Two weeks have passed and it's has been wonderful being in JK high school. I have gotten a lot closer with Camilla, we sit together during classes and spend our lunch time together— in fact, we spend nearly all day together we are both in the honors program for law.
I and Gabriel have also bonded better. Though, we don't share any classes so we only get to meet during lunch break or during my spare time on Tuesday. And I must say, he has started to grow on me. He was a very fun person to be around.
Surprisingly, during these two weeks, I haven't crossed paths with Julian. He usually came to the classes we shared late and I hardly saw him in school. Well, it's not like I cared.
I dashed into the large library with a copy of Othello in my hand. It was the book that we were discussing next week in the book club so we were all told to read it.
The library is pretty much empty and I am sure it's because we're still in the early weeks of spring. Most students don't read by this time.
I settled down at the first empty seat I saw and began to read it but the rambling of the chair beside me made me halt and I lowered my book from my face to see who my seatmate was. Why did the person have to pick this seat out of all the free seats?
My brows deepened as I saw who I had least expected seated opposite me.
"Julian?" I said but it came out more like a question. I was surprised to see him here. No offense but he doesn't seem like the serious type at all.
"The way you call my name is cool. I love it," He said but I just rolled my eyes. Must he flirt in every situation? "Well, I saw you entering here and I decided to follow, curious," He added answering my questioning gaze and I shook my head.
What was there to be curious about?
His eyes began to scan the whole place as if this was his first time here Or wait. Was it?
"Is this your first time here?" I asked and when he nodded, I was horrified. I opened my mouth to talk but immediately closed it back. I didn't want to sound too dramatic.
Not everyone might like reading in libraries.
His eyes land back on me and this made me shift uncomfortably on my seat as I dart my gaze back to the book on my hand, pretending to be focused on it.
"Othello? Jeez, why are you reading that book?" He asked and my brows furrowed. Why won't I?
"Because I love Shakespeare's work and it's also the book we will be talking about this week in my book club," I said without looking away from the book. I hated having eye contact with him. I didn't like the way he looked at me and the effect it had on me.
"Well, that's sad. It's a depressing love story. Othello kills his wife Desdemona then kills himself, Cassio dies, Emily dies, and all. I'd advise you to drop reading it,"
As his voice rang in my ear, my head shot up with a burning rage in my eyes. Did he just spoil the book for me?
When my eyes met his and I saw the wicked gleam in his eyes, my brows furrow deepened. He did it on purpose! How dare he?!
"How dare you? I will never forgive you for this. Why did you even come here?" I asked annoyed and he bites his lips trying to hold his grin. I am sure he was enjoying this.
"As I said, I followed you. I wanted to hang out. And besides, I just did you a favour. I saved you the stress of feeling bad about wasting your time on the book when you're done with it. I'm waiting for my thank you," He said smiling and this made me more angry. He had the guts to justify himself, really?
I was two seconds away from using the book in my hand to smack his head.
"I knew it was a tragedy but I never expected it to be that tragic," I mumbled to myself but I guess my voice was loud enough for him to hear since he replied to me.
"That's what love can cause. Love is manipulative. It makes you do crazy things that you can't control. It keeps you under control. It doesn't come all rosy. Everyone wants that kind of love but that's not how it always turns out to be. It comes with pain, heartbreak, tears, and hurt," He said and I snorted. What does someone like him even know about love? From what I have heard, I know he's the last person I should have this conversation with.
I rolled my eyes and I continued skimming through my book when a realization dawned on me. "Wait, you gave me spoilers earlier. Did you read the book?" I asked surprised. I was surprised that he reads book, much less a romance novel.
He nodded his head and my mouth hung open "So you read novels? Like, romance novels?" I asked and he looked at me like I was crazy.
"Why would I ever read that? I read books where people behave normal- not like crazy people in love and if ever romance, I only read tragedies." He said and fed up, I finally said out my mind.
"You only see the bad side, huh? You never see the good part. The part that you would have someone who cares for you. You would have someone by your side. Someone you can open up to and be yourself around. Even during the tough times, you should hold onto the good memories," I said smiling. I knew the real-world love was not rosy just as he had said but I was too consumed my fictional world.
And, I also didn't want to agree with him. I am sure he this was what he used to justify the lifestyle that he had chosen so the last thing I would do is agree.
"It brings more bad than good. You are also literally giving that person a right to your heart. A right to exploit and destroy you," He stated and I shook my head, frustrated. I really wish I knew more about love, that way, I would put him in his place but I knew nothing about it.
I haven't even dated before. My experience stopped at crushing and nothing more.
"So you don't wish to experience it, huh?" I asked, after a few seconds of silence.
"Ofcourse. Why would I?"
"Want to be a playboy for life?" I raised a brow teasingly and he smirked.
"It's not like that. You make me sound bad. Of course, I get into serious relationships but I don't do love. That's how it'll keep staying," He uttered as if it was the most normal thing to say and for the hundredth time today, I shook my head. His case needed a divine remedy.
Our locked gaze got disrupted as his phone burped a text. He picked it up from the table and started texting away.
Since it would look cringe if I kept gazing at him, I continued reading my book but I couldn't concentrate. No matter how much of a jerk he is, I can't help but admit that he was breathtakingly handsome and his presence distracts me.
And I didn't hate having him around, I hated the fact that I loved it.
"Jessica," He said and hearing him, I almost jumped up. This was the first time that he called my name but I hated to admit it but it made my heart flutter.
His voice was deep and smooth. My name has never sounded better.
Raising my head, I tensed at how close he was to me. He was leaning from his chair with a cheeky smile on and I swallowed. What does he want to say that making him smile so much?
"There is a party at my best friend's place today. Want to come along?" He asked and seeing the clear no already written on my face, he went on. "Come on. I would pick you up and I promise to drive you home. I would also make sure you don't feel awkward or lonely. We'd stick together," He said and I chuckled.
I barely knew him so why does he think that I'd follow him to a party? And from what I've heard, sticking with him would be way worse than any other thing! Is that even a solution?
"Nope. I have to study." I replied and his brow pulled together, confused as if that was the most stupid excuse I could give for not wanting to come.
"Seriously? I know, you look like the book type but that can't be the reason why,"
"Well, it is. Moreover, I also have my SAT lesson and French lesson today. My schedule is full," I stated and his lips parted in disbelief.
"With those cra..." He started but halted, changing his choice of words "those things? Don't tell me you're the type that's addicted to studies and adopts a boring lifestyle?" He asked, the horror on his face visible and when I nodded, his eyes widened.
Since I felt like coming straight up to him about who I was, I decided to open up besides it might even make him leave me.
"I might not look like it but I am an introvert. I am only extroverted to some extent at the few friends I have," I confessed and he ran his hand down his jaw, smirking.
"I don't believe that you are. You made yourself introverted. From the conversation I have had with you today, you're pretty outspoken," He said straightening up on his chair and I sighed. Thankfully, the bell rang altering our conversation.
I stood up and flashed a bright smile at him. "It was nice talking to you, Julian but I have a class to get to. See you later," I said and without even waiting for his reply, I walked away.
I placed my hand on my heartbeat calming it down as I walked away.
The effect he had is really strange.
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