Here is Chapter 2! Thanks so much for the reviews/follows/favorites!
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters.
Ryan Hardy gave an excellent presentation. He talked about capturing Joe Carroll, his personal feelings about the case, and a little bit about his book, The Poetry of a Killer.
My eyes didn't wander away from Ryan throughout the whole presentation. Not only was I interested in the content of his presentation, I was interested in him. I never felt this attracted to anyone in my life the way I felt for Ryan Hardy. I didn't even question what I was thinking.
As soon as Ryan finished presenting, the auditorium burst into applause. I quickly rose from my chair to give him a standing ovation. That was better than any lecture I have ever attended during my college career.
After the applause died down, one of my professors stepped up to the podium. He announced that there would be a meet and greet with Ryan in the common room. My heart skipped a beat.
"This could be my chance," I thought to myself.
I could finally have a conversation with my hero. I idolized him for so long, and now the time has come to meet him. I reached into my backpack and pulled out my copy of The Poetry of a Killer. I also took out a folder with a copy of the work I had done on my thesis. I was hoping that Ryan would take a look at it and give me his feedback.
As soon as the presentation was finished, I quickly walked to the common room. I had to be first in line to meet Ryan Hardy. I even arrived before he did.
A table was set up in the common room with copies of The Poetry of a Killer for sale. There was a chair on one side of the table, so I assumed that's where Ryan was going to sit.
I stood a few feet away from the table. I anxiously rocked back and forth on my heels. A few others got in line behind me. I rehearsed what I was going to say over and over in my head. A few minutes later, Ryan walked into the common room. He sat down at the table.
I moved near the center of the table. Ryan's eyes met mine. I suddenly became nervous.
"Hello, my name is Mike Weston," I said.
"Ryan Hardy," he replied back, extending his hand toward me.
I shook his hand. His hand was rough, and he had a very firm grip. I'm sure he could tell that my palm was sweaty due to nervousness.
"What can I do for you?" he asks.
"I was wondering if I could have your autograph," I told him, opening my book to the first page.
Without say a word, he autographed my book. His handwriting was very neat. The message he wrote me read, "Good luck, Mike." He pushed the book back toward me.
"Thank you, sir," I said.
I paused for a few moments. As Ryan was returning my book, our eyes met again. Oh, those piercing blue eyes.
My heart thumped in my chest. It sounded like a beating drum in my ears. The feeling of strong attraction overwhelmed me. I almost forgot to show him my thesis.
"Just one more quick thing," I said, handing Ryan the folder. "I'm doing my thesis on Joe Carroll, and I was wondering if you would take a look at it."
Ryan looked like he was stressed, but he nodded his head.
"I can look over it," he said. "But it will be awhile before I can take the time and read it. I have a very busy schedule."
"I understand, sir," I replied.
I heard the sighs of the people behind me.
"Come on, dude, I have class in fifteen minutes," I heard someone say.
I wanted more time with Ryan, but there were others who wanted to meet him, too.
"Thank you for your time," I told him as I extended my hand to him.
He shook my hand again. He gave it a firm squeeze. I picked up my book and walked away from the table. My heart still pounded in my chest. I walked out of the common room, holding tight to my autographed book. Since there was no one walking toward me, I mouthed the word "yes" and pumped my fist in the air.
After I came down from cloud nine, I sat down at a study table, and began to work on an assignment. As I was working, I heard footsteps and two familiar voices walking down the hall. I looked up, and one of my professors and Ryan Hardy were walking down the hall. I wanted to jump up and talk to Ryan more, but I realized that I needed to remain professional. I shifted my attention back to my assignment for a brief moment, but what I heard next made my attention shift to Ryan again.
"So, 7:00 pm at the High Tower bar?" Ryan asked my professor.
"7:00 pm it is," he replied.
I made a mental note of that. Ryan was going to be at a bar a few blocks away from my apartment. My heart began racing again. I had to go to that bar. I needed to have more time with Ryan.
There will definitely be more to come. The next chapter will get into the action between Ryan and Mike.