Chance Meetings

Chapter 2

Seated near to the back of the auditorium chatting animatedly with his classmates, Garfield nearly missed the entrance of the one lady who had him straightening from his lounging position. Tara Markov.
It hadn't taken him long to find out what her name was but approaching her was an altogether different story.
"Dude! Are you still stuck on that girl?"
The comment jolted his attention away from Tara and to his classmates, who now were grinning at him with decidedly amused expressions.
Grumbling, Garfield mumbled an incomprehensible answer.
Taylor; a blonde haired, grey-eyed basketball captain and one of Garfield's close friend – outside his personal group of friends, that is - laughed and said, "Come on, Gar. It's been four months already. When are you going to ask her out?"
"Yeah man. All you do is stare at her throughout the lecture from the moment she comes in," stated Jackson in an exasperated tone.
Annoyed with his friends and at himself, Garfield sent them a fulminating glare, at the same time claiming, "For your information, I will be asking her out today."
At the guys' disbelieving looks, he narrowed his eyes and turned back to look at the golden haired beauty that had stolen his breath since he first laid eyes on her, and simply said, "Just wait and watch."

Tara was aware of Garfield's gaze the moment she stepped into the classroom. The past few months she had felt his eyes follow her whenever he was somewhere around her. She knew it was him because she had caught him staring at her, and whenever their eyes met he would immediately look away and then back again with a hesitant smile.
He made her laugh.
However, she would not deny that he was attractive to look at. His hair especially, was fascinating; dark, almost black with electric green highlighted tips. On anyone else they would have looked ridiculous but he pulled it off to great effect.
"He's staring at you again," whispered Skye, taking a seat beside her.
Tara simply smiled and focused her attention towards the front of the classroom as their Community Activity lecturer started the projector.
As the lecturer started on the current event the class was organising for the coming month, Tara's thoughts switched back to Garfield.
She knew his degree was based in Veterinary Science because she had kind of - sort of - researched about him, and she was pleasantly surprised. For although he seemed somewhat a comic personality, he had a very sweet nature; especially when it came to animals.
It was not as if she was stalking him.
Whilst on her way to the university library, she had walked past the surrounding garden area and had chanced upon him helping an adorable little puppy who had somehow been injured.
Her lips tilted upwards as she recalled how he had softly spoken to the little pup, carefully picking him up to examine him. His voice soothing and animated to keep the animal feeling safe.
She had learned his name from the time they first locked eyes but it was not until that fateful day, that she was intrigued and wanted to learn more about him.
That was three months ago. Now, Tara was starting to become a little impatient.
Garfield, it seemed, was clueless. She did not understand what else she could do.
Yes, they only saw each other once a week for their extra-curricular but…
For heaven's sake, thought Tara. What is a girl to do when a guy takes so much time to approach you?
Droning out the lecturer's voice, she thought to herself that maybe it was time to take the bull by its horns.
Allowing herself a small, unnoticeable smile, she mentally shrugged and said to herself, Guess, I'll just have to make the first move.

"Kori, what time exactly did you lot plan to go to the club tonight?" Raven asked, taking a seat across from the female in question.
Looking up from her magazine, Kori pondered over the query and settled on saying, "Well, I don't know whether Tara and Jinx are finishing lessons closer to my time today, so I really can't say Raven."
"I guess we should wait for them to get here, and then figure out the plan," suggested Raven; looking around the cafeteria for any sign of the duo.
Jinx was the name Jennifer was fondly dubbed by the entire Jump City high school they had attended. Not because she experienced or spread bad luck; it was simply due to two reasons. One, Jen was a chemistry whiz, and therefore, reason number two, it spelled trouble for anyone who managed to get themselves on her bad side.
She was capable of coming up with such ingenious pranks for revenge that a person was better off either being friends with her, or just keep the hell away.
Although, mused Kori, Raven is probably the only one Jinx wouldn't act against.
"What the heck is taking them so long?"
Shrugging off her musings, Kori took a glance about to see if she could spy them somewhere in the lunch crowd.
"You haven't bought your lunch today Rae. Are you in a hurry?"
"I've got a meeting with my supervisor in about ten minutes," answered Raven. "I thought I'd quickly catch you three and ask what the plan for tonight was, before heading over. Although, I've got no more lessons the rest of the day; I wouldn't be able to meet up later as you've all got classes."
Turning to look back at Raven, Kori suggested, "Tell you what, you go on ahead to your meeting; I'll text you the details of the rendezvous, and let the others know as well."
Raven blinked. "Will you?"
At Kori's nod, Raven sighed gratefully and stood. "Brilliant. Also, let me know when you three are finished for the day and I'll come pick you up." Not waiting for a response, she added, "Thanks Kori. You're a star."
"Tell me something I don't know," teased Kori, smiling.
Shooting her an amused look and a quick wave, Raven turned and walked towards the exit. Taking a quick glance at her watch, she bumped into someone.
In a rush, she hastily mumbled an apology, and fairly sprinted to her destination. However, at the back of her mind was a fleeting thought.
That felt more like a brick wall than a person.

Regarding the petite, svelte form of the female rushing down the path towards the Queens Building, Richard raised a quizzical brow.
What amazing hair.
Was his first thought; followed closely by, Wow, she's slender.
It was a wonder to him that she did not land on her behind after that headlong collision into his frame.
At six foot two, broad shouldered, wide chested and sleekly muscled, Richard cut an impressive figure. Something that the ladies never failed to notice.
However, his attention was caught by the woman with black hair and ultraviolet highlights. He watched as she disappeared under the archway of the building for English related majors.
About to turn around and walk into the café; all the while wondering who the lady was, he heard his name being called.
Spotting Victor and Roy coming up the cafeteria steps, he waited for them at the entrance.
"Where's Logan?" Richard asked, referring to Garfield by his last name.
"Dunno'." Shrugged Roy, shaking his head.
Victor nodded to them to proceed, saying, "He said he's on his way. Just went to drop some books at the library."
"He actually reads?" Roy joked; laughing silently.
Chuckling himself, Richard lightly smacked Roy upside his head. "Give him some credit. He is majoring in Veterinary."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll drop it."
"Yo', let's get some food before the runt arrives and starts on about my meat preferences," Vic abruptly interrupted.
Without waiting for agreement, he moved towards the food station; Roy and Richard falling in behind him.
A short while later, as they picked a table by the glass windows and settled down to eat; Roy suddenly brought up a topic from the morning.
"By the way Rich, Gar's hiding something."
Eyes widening in recollection, Victor added, "Yeah man. He was all dressed up and acting really weird."
"Wouldn't even tell us the reason when asked," finished Roy, taking a bite out of his grilled cheese and tomato panini.
Intrigued, yet understanding the possible reason, Richard said, "It's a woman."
"Thanks genius," was the dry quip from Roy.
Arching a brow, Richard smirked and stated, "How about if I say, I know she's a young blond lady, with blue eyes and a slim figure."
Blinking simultaneously as if choreographed, both his friends shot him quizzical looks.
"How'd you know that?" came the question from Victor.
Richard only pointed behind them.
Turning as one, Roy and Victor took in the scene being played out before them.
Garfield was standing a couple of feet from them, turned towards the said lady as she came to a stop before him and graced him with a bright smile.
"What on earth?!" was the quiet but stunned exclamation from their mouths.