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Already I need to begin designs on a video game for class, the syllabus filled to the brim with various projects for the semester. Now let’s just hope Miss Party Girl doesn’t distract me too much.
When I walk into the computer lab the next day for my evening closing shift, I instantly look for Lennox, but she isn’t there. I could’ve sworn she was listed on the schedule. Maybe I’ll get some work done then. Last night when Lennox showed me the ropes, she made it sound like it’s pretty damn chill. You basically just babysit the place and keep the peace. Easy enough. Since it’s open seven days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., there are plenty of shifts to fill. Two people to open and close, with four or five people working during the busiest times—noon to eight.
I follow the instructions Lennox informed me of last night, doing my walk around the lab, and settling down at a staff station. The five staff computers are shared among the part timers, and we grab whatever’s open.
Since I’m bored and curious, I check the schedule and see Lennox is working. She was due in at the same time as me.
She’s late. Going on ten minutes now. I chuckle to myself. I shouldn’t be surprised. It’s typical Lennox. One semester in our freshman year, we shared an English lit class together, and most days, she was either late or absent. I didn’t know how the hell she managed to pass until she presented one of her short stories to the class. The professor gave extra credit when you would share, but I never mustered the courage to get up there. I admired Lennox for standing up in front of everyone, and I’ll never forget her story. The entire class was engrossed in her childhood memory of her first time at Disney World and getting separated from her parents. The emotion in her words made you feel like you were there, reliving the nightmare with her. The crowds of people, everyone looking the same, tears blurring her vision as her ten-year-old world collapsed around her. Sheer terror is how she described it, and I can only imagine how she must’ve felt.
“Hey you.”
Her voice snaps me out of the memory of her, and my cheeks flush like she can read my thoughts. I’m an idiot.
“There she is. I was wondering if you were gonna pull a no-show.”
“Ha ha, funny,” she says as she takes a seat at the computer station next to me. Her coconut scent fills my lungs and makes me dizzy. It reminds me of her in my bed and me…I stop the thought before it goes too far, and I’ll need to fix myself in the bathroom.
Her red curls are bunched into a messy bun at the top of her head, a few pieces falling in front of her eyes. Every time I look at her, I notice more and more freckles I didn’t see before.
Fuck me.
Does she have to look so damn cute all the time? In her natural state, no makeup on, and a casual look, she’s even more beautiful than when she’s all done up for parties.
“Better late than never is what I say.”
“‘Better three hours too soon than a minute too late,’” I quote and watch as her mouth pops open. I knew it would impress her. Too bad I can’t stand hearing it, my father having drilled it into my head. If I were ever late, I was grounded. It was that important.
“You did not just quote Shakespeare to me,” Lennox says, an amused yet amazed look on her face, her green eyes bright. She’s impressed, and it makes me feel good.
“Why yes, I did. Impressed?”
“I mean, I knew you were a nerd, but I didn’t think you would quote one of the greatest writers of all time.”
“Alright, I must admit, if it wasn’t for my dad shoving that quote down my throat, I wouldn’t know any Shakespeare. I thought my dad made that shit up for the longest time.”
Lennox's eyes grow wide, and then she bursts out laughing. “No way, really? So I was right. You do only read comic books.”
“Hey, I’ve been known to read a book or two.”
“A book with actual words? Or just pictures?”
“You’re so funny. Have I ever told you that before?” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm. I smirk, and she smirks back at me. She wrinkles her nose, and goddamn, it’s one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen. “And I’ll have you know, I may be a nerd, but it seems us nerds attract each other if you catch my drift.” I wink to soften the teasing blow, but all she does is laugh and shake her head, more curl tendrils falling in front of her face. My fingers itch to brush them away, wanting to see her green beauties without anything in the way, but I grip the desk instead.No. Mixed. Signals.
“If having read works from all of the greats, like our man Shakespeare, or Charlotte Brontë and Jane Austen, then yep, I’m definitely a nerd. Nothing wrong with that.”
“Remind me who the last two are?” I joke, having remembered them from English lit. We read so many stories that semester I thought my head would explode. But I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it. It was interesting, to say the least. I opted for English lit two instead of any easier English class my sophomore year, and secretly, I hoped Lennox would be in the same class. She wasn’t, but I still enjoyed the class, and we learned about the rise of comic books, too. A very true form of literature that tells a story just as well as other books.
Lennox gives me a look like she knows I must be kidding. “Don’t play with me, boy. Pop quiz time.”
“Oh shit. I’m not good at pop quizzes.”
“Don’t worry. The punishment won’t be too harsh if you fail.”
“That makes me feel so much better.” I grin, and she taps my hand playfully. The quick touch of her skin against mine sets me on fire, but I ignore it and focus on her.
“Name Charlotte Brontë’s most famous novel.”
“Wait, shit, I know this. Ummm…Jane Eyre?”
