Chapter 21 Whispers

Jamie's POV

Today seemed so unreal. I guess it could even be described as *surreal.* I felt like I was moving through a cloud... *Or a dream*... I almost felt disjointed. Maybe it had something to do with the fact I got almost no sleep last night. I should try to sleep better tonight so I can focus better tomorrow. I don't know if I'll get anymore sleep tonight than I did last night, however.

So many things have been going on today. Gwen's big break down over breakfast still has me furstrated. And then Neo showed up to interrupt us at lunch. Not to mention I still have work tonight and I probably should start with the homework my professors handed out this morning. This new start to my life has become overwhelming in a very short period of time. *Thank God I have Wes.*

Classes were hard, as expected. It had been a while since I had been in any class. I wasn't exactly in the swing of things here. Going to a university is so much different than high school. My schedule is different every day and I have to cross campus to get to some of my classes. I'm hoping by the end of the week I'll be back in the swing of things, but right now I feel like one of those nightmares where you are lost in school and you forgot your homework and *you somehow also forgot to put pants on that day...*

People kept giving me weird looks... Maybe I really did forget my pants? I look down just in case and shake my head, chastising myself! What the hell was I thinking? I'm sure Wes would'a said somethin' if I was walkin' around half naked! I just don't understand where the strange looks and quiet whispers are comin' from. Especially when I am with Wes. I've heard whispers going around, but I'm never close enough to them to hear what they are saying about me. But it feels directed at me... There are lots of new students. *What the hell is setting me apart that there are already people talking about me behind my back?*

My favorite parts of the day were when I could spend a few minutes holding his hand and talking to him. He made me feel safe and protected. It was a new feeling. He didn't seem to be worried about the whispers going around when I was with him. In fact he would just stop in the middle of the gossips and kiss me! I do have to say that was a very efficient way of sitting the chatterheads up. It made me laugh as he did it over and over again. I'm pretty sure he is trying to prove a point... Just not sure how long that point will take to sink in to the other students.

He seemed to need me a lot today. I never knew boys could be so needy. But it makes me feel incredibly lucky to be the one he needed. He kept holding me close and kissing me. He would ask me how my classes were and how I like my teachers. He was so sweet!

I was a little upset when that guy Neo showed up at lunch. I had just wanted to spend some time with Wes and calm him down. I could tell he was ready to blow a gasket when he came for me after class and I wanted to calm him down. I'm not quite sure what it was that had set him off, but every time he came back from his class he looked more stressed than the last time I'd seen him. Was he having a hard time with his classes already? That didn't seem right. It's the first day!

*Neo really wasn't my type anyway.* I don't know why the hell Gwen thought I would be *remotely interested* in a guy like him. Sure he was pretty with electric blue eyes and that dimple on his right anytime he smirked. But he screamed *dangerous.* And really, I know lots of girls go for the type, I just want a normal guy. And actually, he reminded me of all the popular guys that picked on me back home. I don't need someone like him to realize I'm a nerd and start picking me here too.

And honestly, I only want one guy. The guy currently kissing the life outta me. His hands seem to be exploring my body while his tongue plunders my mouth. It's fine because I will gladly submit to him. I just want to be closer to his body. I want to touch him everywhere... I kinda have a feeling if I did that would soothe his raw edges.

My last class of the day just got out. Wes said he has to go to the computer lab later tonight, but he doesn't have any more classes today. He has been complaining that we don't get enough time together with all the classes and labs and now my work... But I think he would think we still wouldn't have enough time together even if we had every single class together.

I have to be at work in about 45 minutes, but I need a moment to clear my head and change my clothes. I need a moment just to hold onto Wes after such a stressful day. *I hope I can do this every day from now on.*

Everything has been so different to me and I... Well, I don't know if '*feel normal'* is the right thing, because kissing Wes is definitely *not normal* for my life. This is a *very new thing*. But it seems to bring me a feeling of normalcy that I've never known I was missing before.

Wes pulls away from my lips leaving me breathless. We are both panting. His eyes shine like diamonds reflected in the sun. It's a funny thing because I didn't know gray eyes could do that. *They remind me of shifting clouds. They are fascinating and beautiful.*

"I missed you," Wes pants, leaning his head up against mine and pulling me into his warm embrace, shielding me from the judging eyes of others.

I giggle up at his pouty face. "You said that last time you picked me up," I tease him, placing my hand over his racing heart. The pounding against my hand brings me happiness I'm not used to.

"It was as true then as it is now. *I have to deal with stupid jerks in my class who won't believe I stole you away from them,"* he grumbles, taking me by my hand and leading me to my dorm.

"Why wouldn't they believe it?" I ask. I noticed yesterday both Ax and Crew couldn't quite believe he was my boyfriend. I think they were expecting him to laugh and say *'gotcha!'* or something. He didn't, of course! *He was telling the truth.*

Wes sighs and looks down at me. "Well, I haven't had a girlfriend in 2 years. I was telling you the truth when I told you I wasn't looking for a relationship. But that doesn't mean I'm not happy I stumbled across one," he sends me a childishly happy smile.

That got me to thinking. *Why?* Why wouldn't he be looking for a relationship? He didn't seem to be the kind to do one night stands, or the kind to cheat. So why wouldn't he want a girlfriend?