Flashback.
12 years ago, Pacific State University.
Being a freshman in university made me escape from being bullied in high school. This time, I was hopeful to gain friends whom I can talk to and share my thoughts with. That's what I have thought.
In this school, I was still the invisible girl who didn't have friends. I spent most of my time in the library, immersing myself in books and magazines. During class hours, I would sit at the back, avoiding attention as much as possible. I was just a normal student and I understood why my classmates didn't notice me, I wasn't pretty nor smart, I was just an ordinary student who was striving to pass in each exam and survive each semester.
The library is my favorite place in the campus. I was already familiar with the people who were always here like me. I saw them almost every day. While some were studying really hard (You can notice by the number of books on their table and the number of notes they scribbled.), others were just here killing time including me. There was one though who stayed here attracting all the attention both from boys and girls. His name is Geoffrey Park. He was one of the most famous students in Pacific State University not only due to his looks but the different luxury cars that brings him to school every day. He was swooned by girls from different departments. Maybe that was the reason why he always stayed at the corner of the library, to avoid attention from many people.
One Friday morning, while I was hooked reading a novel, I felt someone was sitting in front of me. As much as possible, I didn't want to sit with anyone but since this is a public library, I didn't have a choice. I continued reading and ignored the person in front of me. After 30 minutes or so, I couldn't stand it anymore, I had to check who this person was. How could he be brave enough to come in my territory? When I put the book down and looked at him, he was staring at me, smiling.
"Hi, would you mind if I sit here?" He asked. It was Geoffrey Park, the mighty and ever famous Geoffrey Park. "The table I used to stay with was now occupied and the library was quite crowded." He continued.
I looked around me and truly, the library was almost filled with students, mostly girls who were looking at our direction. I was sure they came here to have a chance talking to this man in front of me and I was also sure he came here to avoid being approached by these women. "User!" I whispered, luckily, he didn't hear me.
"My name is Geoffrey Park." He offered his right hand for a handshake. I didn't want to look rude, so I got it.
"Jessica Myers. Everyone knows who you are."
"Including you?" He asked still smiling. He looked very cute. His dimples were so visible with his smile. But that didn't change the fact that he was still a user.
"I think even the bugs in this library knew who you are. That's how famous a Geoffrey Park is." I explained, sounding sarcastically.
"Do you think I like to be famous? If you were in my position, I am sure you would wish to be just a nobody every day. They like me here because of the rumor that I am rich, not because I have a good personality." He seems sad saying that.
"How could it be a rumor when everyone sees you using different luxury cars every day? I even saw you this morning in a Ferrari."
"How did you know about that? Are you also one of those who stalk at me?
"You wish."
Why do you look so cute with that attitude? I like you!" He said. I think his smile was already fixed in his mouth and he was looking better and better the more you look at him. This guy, I was sure, already met a lot of women and made many girls cry.
I ignored what he said and continued reading. I didn't want to ruin my mood because of this guy.
"It's almost lunchtime. Don't you have a class coming?" He asked.
I checked the time, it was half past 11. "I don't have a class until 1pm."
"Me, too!" He suddenly stood up, grabbed his backpack and started fixing the books in front of me. "Let's go to the canteen and have lunch!"
"And who told you I would have lunch with you?"
"Me!" He grabbed my hand and pulled me in full strength. I tried to pull my hand back and escape from him, but he was too strong.
I realized it was no use escaping so I just followed him. He was holding my wrist until we reach the canteen. I could sense eyes looking at our direction.
We fell in line, waiting for our turn to be served with food. He got two trays, gave one to me. When it was our turn to get food, he ordered sandwiches, salad and soda. How dare this man not asking me what I want! He laid the food on my tray and gave money to the cashier.
We sat on a vacant table near the corner. Many eyes followed us. At first I tried to ignore them, but I think people around us were starting to hate me.
"How much do I owe you?" I asked him after sitting down.
"You don't owe me anything. That's my treat." He said confidently.
"I know you are rich, but I don't want to owe anyone anything."
"I know you have a very strong personality but sometimes you have to act like a woman, let a man take care of you."
"Whatever!"
"I have a question. Please don't get offended since it is quite personal."
"I don't like talking about personal things. We are not yet friends"
"Not yet, but we will be. So, can I ask the question now?"
I nodded as a sign of approval. I could answer any question he threw at me, anyway, I wouldn't be talking to him again after today.
"Why do you seem so reserved? Like you build a wall around you and you don't want other people to pass through that wall. Just a piece of advice, not everyone around you wants to hurt you. I was observing you in the library since the first day I saw you, you look cute actually and I have wanted to talk to you ever since. I want us to be friends and I mean that."
I was trying to analyze whether he was telling the truth or not. He seemed sincere. I actually didn't know why I couldn't trust others easily, maybe it was because of my experience in high school. I think all people around me despised me because of my looks and my behavior. Those experiences made me think of myself so low, that no one could understand how it felt to be alone except me. He broke the silence.
"From now on, we are friends, okay? We will have lunch here every day, sit together in the library. You can tell me all your thoughts. I would love listening to them."
I didn't know whether I would believe this guy or not, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to try. I smiled at him and asked, "Are you sure?"
"Of course I am sure! You're the first woman who was never so kind to me. Everyone I talked to in the past were so nice, some women would even kneel down and praise me if I asked them to, and that's how much they adore me. You're the first woman who didn't give a damn on how I look or how rich my family is. Every time I meet people, do you know what they ask me first? What are your parents' jobs? Is it true that your family has a chain of hotels? Do you have a girl friend? It is making me sick." He spoke too fast. He sounded like his rapping. I laughed at the thought of it.
"Finally, you laughed. You look prettier when you're laughing. You have to do that often. So, do you trust me now?" He asked.
I smiled. This is the first time I could call someone my friend. Despite his kindness and being gentle to me, I told myself that I wouldn't fall for him. He may be god to other girls because of his looks and his background, but I would never be like them. Besides, he was someone I couldn't be with. We are totally different.
We spent the rest of the school year together. We always met in the library and have lunch or snacks together. Although women hated me because of that, no one dared to say nasty things about me since they respect Geoffrey. My freshman year was the best time I had as a student.
After a year, he had to leave the university. He was a senior and as a freshman that year, I had to stay here for three more years.
"I will see you again someday. I have to go to Australia to finish my master's degree. After that, we will meet again. That's a promise." I cannot forget this statement for the first three years after he left. That was the last statement I heard from him. I graduated from the university without calls nor message from him. I wonder how he was. Could he still remember me?