Page 5 of Changing Lanes

I mimic her by leaning on my desk, facing her full on. “Engineering, of course. You?”

“Really? I thought maybe you were just hanging out here, waiting for me.” She flips her hand about the room. What an idiot I must sound like, we’re in the engineering department. Shit.

“Scholarship. Full ride.” I grin with a wink, hoping to gloss over my earlier faux pas. I think it works as her brows lift in surprise.

“So, country boy has brains. Cool deal.” She returns my wink, and my lips turn up in a shit-eating grin. Damn straight.

The professor enters the room, garnering everyone’s attention and putting an end to our conversation. We trade glances and flirtatious smiles throughout the hour, making our time together fly by.

As soon as the class is dismissed, I stand, allowing her out of the aisle before I walk toward the door. She lingers behind with her friends, signaling me to leave. Not that I want to, but I don’t beg. Besides, I’m here for my family. I don’t need interference.

The day goes by fast, and I drop into bed later that night. Soon, I’m roused from sleeping by a text from Ava wondering how my first day has gone. I type a short response, letting her know it was good but I’ve crashed for the night. I’m exhausted.

Tuesday passes in a blur with Wednesday morning coming way too early. I hurry to the lecture hall to find what is now my favorite seat. After a few minutes, I hear my favorite new sound followed by the blonde it’s attached to.

She sits in the back of the lecture hall with her groupies hanging onto her every word. I’m not sure whom I more jealous of, her for having people hang onto her every word or them for getting to hang onto her. Class whizzes by, and before I know it, I’m onto my next class where I can dwell on her.

Thursday kicks my ass just in time for Friday to arrive which I welcome with a sigh. After this morning’s class, I’m free. Well, to go to the library for the weekend. My advanced classes are going to test me on every level.

My favorite new past time walks in with a few other people. She glances over at me and bites her lip as she raises her eyebrows. I shoot my best full on smile. She nods, releasing her lip, and walks my way.

“Hey, country boy. You saving me a seat?” She slides in next to me.

“Only you. How ya been doin’?” I turn to look at her, she leans in.

“If I told you, I’d have to kidnap you,” she whispers.

“I’ll take my chances.” I wink at her, and she giggles.

“I think you know you’re cute. You making any girls here swoon with that southern drawl?” Her shoulder bumps mine.

“I think so.” I grin when she frowns.

“Is that so? Tell me who, I’ll warn her off your charms.” She wrinkles her nose with a lopsided grin.

“If I told you that, I’d have to kiss you,” I tell her as the professor enters the room, subsequently ending our conversation.

Her friends rush to her once again as soon as class is over. I step to the side, slowly walking around to the exit. Maybe one day we’ll get longer than a few minutes to talk. I consider waiting but decide to move on.

Early Saturday morning, I make my trek across campus to the library. My plan is to find the cubicle furthest away from traffic. I have a shit ton of work to do and don’t need a distraction. Studying all day, I drag myself to my dorm room until tomorrow when I’ll do it all again.

Three weeks in, I’m getting the swing of things. Ava texts every other day, and my mom has now taken it up, saying it’s easier than calling. She never ceases to amaze me at how she can adapt. Her fierce strength pushes me to be a better man.

Fifth week of classes, I’ve hit my stride and bounce into Monday’s class ready to own it. Funny enough, it’s this exact moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life. It’s the day I get owned, body and soul.

For weeks, the blonde I’ve had my eye on since orientation has exchanged smiles and stares with me. We’ve spoken a few times, she sat by me a couple of times. I’ve held the door for her, she’s winked from across the room at me. So, imagine my surprise when I see there’s only one empty seat in my row when I get to class. Today is my lucky day.

The blonde with the wicked laugh sits to my right. The knot in my stomach should’ve told me all I would need to know today, but it was too late. The second she spins in her seat to greet me with a lopsided smile, I get lost in her deep ocean blues.

So, this is what it feels like. Damn.

With a grin spread across my face, I slide into my rightful seat. She leans in, her scent washes over me, clean with a hint of flowery goodness. I take all of it in. I’m not even sure if it was to burn it to my memory, knowing we would never last, or to never forget how I felt in this moment.

“Hey, country boy. How’s it going?” Bumping my shoulder with hers, she elicits the response I’m positive she wanted. I get chills and fight the urge to kiss her.

“Hey there, country club. I’m good. How ya been?” responding as I open my textbook, I play nonchalant.

“Yeah, well maybe a girl was playing hard to get. Didn’t you notice?” She chews on the corner of her lip while trying not to smile.