Falling For You

Chapter 4

When noon rolled around, the low quality of the four walls that surrounded me became apparent. I didn't need to be a vampire to know that the girls next door were gossiping about boys. Frankly my ears were bleeding from the girls' childish screams. On the other side of my room the song, "Shape of You" blared through the walls. My gracious neighbors had put the song on repeat. It was probably the twentieth time, it had been played.

So, it was a relief when the ancient clock tower located smack dab in the middle of the campus struck noon. On the third chime, I had left the closed space, and presented myself into the fresh air.

As I walked, a sort of happiness had filled me. One that I had never felt before. At home, I had always opted out of the family walks to read instead. For the first time I wondered. Had I missed out on some things, while my nose had been inside a book?

On either side of the walkway was lush grass. To the left, a group of girls were sitting on a blanket, feasting on food. They were happily talking to each other and laughing. A feeling of want started up from my core into my mind. I had never wanted anything more than my books. But right at this moment, all I wanted was to be on that blanket, laughing with the others.

I forced myself to look away and continue on my journey.

I was headed towards the Gizmo Café and Restaurant. From what I had gathered from Aaron and Kaylee, it is the biggest hangout place on campus. It is also the biggest provider of jobs for on-campus students, apparently.

Five minutes later, I pushed open the door to the restaurant. The Gizmo Café and Restaurant is a very vast room. The room is filled with high tables and high stools. The tables have room from anywhere from1 to 6. Every single table is occupied by at least one person. Dozens of waiters were in the room.

"Excuse me," one waiter snipped at me irritatingly before pushing past me. She had a platter on her right hand filled with food that had a nice aroma.

If River thought that we were going to eat here, he's sorely mistaken. There's not much room left for another person.

Just as I was about to leave, something or rather someone caught my eye. There he was. He was seated on a high table for two with a laptop in front of him, in which he furiously typed away. I hesitantly approached the table and sat on the stool.

"Hey," I greeted quietly. River looked up from his laptop and smiled. Well, that's a first.

"Hey. Do you mind if I wrap this up real quick first?" he asked.

"No. Not at all," I answered. He continued to type. I wondered what he was doing on there. I wanted to ask, but I also didn't want to disturb him. He looks so focused. His green eyes were squinting at the screen. His eyebrows were drawn together. He was obviously deep in thought.

"You look like you want to ask me a question," River commented, not taking his eyes off the screen. My skin flushed red.

"Ummm. What are you doing on your laptop?" I asked. Way to sound like an idiot, Spring. Way to go! You sound like a jealous, obsessive girlfriend. Before River could answer, thankfully, a waitress walked over to us.

"Hey River. Hey girl-I-don't-know," she greeted warmly. River closed his laptop and smiled at the waitress.

"Hey Cora. This is..." River trailed off giving me a look.

"Spring," I finished.

"Spring," he repeated. Cora gave me a friendly wave. Then, she took out a clipboard getting all official-like.

"So, what can I get you guys?" she asked.

"I'll have a chicken burger," River ordered. Both River and Cora looked at me expectantly, making me uncomfortable.