CHAPTER TWO: NOTHING BUT A DISTRACTION

Syllabus week. She always arrived early to her first day of lecture, hoping to scout out the best seat and reserve it for the rest of the quarter. Even though there were no seating assignments, people stuck to the same routines every day.

She got to class ten minutes before the bell. Her friend Katie was in the same class as her, but she hadn't been able to wake up in time. It didn't matter; Lillia would save a seat for her.

She squeezed her way past the row of chairs to get to the very middle row, smack dab in the center. Perfect. From here, she had a spot-on view of the professor and his PowerPoint, without being too close that he noticed her falling asleep. Not that she would sleep. But, you know, just in case.

Pleased, she unfolded the arm table and neatly arranged her array of color-coordinated post-its and notebooks. She took off her coat and folded it on the seat, so that her new plaid miniskirt wouldn't get lint stuck on it from the filthy seat cloth.

Now, all she had to do was concentrate. Yesterday had been nothing but a minor distraction. He was here on a football track; she was a communications major. Nothing to worry about. They'd never run into each other again.

The clock struck nine and yawning students at last started to file in. Even the professor was late. Katie stumbled into the chair next to her with an expression that spoke hangover to the max.

"Hard night?" Lillia teased.

Katie stretched her arms as Lillia smoothed down her mussed hair. She was still in last night's clothes. "You could say that," Katie said. "I'm so done with Roberto and the other guys. Our whole friend circle– it's so boring. The same guys, the same talk. I'm tired of it."

"Hey," Lillia said, pinching her arm.

Katie rolled her eyes. "No, not you. You're perfect, of course." Lillia laughed. "Anyways–"

She leaned forward suddenly. "Dude. Three o'clock. To your left," she whispered dramatically. "Serious eye-candy right there."

Lillia giggled and turned to look. She saw a hipster with wooden glasses– not her type– and a man with a giant beard– he looked too old to be a student– and then…

"Oh no," Lillia muttered, her heart rate accelerating. Emergency mode was kicking in. "Oh no, oh no, oh no."

Katie ignored her. "Please come closer. Keep on walking– no, not that seat, sit closer…"

Lillia prayed for the opposite. Reeve walked down a few steps, coming nearer and nearer, then scanned the classroom. Lillia immediately ducked, trying to burrow her face into her cashmere scarf, but it was too late. He met her gaze, his emerald eyes sparkling, and then slid into the seat right in front of her.

Great. Now she could definitely focus.

Katie purred into her ear. "Reckon he has a six pack?"

Lillia sighed.

The professor walked in finally, rubbing his eyes. "Welcome class, to your Communication 4B– interpersonal communication…"

Half of Lillia's mind concentrated enough to take notes– perfectly color coded and neatly written. The other half whirled, trying not to notice when Reeve stretched, his hands almost touching her knees, or when his back muscles tautened beneath his jacket, showing through the fabric. His shoulders had always been broad, but now they were practically huge. Had he been working out?

Stop it, Lillia. It wasn't her business anymore.

"Now, for this assignment, I'm going to let you pick a partner– but only this once. After this first assignment, I'll trust that you can manage on your own…"

Lillia's pulse exploded as Reeve slowly glanced from side to side, then turned in his seat. He looked behind him…

Katie leaned forward. "Hey there."

He smiled at her.

"Looking for a partner?"

"But Katie– we're–" Lillia sputtered.

"Sorry Cho, looks like you'll have to find another one," Reeve smirked at her. Lillia flushed.

Katie sent her an apologetic look. Lillia folded her arms across her chest.

After Reeve turned around and the professor resumed his lecturing, Katie whispered, "Do you guys know each other?"

Lillia shrugged noncommittally.

"Well, I'm going to know him," Katie winked.

Lillia couldn't care less.

Could she?