Or if she wanted to hear from me.
We didn’t part on good terms and it was all my fault.
I decided not to dwell on that fact and how much it fucking hurt to let her go.
I let thoughts of how we met consume me instead.
Chapter Two: Wyatt
It was the first day of Biology.
I needed to get a great seat. This class was my first prerequisite for all my pre-med classes and I couldn’t afford to fuck it up. I knew I was smart - I always had been - but I also knew pre-med classes were no joke. As much as I acted to the contrary, I knew I wouldn’t be able to skate through college the way I did high school.
I walked into the classroom fifteen minutes early and took a seat in the front row. We were in the lab that first day, so I took the lab table closest to the window, which would also put me closest to the professor. Slacking off wouldn’t be an option.
As the minutes ticked by, no one walked through the door. I sat alone in the classroom for a full ten minutes before the door finally opened.
A small girl with short brown hair walked inside. She let the door slam behind her while she scanned the room. Her eyes fell on mine and she looked at the lab table where I was sitting. I could tell she wanted to sit there, too, but she felt awkward with us being the only two people in the room.
I lifted my arm and waved her over with a smile. She was cute, she could definitely sit with me. She hesitated for a second before she shrugged and walked over to join me. She smiled shyly and set her bag down on the table before she climbed onto the empty stool.
“Thanks,” she said softly. “I like to be close to the teachers. Or, professors.”
“I had the same idea,” I said with a nod. “Back in high school, I didn’t care because I could basically get A’s without lifting a finger, but I have a feeling college will be different.”
“Is this your first class?” she asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “I’m pre-med. You?”
“I had an English class this morning,” she said. “But this is my first class for my major.”
“What’s your major?” I asked, hoping she would say pre-med.
“Biology,” she said simply.
“Well,” I laughed. “I guess Bio 101 is a pretty good choice then.”
“Yeah,” she laughed back. “Kind of didn’t have a choice.”
I nodded and tried to think of something witty to say.
She was cute in a shy, nerdy kind of way. Her glasses were thick with black rims and every time she looked down at the table her hair fell into her face. When she looked at me, I saw that her eyes were grey with a hint of blue. She was pretty, but not in an obvious sort of way. She looked smarter than any girl I had ever dated.
Back in high school, I was good at everything. I had girlfriends. I played sports. I got straight A’s. Everyone loved me.
It wasn’t cocky to say so, because it was true. I tried not to let it go to my head. I didn’t want to be arrogant, but I also couldn’t deny what was right in front of me. I was good looking, smart, and athletic. Girls were attracted me. It was just a fact.
“I’m Wyatt,” I said, realizing I hadn’t yet introduced myself. “Wyatt Murphy.”
“I know,” Hailey chuckled. “We went to high school together.”
“We did?” I asked. My cheeks felt a little warm, but I covered quickly. I laughed and said, “Are you sure? I feel like I would remember you if we had.”
“Probably not,” she shook her head. “I wasn’t popular. I sat in the back of the class and only had a couple friends. My name’s Hailey. Hailey Clarke.”
“Clarke?” I asked with a frown. The name didn’t ring any bells. I could tell Hailey was amused by me, but she was kind enough to not say so.
I was failing. I never failed with girls. This was new and I didn’t like it.