Safe

Chapter 10

First day of school.

This morning I arrive at class earlier than usual since it's the first day. I have a whole thing about making sure I have a parking spot and a good seat. Somewhere not too close but not too far. Good mornings are essential for top learning performance.

"How was your morning?" Ashley smiles at me from across the room as I enter, heaving from the many stairs I had to climb to get here.

I hate stairs, "Great!" I smile, taking the seat next to her.

"Was everything okay after we left?"

I admire her concern for me as I try to remember what happened last night, "Yeah... I thanked him for my purse, and that was that."

Purposely, I leave out the details because I do not want to relive that this morning.

Ashley turns her head away from me with a smile forming, looking to open her MacBook, "He was hot. I couldn't say that in front of Zach, but girl, he was something to look at."

Surprisingly, I never really looked or thought about him in that sense. Come to think of it; I didn't even notice, "I guess he's okay looking."

Wait, maybe it's mindlessly, but I will never admit that out loud. Never.

Snapping her head around to stare me dead in the face, "Are you kidding me? You can already tell how toned he is with the way his arms are cut. He may not be a bodybuilder or douche bag bulky, but that man can get it," Ashley exhales, and I'm taken aback by her declaration, "And don't get me started on his facial structure. Like how can someone be so blessed with such symmetrical features? Seriously, his soft eyes? Not to mention he looks to be 6'1. Girl, this man screams hot."

"Ashley, it's 9 in the morning, save it for when you get him, sis," laughing hysterically at her admiration for Wilson.

Just then, it dawns on me that he mentioned dinner, and I have yet to reply. I should probably answer him, or else some universal force will have him show up again.

Before my mind can drift, the class begins to pile in as I pull out my MacBook to start a new document for notes and go through my emails. Finding a pause, my mind regains its attention to the dreaded text. Looking at the message, I force myself to come up with an excuse, any excuse to avoid meeting Wilson.

This is ridiculous. I reject men all the time. How can this be any different? Beginning with a couple of words, I quickly erase them while I overthink what I'm going to say. Why is this so hard?

Nova: Wsup stalker. Can't tonight, studying.

Regretting it the moment I press send, I start to cringe rereading what I wrote. I'm a grown-ass woman; what the hell was that? At this point, it's too late to take it back. Rolling my eyes, I move my opened screens around to continue my notes as the professor begins her lecture over our syllabus.

As the boring information overflows my head, I can't help but wonder what Pierce is doing. Since this morning, he has only texted me good morning and that he will be off to New York soon. He also warned me of limited texting and communication since he will be busy with work—the ultimate relationship killer.

Letting out a sigh, I adjust my attention back to our professor.

Ding.

Unknown: Stalker? That's a bit much considering I returned your belongings to you. The least you could do is have dinner with me as a means of gratitude for my chivalry.

Charming.

Rolling my eyes, I close out my messages after reading his response. I cannot be bothered by this foolishness.