We walk into the restaurant and see Jaime and Sally at a booth in the back corner. The hostess comes toward us, but Aiden nods at her ass we walk to the booth.

I sit down in the booth but immediately regret it when Aiden gets in the booth the seat after me, effectively blocking the only escape.

"Hey, what took you guys so long we already ordered our drinks." Jaime gestured to his and Sally's drinks," And we ordered an appetizer as well. What was it again, Sally?"

"Artichoke Hearts with Bagna Cauda. Sounds nice, right?" Sally looks at Aiden.

Aidem chokes on his water, startled by the attention, "Yeah." He says nothing more.

The lull in conversation leads to an awkward silence. A waiter finally came around and took me and Aiden's drink orders before asking if we wanted to order our pizza yet. We ended ordering two pizzas because of Aiden and Jaime couldn't agree on one flavor. Aiden wanted the classic: Pepperoni and sausage and Jaime wanted Hawaiian, to which Aiden went on a whole rant for about how pizza wasn't real when you put the abominable pineapple on top of it. And during all this, the waiter was just standing

"Well, how 'bout we order both." I interrupted, tired of their bickering, "That way everyone is happy."

The waiter perked up, finally able to take someone's order and leave the table, "Is everyone okay with that?" The waiter asked, after getting nods from everyone at our table he leaves.

"So Katie, how's the paper going?" Jaime asks, turning to me taking a bite out the artichoke heart.

"It's alright. Although one of the girls wants to do an expose on how the local vegan restaurant uses egg whites."

Jaime takes a sip of his drink, "Hmmm, thrilling stuff."

I laughed it off, "Tell me about it."

I was the chief editor of the universities newspaper, 'The Daily Lafayette'. Don't ask me why they named it after a French aristocrat, apparently, the founder of the paper had a big hard-on for Lafayette and Laurens. It was a fun gig, especially when I got to write my own articles. It was great practice for when I became an investigative reporter.

"Have you written anything recently?" Sally bud in, trying to add herself to the conversation.

"No, I haven't done anything in the last few weeks." Granted, nothing has really happened in the last few weeks that was newsworthy. Not even by some unknown university newsletter, "No we've only been publishing school news."

"Since when were you into journalism?" Aiden asked, sounding miffed at not knowing anything about me. But I mean wasn't that his fault? He hasn't tried to find anything out about me. But I guess now is as good as time as ever.

"Yeah, since freshman year, of high school"

"Wow, you must be pretty good to be editor in chief." His voice was filled with admiration, "Must be pretty stressful too."

I nodded in confirmation, "Yeah I plan on getting my doctorate in communications at Columbia University."

I soon became uncomfortable with the limelight being on me so I turned the conversation towards Aiden.

"And what might your major be?"

"Nothing special, just business, with minors in economics."

"Ooh me too," Sally exclaimed. That spiraled into a very long-winded conversation about whatever the fuck business majors can talk about. I started to tune them out and pick at the appetizer.

Soon enough, the waiter is back. This time with our pizza's. Afterward, conversation lulled, what with everyone stuffing themselves with delicious fresh hot pizza.

Aiden had looked on in horror as I grabbed a slice of Hawaiian pizza and shoved it in my mouth, "What?" I asked with a mouth full of pizza.

"Okay first, where are your manners? Second, why are you eating that abomination?" Aiden had shivered as he said that, visibly disgusted at even the thought of the pineapple and ham flavored pizza being anywhere near him.

I swallowed the bite I was chewing and simply said, "Because it tastes good." And nothing more.

Aiden didn't seem satisfied with my answer, he was probably expecting me to turn a new leaf at that exact moment and realize how disgusting it was. He turned away and continued eating his bland basic bitch pizza and I went on enjoying my slice of heaven.

Within no time the pizzas had disappeared. the waiter had come by with the check and Jaime paid, not excepting any of the money the three of us had offered.

"Hey, I said it was on me, and I meant it." Jaime put his card in the check and gave it back to the waiter, "But thanks for the offer."

Aiden stood up from the booth and I slid out after him, "Let's get you home."

I grabbed my bag, "One sec, I need to use the bathroom."

Aiden nodded, "Alright I'll be waiting out in the car."

I said okay and we went our separate ways, him to the car and me to take a leak.

After I finish and am washing my hands, Sally walks in the bathroom behind me.

"Hey," I jumped about a half a foot in the air and put my hand on my chest over my now fast beating heart.

"Fucking hell, you scared me."

"Sorry 'bout that." Sally walked up to the sink by me and began washing her hands, "I just wanted to ask you a question."

I grabbed a paper towel and dried my hands, "Okay, shoot."

Sally shuffled and clasped her hands, not saying anything for a while, "Well I was just wondering if you and Aiden were a," She waved her hand around as if demonstrating what I and Aiden were.

I frowned, "were what?"

"You know like a-a a thing, like together. Romantically."

I busted into a fit of giggles, "You-you thought we were to-," Gasp," gether."

"So you're not?"

"No, not even the slightest bit together. I don't think you could even count us as friends."

Sally smiled timidly, "Well do you know if with anyone else at the moment?"

Suddenly it dawned on me why she was asking me all these questions. She was interested in Aiden, romantically. For some reason that rubbed me the wrong way. It couldn't be because I liked Aiden, I knew that for sure. Maybe I just didn't want Sally to get her feelings hurt.

Whatever the reason, I ended up responding, "Yes." I quickly walked out of the bathroom, ignoring the sullen expression that graced Sally's face as I walked past.

I made my way outside and there Aiden was-car in the middle of the parking lot, idling, waiting for me. For some reason that gave me a warm sense of want. Which was ridiculous.

I got in the car and he drove me home in silence. We pulled up in front of the sorority house and I got out of the car.

As I was walking up the steps Aiden rolled down his window and called out, "Hey!" I turned and looked at him," Today was fun, maybe I'll be joining your study group every week from now on. What do you say, you do need a ride?"

"You're your own person Aiden," And with that, I turned around and walked inside, but even I couldn't deny that a slight smile had touched my lips.

I walked into my shared bedroom with Sam to see her already passed out. I looked at the time and realized it was a lot later than I thought. I didn't even notice the sky had turned dark.

I did my nightly routine and got into bed, falling asleep and thinking about next weeks study group.