Chapter Three

Mixed-Up

After I grabbed something to eat and saved Peyton from George, I decided to explore the campus, primarily the library.

After hearing Tom speak so fondly of books, I wanted to find that book that would affect me. I do love to read but the way he spoke of writing and the affect it had on him, I just wanted to share that feeling with him.

I really did not know where to start. I usually read the cute, teen, romance novels, which sadly have no depth to them. It's always the same story but with a different setting and a different guy.

"So what are you looking for?"

I spun around and smiled at the guy before me. "Hey Keith."

"Hey yourself." He said with a smile.

"So how was class?" I said, referring to the class after Music History.

"Very bleak." He answered honestly. "Basically Professor Jacobs, told the whole class that very few of us were worthy to be in his class, and even less of us were worthy to breathe his air." He said in a snobbish tone.

"Sounds exciting." I said with a laugh.

"Very exciting." He said mockingly. "Can't wait until midterms."

I laughed and he smiled at me. "So… are you doing anything later?" He asked me.

I looked at him in surprise. "I have class in half an hour." I said confused.

"I mean tonight." He clarified.

I shook my head no. "I don't have anything planned."

He looked at me anxiously. "Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" He asked me.

It took me a moment to respond. It was weird, he's extremely good-looking and such a nice guy but I wasn't exactly bursting with enthusiasm to say yes. But at the same time I couldn't find a reason to say no.

"Yeah," I answered and watched as his face lit up. "That would be fun." I said honestly.

He smiled, looking relieved and extremely happy. "So I'll come by your room around seven?" He questioned.

"Yeah sure." I answered. "Do I need to change or anything?" I asked him, referring to my wardrobe.

"No." He said shaking his head. "You look fine."

"Okay, so I'll see you later?" I asked him.

"Yeah." He said smiling at me. "Bye Jude."

"Bye." I said and watched him walk away.

I stood there just sort of dumbfounded. He's cute, he's older, he's nice, he's funny, come on what more do you want.

I figured I'll get a book later, I'll have the time. My next class was Classical Music. The very popular saying is you must know the rules before you break them, which I believe strongly in. I was one of the first people in the class. I noticed right away that George was there. He waved me over to sit with him. I sat by him and smiled.

"So you're rooming with Peyton?" He asked me.

I should have known he wanted to get info on Peyton. "I am."

"Do you think she would be interested? Is she just playing that tough girl act, or is she really blowing me off?" He asked me.

"I think she's blowing you off." I answered honestly. "But," I began quickly, wanting to keep George from killing himself in frustrated passion. "I don't know her that well, so my guess is just as good as yours."

He was silent for a moment. "I'm not a complete pervert." He said looking at me. "I like women believe me." He said with a smile. "But the whole flirting with her in front of everyone, it's just an act." He reassured me. "Peyton, she's… she's beautiful. I mean come on her eyes are green." He said with a laugh. "I mean they are green. Not like hey-I'm-kinda-green-but-kinda-blue green, but like green-green." He said acting like it was a miracle.. "It was cool talking to her during breakfast, well until you interrupted us."

I smiled despite myself.

"I just I don't know, she's young." He said looking thoughtfully out the window.

"She really isn't." I said looking at him. "I mean yes she's fifteen, four years younger then you." I said, making sure that was known. "But it's says she's fifteen on her birth certificate, but from what I know of her she seems much older emotionally." I said truthfully.

He nodded in agreement. "She affects me." He said with a laugh. "I know that sounds ridiculous but she affects me." He was silent for a moment. "No one affects me."

"I'll talk to her." I said looking at him, questioningly.

He shook his head. "No don't." He said looking at me. "When it comes to these things I think it should only be between two people, no one else." He was silent. "It's private." He said softly.

I looked at him, genuinely looked at him. "You are not who I thought you were."

He looked at me and smiled. "I hope Peyton feels the same."

I looked at him. "I think she will." I assured him. "Don't put this act on for her, she deserves to see the real you."

He smiled. "Thanks Jude."

"You're welcome." I said with a smile.

A middle-aged lady walked in the room and smiled at us. "Okay everyone," she began. "I'm Mrs. Camper and welcome to Classical Music."

To be completely honest, that class was interesting. And Mrs. Camper is pretty chill, I mean she's defiantly no Tom Quincy, but she's a good teacher, interesting, serious but still fun.

"She was cool." George said as we left the class.

"Yeah." I agreed. "She knows what she's teaching you know?" I questioned.

"Yeah, I always hate it when like your history teacher is also the football coach." He said with a laugh.

I laughed. "Yup sounds like my school." I stopped in front of my dorm building and turned to George. "I would invite you inside," I insisted. "But I'm not sure Peyton will appreciate it." I said honestly.

He sighed. "Yeah I know." He said. "I'll show her the real me tomorrow."

I laughed. "Bye George."

"Bye Jude."

I walked in my dorm and Peyton was lying on her bed, reading a book.

"Is that a good book?" I asked her.

She looked at me and showed me the front cover. It was "The Green Mile" by Stephen King.

"One of Stephen King's best." She said smiling at me. "How was Classical Music?" She asked me, sitting up on her bed.

"It was good actually." I said sitting down by her. "Mrs. Camper is pretty laid-back."

"Tom Quincy laid-back?" She asked me.

I laughed and shook my head. "No one is as laid back as him."

"I like him, he's cool." She said studying me.

I nodded in agreement.

"What did you guys talk about when I left?" She asked me.

"Eh nothing much." I said with a shrug.

She looked at me and sighed. "Give me more then that Miss Harrison, come on you were alone in a classroom with the hottest guy ever."

"Who just happens to be my teacher and," I said emphasizing and. "And he is ten years older then me."

"Age is just a number." She said studying me.

I laughed. "Well it doesn't matter because I'm going on a date tonight."

"With Tom?" She asked me excitedly.

"No, Peyton, no." I said shaking my head. "With Keith."

She was silent for a moment. "Keith's cute." She finally said.

"Yes and nice and funny." I said trying to convince her.

"Hey you don't need to convince me, you are the one going on a date with him." She pointed out. "Do you like him?" She asked me.

I shrugged. "I don't really know him." I confessed. "But that's what dates are for, getting to know each other."

"Well what time is the date?" She asked me.

"Seven." I answered.

"Okay, that gives us two hours to get you ready." She said looking at her phone.

"Peyton, it's just going to be casual." I insisted.

"Come on," She said ignoring me. "Go take a shower." She said pointing at the door. "I'll get the makeup and clothes ready."

When I didn't move she pointed at the door again. "Go."

"Fine." I muttered and went towards the bathroom.

After two hours of getting ready I honestly looked good. Peyton straightened my hair, which surprisingly was a dramatic change, compared to my usual wavy hair. My makeup was done a little more dramatic, with smoky eyes and dark linear. My cheeks were accented with a pink blush called strawberry delight and my lips appeared fuller with a shimmery red gloss.

I was wearing a blue halter top and a short black skirt. Not too short but short enough to be suggestive but long enough to not be considered slutty. I was wearing black high heals that made my legs seem endless.

Peyton smiled at me. "You look gorgeous."

I smiled; I never dress up like this. "It's not too much?" I asked her.

"Not too much at all." She promised me.

Someone knocked on the door and I looked at Peyton and realized I was excited. Keith is a nice guy and we are going to have fun.

I answered the door and smiled at Keith. He was dressed a little nicer, so that neither of us were going to look out of place.

"Jude," He said completely speechless. "You look, you look really nice."

I felt myself blush. "Thank you." I said looking down at my hands and then at him.

He smiled at me. "Hey Peyton." He said looking behind me.

"Hi Keith." She said with a little wave. "So you two have fun." She said looking at both of us. "I need to study, so you guys need to leave." She said teasingly.

"Bye Peyton." I said giving her a hug. I whispered 'thank you' in her ear. She smiled at me.

"Bye." Keith said to her, and then we left.

"So what are you hungry for?" He asked me, as we walked around campus.

"Mexican." I answered honestly.

"I was thinking the same thing." He said smiling at me. "You don't mind eating here do you?" He asked me. "I know it's not fancy or…"

I cut him off. "Eating here sounds great." I assured him. I felt him slip his hand into mind. It felt nice, it really did, but it didn't quite fit.

"So I noticed you and your mom are really close." He stated looking at me, trying to break the awkward silence.

It took me a moment to respond. And then I realized he saw my mom when I arrived here yesterday. I nodded. "Yeah we are." I said smiling at him.

"That's really cool." He said looking at me.

"Yeah she's basically my best friend." I said with a laugh. "Like she gets me, you know?" I questioned looking.

He nodded. "I know." He said softly.

We arrived at Mi Tortilla and Keith was rubbing my hand softly. I felt uncomfortable to be honest.

"So what do you want?" He asked me.

"Um…just a bean burrito and um…a coke." I answered looking at him.

"Okay I'll order." He offered.

"And I'll get a table." I said while trying to hand him some money.

He shook his head. "No, I'll pay."

"Are you sure?" I asked him.

"I'm sure."

"Okay." I said with an awkward smile. "I'll go get a table." I walked over to the only empty table which was a little ways away. I sat down and sighed. I was having fun but it just didn't feel right. I watched Keith. I mean come on he is so cute and nice and funny but I just don't get that feeling. That feeling that makes you happy but also makes you want to cry.

"Jude, hey." I looked up and saw that it was Tom.

I stood up in surprise. "Hi Tom." I said with a smile.

I saq him look at me and I realized what I was wearing. I tugged on my skirt self-consciously.

"Jude you look," He began. "You look," It looked like something got caught in his throat. He coughed awkwardly. "You look really," He shook his head trying to find the right words. "You look really beautiful." He said quickly.

I felt myself look at my hands. "Thanks Tom." I said finally meeting his eyes.

"You did something with your hair." He said pushing a strand of hair out of my face. Almost immediately he pulled his hand away and looked in the other direction.

"Yeah." I said trying to break the silence. "I straightened it, well Peyton did."

"Oh you're rooming with Peyton?" He asked me.

"Yeah." I answered.

"Are you here with someone?" He asked me, looking at me.

"Um…" I said looking at my hands again. "Yeah, yeah I am." I said looking at him.

He looked at me. "Oh…" He said softly, but he was cut off by Keith.

"Hey Tom." Keith said excitedly.

"Keith," Tom said mildly surprised, looking at me for a moment. "What's up?" He asked him.

"Nothing much." He said laying the food on the table. He slipped his hand in mine. "Just having dinner with the prettiest girl here." He said smiling at me.

I looked at him and smiled and the turned my attention to Tom. For a second it looked like he was looking at our hands but he quickly turned his attention to Keith.

"See I'm glad my class did what I wanted." He said avoiding my gaze. "Having the students get to know each other on a more personal level." He continued to look at Keith. "So um... I don't want to keep you guys from your date." On the word date he looked at me. "I'll see you guys in class tomorrow." We said bye and I watched him hurry off.

"He's such a cool guy." Keith said smiling at me.

"Yeah he is." I agreed, watching him walk away.

"He sure seems to like you." He commented, studying me as I took a bite of my burrito.

I shrugged. "I just helped him put the desk back in order, so I think he thinks he is supposed to be nice to me."

"Or he sees a pretty girl he wants to get to know." He said looking at me.

"He's smarter then that, he's my teacher." I insisted looking at Keith.

Keith looked at me and then smiled. "I'm glad you agreed to go on a date with me tonight."

I smiled awkwardly at him. "I'm glad too." I did have a nice time.

"Come on." He said when we were both done eating. "I'll walk you to your door."

We walked to my dorm holding hands and talking. We aren't comfortable together or at least I'm not comfortable with him. We came to my door and smiled at him.

"Here we are." He said looking at me.

"Here we are." I said looking at him. "Well I'll see you tomorrow." I said after a moment of silence. I went to open the door.

"Wait Jude."

I turned and looked at Keith and before I knew it he kissed me. A soft, sweet kiss that would mean the world to me, if I liked him. He smiled at me and I could tell it meant the world to him. I hate myself. It's the worst feeling liking someone that doesn't feel the same.

"I'll see you in class tomorrow." I said weakly, I saw his face fall. I could tell he expected me to throw my around him and kiss him but I couldn't.

"Oh okay." He said looking away. "Bye Jude."

"Bye." I opened the door and sighed.

Peyton came over to me. "Did you have fun? "She asked me.

"Yeah." I answered honestly. "But he's just not the guy for me."

"Does he know that?" She asked me.

I thought about the look on his face when he said bye. "Yeah I think so."