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I rub my hands together, feeling excited about starting my course. “Introduction to Journalism.”
She reaches over, pulling me in for a hug. “Have fun and I’ll see you in Creative Writing.”
We say our goodbyes and head off in different directions. Allie is in the main English building, where we’ll have Creative Writing together next. I, on the other hand, am in the media building on the far side of the courtyard, thankfully not too far away from the main building.
Realising I don’t have my morning pick me up anymore, I groan. I should have looked around quickly for a coffee stand so I could grab one before heading into class.
One of the women who walked us around on our tour said there are multiple coffee stands around the main buildings, but looking around, I can’t see one set up anywhere. I’ll have to remember to ask around so I’ll know for next time.
A few other students mill around chatting, and I start to feel overwhelmed. I’m so out of my element here. Most people seem to know each other or have already made friends. And for the first time in forever, I feel alone.
I scream for my life when two arms wrap around me for the second time this morning. As I’m spinning, my eyes catch Cole. A smile lights up my face, even though I’m fighting hard not to vomit.
“Put me down, you big turd,” I yell, realising who has a hold of me.
CJ chuckles before dropping me to my feet. I clutch my bag when it slides down my arm and end up swaying forward as I try to catch my bearings.
Another set of arms reach out to steady me, stealing the breath out of me. My cheeks heat when I look up, getting lost in Cole’s gaze.
“Well, look at you two,” I hear CJ comment, sounding amused.
Our gazes turn to CJ, who is leaning against the wall sipping a Starbucks.
My eyes bulge out when I see it, before I snatch it out of his hand. “Hey, where were you hiding this?” I ask, knowing he wasn’t holding it when he was busy swinging me around. I hum in appreciation and Cole chuckles, the sound deep and husky. I turn my questioning gaze to him, and his eyes flick to the side of him, where two steaming cups are sitting on the windowsill.
“That’s mine.” CJ pouts, taking the coffee goodness from me, making me weep.
Cole’s lips twitch as he hands me a cup. I take the cup, my face agape with surprise. I’m also not going to turn down a free cup of coffee. It’s not going to stop me from questioning him, no matter how stunned I am.
“How? How did you know?”
“You told me Saturday you were taking this class.” He shrugs, looking almost shy. I’m so surprised. I don’t even remember telling him about what classes I had taken.
Wait…
Does this mean… “Wait! Hold up. Are you in this class too?” I ask, feeling shocked as I eye Cole. When he doesn’t respond, I look to CJ, who is happily leaning against the wall with a cocky grin and posture. I raise my eyebrow at him and he just shrugs, opening his arms wide.
“You wanna hug the shit out of us right now, don’t you?”
Wipe that smirk off his face is more like it.
A group of girls walk past, gaining my attention as they begin to slow down. Even without looking, I can tell they’re not looking at me. No. They’re looking at Cole and CJ. I confirm this when I turn my head a little to the left, finding one of the girls eyeing Cole with appreciation as she moves past.
“Hey Cole.” One of the girl’s waves, stopping short. She blinks her eyelashes at him, looking like she wants to eat him alive. She’s attractive, don’t get me wrong, but she seems like the kind of person who knows it and uses it to her advantage. Girls like that annoy the shit out of me.
I want to grunt, and I do, inwardly. There’s no way I’m drawing attention to myself. I don’t want to make enemies on my first day, especially with someone who has the potential to annoy the crap out of me.
“Christie,” CJ greets, his voice amused.
When they walk off, I turn back to Cole and CJ with a raised eyebrow. “Friends of yours?”
CJ smirks, his gaze flicking to Cole when he doesn’t answer. He’s just looking at me, his expression blank. It’s killing me that I can’t read him as easily as I can other people.
“Something like that. She has a thing for Cole here,” CJ states, which earns a grunt from Cole.
I nod like I understand. Truth is, I don’t, but it’s also none of my business. Not wanting things to become awkward, I wave my cup of coffee and tip my chin up at Cole.
“Thanks again for the coffee. I need to get going.”