The afternoon was hot, and I could feel the sweat trickle down my forehead. I have a free period, and I'm waiting for Casper to get out of the Dean's office. He has something to pass, and I'm waiting outside.
It's been a couple of days now since my last encounter with Nic. We haven't seen nor contacted each other after that Saturday. I still want to smack myself every time I remember the stupidity I did. If only Earth can swallow me at that moment so I won't embarrass myself further.
I started wiping my sweat and decided to sit down on the chair next to the Dean's office's door while I wait for Casper. Just as when I got to sit down, a group of girls caught my attention. It was Aurora and Megan with their newfound group of friends. They were laughing out loud as they walked down the hall.
I don't even know what gotten into me. I immediately lowered my head and pretended to read the book that I was holding. When their laughter died out, I peeked to see if they were gone. But to my surprise, Cindy was standing behind the group. She's smirking at me and then turned her back to continue walking with them.
Cindy Chung is one of the famous girls in my department and a noted bully. I thought things like this would be gone after high school, but I guess some people can't even graduate from this attitude.
Clenching my jaws to held my anger, I took a deep breath. I don't know what's Cindy's deal with me. All I can remember is that we used to be in group work during the first year of college. And that was all! That was the only time I made a conversation with her.
I can play a thousand scenarios in my head on how I could talk back to Cindy, but I only get frustrated. I suck at confrontation! The moment I open my mouth, and they would say something back, I can't help but just crumble. I know I should be used to it by now, growing up in my family, but I just can't. Sometimes I hate how soft I am. Stupid self!
Good thing Casper opened the door, and I was distracted by him. "Babe? Where are you off after this?" he asked. I frowned and told him I still have a committee meeting later.
After a few conversations, Casper left, and I was left still sitting on that chair. I started to feel tight in my chest, and my breath speeding up. Relax, self! You're fine. There's nothing wrong with you, and nothing happened earlier. My fingers were shaking a little so, I stood up and walked without even thinking where to go.
A couple of moments later, I found myself standing in front of the glassdoor of our club office. There was nobody there as I was too early for the meeting. I took out my keys, opened the door, and let myself in. I placed my bag on the couch next to the door and sat down.
I don't want to cry. I refuse to breakdown again. No!
Thank goodness for whoever came in the door for it held my tears back. Robert was standing next to me with a confused look.
"Who broke up with you? And why you decided to cry here?" I glared at him and laughed afterward. At least it made me feel better.
I stood up and followed him to the meeting area where a big oval brown table was placed. The chairs were still stacked up, so I arranged them around the office to use later. Robert was writing something on the whiteboard, probably the agenda for this afternoon's meeting. We were silent. It's not awkward but a comforting one. I know Robert knew what I was feeling. He somehow knows the whole story.
I appreciate him not saying anything because if he did push and aks questions, I might be a crying mess for the rest of the meeting.
"Whoa? Do we have a funeral here?" I jumped off, startled from the person who came into the office. It was Dominic and his beaming smile. Again. I avoided his gaze because the memory of that embarrassing moment came rushing in my mind. My face started to heat up, so I busied myself even more.
"Hey, Nic! Make yourself comfortable. The meeting will start at 4." Robert, just like the first meeting, greeted Nic as I get flustered. Why is this always happening?
"Wow! I'm 10 minutes early, that's new." Nic was eyeing me as he sat down on an empty chair facing the whiteboard. I could feel his gaze behind me. Or maybe it's just me getting paranoid over the fact that I don't know how to face him after that incident.
"Imogen!" I turned around at once when I heard my second name. Nobody calls me that here.
"That made you turn around." Nic, with his one foot resting on another chair, was grinning.
"Wow, you're comfortable." With an emphasis on the word comfortable. He was just chilling like it was his own home.
God, what will I do with this guy? Without me noticing, I was already smiling, and for whatever reason, all the feelings that built up from earlier's encounter were already gone.