how much I wanted that to happen but I looked everywhere for her and she was nowhere to be seen. I didn't understand where that urge of finding her came from and at some point, I seriously started to question my sanity, which was kind of normal seeing I was looking for a girl who I only had seen once. But that didn't matter, I was sure all my efforts would pay off.

Fortunately for me, the day was over and I just couldn't wait to get home already. It was a tiring day to say the least. I made my way out of the building just when Aubrey decided to send me a text. 

From: Aubrey

Nick told you there's a concert at the Red Lino tomorrow, right? Pick me up, yeah? 

Aubrey and I had history. I wouldn't say we were friends with benefits or anything because she was a close friend of mine no matter what, but we did mess around with each other without necessarily having a relationship. Seeing she didn't seem to mind, I didn't either: We were having fun after all. That until I found out that she was doing the same thing with Landon. I was in no place to say or to do anything seeing we didn't have anything concrete in the first place so the only thing I could do is put an end to whatever we had. Then I realized how messed-up our situation was. Two best friends hooking up with the same girl. It was low. Although we ended everything, Aubrey was still keen on making things work between us.

I sighed and typed a quick reply. 

To: Aubrey

The garage mechanic is still repairing the car as you know... So I'll just see you there! 

And it wasn't just an excuse I came up with, I really had a problem with my car. Which explained why I was heading to the bus station. I put my phone back in my pocket while slowly walking. 

"Remind me why your parents recommended this university to my family? It's all fucking hard work." As soon as I heard the complaints, I knew who it was. 

"Remind me why you're still a pain in the ass?" I demanded in a fake curious tone although we all knew the answer to that. Blake Harrington was born to be a pain in the ass. Being my little cousin, we literally grew up together so trust me, I would know. 

"Old habits die hard, you know it." He smirked while waving at some girl. "Where are you going?" 

"Home. You?" I nonchalantly responded. 

"Heaven. I'm doing French tutoring with this girl who studies in here and trust me when I tell you that it's indeed heaven," I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him and his hormones. "You wouldn't be doing that if you knew her. Plus, I learned a lot from her, I'm slowly starting to feel like Albert Camus or whatever his name is." 

I titled my head back and laughed at his stupidity. "Who's the unlucky girl?" 

"Oh, it's a lost cause. That girl is head over heels for her studies. You might know her seeing she's a senior, she's majoring in literature-"

 "So now you go for older girls?" I bust out laughing seeing I couldn't help it anymore. 

"I swear I'm born in the wrong generation." He was shaking his head, annoyance evident in his features. "My parents could have made me earlier." 

"You're so retarded. I gotta go, I'll see you later." With a pat on the back, we both went into different directions. 

Luckily, I didn't have to wait seeing the bus was already there taking people in. When I got in, I sighed in relief because it wasn't as crowded as I thought it would be. Two empty seats were in the back; I didn't waste time to go sit myself there. I took my phone out for the second time along with my headphones. I put on a random song and turned on the volume to enjoy it to the fullest before laying back. Just when I felt my consciousness ebbing away, the bus driver slammed on the brakes in order to let someone else in. That little interruption wasn't the thing that stopped me from going back to sleep. No, far from that.