7 | ≠ ignore

There is something wrong.

When Nathan told me yesterday that he'll see me, I assumed usual everyday nods whenever we pass each other on the campus, hi's and hellos. I didn't read too much, mainly because I didn't want to.

No matter how charming he was yesterday, I knew I couldn't really expect friendship from him, no matter what. We run in different circles, don't really merge, and that's okay.

But seeing him right now, walking towards me with his signature panty-dropping grin, I very much doubt my assumption skills. Sitting here in an early morning lecture, trying my best to stay awake seems like a task in itself. But dealing with Nathan is not on my list.

I quickly avert my eyes and pray to the higher power that he's not walking towards me to talk to me. Maybe his seat is somewhere near me, I conclude. But when I hear the unmistakable pull of the chair beside me, I internally groan.

"Hey there, grasshopper," he greets.

I glare at him.

"I have a name, and it's not that," I grumble.

"Someone's not a morning person," he teases.

I ignore the jab, which is true by the way. I had woken up late today, and since Mia was 'sleeping over' at her 'project partner's' place, I didn't have time to make my morning tea.

I focus on the presentation going on in class and ignore him completely.

"Come on, talk to me," he childishly pokes my side.

I continue ignoring him. I see him smirk from the corner of my eye and leaning in.

"Aliana," he whispers in my right ear. I feel a shiver run down my spine and turn to face him when I almost recoil in shock. His face is way too close to me, so close that I can smell his musky cologne.

I instinctively bend backwards, trying to put as much distance between us as possible.

"Dude, personal space," I chide.

He moves back slowly, a mixture of curiosity and amusement evident on his face. I roll my eyes and bring my focus back to the presentation. The rest of the class went eventless, Nathan paying attention himself.

After a gruesome 50 minutes, the lecture ends. I gather my stuff and walk out of the room. I hear his footsteps before I hear him. I turn around to see that Nathan's jogging behind me to catch up to me. I see a few students turn their heads to see the quarterback following a girl, but I simply don't care. All I know is, I need my tea.

"Grasshopper, leaving me already?"

I turn around and walk backwards, "What do you want Wright. I forgave you already."

He reaches me and swings his arm over my shoulders and turns me the right way, allowing me to transfer some of my weight on his body.

"I wanna get to know you," he says.

"Why?" I ask suspiciously.

He shrugs, "My entire family hasn't been able to stop asking me about you. After I told them that I apologised and you forgave me, all of them have become extra curious about you."

"Ahh, so I see. You just wanna know me because your family wants you to. Don't worry Nay, you aren't obliged to," I reason.

His expression instantly changes to a panicked one and I laugh internally.

"Of course not! I wanna know you for myself. Not for myself no, you're not mine. But for my own reasons. I mean not really reasons per se-" he cuts himself off before he can spew random words. His rambling sets off something in me and I start laughing.

"Good to know my best friend is still the stuttering fool I know him to be. I thought with all the smooth-talking he does, he probably learned a skill or two. Maybe not," Eli says, walking towards us from the opposite direction. He gets on my right side and swings his own arm around my shoulders in such a way that I'm sandwiched between the two boys. Both tower over me by at least a quarter foot.

Nathan slaps his arm and glares at him.

"Anyway, coming back to the topic. I actually do want to get to know you," he says sincerely to me. I search his face for any signs of amusement, a sign that he's kidding around, but I find none. I nod and remove myself from the grip of the two boys.

"Fine. Meet me at the Bakery at 2? Eli can join too," I say the last part directed at Eli himself.

Eli just winks at me before saying, "I have some work darl. Maybe next time? It's a date."

"It's never a date. You in, Nay?"

I look at him and find him already looking at me with a genuine smile on his face.

"Nay, huh?" he teases.

I shrug. "You don't like it? Too bad, it's stuck now."

"Who said I don't like it?" he smirks.

I momentarily get blinded by his smirk, forgetting everything I was about to say.

I clear my throat and say, "Back to the topic. In or not?"

"Can we make it 4? I have practice," he scratches the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Sure. See you then!"

"You bet you will," he said, repeating the words I said to him yesterday.

What did I just agree to?

⋈ ⋈ ⋈

"So who was that hottie yesterday?" Shaye asks. We're currently working our asses off behind the counter. The rush today is more than usual, making Shaye and Mrs Warren extremely happy. It meant that the Bakery was gaining popularity. If this goes on, they can finally open branches around America. Their dream branch location is in New York since it's where Shaye was born. Shaye also plans on going to ICE, to fulfill her dream of learning the culinary art she plans to master, so if it all works out as per the plan, she could be there to look after the shop a little.

"Who?" I ask.

She mock-glares at me and wipes her hands on the apron.

"You know who I'm talking about. The one who asked for your apology and was staring at you as if you're the first girl he has ever seen."

I laugh at the irony of the statement. The reason he was even asking for an apology was, trying to guess correctly from how his family reacted, was because of a girl.

"Far from it," and I continue to tell her the entire story behind the apology.

"He likes you then," she states casually.

I look at Shaye as if she has lost a few screws in her brain.

"Sure he does," I remark sarcastically. "He's supposed to come here today at about... now,"

Almost as if he was waiting outside for me to say it and make a grand entry, we both hear the unmistakable chime of the bell on the shop door.

"He sure is punctual," Shaye comments. I see her smirking from the corner of my eyes, but I can't take my eyes off Nathan.

He changed from his morning outfit, now wearing a light pink t-shirt and grey sweatpants. His hair was a little wet, probably from the shower he took after his practice, his amused grin gracing his face as he walked towards me.

Gosh, I am in trouble.

⋈ ⋈ ⋈

Salut! Comme ça va? Bien? {look at me flaunting my basic french skills}

It's way too late. My usual time is long forgotten, my brain is fried, my time management skills are sinking. I rewrote this chapter because the earlier version was utter crap and there was no way I could post that one.

Anyway, question of the week. Let's go juicy this time.

Q. What is the biggest rule you've broken? Be honest, it's a judgement free zone here.

Anyway, be sure to comment or vote or something if you like this chapter or the story as a whole till now. Till next time! Au revoir!

Love,

Anushka <3