Chapter Two
Ella
I slide into my seat in the lecture hall, joining forty of my classmates for a lecture on Intro to Biology.
“Where were you?” my friend, Cami, loudly whispers as I open my textbook. She’s the only friend I have here so far. If you can even count her since we went to high school together, and we were already friends.
“Good morning, class,” my professor starts.
I turn to Cami, where she’s gawking at me.
“What?” I whisper back. “I’m not even late.”
As the words stumble out of my mouth, the door of the classroom opens, and three jocks arrive with their matching navy-blue hooded hockey sweatshirts and sweats on.
“I’m not even the last one in the class.” I point to the three guys settling into the only seats available right in front.
“I’m just worried about you. You’re rarely late, and you look terrible.”
“Gee, thanks,” I mutter under my breath.
My eyes unwillingly gaze over to the three latecomers and drifts to the one in the middle of the pack with the backward baseball cap.
Dallas Dawes.
He’s the very definition of tall, dark, and handsome with the perfect level of scruff on his face. I’m not sure how it’s humanly possible to consistently rock the five o’clock shadow, but he does effortlessly.
It’s torture, mostly for me.
I don’t know much about him, especially since we’ve never conversed before. I doubt he knows I even exist. He’s extremely popular, even in his second year at Bristol Bay University, or commonly known as BBU.
He’s the star right winger for the hockey team, and on track to be Captain next year as a junior. His stats are impressive, along with his stick handling skills.
I would know, too, because I watch him play a lot. You know, in a non-creepy way.
Two months ago, the BBU ice arena on campus mysteriously burned down. It was hot outside, but the flames coming from the rink made it even hotter. The fire department couldn’t save the building in time, but luckily, no one was hurt in the incident.
However, both the men’s and women’s hockey teams had to relocate for the season. Guess which team moved to the ice rink I work at?
Yup. How did you know it was going to be the men’s team?
I run into the team everyday at work, and unwillingly serve them when they all pop over to the snack bar after practice.
Hence, the watching Dallas play often thing.
“Now, this information we went over will be worth twenty points. As long as you were listening to today’s lecture, you’ll be fine.” My professor’s voice booms over the room.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I need to get my mind focused on what’s important.
Biology. This test. Getting good grades and a great job as a physical therapist, so I can eventually move out and stand on my two own feet. Even just being able not to rely on others would be a dream in itself.
Someday. Soon.
“I will see everyone on Thursday. Please come prepared for the exam.”
I close my textbook and throw it in my bag.
“Do you want to grab lunch at the dining hall?” Cami asks me as we walk out of the classroom and stroll down the long hallway.
“Can’t. I need to head to the library to study before my next class.”
My phone vibrates in my hand, and I peek down at the name.
SoloSurfer.
I try to cover the smile that cascades across my face.
“Wait, is that your secret admirer?” Cami bats her eyelashes at me.
Shit. I guess I did a terrible job hiding this, but I can’t help it. These messages are the only bright spot in my depressing life.
I raise one eyebrow, leaving the answer a mystery, but the way she cackles at my response makes me realize I didn’t need to answer anyway.
We exit through the main doors of the science building and step down the front steps, enjoying the early October sunshine.
“See you later.” I wave and take off in the opposite direction, eyes glued to my phone.
I slide open my phone to read the latest text in the bunch.
SoloSurfer: Are you okay?
SoloSurfer: I haven’t talked to you in forever
I chuckle at the phone and type back.
BBUGirl: We talked a few hours ago!
SoloSurfer: That feels like forever ago
SoloSurfer: Sometimes I wish life would slow down
SoloSurfer: Especially when I’m in biology class
SoloSurfer: I need that class to speed up
I glance around the college courtyard, wondering if he just stepped out of the same class as me. What would be the odds?
BBUGirl: I know what you mean
BBUGirl: I need the gas pedal and brake so I can pick exactly when to speed up and slow down
SoloSurfer: That’s exactly what I need too
SoloSurfer: We need to make that happen.
BBUGirl: I’m a science major, but not that kind of science major
SoloSurfer: And what kind would that be? The ass-kicking kind?
BBUGirl: I wish. Nah, just the boring, regular kind that studies physiology and anatomy
BBUGirl: Not the super cool inventor, science kind
SoloSurfer: Never sell yourself short BBUGirl. You are amazing and can do anything.
SoloSurfer: I believe in you!
I tuck my phone in my pocket as I walk to the library with the biggest smile on my face. At least, that makes one person who does.