A Second Time Around

Prologue (contd)

The next day, things just passed like a blur to Stacey. Waking up, getting ready for school, arriving to school, start the usual routine of going to classes, and so on. At lunchtime, she made her way to the school cafeteria to eat. She was picking on her food mindlessly when a tap on her shoulder made her turn.

"Hey Stacey," Jenna, her best friend, greeted. She slid into the chair across Stacey's and began munching the food in her own tray. "Wassup?" She said between mouthfuls of burger.

Stacey smiled weakly at her. "Hi Jenna." She greeted back, slowly eating her lasagna.

"So, my mom will be coming home late tonight and I've got no plans for later. Wanna come over and watch some movies? I've got new chickflicks in my usb." Jenna said eagerly.

Stacey smiled apologetically. "Sorry Jen, I've got to study. Finals are coming up."

"Oh shoot I forgot!" Jenna exclaimed, "Well, how about I come over your dorm later and we can study together?"

"Okay, sure. That'll be great!"

"You still going to that little study group of yours?"

"Yep, today's the last day of the session, since we'll be too busy next week to meet."

"Oooh, excited to see Andy-hottie again?" Jenna teased.

Stacey stared at her wryly. "When did you come up with that stupid nickname?"

"Hey, it's not stupid! You said it yourself, you find him hot."

Jenna just rolled her eyes at her. "Whatever. I'm going to the library now, it's almost time. Wanna go?"

"I can't, Stace. I'm off to work." Jenna said; she works at the nearby McDonalds, part-time. "Anyway, you have fun. Lord knows you need to keep up with my grades so that we'll be classmates next year."

Stacey groaned. The sectioning in the university is by average, which means those students with highest average gets to be put in one section, the moderately averaged together, and so on.

Jenna, being a dean's lister, was put in one of the star sections, while Stacey with her less-than-great grades, was put into a moderate section. She can't help it though; Accountancy is a tough course.

"Don't remind me." Stacey whined. "I'll see you later, bes." She gathered her things up.

"Alright. Keep your hair on, Stacey-cutie." Jenna said, winking.

Stacey shot her a last, withering glare, and proceeded to the library.

When she got there, she realized she was the first to arrive. She waited at their usual spot and produced her book, Pride and Prejudice. She became absorbed with what she's reading, that she didn't hear someone approach from behind her.

"Shouldn't you be reading your textbook instead?" A gentle, familiar voice said from behind her. She turned her head to her right so suddenly, she recoiled when she saw Andrew's face so close to hers. She shot up from her chair abruptly, her book came flying out of her grip. To make matters worse, her elbow accidentally made contact with Andrew's stomach, eliciting a painful groan from him.

Stacey gasped and stared at Andrew, who was clutching his stomach.

"I am so sorry." Stacey said, mortified. "Um, are you okay? Oh my God, I'm such a clutz."

Andrew chuckled, still holding his stomach. "It's alright. It's my fault anyway. I scared you."

Stacey blushed furiously.

"Remind me to watch out for your right elbow next time." He joked.

She chewed on her bottom lip. "Do you need help? Anything? Um, medicine, icepack?"