"You and me."
"You and me." Aubrey repeated blankly and Rhyland nodded with satisfaction.
"How— how— how" Aubrey shook her head as she uttered in response. She was completely at a loss as to how this unnecessarily handsome man had come to this conclusion. How were they friends? They came from two different worlds.
"I just helped you with your homework." Rhyland suddenly pointed out with an innocent look on his face.
Aubrey could only look on questioningly at the man. "And then?" She asked.
The man had the audacity to gasp in mock dismay. "Are you gonna dump me now that you've used me?"
"Wha— wha— whaaat? Dump and use? Don't use such misleading words!" Aubrey exclaimed, earning herself yet another scathing glare from the girl at the adjacent table. If looks could kill, she would be dead a hundred times over today.
"But isn't that what you're doing?" Rhyland inquired, pretending to look hurt.
"But— but— I didn't ask…" Aubrey started to respond before she stopped herself. At the end of the day, the man was right. If he had not helped her, she wouldn't be able to finish her homework in time for math class. Ugh. She swallowed a sigh. "Thank you for your help." She finally mustered with difficulty.
"You're welcome." Rhyland smiled magnanimously and he gestured down with a nod of his head.
Aubrey unwillingly looked at the man's outstretched hand. With some hesitation, she reached out to shake the man's hand. As Aubrey did so, a shot of electricity flowed through where their skin touched, taking both of them by surprise.
'What was that?' Aubrey quickly took back her hand and rubbed her fingers with a pout.
And once again for a short moment, Rhyland could've sworn that he caught another whiff of the girl's unique floral scent. No doubt about it, she was the answer to his hunger.
"Friends?" Rhyland asked as a wolfish glint flashed across his eyes.
Aubrey bit her lip. This time, she nodded.
...…
The day passed by without much fanfare. Thankfully she didn't see Rhyland again for the rest of the day. Truth be told, Aubrey was Rhyland-ed out for the time being. The crazy thing was she always finds herself acting out of character when that man is involved. She can't even believe Aubrey used to pride herself as being the level headed one especially compared to the boy crazy Beverly who has a new beau every two weeks. But with the man around she became a clumsy and blundering mess. So it was good to feel like her normal self again even if it was only for a few hours.
Soon it was time for her dreaded swim class. It was a class that her friend Beverly convinced her to sign up for so they could spend time together since both loved the water. But once again the former ended up flaking on her. Beverly only came in for twice before subsequently dropping the class without telling Aubrey.
Wait til she gets her hands on Beverly. Aubrey was just about ready to wring that girl's neck for leaving her alone. Aubrey didn't even know what that girl was preoccupied with lately. She always seemed to disappear along with their friend Ricky. Sigh. What could be up with those two. Aubrey grumbled. She was still somewhat miffed that Ricky had to drop their only class together. But the man allegedly wasn't able to make his schedule work with the Chemistry 101 class that had an associated lab class.
'I should make some new friends." Aubrey thought. Just then the image of Rhyland popped up in her mind and she shuddered in response. On second thoughts she's fine. She didn't need new friends, especially not ones as eye-catching as that one.
Aubrey winced as she surreptitiously readjusted her swim bottom. She really disliked having to wear a swimsuit to class. It wasn't that she was insecure about her body, it was just that the university's swimwear was too revealing. It was a good thing that she loves swimming. She loves the feel of the water surrounding her. It's like time stands still when she's in the water. If only this wasn't a coed class it would be awesome.
Aubrey shivered as she felt a lecherous gaze on her although when she turned around she didn't catch anyone's eyes on her.
'It's okay. It's just an hour-long class.' Aubrey reminded herself as she prepared to dive into the water.
Meanwhile, The swim instructor Mr Tae Kim nodded in satisfaction as he saw the file of female students surrounding the pool. He had the perfect job. Everyday, he gets to ogle at big butts and breasts of young college girls and get paid doing it.Now if he could only get his hands on one of them girls, it would be perfect. But who would he target? It would have to be someone quiet and unassuming. Someone who wouldn't talk.
...
That evening, Aubrey decided she would arbitrarily stop by Beverly's place for dinner. She had so much she wanted to talk about. So much meaning… Rhyland Leslie Darling and how he bulldozed his way into being "friends' with her. So after that tiring swim class, she went to the asian supermarket and purchased some kimbap, fried chicken tteokbokki and beer to prepare for a "girl's night in." She knew Beverly's school schedule like the back of her hand and Tuesdays were a short day for her friend. After taking a short Uver ride, she finally arrived at her friend's upscale highrise apartment.
'She must be at home now watching trash tv.' Aubrey thought with a short laugh as she entered the code on the keypad of her friend's door. 'We still need to catch up on watching season 4 of Love is Blind on Metflix.'
"Bev!!! I've come bearing gifts!!! Come help me with these?" Aubrey shouted as she strode into the studio apartment. She had been so engrossed with her own thoughts and juggling her purchases that she did not notice the clothes strewn around the floor. Instead she heard a loud gasp followed by the rustling of blankets.
Aubrey looked up to see something that stopped her in her tracks.
It was something she wasn't expecting to see, even in her wildest dreams. Finding her two best friends in bed together.
Aubrey saw Ricky quickly grab the blanket and cover a surprised Beverly.
She was in utter shock. Beverly and Ricky? How? Since when?
"Bree… I can explain." Beverly began with a sheepish grin. The woman was completely unaware of the ashen expression on Aubrey's face.
Still, it was Ricky who very calmly said the words that broke Aubrey's heart.
"We're dating now."