Chapter 2

Emerald

“Sounds sweet.” Mimi’s voice came louder as she glided into the living room with a tray of muffins and coffee. A small smile appeared on my face, inhaling the alluring aroma of the muffins. Mimi cooked well--scratch that, baked well. She was pretty good at anything that didn't make me miss home much, even made me travel with the samosas and Mexican cuisine she made.

As she placed the tray on the centre table of our cozy one-bedroom apartment, my hand, on its own accord stretched, grabbing a muffin before looking at her.

“Define sweet.”

She half shrugged. “I don't know. A guy coming to say hi on campus. It's like so original.” 

“Yeah. And his dresscode too.” We burst into laughter.

"You should own a pastry shop." I laughed, taking another huge bite.

"Hmm."

Leaning back on the chair, I pulled the soft throw pillow to my stomach. “Enough about me. Met anyone?" 

Like me, Mimi was single. And selfishly, I liked it. 

"Me? Nah!" She scoffed. "I've been too busy with school work to meet someone."

I nodded at her. Mimi wanted to become Einstein and it was totally cool, honestly. Just not something I'd consider doing. Even though my life had become a bit boring, I wasn't going to spend all my leisure time after reading, going to the library to read again. No, thanks.

"Has your mom called?" 

"No." I got up to take the coffee off the table. "She should call anytime." 

The thought of that made my stomach turn. How was I going to tell my mom I was broke for the second time in a month?

In a way, I was glad she hadn't called.

Mimi only smiled at me. 

“What?”

She gave a non committal shrug. “Nothing.”

Great.

                          

•••

As Mimi dropped me off at my department, I blew her a kiss that spelled 'you're the best!'. Having a 

test today, she woke up early to drive me even though she had a later class.

"Don't forget to stop by the mechanics!" 

"I hear you!" I said, hips swinging, sashaying my way into class. 

Mimi had been my personal chauffeur all the while my car was at the mechanic's for servicing and it was due today.

Ransacking the class for an empty seat in my favorite spot--the middle, I didn't find any available ones...so I went to the almost back of the class. It surprised me that while I felt I was early, people were there already.

I adjusted myself on a seat, brought my book out, reminiscing and cramming what I hadn't at home. After a surprise test in Ethics, I couldn't take any chances. You never know what joke Riverside had in store for you.

With the two boys in front of me yelling about a soccer match, it was grueling to focus. Foiled, I shut the book and placed my elbow on the table, observing the whole class. 

Almost everyone seemed to have a company but me. I squinted, searching for a particular brunette that usually sat in front of me (when I was sat at the middle). 

There she was, at the front seat on earpods. She was cool, didn't talk much, and was always buried in her business, even though she wore the oddest of lipsticks. Like today, she wore green lipstick on a purple shirt and high waist jeans. Not bad, was it?

    

                                 •••

James

Standing in the hallway like a clueless statue looking for what class had Film Studies, I hear the buzz of my phone which I guessed was another message from Cassie. Shit. How do I explain to these girls?

Everyone always agreed to a non commitment relationship but ended up catching feelings. 

Or maybe I was being too rude, Cassie was sweet to me and tried to please me, even when hurting.

I heard my phone buzz again, but ignored it, heading down the hallway. 

People sucked at descriptions. That or I was a sucker for taking it. 

Didn't the fat dude downstairs say the second floor and last door to my right? I was on freaking there and happened to barge into a group of students having a meeting. And then, I went to the left and still didn't find it. Not until I spotted a petite brunette whose smile I found lovely. I caught her looking at me too with her cheeks slightly flushed a shade of red like her hair.

I started toward her.

 “Hey, ”I breathed out with a small hint of a chuckle as a result of my cluelessness. “Do you know where Film Studies class is?”

A wide smile spread on her lips. Just then I decided to check her out. Nice legs on a mini skirt. Her hair cascaded down her back, gracefully. There was a look she gave that was captivating. I didn't know if it was her flirting or just how she looked but it was hot.

Not so bad...

“I’m Jane.” Bloody hell she was! 

“So, Jane...” I cleared my throat. “ Do you know where the class is being held?” I ran my hand through my hair, wearing a smirk.

“Yeah. First floor.” she bit her lips 

softly. For a minute I was stunned. It took a lot from me not to imagine what we could achieve with those pouty lips of hers, but I composed myself. 

I’d like to think I didn't just go for girls who openly wanted me. I liked chasing, but for some reason, I was too damn good for that and Jane, right there was coquetting with me.

“Thanks, Jane.” I said, thoughtfully before whirling around, heading the designated direction when I heard her scurry to my back. I turned to face her.

She handed me over a note with her dials scribbled on it. When I cocked an amused brow, she answered with a coy smile before decamping.

 She was straight, manageable and cute. 

Every Jane needed saving, but today, I had better things to do with my time, I convinced myself.

After my dad’s threat about cutting my credit cards, I wanted to be good. Good meant going early for classes since my stupid uncle wouldn’t stop being on my dick.

People shouldn't be forced to do things because--they end up doing it wrongly. I loved the fulfillment that came with having a dream and going to school, but just because I chill and want to have fun all day didn't mean I wouldn't have a future. That should be told to Uncle Sam since his thirty year old sorry self won't focus on his dead ass life but has made someone else’s child an object of torture.

I still didn't understand why my dad went this extra mile. Probably because of the distance. 

As I watched through the windows of the class I had been searching for, my phone beeped for the millionth time and I swear, I was going to be nice to Cassie and tell her in the sweetest way possible: ‘It’s not happening.’, but it hadn't been Cassie all along but Riley. Riley that had been blowing up my phone with pictures of her delicious body in lacy lingerie.

Fuck.

Riley: Love me?

James: You’re so hot.

Riley: Come see me?

I looked over at the class and then at Riley’s text. There was really not much to think about. I dipped my phone into my jean pocket and twirled.