iv. Chapter 4
LYDIA
"Hey Lydia, can I talk to you?"
I don't talk in class. No one did. If you do, you'll probably miss, well, everything. I've been top of my class for as long as I could remember. And that's a result of paying attention in class. So when Aiden, whatever his last name is, managed to sit next to me, I surely hoped this was worth it.
"Well, you starting talking already, so go ahead. If I miss anything valuable, it's your GPA it's been deducted from." I sighed, turning to look at the boy. Over the course of time Aiden has proceeded to ask me out 12 times, and everytime it was the same answer: no.
Aiden was handsome and all, but I just didn't feel attracted him, not on the inside or out. I'd like to think since Aiden is in this high leveled Mathematics class, that he was somewhat smart, and he'd know when to stop. But apparently he hasn't. Or so I'm guessing.
"Wanna head to a party this Friday?"
And I'm correct.
"No."
Aiden's face quickly fell, but just before he could say anything else, the professor ended the class, and I was free to go. Grabbing my bag, I take my binder from the table and walk away from a now shot down Aiden. Males.
Walking out the classroom, I begin to resign myself to another gluten filled, slightly depressing Friday on the couch. Even after running into Cora, I haven't seen her around for what seems weeks now, and I'm done trying. Consider the message delivered universe.
"Lydia!" Running up behind me, pushing multiple people to the side, I'm greeted with a hyperactive Malia.
"Uh, yes, Mal-" Malia suddenly grabs my arm and pulls me to the side of the hallway, and through an emergency exit that leads to a set of stairs, leading downwards and out the building. Most of the time those doors were locked, or triggered fire alarms when opened, but somehow they weren't when Malia decided to use them. Wow.
"Remember that hot Hipster girl? There's a party for your dorm tonight, and some others, and there's a chance she's there, and you should get all dressed up, and go, and find your person." She says in one breath, her chest rising and falling rapidly, as she wipes her forehead and takes a breather.
It was probably the same party Aiden wanted me to go to, and while the party still didn't sound completely appealing to me, I suppose it was worth a shot.
"Yeah, I guess I'll go….did you run all the way here to tell me?"
Malia nodded her head, still catching her breath.
"I'd been trying to catch up to you all week, and Kira said I need to tell you today, right this hour, so I did."
Malia was so whipped, but oblivious to her thing for Kira that it was hilarious.
"Well, thanks, you can go relax now." With a relieved sigh, Malia waved goodbye just as she ran right back out the door, and probably back to her dorm. That poor girl, thank god for her athlethic traits.
Shaking my head, I began making my way back to my dorm, I do have a party to get ready for.
It was about 9 or so when me and Allison finally arrived to the party. For the first time, in a long time, it wasn't horrible at first site. It was somewhat clean, and didn't smell atrocious, not to mention the LED lights were blinding you.
The Frat Boys weren't here. That's basically what it meant.
"So, I'm gonna go find the others, go get a drink or something. Maybe you'll catch a new girl."
Although Allison's attempt to cheering me up was hopeless, I did appreciate the truth of it. I currently wore a casual black body fitting, with black heeled boots, along with the standard addition of a long draping necklace, and some bracelets, and my hair down.
It wasn't my best, but it currently wasn't my worse.
"I'll go do that then." I murmured, with a sigh as I made way to the drinks. If I was being completely honest, I didn't drink that much. And I certainly didn't drink at parties, because who could trust the drinks anyway, so I took a water bottle and made my way to the couch.
God, this was pathetic. Why didn't I go with Allison? Now when she finds me she's gonna be all sad, and guilty, and attempt to cheer me up when she could be flirting it up with Erica. I wanted Allison to be happy, hell, I wanted all my friends to be happy, and I didn't want my shitty love live getting in the way.
I'd be lying if I said I'd been in a serious relationship since my last boyfriend in high school: Jackson. Jackson was definitely an asshole, and in the beginning the relationship was just for popularity but we both got attached. And when he moved away, if I fell down the shameful hole of one night stands, and slight desperation.
I'm happy to say I've moved on, and I'm no longer the same girl I was in high school, because I'm not. But I never really clicked with anyone else since then. It could be my own fault, standards and all, but I try not to think about that.
About 30 minutes into my sitting, I'm half way through contemplating just ditching Allison-I'd text her when I'm back at the dorm of course-but it's a tap on the shoulder that stops me from going.
Standing in all her blue flannel, black shorts, and black converse glory is Cora Hale. Her hair is no longer in a bun, and is now flowing over her eyes, and the tips landing softly on her shoulders. Her flannel sleeves are rolled up to her elbows, and the very tips of her tattoos show on her arms.
She smiles as her brown eyes meet mine.
"We meet again, Ms. Martin."
Holy shit, Malia was right. She's here, she's actually here. Quick, Lydia, respond now.
"Were you expecting me, Ms. Hale?" I responded, raising an eyebrow at the cheeky brunette. Cora chuckled, bowing her head as she glanced over to the empty seat beside me.
"May I sit?"
"You may."
Cora smiles, and wow, I don't think I'll ever get over how pretty her smile is. Cora crosses her legs as she turns to face me, and takes a sip of her beer. Of course, I sit there like an idiot, just staring. Nice, Martin.
"So what brings you here, Cora?" Laying back against the arm of the couch, my eyes washing over the crowd, but essentially returning to Cora.
Cora shrugs, playing with the bottle in her hand. "I figured I'd do something with my Friday night, besides work. And now the party is graced with not only your presence, but mine as well." Thank god for LED lights to cover my blush.
"What exactly do you do for work?" For the first time in a long time, Cora actually looked nervous. I mean, I assumed she was into art or something, because of our meeting, but I guess it could be something else? She could just date an artist, who was working on an art piece.
No, actually, erase that thought. I really hoped she wasn't dating anyone.
"I..uhh..I make gaming videos with my bestfriend Max. So basically a Youtuber. But I'm working studying for art, comic work, etc." She said, looking down almost shamefully. A Youtuber? I admit that didn't come to mind, but it wasn't a bad job. She was certainly photogenic.
"Well your life beats out mine. I'm studying Math. That's about..all." Cora looked up, arching an eyebrow at my statement before holding her head high.
"Wait, that makes the bigger nerd. You're just super smart." She scoffed, shaking her head in false disbelief. Cora Hale, is that a challenge?
Challenge accepted.
"You're an artist. I'm a math girl, I'm a cliche. And no one likes being a cliche."
"Oh Lydia, you are definitely no cliche." She hums, a playful glint in her eyes, as the banter slowed down. If it was any other person, this much eye contact would of been uncomfortable, but with Cora I didn't feel..vulnerable. I felt nice.
"Do you have a snapchat?" It was then that I realized that Cora had started talking, and now was waiting for me. Snapchat?
"Yes, I do. Why are you asking for Snapchat rather than my number?"
Okay, maybe that was a bit too straightforward, but this has never happened before, ever. Cora Hale was becoming more unpredictable by the second.
"Well you said you don't like cliches. And since I'm an artist, I would rather talk to you through speedy messages of drawings rather than boring messages. But I also don't want you having any evidence of my nerdiness."
Oh Cora Hale, where have you been my whole life?
With a grin I couldn't seem to shake off, I grab a napkin before behind me and scribble down my snapchat onto it with my eyeliner, and hand it to Cora. "Thanks, sweet heart." She says bashfully, winking as she stuffs it in her pocket.
Like clockwork, Allison manages to reappear with Erica, Malia, and Kira behind her, in front of us.. After what seems an hour. Nice, Allison. Standing up, I send Cora once last grin before taking Allisons' arm and heading out to the rest of the party.
I may not be the best at banter, or figuring out Cora Hale, but I'm definitely good with exits. That much I know.