Page 19 of Steeling Her
“I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean it like that—”
“It’s fine. I’ve got class. Bye.” I slip to his side and walk away from him without giving him a second look. As I reach my class, I notice that it’s empty with only two other people sitting in the auditorium.
I know I’m not the girl who gets the guys’ attention. I never have been, but it hurts to hear it out loud from someone else—someone as good looking and as popular as Nick. Way to knock me when I’m down.
Hearing the door shut, I see the professor making his way to the podium so that class can begin. I was too caught up in my own thoughts to realise that the class filled up a little more since I came in.
Knowing I’m going to have to put aside my feelings and focus on the lecture that’s about to happen, I slip my notebook and a pen out. I listen in on the anatomy lecture he’s giving and take down some notes.
I’ve always wanted to be a physical therapist. It’s been like that ever since I was younger. My mom’s sister is one, and I used to shadow her from time to time when we’d come down to her work for some summers. Sometimes, it would be boring work, but other times, it would be quite cool. She had some high-profile athletes as her clients that I would sit in on. That was the only cool part of the job.
For the entire lecture, I put TJ and Nick at the back of my mind. This was my final lecture of the day. When he signalled for us to leave, I packed up my stuff and got out as quick as I could.
As I walked down the pathway, I see TJ and Nick back in the same place outside with there friends, but I keep my head down and walked back to the dorm. Brisk walking back, I bump into the guy at the party.What’s his name again?
“Carter! Hey! What’s up?” he asks me with a huge smile on his face, showing me straight teeth that gleam with whiteness that is almost blinding.
Ryan! That’s his name.
“Hi, Ryan. Just heading back to my dorm,” I say, walking around him to continue my journey.
“Wait! You coming to the game on Friday?” I shake my head no and see his smile drop. “Why not? You should come. I would love to see you there.” I snap my eyes from the pavement back up to his and study his intention. Why would he love to see me there? Does he know who I am?
“Um, I’ve got assignments and stuff to do on Friday. Maybe another time . . .” I say, beginning to walk backwards away from him but he follows me.
“Are you coming to the party afterwards? It’s a pool party. Come to that, at least?” he tries to convince me, but I couldn’t think of anything worse. A pool party . . . when I’ve just been called pregnant today. No thanks. I’m good.
“Maybe? It depends on how much of the work I get done. I’ve got to go. Bye.” I wave him off and then back to see the doors of my dorm building in front of me.
“Wait! Well, if you’re not coming on Friday, can I take you out? Like on, a date?” I stood frozen to the pavement, unable to face him. He picked up on this, so he made his way around to see me. Ryan is handsome. Tall, dark hair, slightly curly, buff with broad shoulders, and a thin waist. Perfect smile that’ll make you swoon for days. Brown eyes that are so dark you can see yourself in them. A light tan on his face to show he plays outdoors a lot. He’s got the boy next door look down to a tee.
“Um . . . I don’t date. I’m sorry.” What I really mean is, I don’t date football players.
“I mean, we could do other stuff if you want to?” he teases me, coming closer. I shake my head no, which makes him frown and pout.
“I don’t do that either—”
“You’re going to make me work for it aren’t you?” He smiles at me, and I shake my head once again but before I could say anything, he got there before me.
“Challenge accepted!” I raise a brow at him, wondering what part of “no” did he not understand? Either he’s deaf or doesn’t like the word itself. Placing his hands on my shoulders, I eye both of his hands up, asking internally what he is doing? “I will get at least one date with you, Carter! I promise you!” He walks away from me and I head towards the building, so confused as to what just happened?
Why is he so persistent? Why can’t he just take a no?
I swing the door open of the building and fish my keys out while I mindlessly walk towards the elevator. I stare at it and decide to take the stairs so I can burn some calories. Trudging my feet up the stairs, slapping down on the tiles as I ascend to my room.
Upon reaching it, I see it’s already open. I push it open with skepticism and I see Haley rushing around and throwing things in her bag. She must be late for a class.
“Hi, Carter! Bye, Carter!” She runs out the door past me like the wind, heading towards the stairs. I hear the slapping of her sandles on the tiles that slowly fade away as she moves further from the room, her blonde hair flowing in the air as she runs away to her class.
“Bye . . .” I say to nobody as I close the door. I hear cutlery clanking against a plate and Danielle comes into sight.
“Hey, girl! Cute top! How was class?” She smiles over to me. Danielle is so nice, she’s got lots of tips on how to survive college as a girl. She has an older sister who told her what to do and what not to do. We have been sticking to those rules so nothing bad happens to any of us.
“It was fine; got a football thrown at me, ran away from TJ and Nick, got told I looked pregnant and was told I was pretty much ugly, and, lastly, got asked out on a date even though I said no. So, all in all, it’s was pretty boring.” She starts laughing at my sarcastic remarks about my day. She covers her mouth and chews the rest of her food that looks so delicious.
“Okay, you need to fill me in! Like, now!” She waves her hand around her face, telling me to explain. I sit down with a huff into the seat opposite to her and sigh, taking out my water bottle from my hand bag.
“Well, I was walking to class and saw Nick and TJ. Someone threw a football at me and I caught it. They asked me if was I alright and everyone was looking right at me because they were talking to me. I had a panic attack and ran to the girls’ restroom. I nearly cried alone in there.
