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It’s not that I haven’t wanted a boyfriend since I got to college, I’ve just had other priorities. I have no idea why all of a sudden I’m drawn toward finding one, but it makes me hopeful someone paid enough attention to start a conversation.
We are getting through the homework fairly quickly. I should be happy, but now I’m wishing there was more. When we take a short break, I pretend to go to the bathroom down the hall. I know I won't have service, but I attempt to text Avery anyway. She asked for frequent updates. I told her it’s only to study, we won’t be alone, and he probably doesn’t even remember my name. I know she just feels bad for spending so much time with Miller and wants me to find someone too.
It’s causing me to get ahead of myself. I don’t even know this kid’s last name, but I feel like I need to know more than just that immediately. I shake the thought from my head, rolling my eyes at myself as I walk back to the room. Troy and Carley immediately stop talking when I open the door. Nothing like that to make a girl self conscious. Maybe it’s childish, but come on, that’s classic “we were just talking about you” vibes. We finish and go our separate ways, and I try to stop wondering what could have been said while I was gone.
I’m probably thinking crazy anyway. It’s this quarter life crisis I’m in. I feel like once I graduate, I cross over this line where I’m supposed to have my life together and know what I’m doing. I’ve heard my parents’ story a hundred times. They met when they were in college at Oregon State and both knew they were meant to be after their first Education class they took together. They knew who they wanted to be with and what they wanted to do. They found jobs right away, and the rest is history. I love that for them, but I can’t help but feel like I’m behind because of it.
CHAPTER FOUR
EventhoughItookthe time to add loose curls to my usually straight brown hair and put on a little more makeup than the typical nothing I wear, I’m still early to class on Monday morning. I feel like a different person. Normally, I don’t get out of bed until my alarm goes off five minutes before I leave. I throw on a hoodie, the one pair of jeans I own that I like and toss my hair in a messy bun with a scrunchie on my way out the door.
Of course this is the day Troy is nowhere to be found, even by the time class starts at 9 a.m.
A few minutes later, Carley quietly walks down the steps, sliding into the seat next to me. When class lets out, she leans over and nudges me. “So…Troy was asking about you.” She waggles her eyebrows.
My eyes dart to her in confusion. “Wait, what?”
“Yeah, when you went to the bathroom the other day he asked me if I thought it would be weird if he asked you to hang out, since he already has your number and all.” The tone in her voice tells me she’s curious to hear my reaction. I don’t know her well yet, but I get the impression she’s nosy and loves to be in on everyone’s drama. Even if it only encourages her, I have to know more.
“Oh, what did you say?” I attempt to stay neutral and not show her I’m freaking out inside.
“That there’s no harm in asking!” she says with a shug. A smirk reveals itself as she catches the smile I’m trying to hide slip across my face.
I waited all day hoping Troy would text me, hoping whatever kept him from class wasn't enough to keep him from wanting to hang out too. As I’m about to work up the courage to text him, my phone dings.
Troy:Hey, I overslept and missed class. Any way I could get the notes from you?
Maci:Sure! Just let me know when.
Troy:Maybe we could get coffee later and you can bring them?
I pull my phone to my face to make sure I’m reading it correctly, especially since my hands are shaking. I steady them enough to reply.
Maci:Sounds great! I’m free around 2?
Troy:Works for me.
I only have an hour break, so I head to the café Troy suggested as soon as my class lets out. I walk through the glass door, which is covered in a green and yellow poster listing the football schedule for the year and see Troy at a table in the back. He’s leaning forward on his elbows with a card in his hand.
“Hey,” I greet him once I’m a few feet away.
He glances up. “Hey, Maci. Who is your favorite superhero?”
“What?” I scrunch my eyebrows together in confusion.
He holds up the card in his hand. “I found this stack of conversation starters on the table.” He laughs. “So, who is your favorite?”
“Oh, Ant-Man, hands down.”
“That feels…random.” He looks at me questioningly.
“No way. He’s brilliant. He’s hilarious. And so many game changing moments wouldn’t be possible without him. Who is your favorite?”
“Easy. The Joker.”
“Does he even count as a superhero? Isn’t he a villain? Does he even have powers?!” I roll my eyes.
“No less powers than Ant-Man! And he’s arguably equally as intelligent. But I like him because he’s the wild card. You never know what to expect, and that makes him awesome.”
