Chasing Mia

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

When I registered for classes, I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I signed up for European Literature at 9am. The textbook weighs about fifty pounds and smells like death. Not to mention, as I walk into class, I see the only available seats are in the very back of the room. Since I'm blind as a bat and forgot my contact lenses this morning, I'll have to whip out what my dad calls my "nerd" glasses; thick black frames with lenses make my eyes look ten times larger than normal.

I take a seat next to a girl who has her face buried in her book, hoping she doesn't feel the need to talk to me. I can see her look over at me out of the corner of my eye, but thankfully she looks away. She's dressed like me, in leggings and an oversized t-shirt. Her jet black hair is braided and rests on her shoulder. She's also wearing glasses, but hers are much more fashionable than mine.

"I'm going to puke if I have to smell this text book for the rest of the semester," she mumbles causing me to chuckle. She looks over at me and I notice her eyes. They are two different colors; one blueish-green and the other brownish-green. I guess it does look weird. "I see you're a fellow heterochromiac."

"A what?"

She points to my eyes. "Heterochromia. Two different colored eyes?"

"Oh, right."

"I'm Amelia, by the way."

"Mia," I reply.

I think Amelia says something else, but I zone out when I notice Daniel Crider coming my way. My heart speeds up when he smiles at me.

"Mia! I was hoping we'd have a class together." He sits down in the empty seat on the other side of me and my nerves kick into overdrive.

"Hey, Daniel. Didn't take you for an early riser," I say lamely.

He chuckles. "This class is only offered at 8 or 9am. Didn't have much of a choice."

I look over to see Amelia practically drooling. "Who's the hottie?" she leans over and whispers.

"He's mine, so back off," I whisper back through gritted teeth. My response surprises both of us.

She chuckles and throws her hands up in mock surrender. "Don't bring out the claws there, kitty. He's all yours. Besides, I like chicks."

Well, that's a relief. Amelia is a very attractive girl, so it's nice to know she's not competition. "Sorry. It's just..." I look over my shoulder at Daniel to make sure he can't hear me. "I've liked this guy since I was a freshman in high school."

She furrows her brows. "You're kidding." I shake my head and she smirks. "So is something wrong with you? Do you have a disease? Are you crazy? Are you into witchcraft or some other weird s**t?"

"No, why?" I ask, thoroughly confused.

"Look at you! You're like, level ten hot! Why isn't this guy yours?"

I groan. "It's a long story."

"So you are into weird shit..."

"No!" I scoff. "It's my brother. He was...sort of the town bad boy back home. He pretty much chased away any guy that came near me."

"Ah, that sucks. So where is he now?"she asks.

"Chicago."

A huge smile spreads across her face. "Then what are you waiting for? This guy is freaking gorgeous!"

"Amelia!" I whisper yell.

She smirks. "He obviously likes you. I can tell by the way he keeps glancing over in your direction and leaning towards you."

"Leaning towards me?" I ask.

"You can tell a lot by a person's body language."

I cut my eyes over at Daniel and see that Amelia's right. He's leaning towards me. He's so close I can smell his aftershave.

In an attempt to stay in shape, I decide to go for a run around campus. I put in my ear buds and turn my music up. I love running. It relieves stress and allows me to clear my head. Ever since Ryder left, I've become more self conscious than ever. Something I've never had a problem with before. It's almost like I feel lost without him.

I get so caught up in my thoughts that I don't even notice the person running next to me until I stop at a crosswalk. He stops next to me and bends over, resting his hands on his knees and breathing heavily. "Damn. You're fast for a girl."

Even with my earbuds in, I recognize his voice. I pull them out and scowl at him. "Don't tell me you go here too."

He smirks. "Okay, I won't tell you that I go here."

I start jogging across the crosswalk, but he follows me. "Are you stalking me now?"

He scoffs. "Stalking you? I don't have to stalk anyone, sweetheart. Look at me."

I roll my eyes. This guy is too arrogant for his own good. "Please."

"You don't have to beg, sweetheart," he winks.

"Trust me, I would never beg you for anything. You're not even my type."

"I'm everyone's type," he answers pompously.

"Great, so why don't you find some other poor girl to harass."

He laughs. "Because I like harassing you. It's our thing."

"We don't have a thing. I don't even know you. You're just some asshole that seems to turn up everywhere I go."

"It's fate, sweetheart."

"How is it fate when you're clearly stalking me?" I ask.

He chuckles. "You won't give me an inch, will you."

"Why would I? I'm obviously not interested."

"We'll see about that, sweetheart."

Before I can respond, he takes a right and I keep going straight. I watch him as he runs. His muscles glisten with sweat and his gray t-shirt clings to his body like a second skin. Damn is he hot. Too bad his personality is terrible.

Since I'm not in any way looking where I'm going, I slam into a hard body and fall on my ass. I'm about to curse, but when I look up, I'm met with stunning blue eyes full of amusement. He reaches his hand out to help me up and I gladly take it. When I stand to my feet, I notice his eyes move over my body. I'm sweaty, out of breath and probably stink to high heaven. Perfect time to run into my crush.

"We've got to stop running into each other. You know, literally," he laughs.

"I'm so sorry, Daniel. I wasn't paying attention."

He looks in the direction the asshole went. "Looks like I have some competition."

"Trust me, I hate that guy. He just seems to turn up everywhere I go," I laugh.

Daniel chuckles. "I don't blame him, look at you. You're..."

"A hot, sweaty mess," I answer for him.

He flashes that dreamy smile of his. "Even as a hot, sweaty mess, you're still beautiful."

It's a good thing my face is already red from all of the running. He'd definitely be able to see how hard I'm blushing if not. I want to say something smooth, but I'm about as smooth a cactus, so I think better of it.

"Anyway, I tried to catch you after class. I wanted to ask if maybe you'd want to have dinner with me on Friday night?" Daniel asks.

I want to scream yes from the highest mountain, but I force myself to play it cool. "Sure, I'd love to."

He smiles bashfully. "Awesome. Great. Yeah...well, uh...I'll see you in class tomorrow, I guess."

I smile at his sudden nervousness. This boy obviously doesn't know just how into him I am. "See you tomorrow, Daniel."

"What are you smiling about?" Russ asks, falling onto my bed next to me.

"What? I'm not allowed to smile?"

"It's not like you," he says, tucking his arms underneath his head and getting comfortable.

"Don't tell Jake, but Daniel Crider asked me out for Friday night," I say excitedly.

Russ sits up and grins. "Finally! Wait. "Why can't I tell Jake?"

I sigh. "He's been kinda weird lately. I told him about Daniel living across the hall and he told me I could do better. He seemed, I don't know..."

"Jealous?"

"Yeah, but I don't know why. I mean, Jake doesn't like me like that. We're just friends."

Russ purses his lips together and furrows his brows like he's deep in thought. "I'm no relationship expert, but I would be willing to bet money that Jake has had a thing for you for quite some time."

I sigh. "Ugh, that's what dad said."

"Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. You two know each other so well. You have a lot in common," Russ says.

"Yeah, but what if we crossed that line and things didn't work out for us?"

Russ raises his brows. "Yikes. I don't know. I guess you'd have to be certain it was the real deal to even risk it. All I know is if you do risk it, make sure you're ready. Jake would be a good boyfriend. He's a solid guy."

I cut my eyes at him and smirk. "Solid as in not at all like you?"

He shoves me playfully. "I'll have you know, I'm a great guy. I'm just...easily distracted."

I shake my head. "I don't know where Logan went wrong with you. CJ's had the same girlfriend since he was twelve. You've had more girls than I have nail polish."

He opens his mouth to protest, but as he looks over at my vanity covered in every color of nail polish known to man, he closes his mouth. I may not be a girlie girl, but nail polish is one thing that's an exception.

"Can I tell you a secret?" he asks. I nod, so he goes on. "I do have my eye on this one girl. I met her yesterday on campus and she got paired up with me today as my chemistry partner. She's showing no interest in me whatsoever, which makes me want her even more."

I roll my eyes, but I can't hold back my laughter. "Perhaps she's not interested, Russ."

"Not possible," he says seriously, "I'm irresistible."

"Maybe she actually has a little self respect and doesn't throw herself at you just because you're hot." I think of the asshole and the way he just assumes I'd want to talk to him just because he's hot. It's infuriating, really. Maybe I should meet this girl Russ is crushing on. We'd probably be great friends.

"I can imagine your babies now," Amelia says, walking next to me as we leave class. I'd just filled her in on Daniel asking me out and I think she may be more excited than me. "Cutest babies ever!"

I giggle. "I think I at least need to get through the first date before I start naming my future children."

"Just save me a seat at the wedding..." She trails off and what I can only describe as a look of pure disgust crosses her face.

I follow her eyes and see Russ coming our way. At first I'm confused, but then it hits me. Amelia is the girl that's showing no interest in him. He probably doesn't even realize he's totally wasting his time.

"Good morning, sunshine," Russ says with a goofy grin. His eyes move over to me and he raises a brow. "Mia?"

"Hey, Russ," I smirk.

"You know this tool?" Amelia asks, looking from me to Russ.

"This tool would be my nephew."

Her eyes widen and her mouth drops. "I'm sorry, I didn't-"

I can't hold back the laughter long enough for her to finish her apology. "Trust me, tool would be a mild way of describing him."

Russ scowls at me and I smile innocently back at him.

"Well, I have to get to the library before noon. I'll see you around, Mia." She turns to Russ and smirks. "And I guess I'll see you in chemistry, partner."

Russ and I watch her as she walks away. "She was totally flirting with me just then. You saw it right?"

I smile and shake my head. "Like I said, not every girl on the planet is going to be attracted to you."

"I just don't get it. I used my funny guy bit on her and she never even cracked a smile."

"That's because you're not funny."

He scoffs. "I am so funny."

"Maybe you're just not her type. Some girls are into something other than arrogant, big-headed, conceited, cocky-"

"Okay, hurtful. Anyway, I didn't give her any reason to think I'm like that. I didn't compliment myself even once around her and you know that's a big deal for me."

I nod. "A very big deal."

"I just don't get it," he says again, watching her retreating figure longingly.

"Russ..." I grab his cheeks, making his lips pucker out like a fish. "Amelia's gay."