Zero Strings

ZS 1

Hailey's family car was parked on the other side of the road, and given the countless bathroom breaks we had to take, it wasn't much of a surprise that they got here before we did.

For some weird reason, I was stupid enough to be carrying the box while attempting to reach for the door of the back of the van, instead of putting the box down first like how a normal, sane person would, resulting to the heavy box almost slipping from my grip.

Before the box could fall along with a string of curses, however, I feel the box slowly get lighter.

"Need a hand?" I hear some guy say, but I couldn't see his face given that the box was covering my line of sight so I tilt my head to the side in an attempt to see his face.

As soon as I did that, however, he also does it the same time I do, leaving me to see one of the hottest guys I have ever seen in my life smiling at me.

I freeze for a bit, trying to let my system marinate the fact that this human being is possibly real before I clear my throat.

"I got it, but would you be so kind to close the door for me please?" I tell him, making him smile at me again before he uses his other hand to pull the van door down while the other is still helping me lift the box I was carrying.

Watching everything unfold in front of me suddenly made me run out of air that I now decide to put the box down for a bit so I could catch up with my breath.

"You sure you don't need help carrying the box? It looks like it weighs twice as you" he says

"It does" I tell him as I nod slowly and place my hands on my hips "But no worries"

"Strong woman, huh?" He says as he gives me a one over, but not the kind that would make you cringe "I like that"

At this point, I start to feel my cheek burning from the way he flirted with me.

It wasn't even anything special, but for some reason, he was making me blush like crazy.

"I'm Casey, by the way. In case you were wondering" I tell him before holding my hand out to him.

"Yeah I've been waiting to know your name. I'm River" he answers before grabbing my hand "Anyway, do you go to school here?"

"Yeah. I'm a freshman" I answer "You?"

"Yeah. But I'm a sophomore" he answers "My fraternity is having a weekend-before-school party tonight. You should come"

I give his demeanor a one over before I take my phone out of my pocket and hand it to him.

"We'll see" I tell him "Text me the details though" River takes my phone without any hesitation and places his number on my phone and presses the call button before taking his own phone out so he could save my number.

"I'll see you later" he says as he hands my phone back "Oh, and. Bring a friend" he adds before flashing me a smile and begins jogging away as I watch him.

As soon as he was out of sight, I looked down and saw the huge box that I still had to carry up to my room, so I sighed and carried it again.

For some reason however, I could not stop thinking about him. And he was all I could talk about while we were eating lunch with Hailey and her family.

Despite Hailey not listening to whatever I was saying, of course.

The parents left a little over five pm, and as Caleb placed the rest of his stuff on their rightful place, I stayed sat on the couch watching him, unsure of what to do.

"You know what would be nice?" Caleb said, making me look at him.

"What?" I ask without any ounce of energy