Lacey's second morning as a college freshman went much smoother. Today she only had two classes and they didn't begin until after lunch time.
Lacey still woke up early and headed into the library to continue working on her assignments from the day before. Phoebe had scolded her for not having her desk space set up in her dorm room yet. Lacey countered that having to get up and go into the library gave her an excuse to get her ass out of bed every morning.
Once she found the library, Lacey set her earbuds and cozied into an open stall to work. Just before lunch time she was interrupted by a tap on her shoulder. Lacey turned to her left to find no one there. She sighed before chancing a look to her right, eyes landing on Danny with his trademark smirk plastered on his face. Lacey pulled her earbuds out and waited.
"Hey." Danny said, hand tightening on the shoulder strap of his backpack.
"Hi." Lacey said back annoyed, "Something you needed?"
"Lunch actually. You wanna maybe, grab something with me? My treat." He asked expectantly.
Lacey was starving, she typically never ate breakfast and was still unsure if her lunch account was fixed yet.
"Um—I guess so, sure. Thanks." Lacey hesitated as she packed up her laptop.
"There's this great spot around the corner, they have everything."
Lacey walked silently beside Danny across the courtyard encircling the library. She wasn't sure what to say, Danny wasn't the type of guy she usually tried to connect with. Still, she gave him a shot. He did help her after all.
"Hey, thanks for the directions yesterday." She said softly.
"No prob. I remember my first day, the upperclassmen can be dicks sometimes."
"What year are you?"
"I am but a lowly sophomore." He confirmed with a British accent.
That earned a smile and a giggle from Lacey.
"What's you major?" Lacey was intrigued.
"Full disclosure? I am here on an athletic scholarship, and in the meantime, I am majoring in Sociology."
"Oh wow, an all star punter then?"
Danny shook his head, "No, an all star striker. I'm here on a soccer scholarship, football just keeps me conditioned in the off season."
"I see, so what if you're scouted by the NFL?"
"Are you kidding?! I'd go in a heartbeat!" Danny beamed at her, "What about you, play any sports?"
"Well, I do like sports. Volleyball, lacrosse. I like soccer too, but I'm not an athlete. I'm not playing here."
"Aww, why not?"
"It's not my passion. I'm also a dual major so I'm kind of strapped for time."
"Ooo, a brain. Sexy." Danny teased, "What is your passion then, Lace? What are you studying?"
Lacey was sure this guy was a huge playboy and wondered if he even cared what her answer would be. Danny was also a complete stranger and she really didn't need to be sharing these details. Lacey decided to play with him, see if he was listening or not.
"English and political science."
Danny's eyebrows rose, lips falling into a circle, "Oh, okay, wow. I'm not sure where to go with that. What career are you looking for after all that?"
"I'm thinking of running for office, maybe continue on to law school, become an attorney." She shrugged.
"Running for office, like, for president?" Danny sounded like he was throughly in disbelief.
"Yeah, I still have quite some time before I'm even old enough but, why? You don't think I can do it?" Lacey asked, wondering if he'd respond the way she assumed he would.
"I didn't say that, I don't know your political climate at all so I can't really give my opinion on that anyway." Danny conceded.
"So you'd vote for a female candidate?"
"Of course I would, I vote for whoever I feel is the best person for the job." Danny looked at her like she was crazy.
Lacey nodded, "Okay, I'm lying." She sighed as they reached the restaurant.
Danny held the door open for her and just stared at her, enthralled with her quirkiness. Lacey glided past him and followed the host to their seat.
"Okay, so you're not going to try running for office?" Danny was confused.
Lacey shook her head no, "Honestly? I didn't think you were really interested in my answer so I've just been making stuff up."
"Well, you asked me first, so I asked you back. Isn't that how friendship works for you?"
"I guess."
"I'm sorry, I'm so lost. Do you not want to be friends?"
"I guess that depends on why you want to be friends with me."
In deep thought, Danny leaned away from Lacey and sat up straight in his seat. He brought his elbows up to lean on the table and covered his mouth with his hands.
"Do you always speak in riddles?" He asked lightly.
"You seem so cocky, a classic jock, you know? That's not typically my friend base."
"I didn't realize a friendship with you was so exclusive." He replied flippantly. "Look, Lacey, if you're not interested in making new friends that's fine. Let's just have lunch and I'll leave you alone. I'm sorry for whatever I did—" Danny didn't know what else to say.
Lacey watched him, he was paying attention. He seemed genuinely hurt by her comments. Maybe she was wrong.
"Danny, I don't know what I'm even saying. I'm overwhelmed with everything and it's only the second day. I'm sorry."
Danny nodded, "Okay, I get it, I guess."
"Tell me about sociology." Lacey tried to change the subject.
"No. Tell me why you keep trying to put me inside some basic jock box."
"Um, because you've been kinda basic and jock-y?" Lacey shrugged, "I believe you told me you play 'all the positions' so, yeah."
Danny chuckled, "I did say that didn't I, touché."
Lacey smiled back at him.
"I'll give you a broader scope okay? I'm honest, like blunt and honest. I like sports, I like traveling. I make friends easily, at least I thought I did, until I met you. I'm not cocky, I'm confident, there's a difference. I keep an open mind, I love to learn new things. I'm trustworthy, I like to have a good time and I try to take all the bad things in life or things I can't control with a grain of salt. I'm not a douche bag, I'm not a stalker, and I find you incredibly attractive. Your turn?"
Danny stared at her through his eyelashes, obviously feeling a little exposed, and making Lacey's heart flutter. He was so damn cute.
"Oh my god." Lacey giggled and shook her head. She brought her hands up to cover her face. "Okay, okay. I am a dual major, but it's fine art and business."
"An artist, now we're getting somewhere. What kind of art do you create?" Danny asked genuinely curious.
"I paint, mostly. Abstract. I love photography too."
"That's amazing, I wish I was better at that stuff. Maybe you can teach me some techniques sometime?"
Lacey's whole body shuddered a yes before her brain could find the words, "I'd love to." She smiled.