Paul looked into the library and a smirk crossed his face. He was about to lock it up when he saw her. Face down in the table fast asleep. He quickly looked around seeing if anyone was watching them. No one was here though because the library closed at 10 and it was already 9:58.
He pulled out the seat next to her as he sat down. He raised his hand to wake her but hesitated as he decided to watch her for a moment instead.
He wondered what it would be like to wake up next to her someday. Was she a morning person, or did she like to sleep in? Did she eat breakfast and read the news or did she skip it and rush around. Did she like to be held or prefer to hog the whole bed?
He shook these thoughts aside as he ran his hand over her forearm gently.
"Steph... Stephanie..."
He heard her moan as she mumbled something. A small smiled broke out on her face as she saw him.
"Hey it's 10, library's closing." He said as he watched her nod.
Stephanie was glad to know that she slept through meeting up with Stacey and her preppy boyfriends friend. She yawned as she watched Paul. He was watching her carefully.
"What are you doing after this?" She wondered.
"I'm off so ill probably just head home." He said with a shrug.
"We'll I've gotta cram tonight, want to get some coffee with me?" She asked as she pulled her jacket on.
Paul thought about it for a moment. He still had no car, how would he explain that? He decided to go with it.
"Sure, you wanna walk you've been stuffed up in here for hours." He reasoned as he stood with her.
"Sounds good, I know the perfect place." She said as she grabbed his hand lightly before letting it go.
It sent shock waves up and down his spine. Her fingers were so small compared to his. They were soft and warm. He couldn't get enough of her.
Paul pulled his jacket tighter around himself shoving his hands in his pocket as the wind picked up. Great fucking winter was coming. He could never afford heat, unless of course he did side jobs for his uncle. That meant stealing parts out of cars throughout the city. He sighed heavily as he felt Stephanie bump into him.
"What's on your mind?" She asked.
"It's getting chilly out, that's what I was thinking." He said with a small grin.
"Well here we are." She said as she pulled on his arm to enter the small cafe.
Paul sighed heavily as he made his way uncomfortably inside behind Stephanie. She found a small table and sat down as he sat across from her.
She watched his eyes scan the room. Almost like he was looking for someone, but not in a good way. More like he was avoiding someone.
"Everything ok." She asked as she slid her hand over his on the table.
He swallowed hard staring at their hands. He nodded as he continued to take in their surroundings god he didn't belong here. He didn't belong with her, what was he doing.
"Mocha extra foam." Stephanie said to the waitress.
Paul stared at the waitress for a moment. "Regular, please." He mumbled.
"So... It's Friday any weekend plans?" Stephanie asked.
"Nope. But I'm sure ill find something to occupy me, you?" He replied.
"Well I'm going home tomorrow morning for the weekend-"
"Stephy! Baby! I want you to meet my friend!"
Stephanie rolled her eyes, what the hell were they doing here?
"Fuck." She muttered. "I'm with someone Matt."
Matt smirked at her. "Yeah the school janitor, anyways-"
"I'm all set Matt, leave me alone." Stephanie said shoving his hand off of her shoulder.
He placed his hand back down on her shoulder squeezing it.
"Ow Matt stop!" She said trying to shove him.
Paul stood up reaching over the table as he shoved him off of her. Matt stumbled backwards knocking they drinks all over the waitress. Paul went around the table punching him across the jaw for good measure.
"Hey, get out of here!" The owner yelled as the waitress ran back behind the counter.
"Fuck you Stephanie!" Matt shouted as Paul grabbed her hand pulling her to the exit. "Find your own ride to Connecticut tomorrow, bitch!"
Stacey threw her hands up in the air. She had just exited the bathroom to find her boyfriend screaming at her best friend with a fat bloody lip.
Paul felt Stephanie shaking as he pulled her out of the cafe and rounded the corner the owner hot on their heels. Paul pushed her against the wall blocking her as the owner ran by.
"Shhhh." He whispered his finger over her lip.
He locked eyes with her as her hard breathing beat against his neck. It was hot and took the chill of the evening off of him for a moment. He took his finger away and put his head down listening for the owner. When he heard him walk back into the cafe he looked up. Stephanie was biting her lip and shaking.
"Don't cry- fuck I'm sorry-"
Stephanie finally released her laugh as she gripped his leather jacket.
"Paul Matt's a dick, his band is terrible! You knocked his block off!" She said laughing.
Paul laughed as he shook his head. "Let me walk you back to your dorm." He said as he began walking.
Stephanie bit her lip looking at him as he walked in front of her. He was her knight in shining armor. She knew Stacey would bitch about him punching Matt but the little prick deserved it. She reached her hand forward slipping it in his. He looked back quick as he slowed his walk down to match her pace. She smiled at him as he looked at her. His heart was pounding and it wasn't due to the fight it was the look on her face right now. She was glowing.
"Well here's my dorm." She said as Paul looked up releasing her hand. "I'm sorry our night was ruined." She looked down and he picked her chin back up.
"Maybe we will have more." He said as he ran his hand down to her shoulder.
She hissed as she pulled away. Paul frowned as he gripped her upper arm.
"Let me see it." He said softly.
"I have to take my jacket off and I only have a tank top on." She said as he nodded. "Can you come up and take a look, obviously Stacey's not up there."
Paul ran his hand through his hair. That was probably a bad idea. He watched as her eyes stared at him as she rolled her lips. She sighed as she turned to her door.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"I'm leading the way, I need you to look at my shoulder..." She said as she smiled over her shoulder pushing the door open.
Paul blew out a deep breath as he followed her upstairs to her room. He watched her push open the door as she took his hand pulling him inside. It was warm in here at least. He looked around. One side of the room was pink and had typical college posters not to mention it was covered in pink from Victoria secret bedding. The other was covered in photos and had dark purple bedding.
"Which side do you think is mine?" Stephanie quizzed him.
Paul smirked as he crossed the room and sat on the purple bed cover. Stephanie smiled as she slipped off her jacket sitting next to him.
"Lucky guess." She said softly running her hand over his thigh.
Paul swallowed hard as he looked into her eyes.
"So your shoulder..." He trailed off not moving.
Stephanie pulled her tank and bra strap down to her mid upper arm as he leaned over looking at her shoulder. There was a red mark where his fingers as put pressure on her. He ran his thumb over it gently. There was already a welt.
"Dickhead." Paul muttered shaking his head. "Are you okay?" He asked running his thumb over her lower lip.
Stephanie nodded mesmerized. She felt heat rush to her face as she felt his warm breath on her cheek. She wanted him and now.
"I am now..."
She licked her bottom lip as she lifted her hand running it through his hair. He felt his heart beat fast and loud as it pounded in his ears.
"Thank you, nobodies ever defended me like that." She said as she kissed his cheek. "No one looks at me like you do Paul."
Paul licked his lip as he leaned in closing his eyes. He pressed his lips gently against hers as he ran his hand over her waist pulling her closer. She moaned gently parting her lips when suddenly the door swung open. Paul pulling away from her was the only thing that made her turn towards the door.
Fucking Stacey.
"Steph what the fuck!" Stacey shouted. "Um what's he doing here?"
"He can be here if I want him to be." Stephanie said.
"I'm gonna head home." Paul said as he walked passed Stacey. "Sorry if I ruined your night, but you might want to tell your boyfriend to keep his hands off of women."
Stacey huffed and rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms.
Stephanie smiled at her sarcastically as she followed Paul out to the hall shutting the door. She took his hand pulling him close to her.
"I had fun with you." She said gently.
"It was certainly interesting ." He said softly as he laughed. "Ill See you Monday."
"Okay, see you Monday." She agreed as he began to walk off.
Stephanie pulled him back to her as she leaned up kissing his cheek. She smiled against his cheek. "Thank you again. Goodnight."
Paul took a deep breath as he got outside. He wasn't sure what the hell just happened tonight. He went from closing down the library to kissing Stephanie goodnight. He ran his hand through his hair as he began making his way home. That was definetly a night to remember unfortunately for him it would have to be a night to forget because Stephanie wasn't right for him. Scratch that he wasn't right for her. But as he looked back on the night he had to admit it seemed like they only really had each other. Maybe fate would change things. Maybe.