Chapter Sixteen - Dog ears

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Avery parked in the parking lot of our college and I ran inside to be on time for my literature class. I was running a tad late but I loved the class too much to miss even a moment of it.

Professor Peters was thankfully just starting class. I sat down as she began speaking.

"Good morning, class. Today we're just going to review an additional end of term assignment. This will be worth 30% of your grade." The class erupted in groans. She held her hands up, "before you get too upset, hear the assignment out. This will be in direct correlation with the Romanticism movement in literature. You will merely need to find a personal connection to the movement itself. Find a moment in your lives where emotion overrides intuition. Where feeling compelled you more than reason. Where individuality was more of an influence than societal expectations."

The class began to murmur to each other.

"Doesn't sound so bad now then, does it?" She laughed.

It sounded terrifying to me. It was everything I'd spent my life avoiding and everything that had come back to bite me in the backside.

I packed up belongings once class was over and scurried to my psychology class. I felt knots in my stomach at the thought of seeing Alexander. It had been a few days since I'd last seen him. I tried not to overanalyze the feeling. I would miss Avery if I didn't see her for a few days as well. The knots in the pit of my stomach, however, were new.

I rushed into class and smiled at the sight of Alexander's concentrated frown as he crouched over a book at the desk he was sitting at. As I walked closer, I noticed he was reading War and Peace. He really had great taste in books. His room was a testament to that.

As soon as I sat down, he quickly dog-eared the page he was on and closed the book, smiling widely in my direction.

"Hi, Olivia," Alexander said my name in such a way that goosebumps appeared on my arms. That was also new.

"Hi," I murmured as I sat down, butterflies swarming my stomach.

"I missed you. How have you been?" He asked leaning in closer subconsciously as we engaged in conversation.

"I've been good. How was your meeting with that client?" I asked.

"Difficult. I've never met such an obnoxious person in my life. But we got the contract signed at least, which means we'll be constructing the building regardless of how much of a pretentious snob he is." He explained.

"That's something at least. Did you end up showing them your design?" Alexander had put so much work into the drawing of a hypothetical building for the project, but didn't want to show it because he was an intern. I convinced him to at least show the sketch. He was so talented. I knew he just needed some exposure.

"I did," he grinned at me.

"And?" I questioned excitedly.

"They want to use it for the project. The client actually vouched for it himself."

"Alexander! That's the best news I've heard. I told you it was amazing!"

"I wouldn't have done it without you. Thank you, Olivia." He stated sincerely.

"You know, I always thought I had a talent for spotting great pieces of art. Do you think I should consider a career change? I didn't know I had this much talent." I boasted teasingly.

He smiled at me. His eyes flickered to my lips for just a moment before they flickered back to my eyes. They were filled with conflict and words unsaid. The air suddenly felt thick and I forgot where we were sitting. He opened his mouth to say something before the professor interrupted.

"We'll start in just a moment, class. I'm trying to figure out my new laptop," He chuckled. 

I nearly jumped from the shock of the professor speaking. Alexander cleared his throat and took out his notebook. I did the same with my things still feeling like I was walking through a haze.

I wasn't sure how accurate my notes were for the class that had just finished. There was a confusing magnetizing pull between Alexander and I that stayed throughout the class. As soon as the class finished, Alexander shot up stretching his arms as he did so. His shirt lifted the smallest bit and I could see hints of a defined torso. I looked away while my cheeks flared up.

I packed up my things and we walked out in an awkward silence.

"Nathan was mentioning wanting to go out tonight if you're up for it?" Alexander asked turning slightly to look at me.

"Oh, sure." I replied. Avery hadn't mentioned anything to me.

Alexander shuffled his feet as we stopped walking. This was usually where we parted ways. "Great." He said avoiding eye contact. He was being so strange.

"Are you okay?" I asked curiously.

"Yeah," He smiled at me, "I'm good. Well, ah, I guess I'll see you tonight?" He asked.

I nodded, "Yeah, see you tonight." He turned away and I paused watching him walk for a moment before I went my own way.

I walked into my biology class with Avery and sat down, confusion still radiating off of me from my interaction with Alexander.

"Sup," Avery greeted me.

"How has your day been?" I asked.

"Pretty mediocre. I may have found a new really good coffee joint that is Aaron-free." She replied proudly.

"How long has it been since we've had decent coffee?" I sighed dreamily.

"Too long." She responded writing the date down in her notebook.

I did the same with mine before turning to look at her. "What are we doing tonight, by the way?"

"Tonight?" Avery asked furrowing her eyebrows.

"Alexander mentioned Nathan wanted to go out?"

"I'm pretty sure Nathan's studying for an exam. Hold on," She held a finger up as she pulled her phone out and typed something in. A moment later, her phone buzzed. "Nathan's saying to give him a minute."

"That's strange." I replied.

"Very." Her phone buzzed again. "Oh, he says he wanted to get out to get a break from studying. I guess I have nothing better to do." She shrugged.

We drove home after class was over and I nearly gasped to see my mother's white Mercedes on the driveway.

"Did you know she was in town?" Avery asked.

"No. I was pretty sure she'd be gone for a couple months at least."

"Want me to come in with you?" She asked, ever the protector.

I smiled at her, "Thanks, I'm good."

"I'll swing by to grab you before we meet the guys."

"Thanks, Avery."

I got out of the car and waved at her as she drove away.

I walked inside to the signature smell of Chanel. "Good afternoon, Olivia." My mother's sharp tone made me jump.

"Hi, mom." I said to her. No air kisses today. I wondered why she was in such a bad mood.

"Sit, please." She gestured to the cream coloured couch beside her that I'd never sat on.

I sat down tentatively. "I made a hair appointment for you today. I'll drive you there in an hour or so." She said glimpsing at her perfectly manicured nails as she spoke.

"I had plans for later actually."

"Plans?" She asked firmly.

"With Avery," I murmured.

"Ah." She clicked her tongue in disappointment. "Well, I can drop you off after the appointment."

I nodded. "Sure."

"Besides, I thought you would want to spend time with your mother seeing as we don't see each other very often?"

I was confused. My mother never attempted to make 'mommy-daughter' time before this. I wondered what possessed her to start now. She was probably too embarrassed by my split ends.

"Sure, mother." I responded.

I went upstairs to get some reading done for class. I was looking through my closet for something to wear when a knock sounded at my door.

"Come in," I called as my mother walked in with a hanger.

"I bought this for you in Paris. Please wear it for your appointment. It's a very upper class establishment."

I nodded unzipping the bag on the hanger as my mother left my room. I took in the sleeveless black dress that reached above my knees. It looked like it would fit like a second skin.

I put the dress on. It did fit like a second skin. I sighed. I really did not want to wear this dress.

My eyes flitted to my phone for a moment before I snatched it up.

Olivia: What's rule number 3?

Alexander: Let me check..

Olivia: I'm shocked you don't have it memorized

Alexander: Ha ha

Alexander: Rule number 3 - act in accordance with your values, despite the circumstances

Olivia: Taking notes as we speak

Alexander: You got this

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