Page 28 of Revenant

Koen walks with purpose, his posture is better than most on a runway, always keeping his head held high. It’s assertive and kind of sexy. If you put his odd commentary to the side, I kind of understand what Moriah sees in him. Koen’s alluring, the kind of presence that draws you in, but you’re unsure if you should partake in the forbidden fruit.

My heart rate kicks up suddenly, beating so fast I’m sure anyone in my vicinity would be able to hear it pound against my chest. I feel the heat creep up my neck, burning my cheeks that no doubt look like a cherry red apple. What is happening to me?

Koen glances over at me, the soft folds of his upper eyelids creasing as he smiles. But it’s gone just as fast as it came. He tucks his head down, composing himself before slipping back into the self-assured calmness he normally carries. “How are you liking the school so far?”

His question takes me by surprise, not really expecting him to make small talk. Or be the person to make small talk for that matter. Maybe the silence is chipping away at him like it is me.

“So far so good.” Why am I so nervous? It’s like any coherent thought I had went right out the window and all my brain could conjure up is a basic ass “so far so good?”

“It seemed as though you were enjoying yourself at the bonfire.” His comment surprises me. I didn’t think he noticed. “As much as I hate to admit it, watching you yell at Elias was the highlight of my night.”

“I would rather not remember that if I’m being honest.”

He holds the door open for me as we approach the cafe. “Are we?”

“Are we what?” I step into the cafe, the atmosphere in this place automatically putting me at ease.

“Being honest.” His words graze the shell of my ear in a whisper as he walks past. He strides up to the counter, placing his order before holding up a single finger and turning toward me. He raises one eyebrow, nudging his head in the cashier’s direction.

I smile awkwardly. “Uh, an iced hibiscus tea would be great.” I’ve already had coffee today, and I don’t think having another is the best idea, considering I’m already a bit jittery. She punches my order in on the screen, and Koen hands her his card wordlessly. “Oh, you don’t have to—”

He cuts my words off with a sideways glare. Koen tucks his wallet back into his pocket. “Grab our drinks. I’ll be back shortly.” Then he’s off, as if this interaction hasn’t been anything other than ordinary.

A barista calls out his name shortly after he leaves. I quickly grab our drinks, ignoring the suspicious look the barista gives me before finding a table. I set my backpack on the chair next to me and just start to pull out my notebook and a pen when the chair across from me squeaks. I don’t bother looking up. “Sorry, that seat’s taken.”

“I’m aware.” Koen’s voice shocks me, my gaze whipping up to meet his as he sips his hot coffee.

“You’re back? Already? You just left.” My eyes sweep the cafe, chair creaking as I shift, like rationality is something I could spot behind the espresso machine.

“And now I’m back. With the notebook you need, I might add.”

His dorm room must be pretty close if he was there and back in less than five minutes. It felt like it took double that just to get here. “Right, thanks. And thank you for the drink, you really didn’t need to do that.”

“What kind of gentleman would I be if I made a lady pay for her drink?”

I smirk. “Truthfully, I wasn’t sure being a gentleman was your thing.” He looks at me curiously, like he can’t quite figure out what I mean, and it seems to bother him more than he’s willing to admit. “What? I thought we were being honest.”

That earns me a smile, one I’m assuming he didn’t want to give me, but he lost the battle with himself. He sets a book down on the table, its cloth cover is worn soft at the corners like he’s read it more than once, then slides a notebook over to me. When I open to the first page, I’m stunned by the meticulous detail. Each letter is written with precision, so perfect I almost think they were typed. Notes are written in the margins; sections are color coded as well as reference material listed.

“These are…incredible. Intense even.” Page after page is littered with the same thing. Everything is perfectly outlined and in its place. He’s either taken this course before or he’s miles ahead of the syllabus. It’s a reminder that I can’t afford to keep slacking. “I’m not sure I have enough time to copy all of this before class.”

“You can keep it.”

“Absolutely not, I can’t just—”

“If you keep refusing my kind gestures, I’m afraid I will start to take offense.”

“Fine, but I’ve got a class later, so I should copy as much as I can while I’m here.” I smile sheepishly, not knowing how to navigate his kindness. Needing to keep my hands occupied, I reach for my tea, and after one drink I regret not getting it sooner. “This is the best tea I think I’ve ever had.”

“You must not have much experience with tea if a university cafe is your benchmark for excellence.”

“Everything tastes better here.”

“You have no idea how right you are, love.”

Koen taps his finger against the table, and suddenly I feel as though I’m wasting his time. “You don’t have to stay, you know. I appreciate the notes; they’ll be a great help.”

“You’re different than I expected.”