The Love Triangle

Meeting Him

"Good answer, Ms Jones. ", Professor Erich Hansley said, smiling at me.

Oh no! Why did I choose to answer the question? I could have kept my mouth shut. I have no friends other than Jesse; everyone is looking at me now.
I sit quietly for the rest of the class.

The class gets over, and I walk to the cafeteria to find Jesse waiting for me so we can go home together.
"Hey Jesse, let's go! "
" Arlo, I am sorry I can't go home with you today. I am going to Emma's place; we need to finish an assignment together. I hope you don't mind. "

"Okay, sure! " I say, sounding extra chirpy probably because of my encounter with hot professor Erich today. Yeah, he is hot, and I am not at all sorry to admit that. How old would he be? 30, I guess? Holy shit, he is old, but he doesn't look that old. No, it's wrong; what am I thinking?

Breathe, Arlo.

I turn away and go to the library to pick up a book I have wanted to read for a long time. As I exited the building and walked towards the main exit, I heard someone calling "Ms Jones" behind me.
Nobody knows me here except Jesse, and why was that person referring to me as Ms Jones. Damn it; it must be because Professor Hansley called me that today. So I'm guessing that person is from my program.

I stopped and turned around to see who it was.

Alright. Somebody has finally taken the initiative to talk to me, but of course, it couldn't have been a girl; it had to be a boy and a hot one.
Just so you know, I can't talk to boys, I make a complete fool of myself when I do, so I choose to stay away from them. Besides, they are nothing but trouble and a big distraction.

"Hi, I am Conrad."
He extends his hands toward me for a handshake. Weird, but okay. He also has got an accent.
"Arlo Jones, not Ms Jones. ", I say, nervously shaking his hand.

I keep staring at his face because he is so 'pretty' and also because I don't know why he wants to talk to me.

He breaks the silence, " I needed some help with a few concepts I am stuck at. So I am not able to finish my assignment. Could you help me out with that? Please?"

Why is he asking me for help?

" Conrad, right? I am sorry, I don't know if I can do that. I am busy."

"It's okay; we can do this tomorrow."

"I am kind of busy every day," I say, quite blatantly.

"Alright, I guess I'll ask somebody else, thanks." He starts walking towards the exit.

SHIT ARLO, what are you doing?

I know my heart pretty well now; it tends to trick me into loving anyone, like literally anyone. I want to be a headstrong woman. I can't do that to him; I am a good person, but I don't want to get involved with a guy who seems nice too. Besides, he looks pretty harmless. He is just genuinely asking for help. 

I walk as fast as possible to reach him because he has gotten quite far. I call his name, and he turns and looks at me with a quizzical expression on his face.

" Hey, I just figured I am not kind of busy today, lucky you!"

" That is great news. So...umm?"

"Let's just go to the park near my apartment; I usually go for a walk in the evening, so we can meet there and get some fresh air."

" So, can I get your contact?"

I reluctantly give him my number.

"Okay, so shall we meet at 6?"

"6 it is, goodbye!"