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all?" I hoisted the customers' empty plates from the table.

"No, thank you, sweetie. Do you, by any chance, have a boyfriend? I have a grandson who would just adore you." The little old lady leaned toward me with a hopeful look.

Her husband flashed his eyes at her. "You can't just ask people that, hun."

"It's okay." I chuckled. "No, I don't have time for boys, unfortunately."

"That's a shame. You're very beautiful."

"Well, thank you." I smiled and left to retrieve their check. Working on a Monday evening was not on my to-do list this week, but the restaurant needed extra help and I'd rather make money than study. So, here I was.

"Empty table twelve for me. Then you're free to go. Thanks for your help tonight, Garner," my manager said. I smiled at his acknowledgment and walked the check to the old couple and my cleaning supplies to table twelve.

There was a storm brewing outside the restaurant windows. The dark clouds swirled over the ocean and the waves crashed onto shore violently. I hoped I'd be able to finish here and beat the rain home, but it didn't seem likely.

It definitely wasn't likely.

By the time I made it to my apartment, I was drenched. My clothes were saturated with rain, clinging to my body like a second skin. The door slammed behind me and I jumped when I saw Reva and her date from Friday sitting at the table.

"Oh! I'm so sorry to interrupt."

Her date stood with an extended hand. "You must be Sadie, I'm Penelope." She was beautiful, her hair falling in perfect, black braids down her back and her smile lit up the room. "Reva's friend," she added.

I wasn't expecting to meet her so soon and in this state. Wiping my hands on a dish towel, I shook her hand. "It's so nice to meet you, Penelope. I'm sorry I look like a drowned rat."

She laughed and Reva said, "We were on a walk when the storm hit. So, we came here until it blows over."

"It doesn't look like it will let up soon."

We all peered out the window, and I shivered. The thought of showering and climbing into bed sounded amazing, but showering and going to the studio was the smarter decision. Not to mention that would give Reva and Penelope space. That's exactly what I did.

Once I showered, I dragged myself and my backpack out of the apartment and drove to the studio. I turned my ignition off and sat in the parking lot, staring at the studio. The pounding rain beat on the hood of the car, creating a faint pitter-patter. I didn't want to get out, and frankly, didn't have the urge to paint.

I found myself looking at the baseball field and exhaled.

Friday was fun, but not exactly how I imagined it would go. I hadn't heard or seen Elijah since his conversation with Jayce on the staircase. But that didn't surprise me.

Turning my car back on, I pulled into the Coffee Shack and dashed inside. Shaking off the excess water, I walked to register and ordered a drink then sank into the armchair by the window. The plush cushions were inviting.

If I wasn't going to paint, studying for my exam next week would be the smart thing to do. I dug through my backpack for my notebook and laptop just as the bell to the cafe door chimed.

Instinctively, I looked over to see some baseball boys saunter in.

My skin grew hot, drying any leftover raindrops. They looked wet and I couldn't tell if it was from the rain or after practice shower. I tried not to make eye contact and focused on my computer.

A moment later, my gaze drifted to a pair of shoes standing before me.

My eyes trailed up their legs until I landed on Elijah.

"Funny seeing you here." The corner of his mouth quirked into a half-smile. "Is this seat taken?"

I fidgeted, unsure of where to look. He was back to his normal self or back to the version recognized. "Nope." I looked around the bustling room. Some people stared, others couldn't care less.

"Can I sit then?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, can you?"

His chest quickly rose with curt laughter, and he took a seat. "You sound like my old high school teacher."

I didn't reply. His kindness today was a stark contrast to his poor attitude on Friday night. I wanted to ask what happened. What changed? But I didn't know him well enough to pry.

He brought his cup to his mouth and sipped. His tongue steadily skimmed his bottom lip, licking away the residue. The sight made me think of the basement, the way he kissed that girl. The glazed look in his eyes, the sweat trickling down his neck... I swallowed. Did he remember?

"Are you feeling any better?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"With whatever upset you Friday night at the studio."

"Oh, yeah. I'm good." I was surprised he asked. Truth be told, I was doing fine, thanks to the long phone call with my mother about the gallery job, which she calmed and made me feel better about. Leila, on the other hand, was ready to throttle the art department on my behalf. I got the best of both worlds.

I waited for him to bring up the party, but he never did.

"I didn't get to say, you played great on Friday."

A glint of happiness flashed across his face. "Wow, you watched our game? You don't seem like the type to watch baseball."

I choked out a laugh. "Why does everyone keep saying that?"

He pointed at me. "You're an art major." Then he pointed at himself. "I destroyed your art."

"You don't think art majors can enjoy sports? How stereotypical of you. We aren't one-dimensional creatures." I closed my laptop since I wasn't using it and relaxed into the chair, neglecting to tell him he was right, and that I rarely watched baseball. "Besides, I forgave you for the painting incident already."

"You still give me the cold shoulder."

I narrowed my eyes. "Teasing is much different than the cold shoulder. The cold shoulder is what you gave me on Friday night." My words slipped out before I could stop them. Shit, Sadie, you messed up.

He stopped fumbling with his cup. "About that—"

I put my hand up, annoyed by my loose tongue. "No, you don't owe me an explanation."

"I wasn't going to give one. I was just going to apologize for not being kinder." His comment made my heart falter, despite it being what I asked for. No explanation about his demeanor, why he gave me the cold shoulder, about the girl, about his and Jayce's conversation.

I didn't know how to reply.

"Bro, let's go." A teammate I didn't recognize shouted. We turned our heads as if he called both of our names. Elijah nodded, then we looked at each other.

He stood, looking down at me. "It was nice seeing you, Van Gogh."

"You too, Elijah," I said.

When he was out of sight, I slumped in my chair.

It always ended this way.

I walked into writing and saw Elijah in his usual seat. His hand moved across a piece of paper like he was sketching something, and he never looked up. Curiosity nipped at me, but I followed Reva to our seats and focused on getting out my books.

I tossed and turned after last night's conversation.

Part of me was ready to call it quits with the baseball team, to cut off any ties I had because I wouldn't call my relationship with Elijah a friendship. He was kind because he was a nice guy. He didn't have to prove that to me. But our relationship was a forced partnership. If he hadn't hit the ball into the studio, I wouldn't have to see him and worry about whether he liked me.

These conflicted emotions drudged up old memories of him.

I hadn't thought about him in a while.

About my past, about trust.

The relationship that defined the meaning of love for me.

"Earth to Sadie." Reva's voice sliced through my thoughts.

"Sorry." I looked at her. "Are you and Penelope hanging out after class?" I questioned before she could ask what I was thinking about. I knew once she got over her nerves, she would have a great time with Penelope.

Her face lit up. Any sight of concern was gone, replaced by giddiness. "We are going to that campus bingo night."

"I completely forgot they hosted those."

"That's because you never liked to go. I always went with Iya."

I scrunched my nose. "I'm not a huge bingo fan."

She threw her hands up. "Who doesn't like bingo? You're the only person I know."

The professor entered, and the room settled, giving him our attention. Well, I gave him as much of my attention as I could before I pulled my phone out of my pocket and opened Facebook. My finger hovered over the search bar, itching to look up his name, but I knew there would be no good at seeing his face.

I hadn't seen him in person since my senior year, and I vowed to stop looking him up freshman year. The urge to do it now was unsettling.

"Fourth row, brown hair," the professor's voice boomed and everyone shifted in their seat, including me. I looked around until I realize he was glaring directly at me. My hands went clammy, and I blinked, tucking my phone back into my pocket.

"Did you read the syllabus? No phones allowed."

My mouth fell open. I looked around without focus. Fuck me. What was I supposed to say to a mad professor while everyone else eyes burned holes in my skull? I was already in the wrong. Out of all the times I looked at my phone in class...

"Sorry, it's my fault," a familiar voice shouted from behind. "I texted her first."

Heat replaced any chill in my body like someone took a blowtorch to my skin.

Now everyone's attention was on Elijah.

He waved two fingers at everyone, a slight grin to his lips, but he didn't look at me. He was looking straight at the professor, who simply shook his head in disappointment. The whispering in the room made my skull rattle, and I'd never wanted to disappear more.

"I expect more from you, Preston. Everyone phones away," he scolded, then droned on about how to not offend your argumentative essay reader.

Elijah winked at me.

I faced forward, still blazing with embarrassment while everyone already returned to their uninterested state. Why on God's green earth did Elijah just take the fall for me?

Reva tilted her head quizzically, and I shrugged, wordlessly telling her I was as confused.

Class—or purgatory—finally ended, and we followed the herd of students out into the main drag of campus. The walkways were swarming with students. Every bench and table was occupied by people taking advantage of today's beautiful weather before more storms rolled in.

"What the was that about?" Reva asked.

"No clue, I don't even have his number."

"He has a crush." A devious look took over her face, and I rolled my eyes hard enough for them to pop from the sockets.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?"

All chipper, she said, "Yep! See you back at the apartment later."

She beelined through the crowd until she was out of sight and I was alone, despite being surrounded by so many people.

When I turned the corner, a hand gently grasped my shoulder. "Sadie, hey."

Elijah pulled me off the sidewalk into a grassy patch to avoid getting hit by students, and my body tensed from his touch. The shade from the building shielded us from the burning sun and provided privacy, but people still glanced, most likely wondering who this new girl was.

His shirt bunched around his biceps, and a wad of papers with different shapes drawn on the pages was wedged under his arm. I tried getting a closer look, but couldn't. Maybe that's what he was sketching in class.

"You didn't have to do that today," I said.

"Take it as a better apology compared to the one I gave yesterday."

I couldn't keep from smiling. "Well, thank you. I appreciate it."

"No problem," he motioned for us to walk. "Professor Kepler loves baseball. I figured I had to use my star status for the needy," he teased.

I barked out a laugh. "The needy? Maybe it's just the dick in your pants, not the baseball."

His mouth fell ajar. "Did Sadie Lane just say dick?"

"My bad," I teased back. "I meant Penis." I put extra emphasis on the last word. "Anyway, I know I was in the wrong today using my phone, but I've always got misogynistic vibes from Professor Kepler."

"He definitely favors... males," Elijah agreed. Our chuckles filled the air.

We walked in silence, taking in all the surrounding sounds. I didn't know where we were headed, or if he had a class to get to. All I had to do was spend an hour at the studio or study for exams next week, but part of me didn't want to tell him that, so I asked, "Do you have practice today?"

"Yep, at one. Are you going to the studio?"

"I'm not sure yet."

"If you wanted to wait, I'll be done around four and then I'm coming to finish painting."

My toes curled in my shoes, and I came to a stop. Reva's words echoed in my head about Elijah having a crush, but I dismissed them faster than they appeared. Kindness doesn't equate to feelings. You're not getting romantically involved with him.

But then he reached toward my face. His thumb brushed past my cheek and my breath got stuck in my throat. I stared up at his face—his eyes, those lips—as he plucked something from my hair, then held it between us.

He flicked the lint from his fingers. "You had a fuzz."

"Oh."

"So, will I see you then?" He didn't seem nearly as fazed as I was.

"Sure."

"Four o'clock," he said, pointing at me. I was too breathless to reply as he smiled, turned on his heel, and walked in the opposite direction. Standing aimlessly in the same spot, I watched him waved to people who shouted his name and strut with such confidence across campus.

I squeezed my backpack straps as my blood thumbed wildly through my veins.

Get rid of those thoughts, Sadie.

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I'm back at school, Yipee! Not.

Updates may become a bit sporadic/weird as I try to readjust & figure out the best schedule possible for writing alongside exams & clinical. As usual, keep a lookout on social media for any updates.

QOTD: Are you guys in school?

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annasteffeyy

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