Tuesday morning meant ecology with Professor Hannigan. A little over a month into the semester, and I was already dreading going. Not because of the class or the professor, both I loved. It was because of my innate ability to think only of Liam and his drama while in that class. Tell me, why of all classes, did it have to be the one class I enjoyed the most, to veer off in thought? Why couldn't it have been PreCal or something else mindlessly boring?

Well not today, Satan, not today.

Walking in early like normal, I took my usual seat and began going over my notes. Despite my talent to daydream, I was doing well and staying ahead in the class. We had a test coming up and I was feeling fairly confident. Though, a few study sessions wouldn't hurt.

"Ready to ace that test?"

I looked up to see Nathan sliding in his seat next to me, displaying a lazy grin as he side-glanced my notes. His hair was tousled a bit and his clothes slightly disheveled like he rolled out of bed and ran here, but despite that, he managed to still look pulled together.

"Talking to me now that Liam's not here?" I asked, deciding to call him out and cut to the chase.

His smile faltered only momentarily, before turning into a smirk that was too cute for his own good.

"Alright, alright. Straight to the point, I see. It's well deserved too." He straightened in his chair, clearing his throat and turning back to face me. "Honestly, I'm sorry about that. I had a feeling you knew I left more so because of him." 

"Yeah, it didn't take me long to figure out. So, why did you?"

"Honestly, I wish I could say. The bottom line is that Liam is my friend. I could tell he wanted to talk to you, and I knew you were in good hands."

"I was in good hands? Is that why you made it a point to give me your number and reiterate to call if I needed anything?"

He chuckled, unaffected by my comment. "That wasn't because I don't trust Liam. It was because, despite my friendship with him, I'd also like it if we were friends."

I searched his eyes, finding nothing but sincerity in them. Students were beginning to fill up the room, causing my attention to shift and disrupting the bubble we had been in.

I turned my attention back to him. "Okay, I believe you. I would like it if we were friends too."

He broke out in a childish grin and let out a breath he was holding. "Yeah?"

I nodded, offering him my own smile before curiosity got the best of me. "So, you're friends with Liam? Why do you think he wanted to talk to me?"

Nathan visibly tensed, suddenly seeming nervous before regaining his composure. He went to open his mouth just as Professor Hannigan stepped into the classroom.

"Maybe another time." He mouthed and I nodded, turning my attention to the front.

As I sat and listened to the lecture and my mind randomly drifted to what Nathan was going to tell me about Liam, I realized Satan won again that class.

There's always next Tuesday.

****

After ecology, my schedule freed up for two hours until my chemistry class in the late afternoon, so I decided on stopping at a local bistro for lunch. The bistro was quaint and charming with a blue and white striped awning that covered outdoor seating and large windows with French decals decorating it.

On my way in, I paused, picking up a piece of trash and placing it in the nearby trash bin, shaking my head at other's insouciance.

I chose outdoor seating, sitting down at one of the flower-patterned metal tables and placed my order for a French dip Panini with fries. While I waited, I decided to Facetime Kat to catch up. She answered on the third ring.

"What's cooking, good looking?"

"Hopefully my panini." I chuckled, shaking my head at my best friend.

"Lunch?"

"Yes. I've got a break between my next class." I squinted my eyes at the screen, trying to make out what was going on in the background as she continued to hold the phone at weird angles. "Kat, what on earth are you doing?"

I heard some giggling and watched as the phone dropped before Kat scooped it back up and focused it on her face. Her black hair was tied up messily, with stray pieces sticking up everywhere and her breathing a bit labored. My eyes widened as I recognized Chase's voice in the background.

"Katrina Faith Serrano! You are not doing what I think you're doing right now, are you?"

"Um...," she trailed off looking at Chase, "yes?"

"I knew it! You're making poor Chase do Power Yoga."

In the background I could hear Chase groan and Kat laughing. "See, I told you she'd know."

"She was supposed to think we were having sex. That would have been less embarrassing." I heard Chase say, now popping his head into frame.

"What do you have on there, Chase? Are those some purple yoga pants?" I asked, quirking a brow.

"She made me! She can be...very persuasive."

"You picked those out and you know it!" Kat interjected, unashamedly laughing.

I chuckled and sat listening to their bickering until Chase told me goodbye, shaking his yoga clad butt as he walked into another room so I could be left alone with Kat.

"You guys are too cute, you know that?"

She sighed, smiling wide. "He's pretty great, isn't he?"

"The best. He may even be a better roommate because we both know you couldn't convince me to do power yoga."

She laughed, quickly glancing back over her shoulder in the direction Chase walked off to. "What about you girl? How's everything going?"

"Well, that's a loaded question believe it or not."

Her eyebrow shot up and she stood up, making her way to the couch and sitting down. "Talk to me babe, what's up? Is it your classes? I know how important your education is to you."

I held up my finger for her to give me a second as my food came out and was placed in front of me. I kindly thanked the waiter and turned my attention back to Kat.

"No, my classes are great. My workload isn't too overwhelming this semester and I'm staying ahead so far. I haven't done too many parties, so that's been helping. Though," I started in between a bite, "oh my goodness this panini is amazing!" I gushed, interrupting my thought.

Kat laughed, and I smiled between my mouthfuls. "Sorry, but you're going to have to try this place when you come down! Anyway, I did just go to one party with Savannah, and I bumped into Liam..." Trailing off, I noticed her facial expression change from content to mischievous.

"Oh, really now?"

"What's that look for?"

"Oh, come on Maddie, after you told me he punched a guy for you at the bar, I can't help but be a bit hot for the guy."

"Katrina!"

"What?" She chuckled. "Not for me, but for you. Look, I know you've said he's been a jerk. So, how about this? Tell me what happened at this party, and I'll make up my mind."

I sent her a playful glare before sharing the very embarrassing details of that night.

"So, he insisted on giving you a ride? Girl, he's got it bad."

"What are you even talking about? I'm pretty sure he hates me. Besides, he's still claiming he doesn't know who I am, remember?"

"Remembers you or not, a guy doesn't leave a sex themed party where there are a bunch of women parading around in underwear to make sure you make it home safe, if he hates you."

I went to open my mouth to interject, but she had a point.

"Except from what I remember, he wasn't thrilled about it. I don't know, I wish I could remember the whole night. Most of it is still pretty fuzzy."

"Well take it in stride. You said you were ready to move forward with Aaron, so either find your closure with Liam, or something else if you know what I mean--"

"Kat!"

"Or," she continued, completely ignoring my protest, "learn to accept that things turned out how they did, and focus on what you want now, whether with Aaron, someone else, or just time for you."

I took a sip of my lemonade and processed her words. She was right. I didn't necessarily need to have it all figured out. Sometimes, one step at a time was the way to move forward. And since I had already decided on focusing more of my energy with Aaron, that's where my next step was going to take me. From there, well, I guess I would have to see.

"You're right, Kat."

"Well of course I am." She winked, waving her hand in front of her. "Now, listen to what gossip I have for you!"

I sat and listened to Kat's work drama as I ate and laughed harder than I had in a while. It was good to catch up. Sometimes, a girl just needs her best friend.