I slept poorly the rest of the weekend, tossing and turning guiltily and not getting anything much done during waking hours. I couldn't believe how judgemental I had been! I'm not like that.

As soon as the sun started peeking over the horizon today, Monday, I was up, hurrying through breakfast, a workout, and a shower, impatiently waiting for it to be late enough for classes to start.

On Sunday, I had looked up the times of all the intro calc classes, so here I am walking my butt over to the math building at 8:45a.m. and parking it on one of the couches on the main floor so I have a good view of everyone coming and going. I sit through the 8, 9:30, and 11am classes, listening to music and nervously tapping the toe of my boot on the floor.

Just when I'm about given up, thinking I'd missed him, I finally spot his leather jacket through the crowd. He's heading away from me, already halfway to a side door leading outside when I bolt up. I call his name, weaving between people as quickly as I can.

He pushes through the door, either ignoring me or not hearing me. I'm right on his heels, practically pushing over a guy in a red beanie to get him out of the doorway. "Hey," I grab Killian's elbow, trying to turn him towards me.

He turns, popping out an earbud. As he realizes it's me, surprise flickers across his features, quickly turning to anger then indifference. "What?"

Guilt washes over me full force again, seeing him. I'm realizing now, I didn't plan anything to say. That was dumb. I blurt out, "I'm sorry." His indifference doesn't waver so I continue. "I'm so sorry, Killian. I'm a terrible person. You were nothing but nice to me and I was stupid and judgemental. I'm...I'm-"

I stop babbling when a sarcastic smile creeps across his face. "Oh no, do go on please."

"I'm serious. I felt terrible the second you left. I went after you," I duck my head, rubbing my boot across the ground. "I still feel terrible. You have every right to hate me. But I hope you don't. I hope you can forgive me." I glance at him, gauging his reaction.

He looks at me evenly, not betraying anything he's feeling. I take a deep breath. "Look, I just panicked. I take my job too seriously sometimes and I wasn't thinking clearly. But I've thought about it all weekend and now I see, it doesn't matter. You're my friend and I'm not ashamed to be seen with you." Still no reaction. "I skipped all my classes today to wait for you."

I make myself shut up so he can respond.

Another smile lights his face, just a little mocking. "All of your classes, hmm? Alright, come on, lunch is on you." He winks, starting to walk away.

What? A small, tentatively happy feeling bubbles in my chest. "Wait, you forgive me, just like that?"

He turns back, still smiling. "You're not the only one who had time to think about what happened. And," he rolls his eyes, "maybe I overreacted a bit. And you seem genuinely distraught over your actions. It's good form to forgive your friends, right?"

I heave a relieved sigh, moving to walk beside him. "Right." I give him a small smile, "thank you. So where do you want to eat?"

He nods toward the north side of campus, "Beanstalk?" the best coffee place in our little town. They also make these great giant sized subs.

"Absolutely."

It's a short walk there, followed by a long wait in line, but we finally get our food (I do pay) and settle in at a table outside.

After eating a few bites of his sandwich, he looks at me with an eyebrow raised. "How did you know when I had calculus?"

A blush settles on my face, "well I didn't know exactly when you had class. I looked up the times of all the intro calc classes and I just waited there for a few hours, looking out for you."

He's looking at me like he wants to laugh but also a little touched. "You could have just called me, Swan." He returns to his sandwich, shaking his head slightly.

I didn't think he would have answered the phone if my name popped up on caller id. i munch on my sub, thinking about my stupid reaction in my dorm. Since Beanstalk is right across the street from campus, students were watching us on their commutes. And really, it didn't bother me. At least not anymore than when people stare when I'm alone.

We eat in silence for a while. I watch the people that pass our table until I hear Killian clear his throat. When I look back at him, there's an uncomfortable set to his features. "Emma, I know what you said earlier, but my reputation...does it really bother you to be seen with me?"

"No, Killian, really. I'm sorry. I told you, I just wasn't thinking. Or I was over thinking I guess. But it doesn't matter." I shrug. "Once I thought about it, I realized it's stupid to worry about what other people think. And it's stupid to judge people based on their ...relationships. So I'm gonna be friends with whomever I want." I can see that my words put him at ease. The storm of worry that clouded his features turns smooth, his eyes a calm ocean again.

He raises an eyebrow, smirking, "and you want to be my friend?"

"Yup." I've gotta stop with this whole 'ocean eyes' crap. He is just a guy.

"Good, because I'd like to be yours as well."

Brings my total up to four. Won't David be proud.

We hang out for another hour or so until Killian has another class. He's surprisingly easy to talk to and, when we part ways, I find I wish we weren't. Don't get so attached, Emma. You hardly know him.

The smile he gives me before he leaves makes me wish I did though.

A/n sorry it's been so long since I've written. I've been dealing with stuff. and sorry it's kind of on the short side again. Thanks for reading.