Lauralie was sitting cross-legged on the college grounds reading. She was learning about Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis. She found psychology to be a very interesting subject, and one she was very good at. Lauralie was a very pretty girl, born with natural beauty. She had thick wavy ginger hair tied into pigtails, a rounded face, blue eyes and luscious lips. She dressed tastefully, yet modestly. But no matter what she wore, she always drew attention, from both genders.

It was an all around pleasant day, and the grass she sat on was dry and comfortable. The only distraction now being the small group not far away from her playing Frisbee and water pistol, a girl screamed as she was sprayed with water by her boyfriend. She stormed over and hit him on the shoulder when he complained he didn’t do it.

Lauralie turned the page, trying her best to ignore their racket. Her friends were in their classes now, some had gone home; she had decided to stay here. College was a place she really liked, her secondary school had been a bad experience, but here people were nice.

She closed the book as she heard a throng of people jostling out of the buildings. Lessons had ended now, and the more eager ones ran out of the grounds, some jumping on skateboards. Lauralie slung her bag over her shoulder and joined the people as the majority walked calmly towards the gates.

From behind her someone watched; a male character dressed in black and startling red. His leather trousers were red, falling over pointed leather boots that had a slight heel. The rest of him was dressed in leather, and he had black hair spiked forwards. He had a slim angular face of perfect proportion and an appearance that would make most girls swoon. Everything about him screamed confidence and a large ego.

He stalked up behind her.

‘Oh my goodness!’ Lauralie jumped.

‘Hey there.’

‘Jacob! You scared the life out of me.’

She took steady breaths to calm her speeding heart while Jacob took up a pose before her, hands on hips.

‘Well that was not my intention of course.’ He flashed her his most charming smile.

She frowned at him.

‘Say’ he began casually. ‘How do you feel about going out to see a film tonight?’

‘With you?’ Lauralie asked dubiously.

‘Uh, yeah?’

‘Sorry, I'm busy.’

‘You said that last time.’

‘And I’ll say it next time.’

She walked past him. He rushed after her, falling into step by her side, walking with his hands in his pockets.

‘You might enjoy yourself’ he said.

‘I might not.’

‘You won’t know until you try.’

‘I suppose you're right.’

‘So you’ll come with me?’

‘No.’

He sighed and made a noise of irritation.

‘I have to go now’ Lauralie said picking up her pace.

‘Where are you going?’ he asked looking suddenly and unnecessarily alarmed.

‘Nowhere in particular.’ She waved him away. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow’ she beamed teasingly.

‘I’ll keep trying’ he called after her slowing to a stop. He slumped his shoulders in disappointment, unable to think of any other reason he had to follow her, and cursing himself for it.

‘Good luck!’ she called back merrily, turning from him and jogging away.