I jerked in my seat when I felt my phone vibrate in my jeans pocket. I pulled it out to see a text from Lucy. I was in the middle of my English class, which was really boring since I had already read all of Shakespeare's and Jane Austen's novels. Lucy and I had one or two separate classes every day.
Lucy: 'I'm so bored.'
Me: 'Same here.'
I hit send and tried to focus on the board in front of me. The day was dragging by, and I just wanted school to end as soon as possible. It was Friday, for God's sake.
My phone buzzed again on my desk, earning me a few stares from my classmates.
Lucy: 'Andrew invited us to a party this weekend.'
Me: 'There is no us. I really don't want to go, Lu.'
After a few seconds, my phone buzzed again, a little bit louder this time. Everyone turned around to look at me. Suddenly, I was the center of attention, and I cringed, sinking lower in my seat. I immediately put my phone on silent and stowed it inside my pocket, knowing that it was just Lucy trying to convince me to go to the party.
I wasn't against partying or anything, but at the same time, I wasn't the type to doll up. And showing up in my regular, uncool attire would only make me the center of attention, which I never wanted in the first place.
Once class was over, I rushed outside to meet Lucy at our regular table in the cafeteria. On my way, I pulled out my phone. I had a few texts from her and an unknown number.
Unknown number: 'Saw your ad in the school newspaper. I'm interested.'
My eyes went wide in shock and excitement. I had completely forgotten about that impulsive decision I'd made almost a week ago.
I was looking down at my phone, trying to figure out who this person might be, so I didn't see what was right in front of me. I bumped into a rock-hard chest, causing me to drop my already broken phone.
Fuck!
I cursed under my breath and pulled back. I lifted my gaze to the person responsible for my now-broken phone. My expression immediately turned into a scowl when I saw none other than Tristan fucking Harris. I bent down to pick up my phone. Thankfully, it was still working, but the screen was now completed cracked.
"Oops, sorry," he said, flashing that stupid sexy smirk that always made me want to punch his face. I didn't know why I was so angry. But he had purposely bumped into me. I was sure of that.
Asshole.
The fact that I hated him yet at the same time found him attractive didn't help my current mood.
"Sorry?" I scoffed and took a deep breath to calm my nerves. My eyes fell on his pants pocket, where I could see his mobile slightly sticking out, far enough that anyone could easily snatch it.
I surprised myself by taking a step towards him, and he stumbled back, caught off guard. He must not have expected me to do anything in response. I reached for his phone and stepped back immediately. He kept blinking rapidly, trying to figure out what had just happened. After a few seconds, he rolled his eyes as realization dawned on him.
"Nice try, Adams. Give it back now before you do something you'll regret later." He glared, licking his lips as he stared me down.
Damn, that's hot.
Ew! What am I thinking?! I cannot think Tristan fucking Harris is hot!
"Here! You can have it," I held out his phone and dropped it. It fell to the ground with a loud thud, and I heard collective gasps all down the hallway. That's when I realized that we had an audience. His nose flared in anger, and he looked like he wanted to hit something. To be honest, I was scared shitless. I had no idea why I'd done that. I could see the people around me staring at me like I'd just murdered someone.
Shit! What's wrong with me? I'm poking the bear.
I immediately tried to walk past him and maintain my cool, but he stepped in front of me, anger evident in his eyes.
"You better watch your back, Adams," he hissed at me before picking up his phone and walking away furiously. I let out a huge breath that I didn't know I was holding.
Oh my fucking goodness!
So much for trying to avoid drama.
"What the hell was that?" Lucy laughed as I walked towards her.
"Please don't ask. I don't know what came over me. He just makes me so angry all the time. Why can't he go annoy someone else?"
"First of all, that was pretty hot, babe. Second of all, he's only tormenting you because you let him. Give him a taste of his own medicine and watch him run for the hills," she replied as we walked towards the cafeteria.
"I hope he leaves me alone. Ugh! He makes me sick. I can't believe, girls find that arrogance attractive." I grimaced, sitting down at our table. I felt my inner self judging me for being a hypocrite.
"You have to admit, bad boys are sexy as hell." She winked, giving me a knowing smirk. I just shook my head with a loud sigh.
"Enough of that. I got a response to that ad that I posted in the school newspaper," I stated, trying to change the subject. Her eyes went wide in surprise and excitement.
"Damn, girl! Way to go! Who is it?" she asked, more curious and eager than I was, making me chuckle.
"I have no idea. I haven't replied yet. What if this is some kind of a joke?"
"Just ask them for their name, babe."
Me: 'What's your name?'
Unknown number: 'I'd prefer not to say right now, for privacy reasons. Can we meet in person?'
I got the reply almost immediately.
Privacy reasons?
"What do I say?" I pouted as I showed Lucy my phone.
"Hmm...ask them to meet you in the library. It's safe, and you work there, so you won't be embarrassed if you're stood up," she rushed out, and I frowned.
"This isn't a date, Lu."
"Yeah, sure, but still do as I say, babe." She brushed my point aside. I decided to take her advice and unlocked my phone.
Me: 'Meet me in the library near school at 6.'
I hit send and looked at her.
"And now we wait. Do you want me to come? Just in case he or she ends up being a weirdo," she asked in a serious tone, making me laugh hard.
"I think the only weirdo here is you. I'll be fine, Lu," I teased her as I continued to eat my tuna sandwich.
"Fine." She stuck her tongue out in a playful manner, and we both continued to eat, talking about random stuff.
***
I kept checking my phone every five minutes, hoping to get a text from the mystery person. It was already 6 pm. I continued to work my shift, trying not to think about it too much. It was probably just one of my classmates wanting me to teach them math.
Should be a piece of cake.
I took deep breaths to mentally prepare myself, and at around 6:15 pm, I saw Tristan enter the library, the book that he had borrowed earlier in his hand. I thought he was here to return it and continued to fix my gaze on the computer, but he kept walking straight. He gave me a sideways glare before sitting down in one of the empty seats. I was surprised that he didn't say a word to me given what had happened earlier today. The library was fairly crowded, and some students were giving him weird stares because Tristan wasn't the kind of guy to visit a library, let alone sit down in one.
I kept stealing glances at him over my computer screen and noticed that he was on his phone. I almost jumped out of my seat when my phone vibrated.
Unknown number: 'Waiting inside the library.'
I immediately looked up, and my eyes swept the room. I didn't see anyone who looked like they were waiting for someone except…
Oh god!
No, it can't be.
Me: 'What are you wearing?'
I hit send and saw Tristan immediately look down at his phone. He smirked and started to type something.
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Please don't be him.
Unknown number: 'Black t-shirt and dark blue jeans. Are you a guy or a girl?'
I kept staring at the text, which described the clothes that Tristan was wearing exactly. When I finally looked back up, our eyes met.
Fuck my life!