His office, my rules

Eli

“Stop” Maya exclaimed “He did not do that”

I stopped along the walkway and gave her a stare, “Do I look like I’m lying about this?”

“Well.. It’s so hard to believe”

“Exactly. That’s why I think it is a trap”

“But isn’t he still with that curly-headed, hot girl?” Maya asked.

“Yeah, Zarah. I thought about that too. But you know what? I’m just going to forget that this ever happened. I’m sure he’s going to do the same too”

“Yeah, you better. I don’t want to hear you talking about going back to him”

“What? Eew No” Now it was her turn to give me a death stare. I mean, Ew was definitely not a word you would use to describe Liam, at least not physically. He was handsome and had a hot physique but he mainly behaved like a jerk and I should have figured it out the moment he asked me to keep our relationship a secret because he wasn’t ready to ‘let people know about us’.

“Just keep your distance Eli” Maya warned.

“Hi guys” a voice came to join us.

“Hi Theo” I gave him a small nod.

“Hi” Maya mumbled.

I couldn’t tell if she was being nonchalant or if she was no longer interested in THE Theo Walsh.

“Are you guys heading to class now?’’ he asked.

“Hm hm” I nodded,

“It doesn’t start until the next fifteen minutes” Maya cut in.

“Well yeah” Theo scratched the back of his head.

Was he getting nervous? I side-eyed Maya and she seemed to catch a glimpse.

“I wanted to invite you to my party next weekend,” He continued.

My mouth flew open. A party? I hadn’t been to a college party in ages.

“Wait. Both of us?” I asked, coming back to my senses and realizing maybe, only Maya was getting the invite.

“No silly” he laughed “Both of you”

Why did my heart do little somersaults in my heart?

“Thanks, we’ll try to be there” Maya said

Try?

“Good. I’ll be sure to send you both the invites” He almost blushed and walked off.

Damn someone has a hard crush.

“What was that about?” I asked Maya as soon as Theo was out of hearing distance.

“What was what about?”

“I thought you liked him?’’

“Well, feelings die,” she shrugged.

Typical Maya. “And you’re sure it’s not more than that?”

“No it’s not” she was quick to reply so I left it.

In a few minutes, we were walking into class. We were in no rush, but I left Maya, who was associating with some other classmates, to go pick a seat for us.

Carter walked in pridefully. He didn't look up, he just picked up a piece of chalk and went straight to the board. He scribbled the words ‘TEST’ on it and everyone just had to grumble.

“Really? A freaking Test?” Maya scoffed, taking her seat beside me.

“No murmuring. And you have to provide your own paper sheets for this test. It’s a surprise for me too” He said and laughter ruptured amongst us.

“Your hot professor thinks he is funny. Why don't you try to screw him so we can know about tests like this” Maya whispered to me and I laughed even more. On a different day, I would have side-eyed Maya but today, her statement made me laugh.

Carter read out the questions from one of his notes and gave us only fifteen minutes to take the test.

I was lucky I had brushed this topic a while ago, so I had something to write even though I didn't know it all. I made sure to craft my words carefully and write neatly in order to impress him. I don't know why I felt the need to impress him but I just did.

“Five minutes more” his voice echoed in the quiet lecture hall.

At this point, I had written all the things I knew but the ones I didn't know were still left blank. I looked at Maya, and she was busy writing away.

Fucking smart ass.

Just when I was done scribbling whatever came to my mind, Carter’s voice came up, “Time up. Come up individually to have your papers’ submitted”

Seats began screeching and everyone started shuffling to submit their papers.

When it got to my turn, I could swear I felt my fingers brush Carter’s but the expression on his face could tell that he didn't notice a thing.

He observed my paper. “Not bad” he muttered

“Not bad?”

“Yes. You could do better. Now move, you’re in the way of others”

Couldn't help but be stunned at how his words sounded. A feeling of hurt spread through my chest as I walked out shamefully. This was different from how he talked to me when we were alone.

I hated that I felt this way.