I walked through the university at a fast and aggressive pace. I can’t believe Courtney cheated on me, with Dan; my so-called mate. I was walking with my head down and an ‘if-you-touch-me-I-will-kill-you’ look on my face. The other students avoided my path and my gaze. I didn’t pay any attention to them, until I felt someone bump into me at full speed. We bumped heads and I heard the sound of books falling. I almost reacted aggressively if it wasn’t for the young woman standing before me rubbing her head.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry” I said as I bent down to pick up the books. She bent down in front of me and picked up the papers that were scattered around us.
“No, it was my fault, I wasn’t looking where I was going” she laughed nervously. She looked up and our eyes met. My breath literally left my lungs. She was stunning. She had brown, waist length hair which had red streaks in it and amazingly bright blue eyes that were rimmed with black glasses.
“So was I, let’s just say it was both our faults” I laughed and stood up, holding her books. She took off her glasses and stood up so we were face-to-face. I handed her the books, which she placed into her bag.
“Thanks. I’m Leila” she held her hand out.
“I’m Riley” I shook it. “So, Leila, would you like to accompany for coffee this afternoon?” I smiled brightly at her. She blushed instantly.
“Uh, sure” she smiled back.
Ten minutes later and Leila and I were sitting at the University’s many cafés. I was enjoying an iced coffee whilst she enjoyed a banana and strawberry smoothie.
“So Riley, why were you walking at a hundred miles an hour with a peeved expression on your face?” I laughed lightly at the casualness of her tone.
“I was kind of annoyed at my girlfriend” I said lamely.
“Oh” her face fell for a second but went back to normal the next second.
“I mean my ex-girlfriend. We broke up this morning”
“Oh” she said, with a happier tone. “Why?”
“She cheated on me” I shrugged. I looked at her and she had a pondering look on her face, like she was trying to take the little information in. We were interrupted by a ringing sound coming from my pocket. I took my phone out reluctantly and checked who it was. It was Tyler, my best friend and roommate. I mouthed ‘sorry’ and stood up to answer it.
“What Tyler?” I said annoyed.
“What a wonderful way to greet your best mate” Tyler said brightly from the other end.
“Hi Tyler, how are you? I’m good” I said sarcastically, “what do you want” I added bluntly.
“Haha. I want you to come home. I wanna take you out tonight with Rose and one of her girlfriends. Maybe you two can hook up”
“Uh, I’m not sure” I turned to see Leila on the phone as well. She got up, wrote something on a napkin, and then made her way to me. She handed me the napkin and waved bye. I looked and saw it had her number on it.
“Please”
“Hmm, okay then. I’ll be home in ten” I hung up as I heard “yay” come from the earpiece. I made my way to my car that was parked in the university car park. Like I said to Tyler, I was home in ten.
Tyler’s plans were dinner at seven, and then drinks at nine. I’m pretty sure though, that the dinner plans were Rose’s, and the drinks Tyler’s. I got home to see Tyler staring at himself in the mirror of the bathroom, gelling his black hair into a messy, yet cool hairstyle. When he saw me, he pointed to me, then the bathroom, obviously signalling for me to get my arse into the shower.
I showered slowly. I had an hour to get ready and I needed time to think. I relaxed instantly as the hot water fell onto my body, releasing my tense muscles. I’m going to have fun tonight. I’m going to forget about Courtney and start fresh, I thought to myself, I hope this girl’s hot, I added as an afterthought. Then I thought of Leila, and contemplated on calling her. I decided that I’ll call her tomorrow, if nothing works out with this chick.
I got out of the shower and dressed into my best ‘chillin’ clothes; a pair of jeans, a white long-sleeved shirt, black shoes and a black leather wristband. I styled my hair by gelling it straight and messy. I walked out of my room, and smiled as Tyler whistled and said ‘badass’. I looked at the time and swore when I realised it was five to seven. I grabbed Tyler and we went to the restaurant in my black BMW M3, a present from my mum and dad when I shared the Dux with Rose. We were meeting the girls at the restaurant and surprisingly, I was insanely nervous, which was very uncharacteristic of me. I created a theory as I was driving, that I was nervous because of the girl I was going to meet. What if I didn’t like her? What if I do like her and what’s going to happen with Leila then? My thoughts were interrupted by Tyler yelling ‘We’re here!’ and showing me where to park.
As soon as I parked, we made our way towards the restaurant. I saw Rose standing alone at the reservations desk. When she saw us she flicked her strawberry blonde hair out of her eyes and embraced Tyler. I rolled my eyes, feeling slightly awkward.
“So where’s your friend?” I asked. Tyler looked at Rose and they had the telepathic conversation with just their eyes.
“She’s in the bathroom” she saw the look of my eyes and sighed; “you’re going to love her” she looked towards the bathroom, “oh here she is now”. I followed her gaze and my jaw dropped.
