Maybe things were looking up?
I woke up Monday morning still light hearted and actually realised I was singing in the shower. With a skip in my step I got ready and pulled on my favourite jeans and a plain black t-shirt. Grabbing my jacket, I headed out the front door. Morning classes flew by and as I was heading out my last class before lunch, I was still smiling.
The smile faded as I came face to face with Connor in the hall. He was leaning against a wall, he looked so relaxed, and he just seemed to be waiting for someone, had he been waiting for me to come out?
“Connor?” I had frozen, midway out of the class and I was holding people up. I could feel them gather behind me. Connor grinned at me in that manic way of his that warned me that I wasn’t going to like what happened next. He reached out and took my arm, guiding me away from the crowd.
“Arielle, walk with me.” He started to walk away pulling me reluctantly along behind him. I glanced frantically over my shoulder, looking for a quick getaway. I glanced back towards Connor, he had stopped walking and was looking back at me. The grin was quick and mocking, he knew I wanted to run.
“Going to run away again Arielle?” He was definitely mocking me as he let go of my arm.
I felt my temper surfacing. I glared at him and took the few steps that drew me level with him. When he saw that I was willing, he resumed walking. We walked out of the building into the autumn sun but I felt cold. He led me over to a bench situated under a tree, somewhat in the shade.
“So, how have you been?” He asked me. He didn’t turn and look at me, he was looking out over the campus. He appeared so relaxed, but I knew him well, he was wound very tightly.
“How did you know where I was?” I asked. I couldn’t believe the boys had told him where I was.
“I saw you in the library.” Connor said, he glanced at me. His jaw clenched and he looked away again. “I saw you dive behind that guy. I wasn’t sure it was you but as you hid behind a bookshelf,” his hands clenched into fists, “I caught a whiff of lavender and I knew it was you.”
I laughed at the irony. I had changed so much, but I was still a creature of habit and my shampoo and conditioner where the same brand I always used. I felt relieved, Matt and Theo hadn’t told him, they had kept their promise and I felt horrible that I had doubted them.
Connor was looking at me, his eyes ran over me then he looked away again. “I can’t believe you hate me so much you hid from me Ari.” I saw him shake his head as if he still didn’t believe it.
“You hardly saw me; I can’t believe you recognised me in that small instant.” I replied softly.
Connor threw his head back and laughed. “I always forget that you will never realise that no matter where you are, you are always the most beautiful girl in the room. There wasn’t a guy in that library that wasn’t checking you out. I think I knew it was you before I even saw you.”
I shifted uncomfortably, I caught Connor’s rueful look.
“So,” he continued, “What brings you here?” Another quick glance at me, then out again over the campus.
I took a deep breath, ready to start talking but then I felt someone standing close.
“Elle?”
I looked up at Robbie, he was looking between me and Connor with obvious confusion.
“Robbie, hi, um this is...” I started, oh good lord, how do you explain Connor to someone?
Robbie looked peeved, “How do you knowthisguy? I thought you said you didn’t know him? Wait, is he friends with your fiancé?”
My heart stopped.
Connor’s head turned to me so quickly I swear he must have given himself whiplash.
“Fiancé? Are you joking?” Connor was on his feet, he was glaring at me. Robbie was frowning between both of us. I stood also – it made no difference really but made me feel better.
Connor was livid and looking at me, demanding an explanation. He lurched forward and grabbed my hand, examined the ring briefly and threw my hand away from him.
“You better start talking, right now.” He said at the same time Robbie demanded that he not touch me. Connor was in his face before he stopped talking.
“Seriously, you better walk away before you can’t walk.”
“Connor!” I placed my hand on his arm trying to pull him back. “Robbie’s a friend, c’mon let’s go for a walk.” He wasn’t budging, how was I suddenly in this crazy again?
“Hey guys what’s happening?” I turned to see Matt and Theo hurrying towards us, I felt myself exhale in relief. Theo was beside Connor not moving him away from Robbie just standing there as if in support. I looked at Matt beseechingly – he rolled his eyes at me in exasperation.
“I don’t know how you do it. How does thisalwaysseem to happen?” He muttered as he walked past me. “Hey Connor, let the guy walk away, he’s a friend of Ari’s.” Matt started to talk Connor down.