Chapter 15

“Is he seriously still just glaring at me?” I ask Miri with a sigh, but I already know the answer. My friend glares at something- someone behind me, and I take that as a yes. “He needs to get the fuck over himself. I seriously don’t get why he’s going after you now, like- he didn’t just miss the boat, he fucking blew it up,” Miri says with a huff.

Nodding sombrely, I turn around and glare at Rodger. “Right, I’ve had enough of this. I’m going to tell him to leave me alone once and for all. It makes me uncomfortable how he still thinks he has a chance with me.”

Getting up from my seat with Miri hot on my heels, we storm over to Rodger’s table. “Hey man, I think we should talk about how you keep acting towards me,” I say determinedly. Rodger glances up from his seat, his eyes narrowing at me.

“Oh yeah? Because unless you’re agreeing to go out with me, then I don’t want to hear it.”

What. The. Actual. FUCK?!!!!

Taking a deep breath, I try and calm myself down so I can give him some kind of response that’ll shut him up. Before I can say anything, however, Miri chimes in. “Fin can’t date you because he already has a boyfriend who he’s serious about, so. You have to give up.”

I stare at her for a moment, utterly flabbergasted. I know for a fact that she knows Beck and I aren’t a thing, so what is she even saying??? Surprisingly though, Rodger turns to me, looking slightly hurt.

“Is this true? You said you were seeing someone, but I didn’t think it was serious. Are you actually going out with this guy? I want to meet him, I don’t believe you,” he states stubbornly and I have to remind myself that I can’t punch him right here and now.

“It’s true. His name is Beck, and I see no reason for you two to meet. I don’t have to prove anything to you, I just don’t want you to continue harassing me, because that’s what this is, and if you keep pressuring me like this, I will report you to the university.” Grabbing Miri’s arm, I frogmarch us back to our table, snatching up our bags before leaving the building.

“What am I supposed to tell Beck now???? That I just introduced him to someone as my boyfriend???? We’ve been on one date Miri! He’s gonna think that’s way too soon!” I complain once we’re far enough away from the building.

She just shrugs, messing up her hair slightly and then combing her fingers through it. “Yeah well it worked, he’ll give up now. And you don’t have to tell your guy anything, he doesn’t need to know how you introduced him to a totally random guy. Also where are you taking me right now?”

I come to an abrupt stop, letting go of her arm. “He really better give up, or I’ll actually report him, I’m not even joking. And I guess you’re right, it’s not like Beck and Rodger will ever meet. And I’m going to the car park, Beck is picking me up and we’re going out for lunch.”

Miri stares at me for a moment, a massive smirk crawling onto her lips and getting comfy there. “Second date already? Didn’t you go out just the other day?” She elbows me in the ribs, and I feel a slight blush blooming beneath my cheeks.

“Yeah, well, we scheduled a small lunch thing. We’re spending all of Saturday together too.”

Miri continues smirking and I turn away, trying to ignore her. “Yeah, we’re kind of seeing each other a lot, but who cares?! We’re just…getting to know each other,” I argue, like Beck and I aren’t constantly texting or playing the game together outside of our dates anyway. So what if we spend a lot of time together? It’s not like I have feelings for him.

“Do you like him them?” Miri asks, and I smile as I glance down at my phone and the notification from Beck signalling that he’s arrived.

“Yeah. Wait what? No. No I don’t. I’m still getting to know him,” I clarify. I don’t like Beck, right? It’s too soon, and I’m probably crushing on him a bit, I mean he’s attractive and sweet, so of course I’d be attracted to him.

But like…I don’t have actual feelings for him. Of course I don’t!

Miri suddenly grabs my hand, pulling me towards the car park. “Come on, you have to introduce me to your guy.”

Rolling my eyes, I let myself smile as I spot Beck and he waves anxiously at me. I bring Miri over, glancing between the two awkwardly. “So um, hi Beck. This is Miri, my best friend. Miri, this is Beck.”

Miri stares at Beck for a moment before nodding approvingly. “You’re hot. Rodger would totally back off after seeing this guy, maybe you should let them meet,” she says as she turns to me, bumping my shoulder.

I snort, shaking my head. “Yeah no, I’m not proving anything to that dickwad. Anyway, I introduced you two like you wanted me too, now shoo so we can go have lunch.”

Miri pouts, before begrudgingly obliging. “Sure. Anyway, it was nice meeting you Beck! Take good care of this guy; you’ve got competition after all,” she says with a playful wink which leaves Beck blushing slightly in embarrassment.

He gives her a polite wave and a nod as she twirls on her heel, vanishing back off to wherever she goes when she’s on her own. Beck smiles at me, before raising an eyebrow and typing something out on his phone.

Rebecca🌸: I have competition??

I snort, pulling open the car door and slipping in. “Not at all. There’s this guy I had a crush on at one point, and then I realised what a piece of shit he was, and now he keeps trying to get me to be his boyfriend. I’ve told him no so many times but he’s a persistent little shit. Do I have any competition?”

The words slip out before I can stop them- it’s always been Beck chasing after me I guess, but this pretty much confirms that I must be into Beck in some way. Which, yeah. I am. I know I’m attracted to him, and I have a teeny tiny crush on him.

Beck breaks into a massive smile, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

Rebecca🌸: First, that guy sounds like a shithead. Second, no one can even compare to you, Griffin.

My face goes bright pink and I stare straight ahead out the window. Clearing my throat awkwardly, I eventually turn back to him. “Is that so? Well, that’s uh…nice to know. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Beck gives me a massive smile through his bright pink blush, before driving us to wherever we’re going for lunch. We don’t talk during the journey for obvious reasons, but Beck does put on some music, and we both sing along.

It surprises me slightly that he can sing, but he can laugh, so his mutism must not be related to a tongue issue. Which probably means it’s neurological. I mean, I am a psychology student, but I don’t know if Beck’s mutism is trauma related or to do with Broca’s aphasia. Still, I’m not about to ask him, so I’ll try and refrain from coming to my own conclusions for now.