Flowers and sunsets.

Crushes and Study buddies

The next day I wake up before Cat. I make myself a coffee and put some cereal in a bowl. It tastes dry but I shove it down anyway. After that, I quickly write a note telling Catherine I left for class and thanking her for letting me sleep over.

The walk back to my dorm is long and cold. I have to force myself to feed Picka and grab my bag, instead of falling back asleep on my dorm bed. I pass by Lily's shop and get a donut and a coffee to lighten my mood.

I have to force myself to stay awake most of my classes. By the time the last one ends, I'm ready to sleep for two nights in a row. Instead of doing that, I walk around the building to see my friends. Cat is sitting nearest, smoking of course. Thomas isn't there, he must be hungover or cleaning up the mess in his room. Charlie and Anne are talking and laughing as I arrive.

"Hey guys" I greet them.

"Hi" Charlie and Anne say, Cat just nods her head. She must be tired.

"So how did you like the party?" Charlie asks nobody in particular. My mind flashes back to Anne's dancing and I'm right back to being turned on.
I force myself to keep my eyes on her face.

"I loved it!" Anne exclaims.

"I danced a lot" she smiles and Charlie nods in agreement.

"I saw that" I blurt and Anne looks at me in surprise.

"What? When?" She asks.

"I got a drink in the kitchen and saw you dance in the living room. You're good, I was surprised there weren't more boys around you." I smile lightly.

"I'm glad there weren't" she chuckles but I can see the blush rising in her cheeks. It's cute. 

I want to ask more questions, figure out if she's into girls at all but I don't dare to. She's getting more comfortable in our group, too, so I guess that would make it weird if I hooked up with her...

"Hey Ruby, Charlie told me you had Mr Elode for English literature last year?" Anne's voice takes me out of my head.

"Yeah, why?"

"I'm kinda stuck on an assignment that's due in two weeks, could you maybe help me out?" She asks in a sweet voice.

"Sure" I agree without thinking.

"Thanks!"

I give her my number and she promises to text me tomorrow. She leaves right after, saying she needs to study. Charlie leaves with her, so I'm left with Cat.

"Hungover?" I question and she nods her head no quickly while smiling.

"Nah, I'm good. What was that whole thing with Anne?" She looks me straight in the eyes.

"What?"

"You know, you watched her dance last night and complimented her and now you're helping her study?" She goes on. I want to get defensive, but it's just Catherine.

"What's wrong with that?" I counter.

She gives me a look and then adds "Is this why you hooked up last night?"

"What?" I laugh.

"How are those related?" I ask the girl with ridiculous theories.

"Okay let me rephrase, do you have a crush on Anne?" She sternly asks.

"What? No!" I try to keep eye contact but I have to look away from her intense gaze.

"Okay, okay. Maybe I am ... attracted to her" I admit to Catherine. Damn her for knowing me too well and seeing right through my bluff.

"But there's nothing else I swear!"

"Just be careful okay? You might get hurt." She warns. Instead of answering, I just lean into her until our shoulders touch.

When I get back to the dorms after chatting with Cat for a bit longer, the cabinets are stocked with food. I shoot Darlene, my roommate, a quick text to thank her. She replies a 'no problem' and explains that she won't be home next week either. Surprise, surprise.

Opting for a relaxing night, I pour myself a glass of the newly bought red wine after dinner and put in a movie while Picka sleeps on my lap. I try to focus on the screen but I fall asleep within minutes.

Lily is very cheerful the next morning when I pass by her coffee shop. Opposed to me, she's a morning person.

"What's got you so moody today?" She inquires. I just sigh and give her a hard look. Her hands fly up in surrender, laughing at my annoyance.

"The usual then?" She smiles, still in her good mood. I nod, a small smile making its way to my lips.

History drags on, my tall-sized coffee barely managing to keep me awake. Mr Baldwell is by far the most boring teacher and it seems today he's making it a point to be true to his rep.

The next class usually gets me awake again, so I waste no time getting there. Lily and Milo are sitting separately and the room is quiet for the first time in forever. There seems to be some kind of tension between Milo and Lily, so I debate on sitting elsewhere. Anne sits in the same spot she sat last week, in the back and away from the crowd. Mrs Hailey walks in not too long after and I sit down near Anne. Not too close though, I leave a few seats inbetween us. The class room is empty as ever, the cheerleading team gave a party yesterday so everyone's most likely too hungover or sleeping. The teacher drops her stuff and immediately starts talking.