"So this Jesse guy," Donald began as he sipped his coffee, "Is he your boyfriend or something?"

My eyes widened, feeling slightly grossed out at the idea. "Oh God no, he's my friend. Best friend."

Donald had taken me to a small cafe on campus, letting me order whatever I wanted. I didn't want to be too greedy, so I ordered a small sandwich with some juice. He only ordered a coffee.

"Aren't you going to eat anything?" I asked as I took a bite out of my sandwich.

"Oh, I'm not hungry," Donald replied, smiling as he said his next few words. "I just wanted to take you out somewhere."

My heart skipped a beat, no doubt. "You're not afraid to be straightforward, aren't you?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, "If I want something, it doesn't take long for me to get it."

"So you're saying that I'm something to 'get'?"

"I'm saying that I want you."

I felt lightheaded. I had never been approached by such a straightforward guy. In high school, the boys were all serious dorks, not even knowing how to court a girl. Albeit, Donald wasn't exactly courting me, but he was definitely not afraid to show his confidence.

"I'm guessing you do this a lot then," I laughed, taking a drink of my juice. "There's no way you can be this confident with a girl without any experience."

He chuckled, "You refuse to believe that I genuinely like you and that motivates my confidence?"

I was suddenly reminded of Benji's comment on Donald. I put my glass down and stared at the ice float. I fiddled with the straw and pointed it towards him. I lifted my head and blurted, "I was told you had a bit of a reputation... With girls."

Donald smirked and scoffed at the same time, "Who told you this?"

"It doesn't matter who. It's true isn't it?"

He sighed, looking out the window in a bit of an irritated mood. "Okay, if I have to be truthful... yeah."

My heart sank. I knew it was too good to be true. I had so many emotions to show, but all I could muster up was a sympathetic smile. "Thanks for lunch, Donald."

I stood up, grabbing my books and bag and walked out of the cafe, leaving the half eaten sandwich on the plate. I took one more glance behind me to look at Donald and saw him rubbing his temples with closed eyes. It was such a waste, I was really starting to like him... But I couldn't start college being close to someone like that. I knew it was for the best.

I texted Jesse, 'hey we gotta talk, you're gonna kill me but i had lunch with Donald'

Not even thirty seconds later, he replied, 'after i told you not to?! you are an idiot. look i got another two hours left to my day, ill come to your dorm and you tell me what happened.'

'alright.. i don't finish my classes till 6 so you're going to have to wait till i'm done.'

I decided to head back to my dorm to drop my books off and read until my next class. I tried really hard, but damn it all, Donald would not get out of my head.

"Why would you agree to go to lunch with him?" Jesse asked me accusingly. He had greeted me at my door with that question, and as annoyed as he was, he still had three movies in one of his hands and Chinese takeout in the other.

I smiled as I let him in. He immediately made himself at home as he took off his shoes and sat on my bed. He handed me one of the paper bags of food as I sat next to him, getting my laptop ready for movie night.

"He was really charming," I replied, "But you don't have to worry, I didn't even go through the whole lunch with him. I confronted him about his reputation and... He admitted to it."

"He admitted to it?" Jesse raised his eyebrows. "He just... said he had a rep with girls."

I shrugged, "Yeah, why?"

"He's up to something."

"Oh my God, Jesse!" I rolled my eyes. "Just because a guy was honest about his past doesn't mean that he's got some terrible intentions."

"Have you thought about him since lunch?"

Jesse smirked as he saw me pause, furrow my eyebrows and pout. I didn't dare look at him because I knew he would just look so smug. "I actually hate you. So much," I murmured.

"Yeah, you love it," Jesse reached over for his movies and chose to put Jaws into my laptop first, thus beginning a long night of old movie marathons and incredibly healthy food, by which I mean boxes full of MSG and stir fried goodness. It was disappointing that Beca wouldn't be coming back to the dorm until late, since she was working the night shift at the radio station. I would have definitely left them two alone to get more acquainted, but I was sure that I'd get another chance, no doubt.

At the end of two and a half movies and almost to the end of my second takeout box, my phone vibrated. I took a hold of it to check what it was and it turned out to be a text message.

'Lucy, I'm in front of your dorm. Come downstairs and meet me.' It was from an unknown number. I was puzzled, feeling as if I had a stalker in the midst. I nudged Jesse on the shoulder and showed him the text. He frowned, obviously not liking the idea of someone harassing me.

"Who is that?" He asked.

"If I knew, do you think I'd show you my phone?" I looked at him in disappointment at his lack of common sense.

"Let's go down and find out who it is," Jesse paused Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, and began to search around my room.

"What are you-" He answered my question soon enough as he grabbed the flowers from the vase my desk, placing the flowers out onto the surface as he emptied out the water through my window. "That's your weapon of choice? Really. And you destroy my flowers while doing it."

"Your flowers are not destroyed, and besides, I don't see you finding a better weapon," Jesse begun to practice his swings with the vase.

I grabbed my keys and placed each one in between my fingers, creating a sort of knuckle brace. "I got these. One jab to the throat and they'll be packing to the hospital."

Jesse tilted his head, "Wow, I have never thought of that. How did you know how to do that?"

"Jesse," I scoffed, "I am a young woman on a campus that apparently needs a rape whistle given to each new student. I need to know how to fend for myself should the time ever come."

"Damn," He shook his head, "Being a girl is tough."

"It's not so bad. I get to have my books carried by Donald on the way to class," I joked. He grimaced in return as we started heading downstairs.

We reached the front entrance within a few minutes. The lights were still on, but the campus was dark regardless. I was afraid to open the glass doors as I saw no one outside waiting for me. What if they were hiding in a bush? Around the corner? What if they had a weapon? Or a bag to put me in and a white windowless van to kidnap me with?

"Oh god I can't do this," I choked, running behind Jesse as I urged him to open the door instead.

He inched closer to the door, pushing it open with his fingers. He held the vase above his waist, ready to swing at whatever jumped out at us.

"Lucy?" A voice spoke, making both Jesse and I jump. Jesse swung the vase with his eyes closed, unfortunately losing his grip in the process, and he threw the vase across the lawn, making it shatter into pieces.

"Jesse!" I screeched with wide eyes. "You..! Jesse!"

Jesse looked from me, to the vase, to the voice beside us.

"Donald," I mumbled, suddenly changing volume in my voice.

"What are you doing here?" Jesse regained his composure and stood strong in front of me. "It's almost 11pm. Bit late to be talking to Lucy, Donald."

"Jesse," I touched his shoulder and gestured for him to go back upstairs. He looked back at me and sighed. He glared at Donald one last time before leaving.

"Hey," Donald stepped closer. "Sorry I scared you... And Jesse."

"It's okay," I shrugged, glancing at my broken vase on the grass. I sighed with a deep pout and murmured, "That was my favourite vase."

He chuckled, "I'll buy you a new one as an apology."

I laughed along, "I don't mind if you keep apologising, as long as you make it up with more favours like that." Eventually we settled down, and silence came upon us. I kicked the ground beneath me sheepishly.

"So, why are you-"

"I wanted to-"

We laughed quietly again, sharing a moment of silence once more. Before I could open my mouth, Donald began first.

"I wanted to talk to you about what happened at lunch."

I raised my eyebrows, nodding, "Yeah, okay sure, um, what did you need to say?"

He took a deep breath, readying himself to say whatever he had prepared. Yet he exhaled. He shook his hands and balled them into fists, as if he were trying to shake off whatever was holding him back. Donald took another deep breath and looked me straight in the eye.

"What I said at the cafe was true. Yes, I have a reputation with girls and I'm sorry that that hurt you, but I feel like it's better I make a clean slate with you, rather than lie and charm you to get in your pants."

I crossed my arms and asked, "How do I know that this isn't a lie to charm me? How can I trust you if your reputation has become so well known that it has reached the ears of freshmen who haven't even started college yet?"

Donald grimaced, "If this is a lie, then it is officially the worst pick up line I have ever heard of, and if it charms you, then I'm not even sure if I want to get in your pants," I chuckled at his joke. "And I know it's hard to imagine yourself trusting me, but judging by the fact that you are still standing here listening to me talk about... Well.. Your pants, that means that you want to trust me. You want to give this a chance."

I half smiled at his analysis, as slightly crude and straightforward as it was, I liked how assured he was. "What exactly do you want from me, Donald?"

He shrugged helplessly, "I'm all talk, Lucy. I talk like I got some big game but in reality, I'm just a guy talking to a really pretty girl, and what I want from that girl, is her trust."

"Pretty is a bit of an overstatement," I unfolded my arms. "Trust sounds okay to me."

"So you're cool with us just getting to know each other?" He smiled, "I won't want to go too fast, if that's what you want."

"Donald, I'm not dating you," I told him sternly. "I'm just open to seeing how our friendship goes."

He sighed, holding his chest playfully as if he theoretically got stabbed in the heart. "That's what I meant, Lucy."

"On one condition," I continued, "I don't associate myself with liars. If you lie to me, then I will cut ties."Donald nodded and nonchalantly saluted me with two fingers, "Yes ma'am."

I was surprised at this point, seeing as he had agreed to my terms. I shrugged and allowed my smile to return to my face. I turned around and began to walk back to my dorm room. Just before I opened the door, I looked over my shoulder at him.

"I'll see you around, Don."

I could see him smile from the corner of my eye and as I walked into the hallway, I truly did my best to calm the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. After all, we were just going to be friends. I was sure of it.

Thank you all so much for the favourites and the follows! It means so much that you guys are enjoying this story! Please continue to review (it motivates me to write faster!) Thanks also to those who have already reviewed, you guys are aca-awesome!