9:11 pm
"I don't understand why you're going," Casey said from the bathroom.
"Because he asked me out." I was trying my best to pull my twists into a low bun but it wasn't fitting.
"But you don't even like him in that way." I turned around and saw her staring at me from the doorway.
"I don't know that though."
Spencer had asked me if we were available to meet and I said I was free tonight so we were going to go have dinner. It was super rushed and last minute but he had to head home tomorrow so it only made sense to do it tonight.
"I thought you were excited a couple of weeks ago when he mentioned he wanted to hang out with me," I countered. She was switching up on me for sure.
"That was before I saw how happy Will made you. I think Spencer is a great guy but I don't think he's what you need right now."
I turned back around in my chair and looked at the smaller mirror on my desk. I put on light makeup and pulled my hair out of the low bun. It wasn't gonna stay no matter how much I forced it to.
"Well, I'm gonna go and have fun. Whatever may or may not be going on between Will and me isn't something I'm trying to focus on."
I pulled the small strap of my clutch over my shoulder and threw on my vans.
I was wearing a plain white shirt with a cardigan over and jeans. The weather was surprisingly nicer than expected. It was only 55 degrees out which was very different from last week's 32-degree weather.
"See you later," I said, opening the door. I didn't hear her response because I closed the door behind me.
I moved quickly through the hallway. Everyone was leaving to go home this weekend and the house was a slight mess with boxes and suitcases everywhere. I headed down the stairs.
I didn't like the fact that she wasn't being supportive of this date. Normally Casey would be thrilled that I even wanted to go out and do something instead of staying in like I usually did.
Now she's saying this was going to complicate things.
I couldn't see how that would happen. It was a harmless date and nothing more.
I'd been so sidetracked with this date that I forgot to let her know that Monica knows. had to remember to do that later.
**********************************
I took a bite of my slice of strawberry cheesecake and smiled to myself. It was so good.
"I'm really glad you chose this place to eat," I said covering my mouth so that he wouldn't see me chewing.
Spencer sat across from me in a booth in a jean jacket and a button-down shirt. His usually orange curls were neatly kept to the side. He looked handsome.
He took a piece of my cheesecake with his fork and I smacked his hand away. We both broke out laughing and I took a piece of his fudge brownie.
So far the date had been great. He took me to a fancy diner that was a few minutes away from the school. The interior was red and white and it was fully decorated for the holiday season.
There were a few OSU students here and there but I wasn't worried because they didn't seem to care or take notice of us. I didn't have to think about someone taking our picture and posting it somewhere.
Eating out publicly like this wasn't something I could do with Will.
I shook my head slightly, trying to stop my intruding thoughts. I kept comparing this to Will and me. I needed to stop.
He grinned and took a sip of his wine. "I figured you'd like it. It's a great way to celebrate the end of finals week."
I smiled and we rose our glasses for a cheer.
I took a small sip of my wine and took another bite of my dessert.
"Congrats by the way on the writing competition. I knew you'd win that."
"Thanks. Really?" I said slightly surprised. "The class had pretty hard competition. I didn't think it would be me because I wrote a silly love story."
"I read the synopsis. It wasn't stupid. It sounded really deep."
I stopped eating and placed my fork on the plate. "What do you mean you read the synopsis?"
"It's online." He clarified. "If you go to the school's website and the English section, it's on the main page. There's only a little paragraph that gives you an idea about what the story-"
I couldn't hear anything he was saying because my mind was spiraling. Why didn't I know this?
I may have missed an email or two this week because of finals but I feel like I should have known this. I knew the book wouldn't be out till sometime early next year but I didn't know they were putting a preview of it online.
I had to check my email later.
"You okay?"
I blinked and focused back on his face. "I'm sorry. I just forgot they put it online already." I lied.
"You must be so excited."
"Mhmm." I bit down on my lip and smiled lightly.
"So be honest with me. We're you surprised that I invited you out." He said. A shy smile spread on his face.
"A little. I haven't seen you since last school year so..." My voice trailed off as I looked at the front door.
The door opened and Sean and Will walked in.
Oh, God.
I dropped the fork from my hand and it slipped beneath the booth.
"Sorry." I quickly ducked underneath the table and reached for it. "It's really dark down here. I'm still looking." I said lying.
I couldn't stay down here all night. This is not what I needed right now.
"You okay?" Spencer asked.
"Yep, just....looking for that stupid fork." I lied.
I could see Will and Sean's feet from here. I watched as they moved from the register and my heart nearly stopped as they moved towards our table.
Why were they coming this way?
I heard them getting closer and I closed my eyes tightly. I needed to think of something fast.
"May-"
"Hey, Spencer." I heard Sean say. I looked at Sean's feet and covered my hand with my mouth.
"Hey guys."
"I forgot to ask you earlier but you're coming down to Florida, right?"Sean asked. "You're the only person I know that gets my good angles in photos."
Spencer laughed and Will scoffed. "Your big ass head really sticks out you know." Will teased.
"Yeah. I'll be in Florida man. I'm looking forward to it. It's looking like Buckeyes might pull another victory."
I heard a smack and Will grumbled. "If this guy's head stays focused then we're solid," Sean said with a laugh.
I need to get the fuck out of here. If only I could-
"Are you okay?" Spencer said.
I knew his question was directed towards me. "Yeah," I said in a higher voice, trying to sound like someone else.
"Has someone been under the table this whole time?" Sean said laughing.
"Yeah, I'm on a date right now."
"My bad dude," Will said apologetically.
I picked up the fork and shot my hand out from under the table. "Found it!"
I let my twists cover my face as came out from under the table and sat back down.
I looked up and Sean's mouth fell open at the sight of me. Will's face grew pale and felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment.
I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. For some reason, it felt like I was caught red-handed even though I technically wasn't doing anything wrong.
"This is my date Maya," Spencer said gesturing to me. "Maya, this is Sean and Will. You probably know them from our football team."
I enveloped my hands together and gave a painful fake smile. "Yeah, nice to meet you guys." I played along.
Sean smiled, trying to keep from laughing. "Nice to meet you." He added.
Will simply nodded at me and looked away.
Sean patted Spencer's back and looked at me with a mischievous smile on his face. "So how do you know our boy Spencer?"
I pressed my lips together and formed a unnatural smile. "We met last year in one of my classes."
"Awww, how cute." He said enthusiastically. "He's one of our housemates. I'm surprised I haven't seen you around."
I wanted to reach my hand out and shove him. Not that it would do anything.
He was making this way worse.
"It's only our first date." Spencer grinned at me and I looked down at my hands feeling uncomfortable.
"Well, we wouldn't want to impose, so we'll get out of here." Will said with a blank expression on his face.
"See you guys," Spencer said with a smile.
I watched as they both turned away and walked towards the door. Sean turned around and mouthed the words "what's going on?".
I gave him knowing eyes and focused back on Spencer.
"So, what we're we talking about?" He said smiling at me.
***************************************
I shook Casey in her sleep and she simply grumbled.
"Wake up," I whispered.
It was 11:30 at night and I had just gotten home from the date.
After seeing Will, I could barely focus on anything Spencer was saying. I felt so guilty.
"Casey, please wake up." She leaned up and I turned on her bedside lamp.
"You just get back?" She said with one eye open.
"Yeah listen-"
"No, actually I wanted to say that I was sorry. I shouldn't have made you feel guilty for going out with Spencer. I was being biased and-"
I grabbed her shoulders. "All is forgiven. I have to tell you something. I need your help."
She opened both her eyes and ruffled her short hair. "What happened?"
"Will showed up."
A loud gasp escaped from her mouth. "He was on your date?"
"No, like he showed up to the place with Sean, and apparently they both know Spencer. It was so embarrassing." I covered my face with my hands.
"What did he say?"
"Nothing, he just looked at me like I'd punched him in the face."
"Well, you technically did nothing wrong." She rubbed my arm and gave me a sympathetic smile.
"I was gonna go see him tomorrow but I just feel like...weird...and guilty."
She shook her head. "Just give him your gift tomorrow, you don't know when you're going to see him next before everyone leaves for the break."
I nodded my head and pulled off my sweater, heading towards my bed.
"We've got a busy day ahead of us tomorrow. Rest up."
I turned on my bedside lamp and she turned hers off.
Tomorrow we were going to be packing up and Casey was leaving later in the evening. I was going home with Gen the next day.
But Casey had convinced me that she had a plan for the Florida trip. Maybe we could go.
I couldn't shake the look Will had given me. Betrayal would be the word to describe it.
Quote of the chapter:
A/N: What are you guys thinking? Are you mad at Maya for going out with Spencer? Do you think it's fair for Will to be mad at her? Comment and Vote. Remember: I'm posting once a week now. I'll be posting at random so be on the lookout.
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