Chapter 2
Julian POV
"I'm tired of that girl. So clingy"
My fingers tightened around the pen in my hand and tried very hard not to look up.
Caleb muttered an inaudible tone sprawled across his her like a king seeking advice from his right hand man.
"Come on,think about it" he continued pushing himself off of the mattress. "Won't you get the hint that someone has been ignoring your calls for three straight days? Sometimes I wondered if she's slow in the head"
I stared down at my notebook, determined to finish at least one paragraph of my assignment but it was proving difficult because Caleb couldn't stop complaining.
"Julian," Caleb said. "Stop ignoring me"
I didn't respond.
"Julian. Stop"
But I still didn't respond.
"Come on dude. I'd never ignore you"
Finally I sighed and glanced up at him. "I really have to complete this assignment before tomorrow."
He rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Why do you have to be such a nerd? I'm just asking you to respond"
Deciding that I was done speaking to him,I returned to my homework but no matter how I tried I couldn't seem to understand the words on the paper.
We were sitting in the form room we both shared. I sat at his desk since mine was currently buried under his endless jackets,gym bag and two empty boxes of pizza.
"You won't believe she tried to follow me home last night" he continued clearly not ready to drop the conversation. "I knew it was a bad idea talking to her in the first place but she's just so beautiful… and sexy"
"Maybe if you stop trying to get with other girls then you won't be in this kind of situation" I said while still writing.
"It's not my fault that everybody wants me"
"Sure whatever you say"
Caleb snorted.
"Why are you behaving strangely today?"
I underlined a sentence in my notes and flipped the page.
Things were perfect between us before we got to high school. He used to always be there for me. Not that he wasn't but a lot of things changed.
Mostly for Caleb.
Everyone loves him and he became so popular ever since we got to college.
Girls liked him. A lot. Because of his good looks and popularity. Plus he was very smart.
It didn't matter where we were… be it a restaurant or on the street, even in church someone always tried to talk to him. He was so confident that people couldn't help but gravitate towards him.
Meanwhile…
I on the other hand was the complete opposite of Caleb. I was awkward.
Very awkward.
Whenever I tried to talk to someone new I always ended up doing something embarrassing. I wasn't really popular with girls and being five foot eleven and sixty kilograms didn't help either.
Which was probably why Caleb had more dating stories than I had conversations with strangers.
"While you're sulking over there, I'll go take a quick bath" Caleb suddenly announced making his way towards the bathroom.
"Okay sure," I said absently.
He stretched his arms above his head before stepping into the tiny bathroom that was attached to our dorm room.
"Don't miss me too much," he teased.
I didn't look up.
"Go shower."
The bathroom door closed behind him.
Finally, I could think more clearly.
Letting out a small breath I returned to my book trying to get as much work done before he returns.This assignment was due tomorrow morning, and if I didn't finish…
The bathroom door suddenly opened and before I could stop myself I looked up, immediately regretting that I did.
Caleb stepped out with a towel wrapped around his waist. A towel that hung dangerously low on his hip. So low I could make out the sharp V of his torso.
My brain stopped working for a moment.
My eyes followed the water droplets that slid down his chest as he walked across the room oblivious to the unwelcome thoughts that danced around in her head.
Realising that I had been staring for too long, I quickly averted my gaze, my face heating up.
Caleb grabbed another towel and started drying his hair.
"I don't think you'll finish this today. Rest a little" he said casually.
"I can't rest now" I responded immediately, praying silently that he wouldn't notice how red my face was.
He rubbed the towel through his hair again before tossing it onto the chair. I don't know when I started looking at Caleb differently. If he ever finds out about my feelings for him it will not only ruin our friendship but also whatever little reputation I had left. Liking a boy was really accepted in our neighbourhood.
Caleb strolled towards me, stopping when he was close to me.
I could feel his warmth seeping into my skin as he sat at the edge of the desk, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
"So," Caleb said, raising a brow knowingly.
Forcing my expression to remain neutral, I looked up.
"So what?"
He rested his hand on the desk, leaning closer.
"I'm talking about what I told you yesterday." He said with an exasperated sigh. "I'm going to hook you up with a girl and you can't say no"
I blinked.
"I already told you that I'm not interested"
"Well, too bad because I'm not taking No for an answer" Caleb said shaking his head as he wagged his index finger in front of my face. "Do you have any idea how beautiful the world of romance and human interaction is"
"If you love romance so much why don't you get a girlfriend." I retorted immediately.
He stared at me tongue-tied.
"You're my best friend and I don't want you to miss out on the most important time of your life"
"I don't think I'm missing out on anything" I liked smoothly.
Caleb crossed his arms and I couldn't help but notice how his biceps flexed slightly as the movement.
"Julian."
I looked away immediately, staring at the words in my book while not grasping a single thing.
"Julian."
"I'm only going to embarrass myself."
"Yes, with that attitude. If you keep up like this then you're going to die a virgin."
My pen paused.
"It's easy for you to say. Everyone thinks you're a god or whatever"
"If you get contacts like I've always advised and stop hiding your pretty face behind these big ugly glasses" he said, flicking my glasses,his nose pulled in a scrunch. I tried not to get flustered by the fact that he just admitted that I was pretty. Maybe he was only being nice.
I rubbed my temples.
"Can I at least finish my homework?"
"No. You're too tired to get anything done"
I knew this was ridiculous but maybe if I tried dating then it'll help get him out of my mind.
I stared at him for a long moment.
Then I sighed.
"Fine."