Entering Psychology 101 was like entering a silent movie. Nobody was talking.
With all the odd looks and glares, I glanced up at the clock. Seeing how I was early I felt like shouting that I wasn’t late, everybody did not need to stare at me as if I was an alien for being on time instead of early.
Before heading off to find a seat I glanced one more time around the room filled with so many judgmental over-achievers. Most had their heads bent back in their books, studying. However my sweep of the room snagged on a pair of dark brown eyes sparkling my way. I think my brain stuttered a second at still being under someone’s scrutiny.
Squaring my shoulders, I purposely tried to ignore Mr. Chocolate Twinkly Eyes. I didn’t understand what was being said in class so I definitely could not afford to be distracted by his good looks. As I sat down at a desk on the opposite side of the amphitheater shaped room, purposely avoiding being too close to the man behind the compelling stare, I somehow got caught in his gaze again.
As soon as he saw me looking in his direction he tilted his head to the side as if challenging me to keep up my half of the stare. I glared instead.
Unfortunately my get-lost glare had the opposite effect than the one I intended. He flashed me a smile that grew wider the longer I scowled back.
The thought occurred to me that I was getting even more distracted by paying any attention to him at all. If I was going to pass this class, I was going to need to concentrate. Steeling myself to focus on the teacher, I pointedly turned my glare to the podium where the teacher would begin his lecture.
The only problem was the teacher wasn’t there yet.
My eyes snapped back to my mystery starer as if yanked by a rubber band. If I could judge anything based on the mirth in his eyes and cocky smile, I’d say he was making a huge effort to not laugh at me out loud.
Of all the days for the professor to be late. Of course it would be the day that I needed him to be starting his lecture at that very moment. Or sooner.
Looking down at my closed book didn’t help either. I could feel his gaze. I opened my book and pretended to read. It didn’t work.
After several minutes of not looking his way, my doubts convinced me that he wasn’t looking at me anymore and I was being thrown off by nothing but my own worked up nerves. Yet as soon as I glanced up in his direction, I discovered him still smiling at me. He gave me a wink as the professor walked in, blustering on about how he was so sorry to be late.
Shaking my head I turned forward, this time a little more reluctant than before.
Professor Chautry began his lecture and I attempted to take good notes. I don’t take good notes on a normal day, since I was not really understanding much of what he was blathering on about. Today was worse. I knew those dark eyes would be looking my way.
Yes. I found myself checking far more often than necessary. And there was only one time when I checked that his attention was on his notes. Not for long though. Within seconds of my glance his way he was winking at me with a charming smirk. Maybe smirk isn’t the best word but it was too roguish to be called a mere grin.
The hour of class passed and my notes were more abysmal than normal, which meant even more studying for me later. At the end of class I groaned softly as I shoved my things into my bag. I shot one last glare at Mr Chocolate Twinkle Eyes only to discover he wasn’t there. My brain may have panicked a bit as my gaze shot to the door. However, the cynic inside me chastised my searching. I had merely been the entertainment during a boring but necessary class.
He was gone.
I rose to trudge out of class and wished I could vanish so I wouldn’t have to walk home. As I left the classroom I almost tripped to a stop when I saw him just outside the door.
“You.” Ok, not my most brilliant opening line but give me a break, I don’t react coherently when startled.
Again with the smirk that made me want to smack him and smile at him at the same time. “Me.”
I shrugged. “You shouldn’t stare. It’s…” I struggled to find the right word with him looking at me so intently. And so close. “distracting.”
“Hey, it worked. I got your attention. I’m Levi.” He held out his hand.
I was shaking his hand even as I shook my head. “What worked?”
“You have been distracting me for weeks. I thought I’d return the favor so that maybe we would finally have something in common to talk about.”
“Oh.” I let my hand drop as I felt a blush bloom across my face.
He tipped his head forward to catch my eye. “Any chance I can get your name? Maybe if you sit by me during our next class I won’t have to resort to staring to get your attention.”
“Do you understand what Chautry is saying?”
Levi blinked in surprise. “What?”
“Oh yeah. I’m Cassie. Sorry. Yes. Do you?”
“Understand Professor Chautry’s lectures?” He smiled, laughter lighting his eyes to a more amber chocolate shade. “Most of the time. Was that yes you agreeing to sit by me?”
It was my turn to laugh. “Yes. I will sit by you if it means I can actually focus on class for more than two seconds at a time. I’d say you owe me your notes because the ones I took today are absolute rubbish.”
“I’ll do one better. We can go sit over there and I can explain my notes.”
“Really?” I pulled on his arm. “Right now?”
“If it means I get to spend time with you I’m more than willing to help out.”
