Laurens|First Person
The next day I'm hyper-aware of every instance I catch sight of a wisp of brown hair that's remotely curly or any girl with red lipstick. Every single time my chest clenches and my hands shake. I only actually see Jasmine once, walking out of my classroom from grading papers before lunch. She's holding a coffee, dressed rather professionally in a dark grey blazer and white blouse. She only offers me a knowing look when our paths cross. I stare at my shoes, feeling conflicted with what to do. I contemplated telling Alex last night, but I decided not to burden him with my bad decisions.
I walk down to the cafe for lunch, Alex and Lafayette said they would meet me there. I take a seat at our usual table, nodding at Hercules who disappears into the back room before sitting down with two cups of coffee across from me. I take a sip from one of the cups and rub my eyes tiredly.
"Long night?" Hercules asks. I roll my eyes and then nod a little, taking another drink from the cream-colored mug. He smirks a little, twisting his cup in his hands. "So I take it your date went well?" He raises an eyebrow, giving me a look.
"What- oh my gosh! No! Nothing like that happened." I glare at him, earning only a small smile in return. He glances behind me as I hear the bell jingle on the door.
"Are you sure about that? He seems pretty happy." I twist around to see Alexander, grinning as Lafayette and him talk quietly to each other. His eyes brighten a little when they land on me. I feel my heart twinge at that, knowing that I can make him feel the same way he makes me feel.
"Hey," he says shyly as Lafayette pushes him towards our table. I reach over and pull the chair to my right out a little, subtly shifting it closer to me. He smiles at me, sitting down and staring at his lap.
"Hey." I say, he looks up. We smile, somewhat awkwardly for a few moments. Lafayette clears his throat.
"Well, uh Herc and I are gonna go get some coffee. You guys want anything?"
"Could you get me some coffee too?" Lafayette nods at Alexander's request and tugs Hercules from his seat who protests for a moment before following him up to the counter where a girl in a pink shirt works, Angelica I think Hercules said her name was. I turn back to Alex who starts smiling all over again.
"What's up?" I ask him.
"Nothing. Laf and I have been in my dorm for the past hour studying." He chuckles a little, leaning in towards me. "This is gonna sound dumb," he lowers his voice. "But, I missed you." I grin as he face flushes red. "I mean, I know I just saw you last night, but I still missed you this morning when I woke up."
I laugh, leaning toward him as he continues to look down at his lap. "Do you want to come over tonight then? You could, like, spend the night, or whatever." His eyes widen.
"Do you mean to...y'know, sleep together?" His words lower to a hiss as his mouth forms into an o. I bite back my laughter, sometimes I forget he's five years younger than me, though at times like these it really shows.
"No...I mean, unless you want to." I wink and his mouth falls open again. "I'm kidding." He closes his mouth and smiles a little. I lift my hand to rest on his cheek, he leans into my touch and hums a little. "You're cute." I tell him, he blushes.
"Uh, thanks, you are too?" He says it like a question and I feel my heart swell at how adorably quiet he sounds.
"You're welcome," I whisper softly before taking my hand from his cheek as Hercules and Lafayette sit back down, Hercules waving the receipt before us.
"Guess who just scored a cute girl's number!" He whoops as Lafayette smacks his arm.
"I did all the talking, ladies man." He rolls his eyes and we all laugh.
===
Later that evening I text Alex and tell him to meet me outside the cafe. Of course Lafayette is already sitting inside, ready to tease me some more about Alexander. He grins at me as he looks over my shoulder at our last texts.
To: Alex
I'm at the cafe, are you on your way?
From: Alex
Yeah, see you soon. <3
To: Alex
<3
"Look at you guys! Flirting like teenagers!" He muses, spreading his arms on the table as he feigns affection at our relationship, which, mind you, is nothing more than hanging out and one date at this point.
"Shut up." I say. He rolls his eyes.
"No, like, seriously though. I think you guys are one of the most perfect couples." I roll my eyes right back, feeling a twinge of guilt as I think about Jasmine. "Really, I think I hear wedding bells." He winks at me, but I can't return the gesture, feeling like there's rocks in my stomach as I look at my hands in my lap.
"Laf...?"
"Hmm?"
"Can I tell you something?"
"Sure." I look up to see if he's paying attention.
"Will you promise not to tell Alex?"
He pauses, frowning. "Why?"
"Please? I mean, it's not a big deal. Just something that would only hurt him if he knew."
"Ok," he sighs.
"You know the professor Hercules told about Alex and me?" He nods. "Well, she kind of came into my classroom last night and basically said that if I didn't do what she told me she'd revoke his scholarship." His mouth falls open.
"What did you say?" He closes his mouth, giving me a pointed look.
"I said yes, of course." I say, a little defensive that he'd think I'd do anything but.
"Well what do you have to do?" I shrug. "John!"
"What?! She didn't say and I wasn't about to do that to Alexander."
"Do what to Alexander?" Says Alexander himself.
"Nothing." I say quickly, slapping a smile on my face. "Ready to go?" I stand and take his hand before turning back to Lafayette who smiles tightly.
"Bye. Have fun tonight." Alex smiles and tugs me by the hand out of the cafe.
Saucy saucy ^^
<3
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Quietly Noticed || Lams
Fanfic*Completed History professor, John Laurens is teaching his first year since being transfered from South Carolina. "King's College" is where he works now, much different than the small town he used to live in. He takes a liking to quite a few of the...
