Cp.10

Laying down on my bed, I had plugged in my earphones, staring at the sparking ceiling that had lights. Taylor Swift's August was playing at the moment while my mind drifted off to my last interaction with Owen.

Leaning towards the table, Owen took the strawberry from my cupcake into his mouth. "I guess it's settled then."

"What is?" I chirped in.

"This will be our main meeting place."

I sat bewildered. "So we'll be meeting up with one another?"

"Are you surprised? I mean, only if you're comfortable with it."

Chewing on my bottom lip in deep thought, it was obvious that spending time with Owen Cooper would lead me into a lot of trouble. I don't know why, but I was oddly eager to figure out why he would want to spend time with Dawn Wright.

"No offense, but it doesn't seem like I'm the type of crowd you usually spend time with."

"You know, you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. I only have two people who I've deemed to be friends. The rest are practically strangers."

"Then be honest with me. Do you actually want to be my friend, or am I just a liability?"

"Aren't both things the same?"

"Uh, no."

"Think about it for a moment, Dawn. Friends are people you can rely on. Like a liability, they could easily be taken away from you."

Dawn, Dawn, Dawn. I regret giving him my name. "I feel as if our definition of the word, 'friend' might have different meanings."

He grinned. "Well, I feel as if I'm being portrayed as a narcissistic villain who doesn't know the value of friendship."

"Why do I get the feeling that you're trying to tell me something?"

"And what would that be?"

"I dunno, maybe you're lowkey asking me to save you."

"From what, I'm not drowning."

"Figuratively speaking, duh."

Naturally rolling my eyes at his late response, Owen motioned me to lean in. "Let me fill you in on a secret."

Just like that, I was easily sucked into the world of suspense. "Whatever you think you might have figured out about me, is wrong. I clearly don't need saving."

Sighing, I pinched his nose, mocking him in a sing-song gesture. "That, my friend, is what they all say."

He swatted my hand away, wrinkling his nose before suddenly sneezing. I stared in awe while he only frowned. "Don't look at me like that."

"Like what?" I blinked, playing dumb.

"Like you want to pinch my cheeks. I'll immediately show resistance, just so you know." He glared.

Situations like these made me laugh, and I did, quite on the contrary. Glancing at my watch, I stood up before telling him that I would be leaving.

"Bye then."

"Until we meet again."

~°•°~

I swear that Reed was trying to kill me. "Come on Lynn, don't quit now, we're almost there!" He shouted, jogging ahead of me.

"Easy for you to say," I panted, glaring. "You've got nothing to lose."

"Come on now, don't be like that. One more lap around the street and we're done."

"It better be one lap, or else I'll never agree to doing something with you ever again."

Finally reaching the end of the street, I raced him to his apartment before taking a warm shower in one of his bathrooms. He lent me one of his T-shirts and boxer shorts while my own clothes were in the washing machine.

"Yhew." He jumped for his couch, sitting next to me.

"You," I pushed him away. "So owe me."

"I'll," Reed mimicked my actions, pulling me closer to peck my right cheek. "Make it up to you."

"That was a bad joke."

"Joke or not, I want to spend more time with you."

"And you will, when you're not so busy."

"What, you already know my schedule now?" He chuckled.

"What I do know is that you and Owen have a project due soon." The doorbell rang, and I did a silent eye roll. "Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. I'll go get the door."

Skipping off, I soon faced a guy who I'd swore had two very different personalities.

"Lynn."

"Owen."

"Good to see you."

"Ditto."

"Reed is waiting for you in the dinning area."

"That's an understatement of the year."

"And I bet your ass must be jealous of all the shit that comes out of your mouth." I smirked.

He leaned in closer. "Careful with the flirting, or I might think that you're into me."

"Think again."

"A guy can only dream."

"Keep on dreaming."

"Always."

"Okay then."

"Good talk."

"Yeah, let's do it again some time."

"Reedie, baby! I'm here!"

Walking past me with his dry humour, I had let the boys continue with their assignment, while I silently studied in Reed's bedroom, finishing off a group project that was due on Thursday.

I left after 15:00 p.m, wearing sweat pants and Greg's Tee when chilling in my dorm room with the girls. We were all scrambled around the place, with me and Jade situated on my bed, while Alexis, and Sam laid on Taylor's. Taylor sat criss crossed on the floor with her hands on her lap, while Lola sat on one of our chairs that had a separate table.

"I just don't understand men sometimes..." Alexis suddenly spoke out, groaning in agony to add an extra effect on her complaining statement.

"Totally."

"Yup."

"Men are the worst."

"I agree."

She jumped off the bed. Quite literally too.

"What the hell is wrong with you guys?!" Her dramatic outburst ended up with her falling back on the bed covers. "I might as well be talking to a wall." She sighed, her head dangling when she turned to face Taylor.

"What about you TayTay?"

Taylor was busy writing a written report on a thesis she had just finished learning. "What about me?"

"Please tell me that you have a better answer than these fruitloops."

"Of course I do."

"So come out with it. Say something. A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G." She begged.

"Grrrrrrrrr..."

Laughter echoed throughout the room.

"Well played, Perry the platypus, well played." Rolling her eyes in a displeased manner, Alexis chose to no longer put up a fight, knowing quite well how we'd ignore her, as everyone was focusing on more important issues.

It was only until Sam had ordered takeout all of us gathered in a circle and together, we ate and exchanged words, having a normal conversation.

"Did you hear about Owen's annual disco party this weekend?"

"Already so soon?" Lola pouted.

"I've heard that many people cried when they didn't receive an invite." Jade commented.

I snorted. "That seems stupid."

"Stupid, it may seem, but they're not lying." Alexis began. "Owen Copper is the biggest asshole on campus, but no one knows him well enough to actually judge him for it, let alone say to his face. His parties on the other hand, rarely happen, by the way, which is why they're so spectacular. I mean, this might be my first year, but even I know that I absolutely cannot miss this party, and this will be the perfect opportunity to show off my dramatic bold makeup skills."

"Slow down tiger, I barely managed to grasp everything you've just said." Taylor said, offering Lexi some water. She blushed in return, probably from embarrassment, chunking down the see through beverage.

"Lex is right about this one guys. We have to get into that party. Everyone is talking about it, and as much as I hate campus buzzers, I heard the venue is going to be at their exclusive underground mall this year. I always wanted to go there."

All this talking made me feel guilty, and somehow Taylor noticed. Giving me a small small, we continued listening to others gushing at the thought of being present at Owen's upcoming party.

Lola snickered. "I bet the guys are even more excited about the event than us."

"Just imagine the amount of fresh new asses the twins are going to be tapping." Sam ended off with a chuckle.

"I bet they'll even argue about not sharing the same girls." Jade added on.

"True?" Alexis questioned.

They all responded in unison. "True!"

~°•°~

Taking a short break at the same café across campus, I was wearing black combat boots with black skinny jeans and an slightly oversized badge woolen semi turtle neck, while my hair was tired into a messy bun.

My mini black bag sat beside me as I continued to read book two of How to date a douchebag: the failing hours by Sara Ney. Dixie D'Amelio's be happy was playing within my earplugs as I drank from my straw whilst enjoying Zeke Daniel's witty jokes.

Sadly, my silent laughing stream was short lived when my right ear piece was removed. I looked up, eyes glaring through my reading glasses as I was prepared to jump at whoever had just disturbed my peace.

"You."

My eyes softened. I was completely caught off guard and it suddenly became hard to form words with my mouth. Instead I sneezed, the sound coming out too adorable for my liking.

He oddly smiled at me before saying bless you.

"Thanks." I muttered. I've found it too weird that I've been thanking Owen Copper lately. "What are you doing here?" I decided to ask.

"Same as everyone else, taking a break."

Not bothering to ask for my opinion, he sat across me, and a waiter immediately popped up in our faces.

"What would you like to order?"

"A ham and cheese grilled sandwich with a bottle of flavoured water; watermelon."

"Sure thing! Will be back with your order in a few minutes."

I couldn't help but cringe at the sight of her widened smile. It felt as if she'd won the lottery just by hearing Owen's voice. He made a quick glance at her, then browsed through his phone.

"Dawn, is she still standing there?"

I nodded. Checking the time, he went back at what he was previously doing. "Do I need to call another waiter to take my order instead?"

The female waiter was flushed with embarrassment for either two reasons. First, it was because she was gawking at Owen and he didn't bother to do the same. Second, he clearly didn't give a damn and only wanted his food.

She did a walk of shame, almost bumping into one of table chairs. I bit my bottom lip for a while, debating whether I should speak up about what just happened.

"What was that about?"

"Go ask her. I was this close to almost filing a restraining order."

Focusing on my book, a few minutes went by until Owen ate the remaining slice of his lunch. I didn't notice how bored he had become until one of my earpieces was once again pulled out of my right ear.

"Quit it, won't you?" I frowned. "I'm trying to read."

"What type of book are you reading?"

"Fictional romance."

"Name?"

"How to date a douchebag: the failing hours by Sara Ney."

"Gimme a sec," He stated. "Now we can read together."

"As long as you leave me be, then sure, go for it."

Picking up the fallen earphone, Owen inserted it into his ear. "Whatcha listening to?"

"Owen..." I began.

"This is my last request, pinky promise."

Our pinkies hooked as a form of an unbreakable bond, unhooking when our eyes began to read a new chapter with The Kooks' Naive playing in the background.

Both of our chairs moved back as we stood up to head to different classes. Before splitting outside, my arm was yanked.

"Yes?" I stared up at him.

"Your number, I don't have it."

"You never asked, so I never bothered to give it to you."

"Well, I want it."

Grabbing his phone from his left hand, I typed in my number.

"You better not blow my phone up." I warned.

"That all depends on you," He smirked. "Come to my party this weekend."

"I'm not the partying type."

"I'm an expert on chancing people's minds."

"I'm not going."

"Yes you are, you should."

"I'll think about it."

He sighed. "I can work with that."

"Okay then. Goodbye Owen."

"Bye Dawn."