Catch Me

Chapter 4

Annabelle decided that she needed to do some serious talking with Stefan – about Emily. Was he really going to degrade himself by seeing Emily Woods? Maybe studying philosophy for those long hours did cause some brain damage.

            She didn´t even have to force the topic into conversation. The opportunity presented itself when Stefan came to sit down next to her in the lecture hall.

            “Hey, you. So how did the Italian exam go? Emily said it gave her quite a headache,” he said, smiling crookedly.

            “It went pretty well since I got an A, though I found that I didn´t express my points in one of the essays clearly enough. As for Emily, no wonder. She is an airhead. If she wouldn´t be texting so much to her friends, one would think she´s illiterate,” she said, and came up short when she realized what she had said. She had meant to approach this subject gradually. She blushed crimson and looked away.

            Stefan was taken aback for a second but quickly recovered. He smiled to himself. He planned his study night with Emily to make Annabelle a little mad, if not jealous, to see if she could show any sign that she didn´t want “to share him” with another girl. It was silly for him to be thinking that way at twenty-two, but he couldn´t help himself. And apparently, it was working.

            “But it seems that my helping her study helped her a lot. She got a B+ if I recall correctly,” Stefan said, frowning a little, trying to look defensive.

            “If you say so. You know, I wanted to talk to you about that. Why did you help Emily? After all, we are talking about Emily Woods,” she said, putting emphasis on her name to make her point clear.

            “I know who we are talking about. But honestly, did you expect me to turn her down when she came up to me and asked me to help her, fluttering eyelashes and all?” he asked, teasing.

            “Yes! She –“

            “If you gave her a chance, Annabelle, you would find that she´s very nice and not so empty-headed, after all.”

            Annabelle listened to him with horror.

            “You did not just say that, Stefan. You can´t be serious!”

            “Why not? And why are you so worked up about this whole thing? It´s not like you are seeing her or something,” he teased, though he was trying real hard not to show his joy. It seemed there was hope.

            “Or are you just trying to say that you don´t want me to see her? Or for that matter nobody else? Oh, my god, are you jealous, Belle?” he asked, incredulous on the outside, filled with satisfaction on the inside.

            Annabelle sat speechless for a second. Somehow she regained her composure.

            “Of course not!” she retorted with indignation, tucking a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. “I am nothing of the sort! I am your best friend and best friends look out for each other. I … I just thought that you wanted someone who really appreciates, understands and loves you. And hopefully has a little intellect and spirit. You think that Emily could cover all that?” she asked sarcastically.

            “You are right. I want someone like that. But last time I checked, the person whom I want to share myself with and love, didn´t have the guts to bring herself to come up to me and do the same thing! Or you want to tell me otherwise? Can you say that you want to be with me? Can you tell me that you love me? Can you, Annabelle?” he asked, leaning in, his green eyes boring into her blue ones.

            Silence settled between them for a couple of minutes, and Stefan waited for her answer. He watched the course of emotions play across her face. She had always been so easy to read, just like an open book. First, he saw shock, then confusion settled over her soft features, and finally comprehension dawned on her.

            Annabelle tried to speak, but no words came out.

            Stefan watched her, thinking he had “tormented” her enough for one day. He stood up, and gathering his things, he said: “I´ve got to go. I am meeting up with Emily. Just wanted to say hi. I´ll see you around.”

            With that, he left, leaving behind a dumbfounded Annabelle looking after his retreating figure.