Chapter 14

Taylor had already gotten her food and had been sitting in the food court for about fifteen minutes. As she was waiting on her roommate to join her for lunch, she had decided to get started on her homework assignments that were due the day after tomorrow. She was really into the work when she heard a familiar voice call her name.

"Hey, Taylor! Do you mind if I chill and eat with you?"

"Oh hey, Drake. Sure, I don't mind. My roommate Emery is supposed to join me soon. I'll introduce you to her."

"Wait! Emery? As in Emery Whitehall?"

"Yeah, you know her?"

"Yeah. WTaylor not personally. All I know is that she's the person who ratted out the freshmen party over the weekend. She's your roommate?"

"Yeah."

"Just watch out. I wouldn't trust her."

"Why does everyone say that? It's only the second day of classes and everyone already knows who she is. That's not such a good thing either."

"It happens," he shrugged.

"Speak of the journalist herself. Here she comes. Please be nice. You don't know her, so give her a chance."

"Hey. I'm so sorry I'm twenty-five minutes late. I had to talk to my dad, which went longer than expected." Emery exhaustedly expressed as she sat down in the booth.

"No worries. Um, Emery, this is my friend, Drake. We're in the same major department. Drake, this is my roommate Emery."

After the quick introductions, Emery went around the foot court in search of something good to eat. Once she was out of ear shot, Drake couldn't hold his words back. His assumptions of her did not wither away and disappear. Taylor tried hard to convince him to be nice and let it go. Eventually giving in to her pleas, he did give Emery a chance once she returned back from getting her food. Once she settled down, the trio began easy conversation and everything went wTaylor. He wouldn't call her his new best friend, but he learned that he could tolerate her for roughly ten minutes.

"Hey, I'm sorry, but I have to go. So much to do, so little time. I'll catch you back in the room? It was nice meeting you, Jordan." With that Emery waved and was already off heading out the door.

"Jordan? I thought my parents named me Drake. And to think, I've been called the wrong name all of these years."

"You know she didn't mean it…she was just in a rush. I'll make it up to you for her behavior. Just name it." Taylor scooted to the end of the booth and leaned in towards him giving him a flirty smile.

"WTaylor, what do we have here?"

"Oh god! What do you want, Eric?" Taylor rolled her eyes as she leaned back into the booth.

"Am I interrupting something here?"

"Yes!"

"No." Drake stated at the same time.

"WTaylor, which is it?"

"Actually I was going to leave. I'll catch you in class tomorrow, Taylor."

"Oh, I get it. You're playing hard to get. I've never had a girl do this with me before, but I can definitely get into it."

"Ok, I don't know how else to put this nicely, so I've stopped trying to. Get over yourself! I'm not playing hard to get.

"Look, Taylor," he grabbed her arm harshly and when he saw the look on her face he let it go but continued, "I'm really not this creepy and into myself. I swear. The fact that you turned me down was actually a turn on because that doesn't happen to me ever! And when I was something badly, I get it. But I'll respect your wishes and back off. Enjoy the rest of your day, Taylor."

Taylor didn't know what to do or say. Eric left her in the food court speechless and alone with her thoughts. "Who would've thought that Eric would have ME feeling like a total jerk?!"

Hello Fellow Atrian lovers!

I hope you are enjoying the story! I know I repeat myself, but since this is a novella the scenes can seem unfulfilling. However, thank you for those who read and comment. It means the world to me!

Peace,

-K