Subtle Hints

T W O

Life flashes by right before your eyes.

Adults always told me that, still tell me that, and will probably always tell me that. I never really listened to them. I always thought of it more as, 'Time flies by when you're having fun.'

I did learn in college though that they were right. Time does fly by no matter how you're feeling. A class may feel like it takes hours but looking back at my college experience as a whole so far, it went by so fast. It feels like just yesterday I completely embarrassed myself in front of Ashton then laughed so hard after with Abigail. I used to think those were the good days, now I know better.

I remember the day my classes started. It sucked because Abigail and I only actually had one class together. Though that was actually pretty lucky. I had no classes with Bailey and no classes with Anaya either. As fate may have it, I had two classes with the boy I'd completely embarrassed myself in front of. The night before had been funny talking about it to Abigail. But it wasn't the next day. I made sure to sit as far away from him as I could, though that didn't work because I beat him to both classes and he actually ended up sitting somewhat close to me in both. Fortunately not beside me, behind me, or in front of me.

Also on the bright side of things I managed to avoid him that whole first week. I avoided him in all my classes. Yes he actually did show up, which I suppose was some of his charm. He was a bad boy, yet he still did focus on his school work which I very much approved of. Ashton didn't really participate in the class discussion though, but neither did I so I suppose I couldn't really blame him for that. I did anyway.

The next time the two of us actually interacted, is a rather embarrassing story but it needs to be told.

I was walking back to my dorm in the evening, coming back from one of my later classes. I reached my door, it was locked of course. But when I went to search for my keys they were gone. I set my bag on the floor and started searching through it. It was a whole process. The anxiety of not being able to find them, put me on edge. That's why I snapped the second I felt someone tap me on the shoulder.

"What do you want?" I demanded not even bothering to look back at who it was as I searched through my bag, viciously pulling out all my belongings as I searched for the damn keys.

A voice, deep and smooth spoke up, belonging to my soon to be savior. "I have your keys. Alexis right? You left them in class and I remembered you from the other night so I grabbed them."

His explanation made sense but in a state like mine, I wouldn't have cared if it made sense or not. I had hardly listened to what he said. Which was definitely a problem because this guy was bad news. He came off so good though. He was perfect.

"Oh my god. I'm so sorry." I turned my head back, my eyes meeting...oh god. Ashton Wren, I knew his name now. In class I'd listened and now I knew it. Apparently he'd listened for my name too because he somehow knew it as well.

I quickly scrambled to my feet, taking my keys from him. "Oh my god." I repeated, as my lips spread into a wide grin. "Thank you! You're the best. I was so worried." I laughed it all off nervously turning away from him to open the door. I'd completely yelled at him which I felt so bad about. Now I wasn't sure what to do, so I just focused on opening the door.

Ashton scratched the back of his neck as he watched me before bringing up what I really hoped he wouldn't. "So about the other night...?" He asked with a slight laugh.

I only responded with a laugh because I didn't know what to say. I forced out the next sentence, knowing it sounded like some dumb excuse. "It was a dare from my friend." I nodded my head, opening the door and stepping it. I turned back to look at him, my blue eyes meeting his grey ones. He seemed nice but his grey eyes were chilling. They made me shiver. They seemed to stare right through me and I was scared for a moment that he was going to say I'd been lying even if I hadn't.