It’s Thursday and I’m currently deciding what I want from the vending machines before Freshman Seminar. Even if I ate lunch not long ago, I am in the mood for a snack! That reminds me, there wasn’t much at the dorm this morning breakfast wise. I need to go grocery shopping later.

I’m about to snag a bag of chips when an arm is suddenly thrown around my shoulder. The weight nearly pushes me to the ground. Someone laughs that I vaguely recognize then a voice says, “Whoa, didn’t think you’d nearly topple over, Dana!”

I peer up to find Nick. His friends are missing. I’m surprised to see him, let alone that he remembers me...or even put his arm around me. Does he not have a personal space bubble? Cause I do, and he’s very much breaking it. If only I had the guts to say that!

“Yeah, I’m—I’m not really steady on my feet,” I nervously laugh and fiddle with my wallet.

Is he going to let go? Maybe leave? That’d be great.

“Whatcha getting?” Nick asks like we’re old friends and this isn’t a totally awkward interaction. No? Is it just me? Ah, probably.

“Doritos.”

“That does sound good.” Nick suddenly pulls away and reaches into his back pocket. I watch curiously when he reaches from one pocket to the next to bring up nothing. “Shit, I must have forgot my wallet. You happen to have an extra dollar on you?”

“Oh, um, yeah.”

I reach into said wallet to hand him a dollar, which he thanks me for with a blinding smile. I do my best to return it, watching Nick reach out to get a bag of chips for himself. He holds up the change afterwards, which I say he can keep then he leaves just like that.

Pretty sure he had his wallet and he just used me for some free food, but whatever, it was just a dollar. Shaking my head, I turn to finally get my own. Once I have it and I’m about to walk into class, I lock eyes with Matt by the door though. He’s watching me with that same quiet stare, which has me looking behind to see if there’s anyone else he can possibly be looking at.

Well, there are some other students but none are really looking this way. When I turn back around all Matt does is shake his head, like he’s disappointed or something, then walks into the room with his bodyguard following behind. At least the guard offers me up a smile.

What the hell was that about? Did he see me give Nick a dollar? Why would he care? Unless now he’s regretting not asking me to pay him back and seeing me give out money has made him change his mind?! Oh, as much as it does make sense to pay him back, I don’t have that kind of money. Please tell me I’m not going to be in this dilemma again!

Grumbling, I walk into class to take my usual seat. Freshman Seminar isn’t anything special. There’s not necessarily work, more like an introduction into college. Each class we’re informed of something else on campus that we can use to our benefit like what’s available at the gym as a student and an alumni, to how or where to look for jobs either part time or full. It’s basically an informational course to get us moving around campus and interacting with each other, so it isn’t that shocking when Professor Tarue suddenly says, “This weekend I have an assignment for you all that must be done in pairs!”

Immediately people start whispering to team up. Tarue silences them real quick by saying, “Pairs that I will assign.”

A series of aw’s fly through the room that Tarue rolls her eyes at. Smiling, she leaned against her desk and looks over us while explaining, “The purpose of this class is to get you comfortable not only on campus but also with the people. This is a new beginning for many so we need you making friends with others that you may not have given the chance otherwise. First though, I’ll say the assignment is easy. Simply go together to see a movie, you can watch one for free at the campus’ theater, and write me a one page review, but you have to go together. I want tickets and a picture as proof.”

She looks around the room, knowing that people could still easily get around that if they want, although I doubt anyone will. Seeing a movie as part of a class assignment isn’t bad at all. However, the idea of speaking with a stranger is. I’m already dreading it.

Tarue starts reading off the pairings one by one. I listen carefully for my name knowing that I’ll be troubled regardless of who it is. However, the further down the list she gets the more I focus on the fact that she hasn’t called Matt’s name either.

While there are few giggling and anxious at the idea of being with Matt, I’m on the verge of exploding from fear alone. Sweat forms on my brow when we’re down to only eight people then six then four—

“Matthew Jeneviere—”

Please, Universe, please no!

“And Amanda Shellings.”

THANK YOU! Oh thank you Jesus, Satan, Buddha, whomever, thank you! I can finally breathe again.

“Dana Thommens and Harper Kelzberg. Now meet up with your partners, that’s all for the day!”

Immediately people are rushing about. Amanda practically teleports from her seat to Matt’s. I actually feel bad for him when Amanda sits on his desk. No, not sits in a chair, but sits on his damn desk. Good thing he didn’t have anything on his desk or it would have been under her ass. I definitely give Matt props for keeping a perfectly normal expression but, curiously, I notice him picking at his thumbnail beneath his desk.

“Dana?” A voice calls from behind.

I turn to see a boy not much taller than me, but definitely more built. He has short black hair, green eyes and a soft smile. Actually, I think I’ve seen him in that group of guys that jog in the early mornings around the dorms.

“Y-Yeah, I’m Dana.” I wave shyly while Harper sits at the empty desk across from me. He has a duffle bag rather than a backpack. Yep, definitely the athletic type.

“Harper. We should probably exchange numbers first,” he says while bringing out his phone.

Once I tell him my number he messages me and I save his with a pleased smile. The fact that I have a cute guys number now is by far the biggest accomplishment I’ve ever made in my life. Thank you, Professor Tarue, for partnering me with the cute jogger. Bridget would be proud of me. Not that I’m going to tell her since she’ll tease me the entire time. Besides, we’re only associating because of class so it’s no big deal. I can still be happy about it though!

“Are there any movies that you want to see?” Harper asks. “I’m not much of a movie person so I haven’t been paying much attention.”

“Um, I like h-horror and action so...either of those. But I don’t really know what’s out either.”

“Oh cool, I’m good with either of those too!” Harper looks at his phone. While getting up, he explains, “I have basketball practice so, uh, why don’t you text me what times are good for you later and we’ll go from there?”

“O-Ok, sure, sounds good.”

“Cool, see you later then.”

With that, Harper leaves. That was easier than expected. Seems I have the social type as a partner so I guess that’s a good thing. He can do all the talking while I just nod and go along with it.

Since that’s over, I grab my things and head out. Tonight I have to try and get as much homework done as possible. I’m always exhausted on the weekends from work. Plus with having to go see a movie, although we have until next Thursday to do it, it’ll just be easier on the weekends for the both of us, most likely.

So that night I text Harper my schedule, which only consists of work from 7 to 3 on the weekends. He replies that he’s free in the evenings so we agree on Saturday at 6. Then by Friday afternoon we have picked a movie, some horror that’ll probably be like all the others. We both agree that it’ll be easy to review regardless of whether we enjoy it or not. I’m so happy that I got partnered with Harper instead of Matt. I was really scared there for a while!

Imagine if that happened. The mere thought makes me laugh then shiver in fear. Yet another thing that’ll cause an uproar. I’m sure many will talk about the food court shit again, which has died down so let’s keep it that way, please and thank you! Not to mention it’s just awkward and I don’t want anymore attention, at least not the kind Matt gets. So thank you, thank you Professor Tarue!

After work on Saturday I get a shower and change. There’s no way I’m going to sit in a movie theater with anyone smelling like a sandwich shop. It may seem good when you step in and you’re hungry but smelling it for hours? Nope. Disgusting. Puke worthy.

“Heading out on your date?” Tori asks once I’m dressed and ready to go.

“It’s not a date. It’s an assignment for Freshman Seminar.”

“So? It can still be a date.”

“Not happening. Even if I had the guts to flirt with him, he’s way out of my league.”

“Hey, hey, hey, none of that!”

“None of what?” I ask, slipping on my sneakers at the doorway.

“None of that lack of self confidence. It is not allowed here.”

“Then I’ll take it outside.”

“You know what I mean!” Tori shouts after I close the door.

Chuckling, I leave before he can come after me. Regardless of what he says, it’s true. I’m aware that I’m not the best looking guy nor am I intelligent or even filthy rich. I am at the bottom of the food chain, dating chain, social chain? Whatever it is, either way, I’ve accepted it.

Harper is there by the time I’m five minutes out. Good, he doesn’t have to wait long. Once I’m off the bus I head for the theater in the mall, finding Harper just outside. He waves from the entrance with a smile, gesturing for me to come over.

“Hey, you won’t believe who else came to see the same movie,” Harper laughs while pointing inside to the line. I can’t even think of who it might be, but my smile falls the moment I realize.

Waiting in line for their tickers are Amanda and Matt.

Amanda is dressed up from head to toe in a baby-doll white dress, black hair pulled back into a cute bun and some heels to match. She is definitely dressed like it’s a date while Matt, not so much. Like the night he helped me out, he’s wearing a large gray hoodie and a black hat with the bill turned down. His hair is brushed back beneath said hat making him unrecognizable so long as he keeps his gaze low. Once in the dark theater, he’ll be even safer. His bodyguard is nowhere to be seen. Is that ok? I guess so if he came out.

The moment Amanda sees us she waves in our direction. She must know Harper since they both appear happy to have run into each other while I am fucking dreading it even before catching Matt’s gaze.

He looks bored, as usual, standing with Amanda. Hands are shoved in his pockets, head down and a very obvious distance between them, not that Amanda hasn’t tried to walk closer. When she does, Matt happily steps away, which has the people behind them growing annoyed based on their scowls. So eventually Amanda stops and I almost want to laugh, but well, almost everyone is like that with Matt. He has plenty of people trying to get close to him, as friends or more.

“Come on,” Harper says with a smile. “Let’s get our tickets so we can all sit together.”

“H-Huh?” I swing my head to Harper then back to Matt, who is no longer watching us. Rather his attention is on the floor where he’s scuffing the tip of his shoe. “O-Ok. Sure.”

And here I thought I avoided seeing a movie with him, damn it all!