College Crushing

Monday’s are never fun, but after the rollercoaster weekend I’ve had, it made it even more dreadful. I’ve been feeling a little paranoid that whenever someone glances at me I think they know who I am and about what happened. I’ve never liked pity or anyone looking at me as if I’m a victim. And maybe I am a victim of a date rape drug, but that doesn’t mean I want anyone to know about it. I’m just glad it didn’t get further than that. I’m drawn out of my trance when I feel two hands pinch my sides.
I let out a squeal and drop my books, “Woah!” Instantly recognizing the voice I take a deep breath.
“You scared me!” I turn around and am met with his brown eyes. He gives me a smile and squats to help me pick up my books.
“Sorry about that. Where are you headed?”
He hands me my last book and I sigh, “Anatomy and Physiology. Science building.”
“Oh, sounds like a drag. Mind if I walk with you, I’m parked over there.”
“No, I don’t mind.” I give him a smile and we begin walking.
“How are you doing?” He looks at me and I know he’s not just asking about my day.
“Could be better. A little paranoid that everyone knows, and I think that’s why I got so scared earlier.” I push my hair behind my ear and look at the people walking by, avoiding eye contact.
“Oh. I’m really sorry, I should have been more empathetic.”
“What, no it’s okay. I was just lost in thought too, so that was probably part of it.”
He nods, “But don’t worry about anyone knowing. The only people that know are the ones that need to know. And I’m sure the douche bag doesn’t want anyone to know so he can save his ass.”
I hear his voice getting angrier by the second and I stop as we reach the stairs to the science building. Placing my hand on his arm I say, “Hey. I’m okay. Thankfully nothing else happened.”
He takes a deep breath and exhales, calming himself down. “You’re right, but I wish nothing happened at all.” He steps closer to me and pushes more of my hair behind my ear, “I won’t let anything else happen to you.” I lean into his hand and just give him a small smile, unsure of what to say. He gives me a small kiss on my forehead before saying, “I’ll see you later. Have fun in class.”
I scoff but he just gives me a goofy smile before walking away.
“Kennedy Matthews!” I hear my name and see Alyssa one of my sorority sisters approaching me, “I didn’t know you and Justin were a thing!”
“Um. I don’t know what we are.” I shrug
She bumps me as we walk into the building together, “Well it sure looks like something. What happened to Harry?”
I roll my eyes, “Okay. Why does everyone keep saying that?”
“Saying what?” she looks confused
“Everyone keeps thinking that Harry and I are a thing, and I don’t know why. We are literally just friends.”
Alyssa laughs as she opens the stairway door, “Oh girl. Do you really just want to be friends with that beautiful man?”
I roll my eyes, “Want me to introduce you two?”
She stops and looks at me with wide eyes, “Wait. He’s single?”
I’m taken aback by her comment and try to find my words, “Um. Yeah?”
“So you two really weren’t a thing?”
“Oh my gosh. No!” I walk past her as she follows me
“Okay! Yes, introduce me!” I force a laugh and agree.
Alyssa was a pretty girl, and who knows, maybe she was Harry’s type. But part of me didn’t want him to find interest in her, because if he did, that means he would never be interested in me because we are polar opposites.
I walk into class and sulk throughout the class period wondering why the heck I am even feeling this way to begin with. I don’t need to be crushing on anyone right now, college is stressful enough.
“So, one of my sorority sisters wants to meet you.” I spit it out like it’s nothing
“Yeah? Why’s that?” Harry asks while taking a bite of his sandwich
I shrug, “She knows we’re friends.”
“Okay?”
“Okay, as in you want to meet her?
He shrugs, “No I was just confused why she wants to meet me, but I don’t mind meeting her.”
“Oh.” I push around the salad I chose for lunch, but am no longer feeling hungry
“Was that the wrong answer?” He chuckles
I look up at him and his smile is so contagious that I find myself smiling, “No. There’s no wrong answer.” I see Alyssa walking up from behind Harry and mumble, “Speaking of.”
“Ken! Hey!” She says a little too high pitched
“Hey Alyssa, we were just talking about you.” I force a smile, Harry eyes me suspiciously and then directs his attention to Alyssa.
“Hi, I’m Harry Styles.”
“Hey I’m Alyssa, but you can call me Aly.” she flips her hair and I mentally cringe.
“It was nice to meet you, unfortunately, I can’t stay to chat since I have a very important date with my Law book.” Alyssa laughs loudly and I try not to roll my eyes as Harry glances at me, “You coming?”
I blush as Alyssa almost breaks her neck turning to look at me. She narrows her eyes and I give her a smile, “Yeah. I just need to talk to Alyssa first about sorority stuff real quick.” He nods and takes our trash.
Alyssa gives him a smile and then turns to me with furrowed brows, “What was that!”
“What?”
“He was totally uninterested. He was looking at you the whole time, I thought you said Y’all weren’t a thing?” She huffs as she puts her hand on her hips.
“We aren’t, I’m sorry. I don’t know what to do.”
She crosses her arms, “It’s fine. Thanks for trying.”
I grab my bag and pat her arm as I walk away to meet up with Harry.
“That was awkward.” I say once I’m close enough to him
“Was it?” He laughs, “Maybe awkward for her, it wasn’t for me.”
I shake my head, “Not interested?”
He glances at me as he fixes his backpack, “Was I supposed to be interested?” I shrug and he continues, “She’s not for me.”
“How’d you know?”
“She tried too hard. I could see you aren’t that big of a fan of her either, and I trust your judgment.”
“Oh. No. She’s great, just I don’t know.” I bite my lip trying to change the subject, “You’re observant.”
“Only when I want to be.”
As we continue to walk I think of something, “Do you really need to study or did you just say that to leave?”
He gives me a grin as he opens the door, “I plead the fifth.”
I laugh hysterically at this and cover my mouth to lessen the noise, “That’s great. I love y-that.”
Harry nudges me and whispers jokingly, “It’s okay to say you love me”
“Who are you texting over there?” Harry asks
“How’d you know I was texting someone and not writing a paper?”
“Because you’re smiling, and writing papers are not that enjoyable. Spill.”
I stop typing on my laptop and blush, “It’s just Justin.”
“Ah. I should’ve known. How was your date?”
I rest my head in my hand, “It went really well actually.”
“Yeah? I’m glad.”
“Do you, um, know about what happened with that guy?”
Harry sighs and runs a hand through his hair, “Louis kicked him out, but that’s never an easy process. However, our sponsors agreed to it, especially since a lot of them have daughters and didn’t want Gammas to be represented in that way.
“So he’s still on campus?” Harry nods slowly and I chew on the inside of my cheek, “I don’t even know what he looks like.”
“Hopefully you’ll never see him, but just stay away from a guy named Caleb, he’s a freshman.”
“Okay.” I nod skeptically
“Don’t worry. I don’t think he’s idiotic enough to come near you, and if he is, let me know.”
I run my hands over my face, “Harry. I think I’ll be fine.”
“How’d you sleep last night?”
I glance up from my paper and debate on stretching the truth but decide against it, “I um, ended up staying the night with Tanner.”
“That’s alright Kenny. It will get better.” He grabs my hand and squeezes it reassuringly, and in that moment, I believed him.

Notes