The Love Rectangle

Chapter 2

Morning session doesn't begin until 10 a.m. so I decide to go for a quick run first. I throw on my clothes from yesterday's move-in and grab my phone and earbuds. I'm just starting to really get into a song and pick up my pace when I almost run into Connor. Literally.

"Awesome. So you're also stalker," he says without missing a beat.

"You wish you were stalker worthy," I say as I pick up my speed trying to pass him. I don't even look at him so as to prove how uninteresting I find him. I'm feeling pretty good about my comeback and my pace when I hear, "Hey, isn't that the same outfit you were wearing yesterday?"

"Who's the stalker now, buddy?" I turn ever so slightly back to him with a raised eyebrow. I can't believe this guy checked me out enough during our five-minute conversation to remember my outfit! Our cat-and-mouse antics continue for a few more campus blocks before I finally say, "This is stupid. Will you just run next to me already?"

He gives me a sexy smirk like he's starting to think I might be interested in him. He looks like he's catching up with me, but then takes off past me and never looks back! I can't believe him! What a cocky asshole! But what a killer move! I don't bother trying to go after him. His strides are twice the length of mine, and I've never been a fast runner anyway. There's really no hope I'll reach him. Besides, two can play this game.

By the time I return to the quad, Connor is already on the plush grass stretching. "What took you so long?" He yells with a smile. I join him in the stretching, and decide it's time to impress him with just how flexible I am. He may be faster on foot, but I bet he can't hold a stretch like I can! I catch him checking out my ass, but he plays it off like he's not. He's probably noticed me staring at his chiseled chest in return. Seriously though, what's with this guy taking off his shirt in front of me ALL the time?!

He brings up Brian, but I blow off his question with another question. "What about you, Connor? Are you seeing anyone?"

"Actually, I've been talking to Jenny Cooke. Do you know her? She's a senior like us."

I search my brain for a Jenny, but I can't place her. He sees my blank stare and adds, "She's blond. Totally hot. Lives with Kim Kattan. And she's a gymnast."

Jen. Not Jenny. Yes, I know her. Since when does anyone call her Jenny?

"Yes! I totally know her now! But isn't she practically married to her boyfriend? They've like been together for years and are completely inseparable."

Connor laughs nervously. We're not stretching anymore, just kind of hanging out at this point which is a good thing since he's apparently dating a gymnast who is likely way more flexible than I am! There go my hopes of impressing him.

"Same girl. She and Sean aren't together anymore. I guess it ended last semester or something, but we've been talking for a few months. We even made it to the same beach party this summer which was cool."

"That is cool. She seems so sweet. I've only spoken to her a couple times out a bars and stuff, but she's always been really nice," I say approvingly.

It's true. She does seem nice. She's the kind of girl who tells you there's toilet paper stuck to your shoe before you leave the ladies' room. The kind of girl who lets you know when some random dude across the bar is checking you out, but then also offers to be your cover if you're not interested in said dude. I know this because she's actually done those things for me before. I've never truly spoken with her beyond that. She's beautiful, too. Long blond hair and delightfully big blue eyes. She may be the only girl on campus who can even make me feel tall! Not too many chicks are shorter than I am! Good for Connor for finding a nice girl. He's a good guy...from what I can tell so far.