It’s time to work on the assignment with Wyatt. I invited him to my apartment to work on it since I live really close to the university and I also figured it would be more comfortable for both of us not to be under prying eyes on campus. 

The studying is going well, and Wyatt and I are getting along really smoothly, surprisingly so. I guess what Becca and Camilla told me about him is true, because he really does take the lead with the assignment, but not in an obnoxious or know-it-all sort of way. It’s more in a calm and helpful way, and he makes sure to still make me feel like I’m contributing my fair share. I don’t feel like he’s looking down on me even though he is clearly smarter. Something about him being so competent and the fact that he so clearly is in his element when working on it makes him seem more attractive. There really is something about men that actually know their thing that is very attractive regardless of looks. I find myself stealing glances at him. It almost feels like I’m looking at him with new eyes.

Wyatt is still objectively plain looking, very average, but with a nice smile, lean build and quiet demeanor. I’ve noticed that he blends really well into any and all of his surroundings. On campus and in class, even if I’m actively looking for him I still miss him sometimes in the crowds. It’s like my eyes wander over him, not seeing him even if he’s right there, that’s how well he blends in. 

I must have zoned out thinking about Wyatt, because he taps the table in front of us lightly while he says; “Earth to Audrey, hello?” with a soft smile on his face. I apologize and then we get back to studying, I need to focus. 

“I can’t focus”, I complain to Wyatt. 

“Why? We still have a bit left to get through today…”, Wyatt says as he looks at me, slightly concerned. 

“Ugh. You’re like really good at explaining everything, seriously I mean it”, I compliment Wyatt and then continue, “but I think I must have forgotten to drink enough water or something today, because I’m getting a headache.”. 

Before I’m even done with the sentence, Wyatt is already on his feet, hurrying towards the kitchen and asking if tap water is fine. 

“You don’t have to get it for me…”, I say, but he clearly isn’t listening. Instead he is very focused on finding a glass and getting water for me. It’s kind of sweet, I think. That I only had to mention water and he got up right away to get it for me. 

He comes back with my glass of water and while he hands it to me our fingers touch for a second, which makes me oddly shy. That has never happened before. 

“Thanks, you really didn’t need to get this for me, I could have gotten it myself. You’re so sweet.”, I say before I take a sip of the water. Wyatt mumbles something incomprehensible, avoiding my compliment. I decide to try again with the compliments, maybe he didn’t know how to respond since my compliment was expressed at the same time as my gratitude. 

“You’re so nice, Wyatt”, I smile and look him right in the eyes. He avoids my gaze and looks down at our study material. 

“No, I’m not, anyone would do that, it’s just water.”, he mumbles as he fidgets with the papers. He then hurriedly brings back the conversation to studying. 

“Let’s get back to this now, not a lot left for today”, he says cheerily. 

Weird. Does he not know how to take a compliment? 

“Yeah, not a lot left”, I agree, “and I’m sure we’ll get through it in no time since you’re really amazing at explaining it to me”, I try the same compliment I gave earlier just to see how he’ll react. “Seriously, you would make a great tutor.” I study his face closely. 

“What, no, I don’t really have any tutor experience and I bet no one would want me as their tutor, anyway, let’s get back to this now.” Wyatt doesn’t look at me at all when he says that. He only focuses on scribbling something on a paper. 

I’m the kind of person who loves compliments and I believe them to be true and accurate. If someone says I’m beautiful, I like it and I agree with them, I do think I’m beautiful, actually I not only think so, I know so. I’m full of self confidence, some might even call it vanity, but at least I like myself. Wyatt on the other hand… not so much, it seems. He really can’t take a compliment, at least that’s what I’m thinking based on our interaction right now. I might have to test it out more later…