The Writer

Chapter Five

On Monday I couldn't just sit down and enjoy my classes because I never went and got my textbooks or sorted out my student ID. in between the one-hour classes I headed to the bookstore during the break, and eventually got my fall pass and one card and a handful of textbooks. I didn't see Ollie for most of the day. His classes were in a whole different building, and we didn't share the same breaks in-between lectures.

I was currently walking to my last class for the day, moving through the crowd of students that were heading in the opposite direction, and eventually, I got to the hallway that led to the lecture hall for my Writing 101 class. I walked in, my eyes widening in shock, and I almost dropped my bag.

"Hey," Maxwell said from the other end of the room, making the few other students that were there early to turn to me. I didn't reply to him, I just looked away and hurried to a seat. The lecturer walked in a few minutes later, and she went about showing us the syllabus and explaining how grading would go in the class. From time to time I'd turn to look at Maxwell, and every time he'd be looking right at me, giving me a small smile whenever I turned over to him.

Why do I feel giddy? I asked myself, trying to concentrate on what the lecturer was saying. Why is he taking this class? Is it an elective for him?

It wasn't long till the hour-long lecture ended. I got up from my seat, only to look around to find that Maxwell had already left the classroom. I found myself feeling a bit down, then I shook my head, reminding myself that he probably had a class right after and had to leave quickly. I left the humanities building, and took out my phone to call Caleb as I walked to the nearest bus stop to get a ride.

Caleb was my cousin who was going to the art institute just a stone throws away from my college. He was currently living with his boyfriend, and we'd decided to meet up and hang out today. The location was a tiny café just a little bit away from the bus stop I was going to be dropped off at. It was inside a busy brick building it shared with other shops, and was a sort of hub for students from both my college and Caleb's art institute.

"You're still coming right?" I asked, holding my phone to my ear as I got down from the bus. It had pulled up at the stop close to the cafe we were planning to meet in. It was mid-noon, and looking through the glass windows I could tell that there weren't many people inside. Most people were in lectures at this time of the day, I believe.

"I'm already in," he said from the other end of the line. I walked into the cafe, looking around until I spotted him sitting at a table at the back. Toby was sitting by him. A sketchpad was on his hand as he moved his pencil on the cardboard paper. I made to walk up to them, and when I was close, Caleb looked up, smiling at me before he hung up and put his phone away.

"Hey," I said, pulling out one of the chairs before sitting down. They were both drinking juice, and a plate of cake was at the center of the table.

"How are you?" Caleb asked as Toby looked up from his drawing pad to give me a small welcoming smile. I smiled back at him, turning my gaze back to my cousin. His brown eyes were bright, and he was wearing a cream sweater today.

"I'm doing fine. I had my first day of classes today," I said, resting my elbows on the wooden table's surface before resting my face on my hands. "The campus is bigger than expected. How about yours? You've started classes, right?" I asked, making Caleb nod as be held on to the cup of juice on his table.

"Do you want anything? My treat," I heard Toby say, making me turn to him. His smile made me look away as I nodded. I ordered some cake and juice just like them, and I talked to Caleb in a low tone as Toby continued to sketch on his drawing pad. The café had a round looking eating corner, that made it look even smaller than it was. The cream walls, and smallish furniture gave it a warm look, like you were sitting by a fireplace. Music lacking lyrics played as the workers moved behind the wooden counters to take orders. After a while, Toby excused himself and got up with his drawing pad.

He kissed Caleb's forehead, muttering something under his breath before walking out of the small café. Caleb looked on at him, and I couldn't miss the almost dream-like look.

Oh, come on, they're like a romance book typical couple. I thought to myself. He's just stepping out, it's going to be just a few minutes Caleb. I wanted to tell my cousin, chuckling to myself at the thought. Sure, it was true, and maybe I was just a bit jealous of how lovey-dovey they just seemed when they were around each other.

"He's stepping out to look around the shop's building," Caleb explained after Toby was out of sight. His words made me look back at him with a curious glance.

I rose a brow. "Why?"

"For a concept for one of his commissioned paintings. He's been trying to get it done but it's been a bit difficult for him."

"Oh, is that why he's cranky?" I asked, making Caleb nod as I let out a small 'oh' in understanding. Toby was usually more cheerful, and I'd been wondering why he hadn't said much. We stayed quiet for a bit, then Caleb spoke up.

"Has anything interesting happened? Anything about Maxwell?" I found my cheeks growing warm at the mention of the red head's name. I looked away when Caleb's smile turned into a teasing one, and his chuckle rang through the small cafe as I decided that I'd rather look at my plate of unfinished cake than to look at him.

"So, something did happen, what?" he asked, leaning in a bit before I eventually looked up. I wondered if I should tell him. I didn't want to, but if there was anyone I could tell it would be Caleb, and it was eating me inside, so I eventually caved.

"My journal," I started, making Caleb rest back on his seat. The chairs were cushioned with red foam, but the seats were still uncomfortable to sit on in a way. They were small, and the shape of them, in general, made them hard to relax on. The furniture was good for homey aesthetics the café had going, but I would give it a D- for fulfilling its actual purpose. I stared at my cousin's expectant look, and finally got the news out. "Maxwell read it."

I watched as Caleb's eyes widened in shock, and my face just grew warmer. "You gave it to him?" he asked, making me shake my head.

"No, I dropped it, and he picked it up—"

"So, he read just a little bit?"

"I wouldn't call a quarter of the story a little bit," I said, making Caleb just stare on in shock.

"Okay, so where's the book now?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know. I got upset and trashed it in the bin."

"Oh."

Some time passed, and silence on our table was tinted with the sound of other people in the cafe as well as the music playing in the background. I was clenching and unclenching my fist on the table, wondering how, or even if I should tell Caleb the rest of what happened.

"So, how did he react?" Caleb asked, making me look up at him. His gaze looked curious yet sympathetic. He looked like he'd already assumed the worst had happened. I smiled a bit, sighing as I looked away from him again to fidget with my fingers.

"I did most of the reacting," I said, making Caleb c**k his head to the side.

"Is that a good thing or...?" Caleb trailed, making me chuckle a bit.

"I honestly don't know. He said he liked it, and then he gave me a copy of his favorite book," I said, making Caleb scratch his head with a look of confusion on his face. I laughed. "I know, it sounds like a very odd response to it, doesn't it?" I asked, watching as Caleb nodded.

"Err, so does that mean he likes you? If he likes what you wrote about him?" he asked, making my face flush as I looked down at my hands again. I clenched and unclenched them, trying to gather my thoughts.

"I don't know, he never really explained much. He just said it's the type of stuff he likes to read. It's confusing. I saw him in class today, but I chickened out and didn't sit next to him," I said, watching as Caleb picked up his cup of juice to take a sip.

"Okay," Caleb muttered before a frown formed on his face. "Are you sure he doesn't just — you know, sleep around?"

"What?" I looked, up staring at Caleb as he shrugged.

"Like, some people just really like sleeping around. I don't know if that's the case I'm just brainstorming," he said, making me frown a bit in thought. Kinks — I think that has somewhat been confirmed, but sleeping around? Though, would you call it sleeping around if he didn't date anyone? As I was thinking about it Toby returned to the table. He made a bee line for Caleb, running a hand through his boyfriend's hair before taking the seat beside him, and returning his attention to his drawing pad. Caleb smiled, leaning a bit to see what Toby was sketching, and it did seem he'd gotten the concept he'd been looking for.

I ended up heading back to my college after half an hour chatting with them both. On my way back on the bus, I couldn't help wondering about what Caleb had said. It didn't seem far off. There were many people that slept around that didn't really think of relationships and love. I'd never seen Maxwell in a relationship in high school — or maybe he was just very private about them?

Sighing, I brought a hand to my face. Why am I overthinking this? What he does isn't my business. I thought as the bus I was on came at the college station. I got down, and started to make my way to the residential building.

As I walked, I kept thinking about it. Sure, it really wasn't my business, but it would be something that would be useful to know. I liked Maxwell — a lot, and if he was going to give me any sort of attention it would be nice to know what type it would be. I wanted to get to know him, and maybe eventually get into a relationship with him — well, that's what I've always dreamed about — but what if he would just want a friend with benefits thing? A fling? Or maybe he'll just ignore everything from here on because he didn't see me in any of those ways?

It was confusing.