A/N: Hello! Welcome to another 'Beth takes a Valentine's prompt too far!' I really had a lot of fun with this one, so I hope you like it. While writing it, it kind of clicked what I want to write this summer – it'll have similar vibes to this and hopefully be a lot of fun :) So if you do like it, let me know and that'll help motivate me a bit more with this summer story (not that Summer Sun is anywhere near done, but that having fluffy fun stuff in the summer is just extra good :) ) that will probably end up happening. Talk soon!


Hailey is sweating.

She's stressed. Her ponytail is a mess. Her feet ache. She's panting.

And she's sweating.

It's the day before classes start at University of Chicago and Hailey needs one last textbook. She had planned on waiting to buy it till class started, but upon re-reading her syllabus in her too hot dorm room saw that she needed to have Chapter 1 of the book for her psychology class read by tomorrow…which meant she needed to start like yesterday at the latest.

She is running up to the bookstore door when an older guy steps out and locks the door behind him. She stops so fast that her knees almost buckle beneath her. "No," she whispers.

The guy turned to face her and gave her a slight nod before stepping around her.

"Um," Hailey ran to pull at the door and whined under her breath.

"Hey, I just locked that."

Hailey turned to see the guy watching her. She chewed her lip and weakly pulled at the door.

He chuckled and stuck his hands in his pockets. From the short distance, Hailey could tell his eyes were green against his freckled skin and she was almost taken aback by them, but she had a goal and she needed that textbook.

"Can you open it?" she asked.

"No, sorry," the guy replied simply.

Hailey huffed and pulled the door again, "Please."

"Opens tomorrow at seven," he said, but didn't move to walk away.

And that's when Hailey's chest tightened. She was already stressed from moving into school and having a community bathroom and being on her own and the lack of air conditioning and now she needed a book to do homework before classes even started and she couldn't buy it? She hadn't cried yet this week, but tears began pricking at her eyes and she knew it was a losing battle.

The guy breathed in slowly then slipped the keys out from his pocket. Walking toward her, he asked, "Hoffer?"

Hailey sniffled and watched him unlock the door, "What?"

"Psychology with Hoffer?" he guessed while walking inside, "I had him last year. Stupid amount of work. Only class I've had that ever needed you to read before the semester started."

"I think so," she said quietly as she followed him and pulled out a piece of paper she had written her schedule on.

"Come on, I'll ring you up." Hailey followed him through the rows of books, watched him knowingly grab a book off a shelf labeled Psychology then lead her to the cash register. Within a minute, he was saying, $63.58."

Hailey's heart sank as she took out her wallet. There went her cash. College books were too expensive.

"Thank you," she said once he had her money.

"Not a problem," he smiled, "Freshman?" Hailey nodded and he stepped around from the counter to pass her the book and lead her back outside. "It's overwhelming, but you'll survive," he continued, "I'm a junior and I think it's getting easier, but maybe I'm kidding myself."

Hailey laughed softly and turned to walk toward her dorm, "Well, thank you for letting me buy this."

He waved her off, "Not a problem. Good luck."

"Thanks," she smiled then began hurrying back through the heat to her dorm.


In the next week, Hailey felt like she never stopped sweating. She sweat at night, on the way to class, and in every lecture she had.

She also felt like she kept seeing the bookstore guy. He was of course at the bookstore when she returned two days after their first meeting to buy the rest of her textbooks. He'd winked at her that day as he helped another freshman purchase the same psychology book she'd gotten. It caused her to flush an even brighter red and the sweat to pick up on the back of her neck.

In addition to that, she also saw him in the dining hall, the student center, and once in the library. There were like 14,000 people at college - why did she have to keep running into the cute, older guy who probably wouldn't give her the time of day?


It was her first Sunday after classes began and she decided she was going to take the day off and go sit outside and draw. She needed to relax and there was finally a breeze, so it felt like the perfect way to spend the afternoon.

She was on an old blanket under a tree sketching a random face when her sun was suddenly blocked. Looking up, she saw that same bookstore worker smiling down at her.

"Got room for one more?" he asked.

Hailey raised an eyebrow and set her notebook and pencil to her left, "Hi?"

"Hey," he squatted down and nodded toward the empty space on her blanket, "I left mine in my dorm because I honestly don't want to be seen dragging it around, but I'm also sort of allergic to grass and my mom will kill me if I see her tomorrow with hives from sitting on it while I study."

Ignoring the hives comment, Hailey responded, "You're studying on a Sunday?"

"Just getting ahead so I have more free time tomorrow," the guy said as he settled onto the blanket without waiting for her agreement.

She didn't protest, though, and instead asked, "Why?"

"Taking my mom to an appointment," he answered and opened his backpack.

Hailey slowly nodded and watched him take a textbook and notebook out. She half-expected him to ask to borrow a pencil, but he had one of those, as well as two highlighters and a water bottle. He didn't say anything else as he began reading, so Hailey returned to her own drawing.

She didn't put much thought into it, but suddenly the was redrawing the nose of her person and adding freckles to its skin. Soon enough, it became his skin as she sketched short hair onto the head.

She almost forgot she had company, but then the other guy teasingly said, "Something tells me that you have a crush on me."

Hailey's cheeks burned bright red and she looked up at him, "Excuse me?"

"That's me," he laughed and tapped his capped highlighter to her page.

"It is not," Hailey scoffed, but still looked down to realize in horror that perhaps bookstore guy was right - her drawing was beginning to look eerily similar to the guy sitting to her left.

"You're damn good," he said, "How'd you learn?"

She wiped sweat from her forehead and mumbled, "I don't know," while avoiding his eyes.

The guy said nothing and just watched Hailey squirm next to him. After a moment of silence he enjoyed possibly too much, he asked, "Do you want to go grab a pop or something?"

Hailey glanced up at him and said, "What?"

"It's kind of warm and you're looking a little hot," he explained as he shifted onto his knees and began packing up his stuff.

"I…don't even know your name," Hailey stammered, "And I barely know you. Not to mention you don't even know my name either."

"Jay, and you didn't even fight me as I sat here," he said easily, "So you at least know in your gut that I'm not a murderer. Actually, there's this cool class I took last year after I did Hoffer's about serial killers and how they think; you should take it just to prove I'm not weird."

Hailey watched him stand up then glanced around in disbelief.

The bookstore guy - Jay - held a hand out and said, "It's pushing eighty out here, you could use a drink and I could use some air conditioning…"

Hailey's eyes flickered to his waiting hand then, against anything her mom taught her about stranger danger, packed up her own stuff in her crossbody bag so she could be helped up to her feet by this incredibly cute boy while finally saying, "Hailey."

He smiled at her and bent down to fold up her blanket. "Can I take that as a yes then, Hailey?" he asked.

She out a quiet laugh and nodded, "Sure."

Jay's smile widened and he led her back to the path toward the student center. "Are you liking it here so far?" he said once they were on the sidewalk.

"Yes," Hailey easily replied, "I'm on my own and it feels…amazing."

Jay hummed in agreement, "Where are you from?"

"Greektown," Hailey answered, "You?"

"Canaryville," Jay said, "So…neither of us live very far…"

"And yet we live here now," Hailey finished.

Jay chuckled, "Guessing the house isn't great."

"You could say that," Hailey sighed, "But, you're going out with your mom tomorrow? So I'm guessing-"

"Daddy issues," Jay laughed under his breath, "Always a fun one, huh?"

Hailey bit her lip, but could still feel a smile forming because finally it seemed like she found someone who was similar to her. She never wished pain, whether physical or emotional, on anyone, but she did want to feel understood and accepted, and here stood some guy she randomly met at a bookstore that could perhaps do just that: understand and accept her.

"So," Jay cleared his throat, "Crappy parents aside, you have a boyfriend?"

Hailey raised an eyebrow, "Forward."

Jay smirked down at her, "You're not the only one with a crush."

Hailey tripped over a crack in the sidewalk and Jay's hand shot out to grab her arm. "Thanks," she mumbled.

"Yeah," he hummed softly and let his fingers linger before stepping back.

"Um," Hailey ran a hand over her ponytail, "But no. No boyfriend. Do you…"

"No, no girlfriend for me," Jay answered.

"Too busy with school?" Hailey asked softly.

"Sure," Jay shrugged, "Or…"

Hailey glanced up to see a small smirk teasing the edge of Jay's lips. She could almost hear the line she was certain he'd say, so she simply laughed and continued their walk forward until they reached the entrance to the student center.

He led her over to the food court, paid for two soft drinks, then held one out to her.

She blinked then started rifling through her bag. "I could have paid," she said quietly, "I should have a little bit of cash left."

"Hailey," Jay chuckled and tapped her nose with the empty cup, "It's a pop. I can pay for it."

She glanced up and bit her lip before asking, "Are you sure?"

He smiled and nodded.

"Well, thank you," she said softly and accepted the cup. Walking over to the fountain drinks, she added, "I'll pay next time."

"I made that much of an impression on you that you're inviting me on another date?" Jay teased.

Hailey blushed and filled her cup with ice. "Is this a date?" she asked.

Jay leaned against the counter when he countered, "Should it be?"

Hailey raised an eyebrow and filled her cup with Sprite. "Can I be honest?" she said and stepped to the side.

Jay nodded and slipped around her to fill his own cup with ice and root beer.

"I've only had one boyfriend before," Hailey explained, "And, sure, it was high school, but he always took me places on our dates…the park, a nice restaurant, the coffee shop. It was always more than a pop in the food court."

Jay's head tipped back slightly and he let out a loud laugh. "Is that so?" he asked.

Hailey smirked and nodded.

"Then challenge accepted," Jay said with a wink.

Sipping her pop, Hailey watched Jay stab a straw through his lid before taking his own long sip. She nodded toward the tables and walked with him to one of the empty booths. Once settled, she smiled at him then shrugged and played with her straw with her tongue.

Jay chuckled, but still groaned under his breath and shook his head.

"What?" Hailey asked.

"You're cute," Jay smiled, "Calm today too. Really different than when we first met."

Hailey blushed, but still managed a laugh. Tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear, she said, "I was stressed."

"We're all stressed here, everyone just learns to deal with it," Jay replied with a deep breath, "I run, and it looks like you draw."

"Uh…" Hailey trailed off and, if it was possible, blushed brighter.

"Can I see any?" Jay asked softly.

"Um," Hailey swallowed and glanced to her bag at her right, "Maybe-"

"Hey, it's okay," Jay said and put his hand on the table, "It's personal, I get it. Maybe another time?"

Relieved, Hailey relaxed and nodded.

Jay smiled at her and pushed his hand forward to nudge hers resting against the edge of the table. "You an art major?" He asked.

Taking a deep breath, Hailey shook her head and scooted her own hand forward to rest the tips of her fingers on Jay's. "I'm actually going for psychology and English," she corrected, "Drawing's just always been a hobby. I don't want to ruin it by making it my job."

"Fair enough," Jay nodded, "Why that combo?"

Hailey sighed, "My dad thinks I can get into law school, but I don't know. I don't think that's me. He's footing the bill, though, so here we are."

Jay nodded again and said, "Well, my advice is see where this takes you, maybe you can somehow compromise. I'm paying myself, but my dad is 'strongly recommending' I follow my brother's footsteps and become a surgeon." He rolled his eyes and took a long sip of pop before continuing, "I think I'm gonna compromise and just be a family doctor or maybe even specialize in pediatrics, I don't know. I love talking to people and helping and surgeon seems…dull. Full offense to my brother."

Hailey laughed softly, "What kind of surgeon is he?"

Jay smirked and leaned forward to whisper, "Plastic. Specializes in boob jobs and tummy tucks."

Hailey tried stifling a giggle as she said, "Very fancy."

"Yeah," Jay scoffed. He watched her continue to smile into her pop then asked, "You live in the dorms?"

Hailey sighed and raised an eyebrow, "Yup. Not amazing, but I guess we all have to try, right?"

"Yeah, it's not horrible," Jay said, "You get used to it and grow to hate it even more at the same time though. I was so glad when my buddy suggested we get a place off campus this year. We're sharing a sort of crappy apartment, but we can do what we want and it feels good."

Hailey opened her mouth to reply then closed it again as she thought back to all the times she'd seen Jay the past week. "You…I've seen you in the dining hall," she said slowly.

"Because the lunch is awesome," Jay chuckled, "Have you had one of Randy's paninis yet? If I'm on campus at lunch time, I'm going there."

"And you willingly pay?" Hailey asked.

Jay laughed harder and nodded, "Most of the time. My other two friends are on the baseball team and can sometimes give me one of their meals. They don't pay anything, so it's fine and evens out. I pay tuition that then goes into their fancy bars and they give me a free meal, it's fair."

Now Hailey laughed and shook her head. "I don't think that's how it works," she said.

Jay smiled with her and shrugged.

"How'd you meet them?" Hailey asked, "Because I'll be honest, you're the first person I've had a real conversation with since I moved here besides my roommate, but even then they're short talks."

"Grew up with Adam, he's on the team," Jay explained, "And met Kevin, the catcher, through him of course. My roommate, Mouse, was actually my roommate freshman year here; we got along so well that we stuck to it."

Hailey rested her elbows on the table, "Is his name actually Mouse?"

Jay chuckled, "No, it's Greg. He and I joined the club soccer team and he's easily the smallest guy there even though I wouldn't say he's tiny. Because of that, though, some of the older guys poke fun and started calling him Mouse and it just stuck for us all."

Hailey nodded with a small smile.

Jay's eyes scanned hers for a moment before he pulled out his phone and asked, "Can I have your number? I know we already run into each other a lot, but this might be more efficient."

Hailey's smile widened and she said, "Sure." Putting her hand out, she waited for Jay to place his phone in it then typed her number in.

He accepted it back then sent her a text. "There you go," he explained once her phone buzzed in her bag.

"Thank you," she said softly and took a long sip of pop.

Jay winked and sipped his own drink.

They were interrupted a moment later by two guys walking over to them.

"Jay Halstead on campus on a Sunday? My eyes are deceiving me," joked the shorter one with a beard.

"What the hell? You said you were enjoying your air conditioning today," said the other.

Jay glanced at Hailey and shrugged.

Both guys turned toward Hailey and immediately had matching smirks on their faces.

"Well, hello there," said the shorter one, "Adam, you are?"

"Hailey," she said and straightened up.

The other nodded and put his hand out to say, "Kevin."

She happily shook it and added, "Nice to meet you."

Adam turned back to Jay and said, "You really came on campus on an off-day and didn't text us? I am hurt."

Jay rolled his eyes, but still joked, "I know. I'm sorry, I didn't even think you'd want to see my handsome face."

Kevin chuckled then asked, "You get lunch yet? We were on the way back to the dorms then might run out for a pizza, you in?"

"I'm a bit busy," Jay said and raised an eyebrow.

Hailey waved him off and said, "Go, it's okay."

Frowning, Jay asked, "Are you sure?"

Hailey shrugged and replied, "Yeah. I should head back to my room and see what I need to do for the week. Maybe I can get lunch with my own roommate. Who knows, maybe she's like yours and could be a good friend."

Jay began to smile and he said softly, "If you're sure."

"I don't mind," Hailey smiled back, "I'm sure I'll see you around."

Jay chuckled and nodded, "Good point." He grabbed his pop and backpack as he stood up. "See you soon."

"Nice to meet you Hailey," Kevin said with a wave.

Adam winked at her then led them all away.

Jay looked over his shoulder as he walked away and gave her own last wave. Her smile widened as she waved as well.

She waited for him to be out of sight to grab out her phone. Instead of a simple text with his name, he'd included a picture of himself.

She guessed that besides soccer he was into golf as well because the picture was of him on an open field with a golf cart in the background. She smiled and stared at it for a moment before texting him back.

~ Think I can drive you around next time you hit the course? ~

He replied almost immediately:

~ I'd love that ~

Hailey's face lit up and she placed her phone on the table.

She realized she was gonna like college. A lot.