Chapter 4

My last computer lab just happened to be on the fifth floor of the technology building which was next door to my previous class. I made sure to ride the elevator down so I could avoid the lateness and the heavy breathing. There wasn't the usual crowd of busy students, so my way to the next building was fairly quick. Less crowds meant less people fighting over the only two elevators in this building. I sighed to myself, I was pretty early and there was still no one around. I shrugged and looked at my phone as I paced into the opening elevator. Elise had texted me twice, her sad emoji with the words,

I'm bored.

I rolled my eyes at her message and laughed to myself.

I was right. My next lab hadn't started and I was incredibly early. There was one other girl in the room fiddling on her laptop and filling the silence with taps and clicks. I wanted to ask her something, anything really. I just wanted to fill the awkward silence with something friendly and engaging, hoping she would pass the time conversing with me.

The girl's giggle surprised me. "Well at least I'm not the only early one today."

I smiled at her. "Same."

She shrugged and smiled, this time turning to fully look at me. "I'm Lilly, and you are?" she outstretched her hand towards me.

"I'm Noelle, nice to meet you."

"What year are you?" she cocked her head to the side, curious and ready to ask a second question.

"This is my last year actually. You?"

She giggled and her green eyes looked down with shyness. "I'm only a third year. So I might ask a lot of questions, I've been having a hard time with this course work, I barely passed the prerequisite last semester."

"I don't mind at all! Feel free to ask me whatever you want, I'll help where I can."

The sound of footsteps rushing towards our classroom distracted Lilly and she pivoted in her chair completely to face the door. What seemed like a good majority of our class, settled into seats and prepped their notebook to make a list of necessary supplies they would need. Though the class seemed pretty empty compared to other labs, where we had maybe twelve students here and others had a minimum of thirty, it didn't surprise me that half of the people didn't show. It was common to miss the first day of classes because of the ability to make up any missed notes. There was usually nothing of great importance except a list of actual reading materials you would need for class.

Having a two and a half hour class that revolved around research and data was the last way I want to spend my evening. I nearly fell asleep in class, wishing I had sat closer to the back of the room so I could've hid behind someone. Unfortunately, there weren't enough people there for me to even do so. When class was finished I let out a yawn into my hand, hoping it wouldn't seem rude.

"No questions yet?" I asked Lilly as she headed out.

Her giant smile seemed proud. "Nope! Not yet!"

I nodded and waved goodbye giving her a smile. My goal in mind was to get home, eat something small then go to sleep. I took my time gathering my belongings, hoping everyone would be able to use the elevators and leave me one to myself. I was not in the mood to talk or make friends and I didn't want to seem rude. Once I heard the elevator sound, I headed towards the classroom door and looked at my phone again. Heading towards the elevators, I texted Elise. Her dozens of messages were all fairly identical. She was bored, she made spaghetti, she wanted me to eat with her, and she was bored—again.

just got out of class...be there in a few

I pressed the elevator button and continued texting her while I waited for the doors to open.

Wait, did you heat up the garlic bread that was in the fridge?

I heard the doors open and continued texting as I walked in.

Elise replied instantly. YES! It's pasta, I would NEVER forget the garlic bread.

I laughed to myself and blindly guided my hand towards the buttons beside the door but instead of finding the buttons, I gently pressed on someone's hand. "I'm sorry!" I jumped and squeezed my phone to my chest, afraid I had maybe angered someone. I turned abruptly to see who I had just accidentally touched, and their wide hazel eyes stared me down.

"Hey, it's no problem. Sorry, I must've frightened you." Professor Wyatt dug his hands into the pockets of his jeans and I sighed, relieved it was someone I had at least met the same day.

"It's my fault. I'm really tired and I wasn't paying attention." I looked away embarrassed.

He chuckled and continued to be completely unashamed when making direct eye contact with me. "Well Noelle, I hope you're able to rest well. You did a good job in class today despite your hangover."

There he went. Why did he have to bring up the fact that I was hungover? How did he even know my name, or that I had been drinking?

"Professor Wyatt, how did you know I was hungover this morning? There's no way I was that obvious—" I paused to think, "and how did you know my name before I even told you or turned in my paper with it written on there?"

A smirk spread across his lips and he shook his head. "You might not want to know."

What the hell do you mean I don't want to know, I just asked!

"Well I'm amazed at your observation skills, but yes I do want to know."

He shrugged. "I happened to be in the same bar as you and your friends last night. Remember that guy who was trying way too hard and you friend-zoned him more than enough times?"

I had to pause for a second. Shit, he had been at the same bar as me the previous night, and it was the only time I had been wasted. I couldn't remember half of the things that happened. Though I could faintly remember the face of a man who was bothering me over and over again to have a drink with him.

"You're the guy I friend-zoned?"

His smile was beaming by this time. "No," he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm the guy who saved you from his desperate attempts, remember?"