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“You seem happier than normal.”
I glance over at Joel beside me. We’re supposed to be working on an assignment focused on macro photography. The item I’m supposed to be photographing is droplets of water on a flower. Beside me, Joel is focused on a bug in a neighboring flower. The group projects our professor warned us about have already descended upon us. So far, working with him hasn’t been too bad. After all, it was his suggestion to come here—to an indoor garden—to work on the macro photography project. It was a great idea. There are a ton of bugs and other little things to take pictures of.
“I wouldn’t say I’m happier than normal,” I hedge, though he’s exactly right.
It’s been over a week since Jace and I had sex, and it’s safe to say it’s been one of the best weeks of my life. It makes me sound lovesick, and maybe
I am, but it’s more than that. I’ve never felt so content in my whole life, like I’m finally doing and being who I’m meant to be.
Last year I was simply going through the motions, now I’m living my life and it feels amazing.
He chuckles and snaps a photo, the shutter of his camera clicking. “You’re lying. Who’s the guy?”
I snort, taken aback. “Why does there have to be a guy?”
“A girl then?” He raises a brow, waiting for my response.
“God no.” I shake my head. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I’m not—”
He laughs, putting me out of my misery. “It’s okay, Nova.” He lines up his camera and takes another picture. “I understand why you shot me down so vehemently, though. There was someone else. It makes me feel better. I was thinking I was losing my touch.” He lowers his camera, flashing me a boyish grin.
“There’s no one else,” I mutter.
“And I’m Jack Dawson.”
“Who’s that?” I ask, confused.
He stares at me like I’ve grown another head. “Have you never seen Titanic? I thought it was like rite of passage for teenage girls or something? Don’t you all have a hard-on for Leonardo DiCaprio in that movie? That’s who he plays—Jack Dawson,” Joel rambles as he explains.
“My parents never let me watch that movie, and I haven’t bothered since I’ve been away from them to try.”
Joel blinks at me, his mouth openly agape. “That’s it, when we finish here, we’re going back to my dorm and watching Titanic.”
“I’m not going to your dorm to watch Titanic,” I scoff.
“Fine, your dorm then,” he concedes.
“I live in an apartment off campus,” I snap.
“Even better.” He grins, completely oblivious to my disdain for this idea.
“You’re insane,” I grumble.
“Come on,” he starts. “You have to watch it.”
“What do you get out of this?” I ask.
“Well …” He smiles slowly, and I notice for the first time that he has a small dimple by the corner of his mouth on the right side. “You say there’s no guy in the picture so this gives me an excuse to spend time with you in a no-date, no-pressure way.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re super persistent?”
“Once or twice.” He shrugs and starts walking away from me, looking for something else to photograph.
I nervously fiddle with the sleeve of my sweater. Letting Joel come to the apartment is probably a terrible idea, but it is only a movie. Jace and I aren’t together officially—besides, nothing is going to happen with Joel. I’m not interested in him, at all, although I hate to admit I’m starting to like him as a friend. Being forced to work with him in more than one class has shown me he’s a nice guy.
Besides, I now can’t admit to him that there is a guy, even if I don’t understand what that guy’s role in my life is.
Joel and I spend another hour at the garden before heading out.
