Chapter 36

KATHERINE.

‘Should I call out to him?’ I thought as I watched Blake walk down a path that’d take him right past my dorm without him having to interact with him and since he hadn’t noticed me yet, he very well might not if I didn’t call out to him. I drew my bottom lip between my teeth and after a couple of seconds of watching him, I made a decision.

Either of the two boys I was focusing on – Blake and Hunter – could be my mate and I had to spend time with them to know who it was. For Hunter, apart from knowing he spent most of his time in the art studio, I also had his number now so I could reach out to him when I wanted.

But for Blake… most of the times I saw him outside class, he was always surrounded by people so I couldn't exactly walk up to him to have a conversation. The only time I could meet with him was during Elemental Science class, CMES club meetings and scavenger hunt club meetings, and so far, he had been absent for the last two so I barely had any chance to talk to him. Except for now…

“Blake!”

He immediately came to a stop, his head jerking in my direction, and I waved at him while a small smile crept onto his face before he waved back. We then closed the distance between each other and his smile got bigger after he got to me. He looked splendid in black cargo pants and a black T-shirt, and I was sure that he’d still be dazzling if he was wearing a sack. “Katya.”

The way he said the nickname made me blush and I returned his smile before asking, “Night walk?”

“Yes?” He tipped his head to the side. “What about you?”

“Can’t sleep.”

“So you came out here?” he replied with a teasing smile. “Haven’t you heard of the lady of the lake?”

“Lenore told me she doesn’t wander around campus… She thinks.”

The corner of his mouth twitched and he glanced at Stavenger Hall. “Is she awake?”

“Lenore? No.”

“Oh…” He cleared his throat and shoved his hands back into his pocket as he returned his attention to me. “So why can’t you sleep?”

“Just school stuff,” I muttered and he raised a brow. “Still trying to get a hang of it. Courses and all.”

“Ah, been there. What’s your major?”

“Biomedical science.”

A slightly surprised look crossed his expression. “Hey, that’s my major too,” he said and it was my turn to be surprised because I hadn’t seen him in any class except Elemental Science. Then I remembered he was a second-year student.

“Really? So I can come to you whenever I need tutoring?”

He drew his brows together. “Only if you want to fail,” he said and laughter immediately bubbled out of me, making me *lean forward, before I braced myself by placing a hand on him.

“What the hell?” I said in between laughing.

“I’m actually serious. I barely passed the first-year courses so I’m ‘not’ the person to ask to tutor you.”

That made me laugh for a little while more and it was when I finally stopped that I realized my hand was on his chest. His ‘very’ sturdy chest. Heat rushed to my face and I quickly removed my hand before clearing my throat while Blake beamed at me.

“Walk with me?” he asked softly and I bobbed my head a bit too enthusiastically before my cheeks burned again. I couldn't help but be enthusiastic though because this was my chance to spend some ‘alone’ time with him and I needed that.

“Sure.”

We began to walk away from the hall side by side and when the hall was no longer beside us, I spoke.

“So I didn't see you at the orientation meeting.”

He slightly furrowed his brows. “Orientation meeting?”

“CMES.”

“Ah, that…” He set his mouth in a hard line and heaved a sigh. “I don't think they needed me there.”

I frowned. “Who?”

Another smile appeared on his face but it wasn't as bright as his natural ones. “Did you want me there?” he teased and I pressed my lips together because my answer was ‘yes’, but before I could say anything, he continued. “I'm just kidding. Something came up.”

“What?”

“Well aren't you nosy?” he replied and embarrassment heated my cheeks immediately.

‘Oh my God.’ “Sorry,” I blurted out before snapping my lips shut like that would change the opinion he had of me now, and he snorted, returning his attention to the path ahead.

Neither of us said anything after that and I realized that apart from talking to him, walking with him in silence was nice too. We didn't run into anyone else while walking and with how quiet our surroundings were, I decided to use the time to study him.

I didn't know Blake. I mean, I knew he was carefree, friendly, humorous and kind, but I didn't ‘know’ him and watching him for several moments revealed something to me. The Blake I always saw hanging out with his friends always looked so carefree and happy, but this one looked like he had a lot of problems on his mind and the weight of his world on his shoulders. It was quite surprising and I couldn't help but wonder if anyone else had seen ‘this’ Blake.

Blake suddenly came to a stop seconds later and turned to face me. “Do you want to keep walking or should I walk you back?” he asked and I glanced around. We hadn't really walked that far, I could still see Stavenger Hall from here.

“I'm heading to the science building,” he added and my brows tugged together because it was way past midnight.

“At this time? What for?”

He suddenly raised a hand and booped my nose, surprising me while a playful smile crept onto his face. “Nosy Katya.”

Instead of being embarrassed this time, I smiled and he began to backtrack the way we came. “Come on.” He waved me over and I quickly walked over, falling into step next to him.

We walked back to my dorm in silence and when we got to the steps, I faced him.

“This is me,” I said.

“You don't want me to escort you to your door?”

“It's a girl's dorm.”

“Boys can go in,” he replied and I raised a brow in disbelief before remembering that the night the CMES ended, I saw him in the dorm. He had given me the answer to my hint while I was standing in front of my room’s door.

“Why were you in the hall that day?” I asked and he tipped his head to the side. He clearly knew what I was talking about and it took me a moment to realize what was going through his head. “I know. Nosy Katya.”

At that, he let out a low chuckle that warmed me up despite the cold air that blew past us before he patted my arm. “Sweet dreams, Katya.” With that, he turned around and headed back in the direction of the Science faculty, and I watched him for a couple of seconds more before heading up the stairs to the Hall with a smile on my face.