Page 23 of The Gargoyle in the College

He is a pretty handsome man, who makes my heart skips a beat. He nods. “Yes, I believe we’re in the same class.”

Oh... Fuck... I must look dumb. “Maybe. Sorry about that. I’m not that good at recognizing people. Everyone’s still new to me.”

He keeps the smile going. “Understandable. I only remember you because you were the nicest one to the statue.”

So, he was also there when everyone messed with the gargoyle.

Wait... If he remembers me from that, I swear he’s not the only one. Now... Does the whole class of my year know my face?

Do I scream?

Do I shut the door and regret my existence?

Or do I act like a normal human, pick up my backpack and go down the corridor with him when we’re in the same class and should be heading to the same place?

I take a breath, slowly letting it out. “The statue feels old, so it kind of worries me. What if I break it?”

He laughs. “You’re nice, but I see your point. Let’s go to the lesson together if you’re ready.”

“Sure.” I pretend to be happy, or at least not upset about that.

In the corridor, I stare at the floor even though I probably should try to chat with him or at least make it less awkward.

He seems to see my thoughts. “I’m Ryan, don’t think we introduced ourselves previously on various occasions.”

I force a smile. “I’m Laura.”

“Nice.” He presses the button for the lift. “It is foggy outside. I’ve never liked this kind of weather.”

Oh, it is the old and boring weather talk. “Same. Everything will be wet and gross.”

An awkward silence lands its way between us. I’ve never liked that. I just know that’s going to happen. Now he’s going to tell everyone, and everyone will know that I’m such a weirdo to be around and no one will want to talk to me. This isn’t even a month into my studies, yet—

“At least the lecture hall is going to be fine. I barely had time to finish all the reading material last night. It was quite a journey.”

“Right! I’ve done going through those few chapters too. I like the architectural style and the ways they are preserved. Look, I’ve thought about that...” I keep going even though I probably shouldn’t.

The lift arrives and we get in, but I’m still busy sharing my thoughts. He listens and nods along. I hope I’m not too weird for liking what we opt to study.

When I finally stop to take a breath, he says, “Interesting. I’ve thought about the same too. Have you checked the news abouta similar case a while ago?” Now he gets going with related materials, so I suppose I passed the weirdo test.

Maybe he’s a weirdo too, but regardless, I feel better about myself. At least I managed to study in the library before the sky fell on me, metaphorically. Now I have something to chat with him about.

I groan when we get out of the door of the building, into the nasty fog. Visibility is better than when I woke up, but not a ton better.

Ryan chuckles. “Are you from this city? The foggy season is going to last.”

I sigh. “I checked the climate before coming here, so I kind of know. But it doesn’t mean it’s easier to stomach.”

“That’s not wrong either.”

We both sigh as we head toward the gate. I wince when my body still aches. It can be because of my sex with Gisett last night, or... because I was attacked on the way home. I shiver at the thought. I hate that. Why am I such an unlucky person?

As we get closer and closer to the gate, the fog reveals from that there’s a crowd at the statue.

I shiver at that. Nothing is going to be different on the statue, right? Gisett should be able to come and go as he wishes without getting spotted by the public, right? That’s what he told me.

Ryan muses. “So, it looks like the statue is a popular gathering place.”

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