1 Just a Crush

Hannah sighs as she looks across the table at Zachary scrunching his face and furrowing his eyebrows focused on his Anatomy and Physiology textbook. His presence in the study group has significantly decreased her productivity and her grades may be slipping just a bit. She notices his head coming up and quickly ducks hers down, pretending to read her own textbook on Child Development. She peeks over to see if he's looking at her like she was him, but his seat is unoccupied. Where did he go?

"Could you be any more obvious?" Alexandera comments, leaning back in her chair and looking at her friend and study partner. "He went to get a snack I think."

"Stop it!" Hannah whines. She's been teased since the first day of their study group about her innocent crush on Zachary. "I wasn't looking for him. I'm just taking a break."

"From the one minute you actually spent looking at your book?" Alexandera asks. "You haven't been studying at all. I would know, I haven't either."

"Then what are you even doing here?" Kara hisses. "I have an exam on Friday!"

"You have a point," Alexandera concurs. "I'm out."

She begins packing her things and is almost done when Zachary comes back to the table.

"Oh, you're leaving already, Alex?" He asks in surprise.

Hannah's heart sinks. He looks disappointed to see Alexandera leaving. Maybe he's interested in her, Hannah thinks. She tries to distract herself and refocuses on her textbook again. She tunes Alexandera and Zachary's conversation out as she gets in the zone.

"You know," Zachary announces, "I think I'm going to head out too. I have a paper to write for English class, and this bio is just not sticking at all!"

"Will you be joining us again this week? I think we're meeting again on Wednesday," Hannah asks. If he agrees to come, she'll have to wait for two days before she can see him again.

"I think I have a practice on Wednesday for lacrosse." Zachary informs. Hannah nods in silence acceptance, pitying herself. "But I'm free tomorrow if you want to study together."

She perks up and her back straightens. She makes eye contact with Zachary and almost internally melts. It takes everything she has not to squeal. A study session with just Zachary!

"Sure," Hannah replies trying to remain calm and collected. "I have some time between class and dance rehearsal. Say around 4pm?"

"Yeah, sounds good," Zachary agrees while slinging his bookbag over his right shoulder and directing a head nod to the group. Hannah thinks it's the most adorable thing to do, but she hears Kara scoff next to her.

"I don't think he could be any more of a jock cliché if he tried," Kara comments under her breath. Hannah frowns at her friend's disdain. "Are you leaving now, too?"

"Why would I be leaving?"

"Well, your object of affection is gone and so is your slacker buddy," Kara explains. "It makes sense that you would leave since you're not exactly focused today. Plus, Kent and Marcus are coming soon and you avoid Kent like the plague these days."

"I do not avoid-" Hannah argues.

"Yeah you do," Kara insists. "Ever since Alexandera mentioned that he looks at you the same way you stare at Zachary, you've made it your mission never to be around when he is."

Hannah purses her lips as she takes in Kara's feedback. Maybe Alexandera is right and she is really obvious. She thought she was playing it cool this whole time and that no one noticed that she was purposely avoiding Kent. I wonder if Kent notices…

"Don't worry, Kent is as clueless about your absence as Zachary is about your crush on him," Kara assures. "I don't know how, but you've got your work cut out for you. Anyway, enough chit-chat, I still have another two chapters I want to finish outlining before I leave. So you can stay or go, I won't judge."

Hannah considers her options. She doesn't want to leave because she wants to prove to Kara that she's not only at study group because of Zachary, but she also doesn't want to be there when Kent shows up because she'll be hyperaware and anxious about every word he says or movement he makes. She decides against staying and quickly packs up her things and scurries out of the library to not bump into Kent. In her rush to escape, she slams right into Marcus.

"Hey!" he greets enthusiastically. "I haven't seen you in ages Han!"

"Hey," she smiles. "Yeah, schedule just isn't matching up like it used to. Last semester we had almost identical blocking."

"You're on your way back?" Marcus asks, motioning toward the area of campus where the residence halls are located.

"Yeah, but Kara is still in there if you want a study companion."

"No, I know," Marcus nods. "I think Kent is coming too. You sure you can't stay?"

"Uh… I was planning on grabbing and early dinner and heading to the studios to practice. The Spring activities fair is around the corner and we want more people to try out for the dance team this year."

"Cool, cool. I guess I'll see you around then."

"Yeah, next time," Hannah agrees non-committedly. "Maybe Wednesday."

Hannah feels bad for also avoiding Marcus, but he's Kent's roommate and best friend, and she gets the feeling that he tries to wingman for Kent. She waves enthusiastically as she jogs toward her hall, praying her roommate isn't there. Jasmine is a great person, but Hannah cannot stand how positive she is about everything. Alexandera came over once and let it slip that Hannah has a crush on Zachary and Jasmine went on an entire tangent planning their wedding!

"Hey Hannah, I didn't expect you to be back so early," Jasmine greets as she puts her hair in a pony tail and moves to apply makeup at her desk. "I'm about to head to the studio to practice some routines. You want to join me?"

"No thanks, I'm going a little later. I'm just going to grab a bite," Hannah says while she takes off her shoes. She puts her bookbag on her chair and flops onto her bed, letting out a breath of relief.

"Rough session?" Jasmine asks. "Did something happen with Zachary?"

"No, I just couldn't concentrate today."

"Because he was there."

"No, because-"

"Come on, Hannah! Stop with the denial already!" Jasmine exclaims. "You're into him. It's distracting when he's around. Do something about it!"

"I did!"

"You did?" Jasmine turns around in her chair fully facing Hannah. "Did you ask him out? Did you kiss him? Did you declare your undying love for him?"

"Okay, calm down with the theatrics Jas," Hannah sits up. "I asked him to study."

"So like you've been doing this whole time," Jasmine deflates. She thought there was actual progress for her roomie.

"Not exactly… it's just going to be us, I think."

Jasmine squeals, "Oh my gosh. I need to pick out your outfit. No wait, you need to do that yourself. He has to fall for you, not what I turn you into. This is so exciting!"

"It's just a study session," Hannah trying to underplay her nervousness. "No need to dress up or anything. Plus, it'll be short since we have practice at 6pm and I'm meeting him at 4pm."

"I implore you to skip practice and get dinner with him!"

"Right, it's so romantic to eat in a dining hall and get tacos or something," Hannah rolls her eyes. "It's not like we're going to go off campus, neither of us drive and nothing on Main Street is much better than the cafeterias."

"Ye of little faith," Jasmine says as she gets up and goes to put on her shoes. "If I were you, I'd take that opportunity and extend the alone time. Never know, he could be interested, too."

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