A/N: Hello everybody! Who's feeling totally awesome? Red Vines to all of you who feel like this! Who's feeling in a rage? Just fuck the tie and sing a song for a dragon! Who's feeling uncool? Just remember that you'll always be cool, because cool doesn't come from other people, it comes from you. Who's feeling as though the world sucks? Just dance, always dance! Alright, this was my introduction today. Now back to this story... Let's see, what can I say? Drama took over my body again, that bitch wouldn't let me be so sweet and cute for so long... Now this is the part when things get more complicated and everything is like a struggle; this is gonna last for few chapters and maybe new things will happen. From now on, things definitely will get more complicated and maybe a bit messy. I won't spoil you anything, though, so maybe I should shut up... Yeah, I think that would be the best. So, I'll start answering your always appreciated reviews!
Vcriss: Oh! Freckles is maybe a total bitch right now. I'm pretty sure that sometimes you'll loathe her and sometimes you'll like her; same will happen about Darren. After all, when human beings feel insecure or confused tend to act in weird ways; sometimes you'll understand them, sometimes not. I think everything is messy; the way I wrote the next chapters maybe it's messy. Oh yeah, about my sister, she felt really bad for years, it was really hard for her; but now she and that guy are best friends and my sister even has a little beautiful daughter with the man she married. And yes! When I saw the episodes about Tina and Blaine, I totally thought about my sister; only that my sister couldn't overcome it so quickly! If Blaine went to my school when I was younger, I'd be the stalker Tina; yes, for sure. I don't find it annoying, what you said. The thing is that I've already written a lot of chapters, I'm currently about to start writing chapter 56, because I know that later I won't have time to write and I want to keep posting weekly. But... What I can do now, if you want, I can update the next chapter on Wednesday. I can make an exception and do it! What do you think?
MeMi83: If you ask my opinion (forget I'm the writer) I think that yes, Freckles acted really tough on Darren; but there must be a reason of why she acted like that... I think she claims to be very self-confident and self-contained, but maybe she's not so like that, maybe she wants to convince herself that she's like that when she's around people. That's only my opinion, not as the writer! I wrote something different, maybe. Oh! I think it'll pretty hard for them to figure out what they really want and what they really are. The bad/good person will switch out a lot of times; sometimes Freckles would act wrongly, and sometimes Darren would be the one acting wrongly; and maybe more characters will be involved. I needed to add action! There were so many chapters in which action didn't appear and I missed it. Now, again, there won't be much action because the story is gonna focus on other things. Thank you very much, Memi! Now I wish you enjoy, as you can, this new chapter! Lots of butterfly kisses and bear hugs!
alicegursk: Ah, my dear wife! Freckles is weird, isn't she? Well yeah, I think she became a flirty person; she likes to flirt and maybe that's part of her new personality; maybe it's a way to keep distance with people and not get too involved, maybe... And maybe she still has feelings for Darren; I think in this chapter you'll figure it out, or not... And maybe Darren will change too... Uh, it's gonna get complicated. Oh, the sexual fantasy! The guy has got imagination! I wanted to make it funny, though. I wasn't sure about that part in the chapter, but then I said, why not? Guys tend to be like that, after all. It's really hard to write from the point of view of a guy, because, I'm not one; makes sense? Trust me, I'll be super honored to be your guide tour, since I love doing all of that stuff, I'm gonna make you walk a lot! You're warned! haha. It's snowing in spring! Now I get why you're so mad... Spring is like the time for flowers, butterflies, rabbits and rainbows! Oh, maybe that happens only in fantasies. It should be real, though! But hey, ask Darren if you can cuddle with him because you're cold! Maybe he'll accept!
AnSofiekeeeh: Geez, you live in Belgium! Such a wonderful place! It's like a very historic country, isn't it? With a lot of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, right? And Brussels must be a fantastic city! Ah! I just love Europe. Now, back to this; don't worry that you didn't review! I really hope you had amazing vacation! I bet you did; after all, those were vacation! Thank you a lot, An-Sofie, for your very sweet words! They really made me smile like a goofball! I wish that this story can keep being interesting to you and I hope it can keep growing on you! And I hope I can keep posting weekly, so I won't break your new routine!
Guest: Oh, Yann Tiersen! I particularly love the soundtrack he composed for Amélie! It's fantastic! Besides, I really like that movie. Someday (I hope) I'll go to Austria and I'll see all of those landscapes and small cities with my own eyes, it'd be like a dream! hahaha it really made me laugh when you wrote that about Freckles in that sarcastic way! Yes, Freckles is acting weird! Maybe she's confused and doesn't want to admit it! Let's see for how long she'll keep lying to herself that they're only 'strangers'. I wanted to show Darren's 'weakness' (I don't know how to call it) about Freckles. I wasn't sure about writing the sexual fantasy; but then I thought Darren is a young guy, and young guys tend to have those kinds of fantasies. I know this because I was a guy in my past life. Okay, no... My male friends confessed me some things, so I know some things about that. And ahh! I don't know what inspired me to write about Darren saving Freckles and helping her to learn to swim; I guess I wanted to write something cute; it was simple, maybe a small gesture, but it was cute, I think. Now that you mention it... Maybe I wrote this chapter when Kurt and Blaine said they were only friends, I can't remember; but you're right! Let's see what happens from now on!
Nicole: Definitely California is in my list to places to visit; I don't know why, but I feel very attracted to know the cities in California; maybe it's the architecture combined with the culture and geography. And I completely understand what you meant about the city life because it happens to me too! The drama had to come back at some point, right? And the cliffhangers! You have no idea how much I missed and miss them! They're not as tough as the first part of the story, but there are few cliffhangers. Yes, about Darren's new solo album, I really hope I can buy it here, one way or another I need to get it! Looks like this is where our adventure ends Dora... I mean, Nicole! Sending you a lot of hugs and butterfly kisses! Goodnight Dragon... I mean Nicole! Nicole!
Vicky: Oh yes! Darren will never disappoint me; not even if he sings about his poop, I don't care; he is and will always be a talented songwriter and singer! I just love his songs and his mellow and sexy voice; I always smile when I hear him singing and I laugh when I see all of his 'Oh, so many feelings' faces while singing; I adore them. Are you from Greece? Oh my wizard god! Ahhh! As an architecture student, Greece is like one of the most awesome places to me. I mean, I studied the Greek architecture; especially Athens and particularly the acropolis, with the Parthenon and Greek temples; besides, of course, the Agora and the Greek theaters. They're very important in the field of architecture, politics, philosophy, and mathematics. I'll stop freaking out... But you have the Mediterranean Sea! Oh man! Has your sister started reading this story? Tell her that it's not a problem if she doesn't want to review as long as she can enjoy the story! I hope she will! Now you'll be able to talk about it with her! Or not! I wish you and your sister a super amazing weekend!
Ginny Zoey: Ginny, you're back! I completely understand the reasons of why you stopped reading, everything is more than fine! For what you said, it was really hard, but think that you held onto your purpose and now you can keep reading! Well, you asked if Freckles was still virgin, I guess you got that answer after reading the other chapters! And Darren has a fuck buddy, or he had; you'll see! He needed to move on, somehow; maybe things will change now that Freckles appeared. Yes, Freckles has changed a lot, and in some aspects she has changed for better; it was about time for her to start being more confident and charismatic, she was very insecure in high school and that wasn't so good. But let's see to what point she's so self-confident and so self-contained; let's see if she reaches the point of hurting people by being so like this or not... This is the time that both Darren and Freckles are trying to consolidate a personality, but they're still in the progress; things could change! I'm really glad you kept reading this story, Ginny!
Mockingjay-Potterhead-9: I think I've told you this already, but I admire you can ski; if I ever get the chance to go skiing, I'd end up in hospital, if I don't die first. I'm really stupid when it comes to winter sports, since I don't have snow here, sadly! I completely loved your idea about bringing our unicorns together! I pictured the babies unicorns and I totally want it! She wants to be called your majesty? Maybe because she wants to feel like one, so maybe that way she'll win the heart of a unicorn! I'll tell my unicorn to stop acting in a goofy way to start acting as a bourgeois, so he'll be on your unicorn's level! Wouldn't it be nice if they fall in love? Unicorn love! Aw! About the books... If you like suspense and intrigue, I could recommend you The Analyst by John Katzenbach; The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown (it's way better than the movie; that book inspired me to write cliffhangers); The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (this is more like a fiction); And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie; or any book by Edgar Allan Poe; and of course the books of Sherlock Holmes by Conan Doyle. Then you have other kinds of books like Little Women by Louisa M. Alcott; Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen; The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde; One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez; Blindness by Saramago; The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway; and lot more. My favorite book is probably (it's hard to choose!) Hopscotch by Julio Cortázar (it is very hard to read, maybe) and another of my favorite writers is Mario Benedetti; my first language is spanish, so that explains the names! What is yours? Well, I can't think about more books, but if I remember another, I'll let you know! For now, you have few! It's amazing to read books!
Guest (I know you are GleeKof1!): I can't help it! I missed the cliffhangers! But it wasn't as terrible as the ones I wrote in the high school part! You read all of the chapters in one day? Oh my god! Well, what can I say? I'm very impressed and there you have me now, smiling like a fool! Really, your words made me (and are making me) smile! I'm super happy to know that you kept reading, and reading, and reading! Now I really wish I can keep you interested on this story! Sometimes I feel like I don't like some things I write because I think it's boring, but then you say something like this and it encourages me to keep writing! Thank you a lot for that! Now I'm about to start writing chapter 56 (I'm being lazy lately, I write one chapter in two weeks); so they aren't so long, but I'll try to write longer chapters! But I won't promise anything about not writing cliffhangers, I love them! I'm a cruel person! haha. Okay, now, really thank you very much for all you said! I hope you can keep enjoying this story, and if someday you don't like it, you're allowed to curse me and kick my ass, okay? That could be our deal!
Okay guys, that was all for today! Maybe I'll update a new chapter on Wednesday! Now I'll let you read this new chapter and… Let the drama begins again! I hope you can enjoy it despite everything! Until next week! Sending you a lot of virtual candies and psychological hugs!
Teenage Dream – Chapter 39 – Bad day.
"I made coffee for you." Meredith said when you woke up.
You looked at the table with sleepy eyes. She was sitting with some books and a cup of coffee on her hands; and in front of her, there was another cup of coffee, right next to your books of Digital Photography.
"Thank you. I see you also left my books of Digital Photography there. Was that on purpose?" You asked giggling as you sat on the table, grabbing your cup of coffee.
"Kind of." Meredith answered shrugging and smiling. "Listen, only because you don't like that course, doesn't mean that you have to find lame excuses all the time avoid reading that book."
"You just sounded like my mom." You answered frowning but amused as Meredith laughed. "I just don't get why I have to do that course. I mean, I'm studying Interarts Performance; and Digital Photography has nothing to do with Arts and Design or Theatre and Drama."
"Actually, you're wrong. Oh god, I can't believe you're finally wrong about something! This feels good, sorry." She exclaimed almost exaggeratedly and that made you laugh. "Okay, what I was going to say now. Digital Photography is another way of art and also it helps a lot for your courses of Theatre and Drama. You should give it a chance; I think that's a cool course."
"Do you want to go to that course for me? I could replace you in your course if you make me this favor." You replied amused, even knowing that maybe she was right.
"No way, the course I have to go right now is one of the best. Sorry." Meredith answered amused while taking a sip of her coffee.
"Hmm, mean." You said frowning, also taking a sip of your coffee, now opening the book.
"I'm just as mean as you deserve for avoiding the question I've been asking you all this time." Meredith said.
"What question?" You asked confused.
"You know what question. Were you and Darren only friends in high school?" Meredith asked and you remembered. Oh, you really shouldn't have asked her that.
"Damn, Meredith, I told you. We were just friends." You replied sighing.
"Yes, that is exactly what you've been answering me all this time and then you change the topic and refuse to talk about it. You know what is funny? At first you said that you and he were only classmates, and now you're saying that you were friends. It's like you answer changes all the time." Meredith said suspiciously. "And you don't act as if you were only friends. You can't fool me; I know there's something else."
"There's nothing else. Call it classmates, friends; it's all the same." You answered trying to think about something to change the topic of conversation.
"Why won't you tell me? You make feel as if I were stupid or if I weren't a trustworthy person." She said offended, but surely she was pretending it.
"You know it's not like that. If I don't tell you anything is because there's nothing to say." You said trying to seem quiet.
"I can't believe you're lying to me!" She exclaimed loudly, looking at you with eyes wide open and raising her eyebrows.
"What?" You asked jittery. You were never good at lying.
"See? You're lying." Meredith pointed and you sighed, giving up.
"Okay, I give up." You said now looking at her.
"So, are you gonna tell me if Darren and you were more than friends in high school?" She asked excited and curious.
"Yes, I'll tell you our real story. But not now because it's a long story and right now I gotta go to that course." You said standing up with your coffee, pretending to be in a hurry.
"What?" Meredith exclaimed in disbelief, a bit disappointed. "Come on, you have time. You know why? Because I've delayed the time of your clock. Actually it's not 7am; it's 6am, so we have time." Meredith said now smirking mischievously.
"You did what? I can't believe you did it, you sneaky devil!" You exclaimed astonished and a bit amused. You needed to admit that was witty. "All right." You said sighing and sitting on your chair again with your coffee. "No, Darren and I weren't just friends in high school."
"I knew it!" Meredith exclaimed victoriously.
So yes, you started explaining your story since the beginning. She deserved to know, after all. She was Darren's friend and she was always nice to you, and it was unfair if you keep lying to her, because that didn't feel right. Meredith was listening to you very intently, after you made her promise she wasn't going to tell anybody this, unless Darren decided to tell it to people. At first she was very surprised and she couldn't believe you were a shy and lonely and sad girl in high school; of course, you were different now. But she believed you at the end. You told her that you always had a crush on Darren since your Sophomore year but he didn't even know you existed. Then you told her the way you met and how you became friends. Until that moment everything was fine, but now it was time to explain her the things that happened with W and all the things Karen has done to screw your Junior year; and you needed to explain her that because that was an important part of the story that explained why Darren and you weren't just friends in high school.
"So, you see, everything seemed to be fine. Until someone started bullying us and we didn't know who the bully was." You said and Meredith looked at you puzzled.
"Have you guys been bullied in high school? Darren never mentioned it." Meredith said frowning and apparently concerned.
"Yes, we've been bullied. The bully's name and identity was unknown, we only received threats from W." You said abstracted, looking at you cup of coffee, deep in thought.
It's been a year since the last time you thought about W, since the last time you talked about it. And it was awful to bring her up again. You tried to erase those memories from your mind; but W was always there, hidden in your mind. Now it felt as if you had to relive those moments you wanted to forget. But you did, and you started explaining Meredith all the things that Karen has done to you and how Darren was there for you always, supporting you and taking care of you. And that was when the crush on him turned into love. And you explained her that Darren, after a long time, admitted that he loved you back just in the same way. You told her all the wonderful things Darren told you when he admitted his real feelings. You, somehow, felt his love again. Damn, that was true love for you; you never felt that way never again.
"Did Darren really say all of those things?" Meredith asked amused, but she was also squealing as if she was like fangirling. She seemed to be very excited and entertained.
"Yes, he did." You answered smiling warmly while still remembering that moment.
"Look at him! I'm surprised! I'd have never imagined that Darren could be such a cute and sensitive guy." Meredith admitted surprised, raising her eyebrows and you chuckled softly.
"Yes, he was. He was lovely." You said smiling softly, still deep in thought.
So then you started explaining her how your relationship with Darren was when you were a couple: all the things you used to do and say, all the silly and sweet things, all the adventures and support; everything. It was feeling good to tell somebody your whole story with Darren; you never explained it to anybody. Only Brian knew it; besides, of course, Darren, Jen, Darren's family and your family; but only because they witnessed your love. Meredith was looking at you as if she were reading a romantic book or watching a romantic movie. You explained her when Darren and you parted when he thought you were W; then you explained your reconciliation and how you were fine again. You realized there was a lot of drama in your love story, but it was a good one. Yes, you remembered how much you loved him and why you loved him that much. Darren was you best lover and you were aware of that. Again, you were deep in thought, remembering with joy all of those moments.
"I don't understand. What happened with you guys? I mean, you were like the perfect couple, like a couple of a romantic movie." Meredith said confused and you looked up at her. Now a feeling of distress took over your entire body when you remembered that night in the hotel room.
"Everything went to hell, one night in a hotel room, after Prom." You said gloomy, looking at your cup of cold coffee.
You explained her that by that time you were virgin and so was he. And that night was going to be your first time, but you couldn't make it. You told her that Darren understood and told you a bunch of sweet things to reassure you, he told you it was alright.
"But next morning, I woke up and he wasn't there anymore. He was gone. He only left a note." You said raising an eyebrow feeling bad now.
You told her what the note said; you remembered perfectly all the words. Meredith was looking at you very confused and puzzled, as you were feeling really distressed.
"I didn't see him again since that time; until I saw him again this year, when you invited him and Joey to come over here." You said sighing.
"I can't believe Darren did that." Meredith said frowning, apparently feeling disgusted. "I mean, Darren is not a bad guy; I can't believe he did something like that. That's outrageous."
"Yes..." You whispered sorrowful. "And we never talked again, that's why I've been acting weird with him and that is why he's been doing the same."
"Now I get it all." Meredith said thoughtful. "But... I just don't understand. I mean, if I were you, I'd never talk to him again. It was atrocious what he did. So, why do you keep talking to him?"
"Because I forgot him; it was as if I didn't know who he was, as if he was just a stranger; and I'm nice with people I don't know. I've changed and so has he." You replied sincerely. "We never talked about this until that day we went to Munising. That is why we didn't come back to the camp, we needed time for us."
"Yes, I understand. And how was that talk? I mean, you know, when you came back, you kissed as if nothing ever has happened." Meredith asked curious and you looked down frowning. You were still confused for all that happened those two days.
"We talked and he told me that Jim threatened him and forced him to write that note that night in the hotel room. He told me he never stopped looking for me. He told me he was sorry and he never regretted something so much. He told me he never stopped loving me." You said sadly, still looking down.
"I knew it! Darren is really a good person; he could have never done something like that intentionally." Meredith exclaimed. "So? What happened then? I mean, you now know that he didn't want to do it; and your love seemed to be very strong. Why aren't you together again?"
"It's complicated, Meredith." You replied sighing. "First of all, and I'm so sorry, but I can't fully believe what Darren confessed. I've been betrayed so many times and I just can't believe it."
"So, do you still think that Darren really wanted to leave you?"
"Kind of. I don't know." You answered in all honesty. "But in any case, even if he's telling the truth; I won't come back with him. I don't love him anymore; he's only part of my past. Besides, neither of us are the teenagers we were. We're different now, our personalities are different, and everything is different. So I'd rather to remember him as my first love than to be a couple again. I just don't love him."
"That's sad. I mean, I understand. But it's sad because you look cute together. And it's such a shame that a love like the one you had is now left behind. But I fully understand you." Meredith said frankly. "So what are you gonna do with him now?"
"Just give him a second chance. He apologized and I forgave him; so he deserves a second chance. Only to be friends, nothing more than that. He seems to be a nice guy, so yeah, why not?" You answered shrugging.
"But, don't you have any feelings for him? Not even a bit?" Meredith asked curious, and also as if she was expecting to hear a yes; so you chuckled.
"No. I don't have any feelings for him, not even a bit." You answered with a slight smile, amused when you saw Meredith's face of frustration. "I restored my life without him. He's just... Darren Criss, my first love and just a guy that is part of my past. For that I won't forget him, but that doesn't mean that I still feel something for him. He's just someone I used to know."
"Okay, I get it. But if you had the chance to come back...?"
"No, Meredith. I'll never come back with him, not as lovers." You replied roundly, interrupting her.
"Okay, I was just checking." She said sighing and you laughed. "Thank you Freckles, for telling me."
"That's okay. Thank you for listening. And remember..."
"I won't tell anybody, don't worry." She interrupted you and you nodded.
"Okay, now I really have to go to that stupid Digital Photography course. Wish me luck!" You said standing up and grabbing your bag.
"Good luck! Do not get too bored!" Meredith said smiling cheerfully and a bit amused.
It was already 8am and you were late for your first course. You wondered why you had to arrive always so late. When you got out your room, you cursed. It wasn't a pretty good day; it was warm, yeah, but you could see that a storm was coming and sooner or later it was going to rain and you didn't bring an umbrella. But you didn't have the time to come back for it; you needed to arrive at that course. You practically ran to the Penny W. Stamps building and then to the classroom. Of course you were late, but the professor didn't seem to mind, so you just sat on the first empty seat you saw.
"Alright, for those who arrived late..." The professor said looking at you and another girl near you. "I was saying that this is Digital Photography. This course introduces students to the technical and aesthetic components of digital photography, considering it as a fine art medium. The objective of this course is to pursue basic knowledge of scanning and image input, basic knowledge of image retouching and refining, and an understanding of image output and the printing process, including the use and roles of professional service bureaus for output in a professional context. It should be noted that this photography course is an art course: it does not address itself to vocational skills and results. Students will be evaluated upon achievement of technical and aesthetic excellence rather than personal improvement, strength of effort, or excessive quantity. Individual creativity, visual problem solving and precise craftsmanship will be stressed." The professor said serious. He seemed to be very rigid, but nice at the same time; it was weird. Maybe it was because he was a young professor and wanted to do his best. "For this, you all will need a digital camera, preferably a Nikon D600. If you read the requirements of this course, you surely brought the camera today; because we're gonna start right now. Is there somebody that doesn't have a camera?" He asked and you felt very embarrassed when you had to raise a hand. Shit, you forgot to read it and apparently you were the only one who didn't bring the camera. You didn't even have a digital camera. "Is that because you can't afford a digital camera?" The professor asked looking at you and you blushed in embarrassment.
"Yes, it's because of that." You lied, answering shyly.
"Okay, the school of Art and Design offer the instruments that the students cannot afford, to complete their studies. So I'll give you one of the digital cameras that belong to the University of Michigan." The professor said politely but in academic terms.
"Okay, thank you." You said shyly, still blushing and the professor nodded. Hey, your professor actually was handsome. What were you thinking? Dammit.
"So..." The professor said, now looking at the whole class. "Now you'll take photographs and the special emphasis will be placed on how color functions both on a technical as well as an emotional level, including: how the color temperatures of various light sources are perceived by digital cameras, how color shifts created by those various light sources translate into the visual image, and how those color shifts can impact emotional connections between image and viewer. This is not a technical workshop; you will be expected to be pursuing your own artistic, aesthetic and conceptual concerns within the medium of photography. The conceptual development of your own artistic vision and voice is another special emphasis of the class, particularly in regards to learning how to create imagery that functions as a visual series. Assignments should be cohesive bodies of work revolving around a specific theme and concept of your choice. An emphasis on writing about your artwork will also be stressed in this class, most directly in terms of producing artist statements examining the thought processes involved in your work." The professor explained and the whole class seemed to be excited; but you just couldn't. You didn't like this. "So, I want you all to go outside and take photographs to start exploring the colors, the lights and the perspectives; remember they must be significant photos that can express an emotion. And for next week, as an assignment, I want you to bring here the photography of the topic you chose with writing about it, and we'll start a debate." He said talking to the whole class. "Is there any doubt?" He asked and no one answered. "Okay, then. I want you all to go outside now and start exploring. We'll meet here in an hour."
Everybody took their bags and digital cameras and stood up to go outside and start doing that shit the professor said. They truly seemed to be excited and you couldn't understand why. For you it was boring and no matter what the professor said, photography wasn't art. But you took your bag and stood up, but remained there. You didn't have the camera. The professor was giving you his back because he was writing something in a notebook. You couldn't help it but staring his butt, he had a good one. Oh damn, what were you doing? The professor finally turned around and looked at you.
"Oh right, the camera." He said and you nodded silently, still feeling ashamed for being observing his butt.
He walked to the back of the classroom, opened a cabinet and pulled out a digital camera. Then he walked to you again, in silence. When he stood up you couldn't stop looking into his eyes. He had beautiful amber colored eyes. He smiled politely, handing you the camera; but you just looked at his smile, he was really handsome.
"Here's the camera." The professor said when he noticed you weren't taking it, so you felt ashamed again.
"Thank you." You said shyly, taking the camera. Wow, you couldn't remember the last time you felt so shy with someone.
"You're very welcome. You can keep it until you get your own camera. And if you ever need any other kind of help, just let me know." The professor said politely. He was truly handsome and his voice was sexy. "Well, now you can go and take photos. Good luck." He said but you remained there, looking at him; you were dazzled. He noticed this, so he frowned. "Is there something else I can do for you?"
"Umm...Umm..." You babbled nervously when you noticed how stupid you were for being looking at him like a fool. And the worst was that he noticed it. "I just don't know your name, professor." You said looking down, ashamed.
"I'm Professor Luke Adams." He said politely and you nodded.
"Alright, Professor Adams; thank you very much." You said politely, looking at that man.
"Very welcome. Now you can go if you don't have any other question." He said.
"No, that was it all." You replied and then you turned around with the camera and your bag.
When you were already leaving the classroom, something popped in your mind. Adams. His last name was Adams. That couldn't be possible, no way. You started feeling really weird and suspicious. You turned around again and looked at the professor and you walked to him again. He was writing something in his notebook again. You knew it was going to be disrespectful, but you just needed to know.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Adams." You said and the professor looked at you abruptly with his amber eyes. "I don't wanna be disrespectful, but I have a doubt."
"Yes?" He asked frowning, waiting for your question.
"Are you a relative of Jim Adams?" You asked really curious and the professor looked at you raising his eyebrows and apparently a bit displeased.
"I'm sorry, miss, you can ask about everything related to this course, but I won't answer personal questions. It's inappropriate." He said severely and firmly and you felt really embarrassed.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Adams. It won't happen again." You said apologetically.
"I hope so. Now you can leave if you don't have a question related to this course." The professor said firmly.
"No, I don't have. I'm sorry again, Mr. Adams." You said apologetically again before you turned around to leave the classroom as fast as you could.
You walked to nowhere in particular, deep in thought. No, that was impossible. Which were the chances that your professor could be a relative of Jim? Come on, Adams was a common surname. But anyway, his last name reminded you to Jim and that was a bad thing. And it happened after you talked to Meredith about your story. You just wanted to forget that past, but it seemed that lately everything reminded you to it and you didn't want it. You were fine until you arrived at University of Michigan. You walked outside and you realized it was raining now. Damn, this couldn't get even worse.
"I do have an umbrella. We can share it if you want." A boy's voice said and you turned to look at him.
It was the same guy of the coffee shop. What was his name? Think, it was related to a movie. The Notebook. Right, it was Noah. What was he doing there? How did he find you? And why was he looking so good? His ice blue eyes were simply breathtaking. But, was he a stalker or something?
"No, thank you." You answered curtly, looking away and frowning.
"Okay. I wouldn't want to bug you. It was nice to meet you again, though." The guy said friendly and you looked at him again. He smiled at you and he nodded his face before he turned around to leave.
"Wait!" You said when he was starting to walk away. You shouldn't do this, but you really needed an umbrella. The guy turned around abruptly to look at you.
"Yeah?" He asked and you noticed he also had a digital camera on his hands. Could he be your classmate? Quite a coincidence.
"I... Well, I think..." You stammered like an idiot.
"Don't say anything." The boy said smiling brightly. Geez, his teeth were so white and perfect. "You changed your mind and you need an umbrella."
"Actually, yeah..." You answered, looking down.
"Okay, no problem." He said smiling kindly and now walking to you again. "Come here, so you won't get wet while doing what the professor said."
"Sorry, are you my classmate?" You asked intrigued and the guy laughed jovially. His laughter was also kind of sexy.
"Yes, I am. Actually, I think I'll be your classmate in all of your courses. Are you also in the Interarts Performance program?" He asked and you looked at him frowning slightly.
"Yes, I am. How do you know it?" You asked suspiciously.
"Oh well, you're in the same courses than me; so you are for sure in that program too." He answered smiling and shrugging. You kept looking at him suspiciously and he laughed. "Relax, I'm not a stalker. I know we didn't start in the best way, I don't even know if you remember me, but I was that guy of the coffee shop."
"Yes, Noah, right?" You asked and he looked at you surprised then he smiled.
"Yes, that's right. I can't believe you remember my name, I feel flattered." He said placing a hand in his heart and you couldn't help it but giggling. "Well, yeah, I was that guy. And I swear I'm nice and I do not have bad intentions. I only want to share this umbrella because it seems you need it; and I also want to talk to someone, because I don't know anyone here and you seem to be nice." He said friendly, still smiling. Well, maybe he was nice and you also didn't know anybody in your courses. Maybe you could talk to him.
"Alright, I trust you." You replied, smiling friendly.
"Thank you! It was really depressing the fact that I didn't have anyone to talk to. So, what do you think if we start making that assignment that the professor gave us? Maybe if we do it quickly, we can go for a coffee to warm up; without compromise." The guy said quickly, as if he was actually shy to ask you that.
"Yes, that would be cool." You answered with a soft smile.
Maybe this was going to be good. You really needed to make friends at college. And, after all, he seemed to be a nice guy, besides of being a handsome guy. So yeah, you were going to give it a chance.
"At what time is our first course today?" I asked while reading my boring book of History of Theatre II, on the couch.
"Why do you always forget it, man?" Joey asked in disbelief. "At 5pm, buddy."
"Oh great, we have all the morning free to read this shit! Cool." I said bored.
"Either that or you can tell me what the hell is going on with your girl." Joey said in an insinuating way.
"My girl? As far as I know I don't have a girl." I said raising an eyebrow, completely playing dumb.
"Well, you know, the girl that has you pussy whipped." Joey joked, laughing.
"I don't know what you're..."
"Freckles, man! Freckles!" He interrupted me, exasperated and then I laughed.
"Whoa, Joey! Cool it!" I said laughing.
"You're getting on my nerves, Criss." Joey exclaimed still exasperated. "Now you don't have options. You're forced to tell me what's going on with you and your girl, Freckles."
"Freckles is not my girl, Joey. Stop saying that." I said serious now. "Nothing is going on." I said sighing.
"Again, dude?" Joey asked in disbelief. "Just talk, it's not like it's something you don't know how to do."
"Ha-ha, how funny!" I said mockingly. "Really, nothing is going on. Absolutely nothing, if you know what I mean."
"Yeah, sure. You kissed each other in front of everybody, like a damn hell of kiss; and now nothing is going on." Joey said ironically.
"Exactly." I replied curtly.
"Screw that, bud."
"Listen, Joey... Since that time we haven't seen each other, okay? It's been more than a week and I still haven't talked to her. She's not interested, why should I?" I said pretending to be indifferent.
"Have you called her?"
"I don't have her phone number."
"But you know where she lives."
"And?" I asked raising an eyebrow. "She also knows where I live. Has she come here? No. So why would I go to her place?"
"Oh, maybe because you have feelings for her?"
"I do not have feelings for her. You know, I've talked to her when we were in Munising. We talked about... You know, the talk." I said trying to get distracted with something to pretend I was indifferent. "We agreed we were going to start from the scratch. That's what I'm doing. She needs her space and I need mine; we're just... this kind of friends, but we aren't even friends."
"Wait a minute... Have you finally told her that the asshole that bullied you was the one who forced you to leave her?" Joey asked, apparently a bit alarmed.
"Yeah..."
"And? Did she forgive you?" He asked curious.
"Yes." I replied curtly.
"And after that, aren't you together now?" Joey asked confused.
"Isn't it pretty obvious? No, man, no." I said now feeling really moody and then I sighed. "I think she didn't believe me, anyway." I said frowning. "Whatever. I promised her that we were going to start over again."
"And is that what you really want?"
"It doesn't matter if that is what I want or not. I promised her."
"Why have you promised her such a thing if that isn't what you want?"
"Because... Because I wanted to have with her one last night, you know, like... Yeah, like when she used to be my girlfriend; I needed it, to have her back at least for one night. So yeah, I promised that after that night we were going to start from scratch. It was the only way she agreed." I said frowning and a bit uncomfortable for saying this.
"Wait, so... Did you have sex with her?" Joey asked stunned and really intrigued.
"What? No. No, I didn't have sex with her." I answered looking away. "We just kissed and cuddled; you know... Argh, you know, it was an affectionate thing, not a sexual thing." I replied uncomfortable. I really didn't want to sound cheesy. Joey laughed and I knew he was making fun of me.
"Why would you feel embarrassed for that? I also had a girlfriend. So I know that feeling, bro." He said still laughing so then I looked at him amused. "Anyway, I think that you've done a completely stupid thing when you promised her that."
"Whatever, man." I said huffing. "I can't be all the time behind her like a stalker. I have a life!"
"Yeah, totally. A life in which you don't stop talking about her; you do it, you know? You're all the fucking time saying...Hey, did you know that Freckles was this or did that? Freckles said that thing; Freckles doesn't like; Freckles told me; Freckles is; and Freckles blah, blah, blah. Yeah, man. I even dream with your annoying voice saying her name." Joey said raising his eyebrows and I laughed. He was right at some point.
"I didn't know that my voice was annoying; but thank you, man." I said still laughing amused.
"Yeah, it is and so are your stupid promises." He said. Damn, why was he so insistent?
"Joey, stop it. I'm not gonna change my mind, you know? It's fine like this. I'll just let things flow naturally; and if I ever get her back, then cool! If not, well, at least I'll have a friend." I said shrugging.
"So, that's it? You're gonna stay idly."
"That's it, yep." I answered nodding.
"Totally lame jerk." Joey exclaimed and I snickered.
"Whoa! Why the aggression?" I asked amused.
"Sorry, I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to a total jerk that is acting like an awkward teen cause he just met a girl and he won't do a damn thing but drooling all over the girl. Without. Doing. A. Damn. Shit. About. It. Do you know who is he?" Joey asked and I looked at him amused. Then I looked round and after that, I looked at him again.
"I don't know." I said shrugging amused. Then I pretended to be surprised, as if I just found out something. "Oh!" I exclaimed. "Did someone say Darren Criss?" I asked and then I laughed.
"Well, at least you admit it." Joey said raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, I admit it. But I want to take things slowly. And besides, who told you that I don't have a sneaky plan about this?" I said now raising an eyebrow, looking at him mysteriously.
"I knew it, goddammit! I knew you were planning something, you sneaky motherfucker!" Joey exclaimed excited and I laughed out loud. "What is your plan?"
"I'm not telling anybody my plans." I said again mysteriously.
"Oh, come on, bro! You gotta tell me!" Joey said eagerly.
"Nope."
"Come on!"
"Okay." I agreed quickly, with an amused smile. "So I lied to you. Yeah, sorry for that. The point is that I still have feelings for her. Maybe it's only physical attraction because she's truly different than the way she used to be in high school. But at the same time is not only physical attraction, because to be honest, I liked way too much the way she is now. Okay, maybe I don't like everything, but I know that is only because I still don't know her fully. I know there's something else, something she's hiding..." I said frowning, very thoughtful.
"Okay, yeah, now stop playing that you're Sherlock Holmes and just tell me what you have in mind." Joey hurried me.
"Fine. After thinking and thinking over and over again..."
"No fucking way! You actually can think! Outstanding!" Joey mocked me and I threw him my eraser while he was still laughing.
"Shut up, ass! As I was saying... After thinking for a long time and admitting the fact she doesn't have any other intention than being my friend... I came up with this little and harmless plan." I said smiling proudly.
"Oh yeah, harmless." Joey said raising an eyebrow and looking at me mischievously.
"Yes, harmless, Richter." I assured firmly. "I'm going to pretend I'm not interested on her. I heard that women fall for those guys that ignore them. It's weird how girls behave and think, but I googled about this..."
"You googled about it." Joey said looking at me really amused, making fun of me.
"I did, and whatever." I exclaimed loudly. "So yeah, women are interested on guys that ignore them, not on those guys that are all the time behind them as a lapdog. So I thought that maybe if I ignore her but I'm nice while being with her, maybe she'd fall for me, as magically."
"Oh yeah, that's an excellent plan." Joey said nodding and serious. I knew he was being ironic. "Chiefly because she doesn't give a damn shit what you're doing or not. Sorry for telling you the cold-hearted truth; but it's like that, man. As you said; she knows where you live and she never appeared here, she's not interested. You're not important to her as you used to be; you're just now someone else in her life at college. Sorry again for telling the cold-hearted truth, but I'm your buddy and it's my duty to tell you this. And she's a sexy lady and she's funny and nice; she's starting college, man! Like a whole new life. Do you think she's gonna wait for you? No, man. There are a lot of guys at college and I can assure that many of those guys are eager to get into her pants. And she's single and she wants to have fun, so she's free to get laid with those guys if she wants. And you still think that ignoring her will get you to be closer to her. Buddy, you had your experience at college last year and you know that in your first year at college all you want is to have fun, to attend crazy parties, to have wild nights of rock'n'roll, alcohol and sex. She's on that stage right now. So yeah, I don't think that ignoring her is the best solution and more considering how sexy she is; you know she could have any guy she wants."
"Ouch! That was tough." I said looking at Joey frowning.
"Yeah, sorry buddy. But it's time for you to stop acting as a little kid scared of being near her. If you want her, just go and get her. But stop wasting your time by planning stupid things. Because that idea of ignoring her is accurately stupid. Sorry again, for the cold-hearted truth." Joey said looking at me fixedly.
"Yeah, but you know? I just don't want to go and pressure her to be with me. And I don't want her for sex; I want her because I really like her. And she's different than other girls. She's not like that person you described. No, she's not like that." I said looking down.
"Darren, you cannot assure that. You only know what she used to be. And I, as a person that didn't know how she was in the past, am telling you that she can perfectly be as the girl I described. If there is something I could notice is that, besides being nice and funny, she likes to flirt. She likes to flirt a lot and she doesn't have a naive mind, she likes to joke about dirty things with double meaning. You saw the way she flirted with Joe Walker. I'm not saying she's a hooker; she's not and everybody can tell it. But she enjoys flirting and flaunting her beauty; and that's cool because she has all the qualities to do that. But you, Darren, keep acting as if you were that teen that you aren't anymore. I've never seen you acting so shy and unsteady over Kelly. So why do you act like that over Freckles?" Joey asked kind of exasperated.
"It's because there's a big difference between Freckles and Kelly. I didn't care about Kelly; it was only sex for me. And I do care about Freckles. That's why. I don't want to screw anything with Freckles." I admitted now feeling completely frustrated.
"I get it, bro. But if you keep being like this, you're gonna screw things. Not always you have second chances, and now that you've got one, you're letting it go. That's senseless. If you let time pass by, it's gonna pass and it's gonna pass with her. Have you ever wondered if this new Freckles likes guys who have the guts to go and seduce her bluntly?" Joey asked looking at me, but I was looking down, feeling a bit annoyed and still frustrated.
"No..." I answered in a whisper.
"So why don't you figure it out instead being here, making dull plans that won't work? Go and do something for that you want to get; because in this world, sadly, there's not a dinosaur that is gonna poop magically a huge box which contains everything you want. You gotta do something and for that you have to take action. So, move your ass, buddy!" Joey exclaimed exasperatedly and I giggled softly.
"Yeah, maybe you're right." I admitted, sighing. "I'll make up a lame excuse to see her again, maybe."
"Maybe my ass! You will do it or I'm gonna force you; I swear Criss." Joey said pointing me with his forefinger and I laughed.
"Scary Joey!" I exclaimed loudly, still laughing. "Badass." I said amused and Joey smiled proudly. "So, summing up, are you saying that I should just go for her and kiss her? Because that is what I want."
"Fuck no; do not do that." Joey answered shortly, apparently alarmed. "I'm just saying that you should start flirting with her, in an innocent way. Just flirt and seduce her, but always keeping distance. Man, I can't believe I'm telling you this. Just make her fall for you, you've got your own seduction skills, use them."
"Okay, seems fair enough." I said nodding. Then I heard how someone was knocking the door. "Oh, I'll go." I said, standing up.
"Hurry up; maybe it's your pussy." Joey said laughing.
"Oh, shut up, wanker!" I exclaimed laughing, walking to the door.
When I opened the door, I never expected that. I couldn't even see who it was, that the person entered abruptly while constantly hitting my chest and loudly cursing things. After a while I recognized it was Meredith.
"What the hell, Meredith?" I asked still in shock while she was still hitting my chest. "Hey, mellow out!" I exclaimed loudly but she kept hitting my chest. So I quickly grabbed her wrists and I stopped her. "What the hell?" I repeated perplexed.
"You fucking bastard! Why haven't you told me?" She yelled angrily and I looked at her with eyes wide open, completely befuddled.
"What? I don't even know what you're talking about." I said still frowning, very confused. I noticed Joey closed the door and looked at us just as bewildered as me.
"About you and Freckles! Why haven't you told me that you were dating in high school? Why? You motherfucker!" She yelled angrily. I looked at her and I gaped, puzzled, raising my eyebrows and opening my eyes widely. I exchanged a look with Joey and he just shrugged, he was also confused.
"How do you know it?" I asked with a jittery giggle.
"Freckles told me! She did and you didn't! You, my friend, didn't tell me that! How you dare, Criss!" She exclaimed still angrily and she tried to hit my chest again but I grabbed strongly her wrists.
"Did she?" I asked a bit surprised.
So Freckles told her our story. Was that a good or bad thing? Maybe it was good, because of several reasons: in the first place, she talked about me when I wasn't around; then there was the fact that she wasn't ashamed to tell Meredith that we were dating, very different than in the first day we met; but mostly because of the fact that it all meant that she used to think about me; I was still on her thoughts, at least occasionally. But then there was the negative side that it was... What if she said bad things about me? For some reason Meredith seemed to be so mad.
"Yes, she did! She told me it all!"
"What do you mean with it all?" I asked curiously, raising an eyebrow and squinting.
"I mean everything! Since the beginning, then with the bullying thing, the prom, the hotel room, the talk you had in Munising; it all, Criss!" She yelled and I looked at her stunned, open-mouthed. "It doesn't matter! Why haven't you told me?"
"I... I don't know." I answered lamely because I was still stunned.
"Did you know that, Joey?" She yelled at Joey now and he looked at her in shock.
"I... Umm..." He babbled nervously and then he looked at me. He didn't know what to answer.
"You also knew! I can't believe it! I'm the only jerk that didn't know it! Screw you, Criss!" She said really upset and I huffed.
"Oh, come on!" I exclaimed loudly, now frowning and moody. "Don't get so steamed up over this."
"What? You gotta be kidding me, Darren!" She exclaimed in disbelief.
"I'm not kidding. Don't blow a fuse!" I exclaimed frowning. "I was going to tell you... eventually."
"Eventually? Is that your answer?" Meredith asked incredulous, laughing bitterly.
"Yes, that's my answer." I replied annoyed. Then I tried to calm and I sighed. "Listen, if I didn't tell you it was because I didn't know if Freckles wanted everybody to know it. And you're her roommate, Meredith; and I know you pretty well, you wouldn't have been able to shut your big mouth and you were going to blurt it out, even if it wasn't your intention. I'm sorry, but I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable. Sorry, okay?" I apologized and she looked down, frowning.
"Yeah, I guess you have a point." She whispered, recognizing it. "But, still!" She said now looking at me a bit afflicted. "It felt bad to find it out by her and not by you."
"I'm sorry, Mere." I apologized again, looking at her guiltily and she smiled sadly.
"It's okay, I guess." She said shrugging but still frowning. "And just so you know, you're a jerk."
"And why is that?" I asked confused.
"It's because you left her in that hotel room, you shouldn't have done it..." Meredith started saying frowning.
"Whoa, whoa! What has she exactly said?" I asked a bit concerned now. Freckles' explanation of our story could have been very different than mine; of course, we had different versions of our ending even if we talked about it already.
"She told me her version and your version."
"Did she?" I asked a bit edgy.
"Yeah, but she still doesn't believe you. Sorry, that sucks." Meredith said with a sad half-smile. I just looked down and sighed.
"I suspected that." I said gloomy, biting my lower lip, still looking down. After a short uncomfortable silence, I looked up at Meredith, frowning slightly. "But... Does she ever talk about me? I mean, besides of what she told you of our story... Does she talk about me? Ever?" I asked softly, full of hopes to hear an affirmative answer. Judging by Meredith's nervous gaze and the way she exchanged a look with Joey, I should have guessed the answer.
"Sorry, mate." Meredith answered looking down and I bit my lower lip again, nodding and looking down.
"Yeah, well... And... Does she ever think about me? I mean... I don't know... Did she seem happy when she talked about me?" I asked looking at Meredith again, full of hopes. Man, there must be at least one good thing. But Meredith pursed her lips. That was a bad indication.
"She... Why are you asking me all of that, Darren?" She asked frowning, apparently troubled.
"Please, just answer me." I begged looking deeply into her eyes.
"No, Darren. She doesn't think about you." She said and I felt bad, I just looked down. "And yes, she seemed happy when she talked about you, sometimes." Meredith said and I looked up again, now feeling a bit better, with a hint of hopes. "But if the point of all of your questions is to know if you have a chance to be with her again... I'm so sorry, Darren. She made it clear that you were part of her past now and she had no feelings for you. And well, she said she'll never come back with you. I'm very sorry." Meredith said with a sad look and I gulped as I looked down again, now running my fingers through my hair.
"That's alright..." I whispered and then I looked up again, pretending to be cool with this. Man, I needed Jen right now. "Are you guys up for lunch? I'm starving." I said trying to change the topic of conversation. Meredith and Joey exchanged looks and I looked at them intently. "What? I'm fine, really." I said shrugging and laughing, but that laughter sounded kind of creepy. "Really, Freckles is just a girl, like any other girl... Come on, I'm starving." I said avoiding their gazes. They didn't answer. "Okay, fine, if you don't want to go for lunch I'm going alone. Catch you later, guys."
I said grabbing my bag and all the stuff that was on the table, not paying attention to what I was putting in; I just wanted to leave. They kept staring me, but I ignored it. I walked to the door and I nodded at them before leaving, not giving room for them to stop me.
"Fuck my life!" I exclaimed upset and frustrated when I was already outside. To make things worse, it was raining and I didn't have a damn umbrella. Damn.
"I'm telling you, Brian. I haven't seen him since that weekend. I don't know why you're so huffy." You said frowning, talking to Brian on the phone, alone in your bedroom after the Digital Photography course.
"Yeah, well, it doesn't change the fact that you kissed him. More than once. What are you doing? What do you exactly want?" Brian asked. He seemed to be concerned and upset.
"I... Brian, it was like a goodbye thing. We both agreed to start from scratch." You replied now feeling a bit annoyed. You weren't expecting this reaction from him. "I don't get why you seem to be so upset about it."
"I'm not upset. I just don't understand the things you do sometimes." Brian answered frankly. "This isn't only about you... Have you ever thought that maybe Darren still feels something for you? You could be hurting his feelings if you keep doing those things."
"Oh, come on, Brian! It was only one night and the last one. It's not like we had sex or something. It was just like the old times; as I told you, like a goodbye we never had. Besides, I hardly doubt he has still feelings for me; I told you, I haven't seen him since that time. And in any case, I made it pretty clear that I didn't want anything with him." You said still annoyed. "He has his life; I have my life; end of the story."
"Okay, I just don't want to hear from you in the future that you feel bad because you hurt him, because he was still in love with you and you weren't. You're warned, Sunny." Brian said and his voice sounded severe. "Anyway, does Mandy know something about this? Have you already told her that you met Darren again?"
"No, she doesn't know yet. I want to see her and tell her that in person. You know how she is, she's gonna get worried and I don't want it. She's pretty busy all the time and I don't want to bother her with this." You replied as you sighed, lying down in bed.
"You know you should tell her. It's unfair if you don't do it, after all she did." Brian said.
"I know, Brian! And I will do it as soon as I get to see her in person." You said huffing.
"Fine, I believe you." Brian said. "Anyway, I think you haven't told me something about what happened that night between you and Darren. Why have you forgiven him so easily? Last time I saw you, you were still resented to him."
"Oh yeah... That. Well, he explained me why he left, you know? I don't believe it, but whatever..." You said while scribbling random things in your notebook.
"You should've started from there; I guess that's a big deal. What has he told you?" He asked very curious.
"Oh well, he told me that Jim appeared that night with a gun and he threatened him to shoot me. So, Jim forced him to write that note and he told Darren that if he dared to see me again, he was going to kill me. That's the most absurd and lame story I've ever heard." You said indifferently, still scribbling in your notebook.
"Yeah, it actually sounds inconclusive." Brian said almost in a whisper.
"Hmm..." You mumbled, scribbling a small tree.
"But what if he's telling the truth?" Brian asked.
"I hardly think so..." You replied, but you were thoughtful now... You still were wondering if what Darren said was true or not, though. "But I don't know. I think I'd have to live with the mystery since he has no proofs to show me it was in fact as he said."
"Yeah, that sucks." Brian said.
"Hey, Bri..." You said still a bit thoughtful. "Do you think you could get information about this? I mean, you were friends with Jim... Maybe you could get something, so I can check if Darren is telling the truth or not."
"Sunny, I haven't seen or talked to him since that time they forced you to pretend you were W. And I don't wanna do it." Brian replied.
"Please? I need to know. Only for this time and I swear I'd do whatever you ask me to do. You're the only one who I know that can get in touch with Jim. I'm not asking you to be friends with him again, because I'd hate you for my entire life; but just get that information. Pretty please?" You begged with you sweetest voice.
"Argh, I hate you." Brian grumbled.
"Is that a yes?" You exclaimed cheerfully.
"Yeah, well, I won't promise you anything; but I'll try to do my best. It'll take time, though." Brian replied.
"Thank you, Brian! You're the best friend ever!" You exclaimed joyfully.
"You will owe me one, Sunny, a big one." Brian said but he chuckled at the end.
"Yes! I'll do whatever you want." You said happily.
"Yes, yes, I know those words." Brian said chuckling and so did you.
"This time I'm talking in all seriousness." You assured. "Now, changing the topic of conversation… I made a new friend today! You won't guess who it is."
"You said it, I won't guess it."
"Noah, the guy you saw in the coffee shop the last time we met? Yeah, that cute and handsome guy. He's really nice." You said.
"You gotta be kidding me! I knew that guy was going to find you again, you just should have seen his face." He said laughing and you laughed along with him.
"Stop it, Brian. He's friendly and he didn't flirt with me this time. He's in the same program than me, so we're classmates." You told him.
"You'll see that in a couple of months, or days if things get intense; you'll be hooking up with that guy. Remember it." Brian said amused and you giggled.
"No way! He's handsome and nice and so sexy and his eyes are just amazing... But he's not my type."
"You barely know him! How can you say he's not your type?"
"Well, because he isn't. Besides, I think I'm in love already." You said snickering.
"What? With who? Darren?" Brian asked exasperated and alarmed and you frowned.
"What? No! Not Darren! Geez, no." You exclaimed in disbelief. "My sexy professor of Digital Photography. Oh, he's so alluring!"
"I see you are aiming high! The platonic love." He said laughing, sounding less alarmed now.
"It's not gonna be platonic! I need to get my professor! Really, he's so sexy." You said.
"You gotta be kidding."
"No, actually I'm not. He's young. And I won't stop until I get something with him." You said laughing but Brian didn't say anything at all. "Hey, I was kidding, dumbass! Is my professor, being with him would be like something illegal." You cleared up.
"You know? For a moment I thought you were talking in all seriousness and I got scared. You silly!" Brian said now laughing.
"Oh come on! You know I'm not into illegal things." You said still giggling. "But hey, listen... There's something weird with this hot professor... Do you know what his last name is?"
"No, of course not."
"Adams."
"What? Hey, just like Jim's last name."
"Exactly." You answered. "So I did the most embarrassing and inappropriate thing I could have ever done."
"Oh my god. What have you done now?" He asked almost resigned.
"I asked him if he was a relative of Jim."
"You did what? Are you serious or are you joking again?"
"I'm serious. I know, it was so stupid. Of course he didn't answer me and of course he made it clear it was totally inappropriate. I guess I didn't start in the best way with him."
"You're insane, Sunny." Brian said as you heard someone knocking his door. "Hey, I'm sorry, Sunny; but I really have to hang up."
"Why?" You asked curiously and then you smiled amused. "Oh... I see! You naughty boy! You have a girl there, don't you?"
"What? No! No girls... We talked about this already." Brian answered and you were about to ask something, but he interrupted you. "And no, I'm not gay." He said and you raised your eyebrows. How the hell did he know you were about to ask that again? "Really, I have to hang up, sorry. I'll call you later!"
"Okay, fine. Talk to you later, Bri. Use condoms!" You joked before you hung up.
When you hung up with Brian, you checked the time. You still had free time till your next course and you really had nothing to do, except that boring assignment of Digital Photography, but you weren't feeling like doing it; you didn't even know what you could do or what topic to choose. It was still raining and it was crazy, but you didn't want to be in your room, you really wanted to go for a walk or something. So yeah, you were going to do it even if it was raining, after all, you liked walking in the rain... but with an umbrella right now. So this time you made sure to bring your umbrella before going out. And you also brought the digital camera, just in case something awesome and quirky appeared on your way to nowhere.
So I was there at Bursley Dining Hall having lunch, alone, like a social misfit, seeing how everybody was having a blast with their friends and I was sitting in a corner as a little kid punished. I only needed the dunce cap and I was done. Man, what was wrong with me? I shouldn't feel like this every time Freckles didn't want what I wanted; I was acting indeed like a teenager going through puberty. And after all, my life didn't revolve around her; at least, it shouldn't be like that.
"Look at you, being alone like a misanthropic and aloof guy. This is not you. You're the guy who always stands up in the middle of a crowd to make that random and hilarious joke. Look at you, being an introverted and restrained guy. This is not you. You're the guy who talks a lot about nonsense things and is hyper most of the time." I thought in my mind, while still observing everybody. "And she's the one to blame for my current behavior. Why would I still think about her if she is making me be something I'm not? I hate this. I hate her. No, I don't, but I should."
Ugh, I was just having a bad day and the weather wasn't helping. That was it all; everybody was allowed to have a crappy day occasionally. This was going to change; my current shitty mood was going to change sooner or later. Enough, I was going to finish eating my lunch and then I was going to get the fuck out of here. I wasn't feeling like being in a crowded place and this place was ridiculously crowded because of the bad weather. Then I saw Kelly entering the dining hall and I epically played dumb. I looked down and slid down my chair, so she wouldn't see me. Surreptitiously I grabbed my bag and hung it on my shoulder, also grabbing the rest of my tuna sandwich. I really didn't want to talk to her and give lame explanations of why I kicked her out of my room that time, the last time we saw each other. Surely she was offended for that and even more because I didn't reply any of the text messages she has been sending me. I took advantage when she was distracted greeting a guy to stand up and get out of there. I practically ran to the door, stumbling into few people on my way.
"Darren?" I heard Kelly's voice yelling.
Oh shit, I really needed to play dumb and ignore it; so I kept walking fast to the door to just leave. But the place was so crowded that it was being hard to get out of there.
"Excuse me, excuse me, let me pass." I heard Kelly saying to other people. She was walking to me and I was just like running away. "Darren!" She yelled again but I ignored it. "Hey you!" She said and finally took me by the arm. Dammit. I turned around.
"Hey, Kelly! What a surprise!" I exclaimed pretending amazement.
"I've been calling you, are you deaf or something?" She said kind of annoyed, still taking me by the arm.
"Yeah, well, I was just thinking some shit so I wasn't listening..." I lied and I cursed myself to have made up a very lame excuse.
"Whatever, I'm not interested on your stupid things." She interrupted me, raising an eyebrow. What a bitch, man. "Why haven't you replied my texts, Criss?"
"I'm out of phone credit. Sorry..." I lied and she looked at me fixedly, still raising an eyebrow. "Listen, I'm in a hurry... So yeah, if you let me go... I really have to go, we can talk later..." I said looking at my arm, as letting her know that she needed to let out my arm.
"You'll go when I decide, Criss." She said firmly.
"Excuse me?" I asked in disbelief and completely displeased. "You won't decide anything for me, Kelly." I said severely and I sharply released my arm from her.
"What the fuck are you doing?" She asked coldly as she tried to grab my arm again, but I moved it away brusquely.
"Do not touch me." I said coldly.
"I'll touch all I want." She said now placing a hand on my crotch. I quickly moved her hand away, harshly.
"What the hell are you doing?" I asked angrily as I pushed her and she looked at me with eyes wide open and gaped.
"Hey, man. What the fuck are you doing?" A huge guy faced me, placing his hand on my shoulder and squeezing it so strongly that was hurting me.
"He... He tried to... He tried to touch me... He tried to touch my boobs and when... when I said that he should respect me, he pushed me!" Kelly exclaimed pretending to be sobbing, covering her face with her hands; totally playing the victim. I looked at her incredulous and so upset.
"What the fuck is wrong with you, jackass?" The same huge guy said really mad, now placing both of his hands on my shoulders; as other guys walked to me. Damn those guys were way taller and bigger than me.
"What the hell? That's a fucking lie! That's a lie and you know it, Kelly!" I yelled rabidly, pointing at Kelly who was still pretending to be sobbing. "Let me go!" I yelled at the guy now, struggling to get out of there; but the guy squeezed my shoulders even harder.
"Apologize to her, asshole." The guy said rudely.
"I won't apologize to her because she's a damn liar bitch." I said furious.
Then I felt how the guy hit me very hard on my face. I closed my eyes because of the pain in my nose, I knew I was bleeding. Then I opened my eyes but remained looking down, tensing my jaw, feeling completely rabid. I cleaned the blood of my nose with the back of my hand and I looked up, trying to keep my cool. I didn't want to flip out and do something I haven't done in a while that was to hit someone. I looked at the guy really ablaze with anger and I bit my lower lip strongly. But I did nothing.
"Fuck you, man. Fuck you all!" I yelled angrily, but I did nothing aggressive, I only turned around to leave.
The guy tried to take me by my shoulders again, but I made a quick movement to prevent him grip me. I walked away from there as fast as I could, still feeling wrathful. Everybody was looking at me now, and that was precisely what I didn't want in that day. I managed to get out of there and I slammed the door of the dining hall behind me. Oh great! It was raining harder now and I didn't have a damn umbrella. Stupid crappy day. I didn't even want to go to class now and I still had free time but I didn't want to do any other shitty thing. Damn, I was getting totally wet with this stupid rain and it was starting to get cold and I didn't have a damn coat. What else could worsen my mood? I started walking fast in the rain, looking down to try to see the way; frowning, feeling still super angry. The harder it started raining, the faster I started walking; I didn't even know where to go, so I was just walking to my housing. When lightning and thunder began, I started to run, still looking down to see the way. And while I was running I stumbled upon a person, so I accidentally hit very hard that person. But I didn't even look up to see who that person was.
"I'm sorry." I said, still feeling upset and I kept running.
"Darren?" I heard the voice of the person. I turned around and I saw Freckles with a colorful umbrella looking at me. She was the person I hit accidentally.
"Hi." I greeted in a very ill-mannered way because I wasn't in mood to be nice. Then I turned around to leave and go to my housing.
"Hey, Darren! Wait!" Freckles yelled behind me.
She ran behind me, but I kept walking away until she took me by my wrist. I turned around to look at her frowning and still feeling upset. I huffed in annoyance. Why the fuck was she stopping me? I just wanted to be alone and I wasn't feeling like talking to her; and less while I was still getting wet because of the rain.
"What the fuck do you want?" I asked rudely and Freckles looked at me stunned, raising her eyebrows.
"Whoa! Having a bad day?" She asked frowning, still stunned.
"Yeah, so I'd appreciate if you just fuck off." I said rudely again and I tried to keep walking, but she held my wrist even tighter.
"Hey, wait. What's wrong? Your nose is bleeding." She said looking at me, apparently worried.
"I know, dammit. And I don't want to talk about it with you. So just stay the fuck away from me." I said harshly again and I turned around, letting out my wrist.
"Darren!" She exclaimed confused and took me by my wrist again.
"What the fuck? What the fuck do you want, Freckles? Goddammit!" I exclaimed really irritated as she looked at me disturbed.
"I was just wondering if you'd want to go for a coffee." She said softly.
"I don't wanna go for a stupid damn coffee with you. I don't wanna do anything with you, I'm sick of you; I'm sick of everything. So do me a favor and fuck off, I don't wanna see you, for fuck's sake!" I yelled completely out of my mind.
Freckles looked at me with eyes wide open, raising eyebrows and gaped; totally thunderstruck. But I didn't care, I let out my wrist sharply and I turned around to keep walking in the rain; still feeling very choleric. So yes, I walked away from her. Shitty day.