Chapter 3

Darren and I didn’t end up doing much studying. He was too much fun to talk to. We found ourselves going on about Gone With the Wind for at least 3 hours before he noticed we hadn’t done any homework. I told him that I would much rather talk about anything other than chemistry. He laughed and put his hand on my thigh in a way too intimate for friends.

I felt the urge to wrap my legs around him and kiss him hard and deep and sure. I must have looked at his lips too intensely because the corners of his mouth went up into a smile. He laughed and I felt myself lean forward into it.

I knew that it was too much, I knew that I was acting ridiculous. I barely knew this man but things felt so easy with us.

He told me about his high school swim team, and how he missed them. He told me about his little sister who had outgrown him, and how frustrating it was to be the little big brother. He told me about his family dog and going swimming on his family’s ranch in Tennessee. He promised me that he would take me there for spring break if I wanted to go see it and of course, I jumped at the thought of spending more time together. I secretly enjoyed that he was so certain we would still be friends next semester when we might not have classes together.

By the time he was done telling me about the catfish in his family’s pond I realized that it was almost 9 o’clock, and I had a 30 minute walk home in the dark now. I cursed myself looking at my watch, and Darren did the same, insisting that I eat something before I left. He showed me his collection of two different types of cup o noodle and I laughed and told him I’d get something on campus.

“The dining hall closes at 9, you might not make it.” He warns me, wiggling the cup o noodle seductively.

I inform him that I’ll be fine with a small giggle and we start for the door at the same time. He opens it for me as I curtsey and we both laugh. He walks me all the way out to the parking lot and then stops at the concrete, fishing in his pockets. I start walking away waving goodbye when gets a confused look across his face. “where are you going?”

“Ummmm… I’m going home, it’s late.” “Yeah it’s late, get in my Subaru silly'' my face lights up with understanding, “I didn’t know you had a car! I thought first year students weren’t allowed to have them!” “I’m a second year student” he says smugly and opens the door of the gray sedan we had been standing in front of.

The first thing he asks me when he gets into the car is if I like jack in the box. I honestly tell him no, but he looks sad and I pretend to be joking. I regret this when he pulls into a jack in the box and asks me what I want to eat. We place our orders and get our food, but wait to eat until he has parked in front of my dorm. We eat and chat for a little bit longer when he offered to walk me upstairs to my dorm. I tell him it’s more of a long elevator ride that a walk and he gives me a serious face “you never know what kind of creep might be waiting to hurt you in an elevator, it’s dangerous out there” he can’t keep a straight face for long but still seems to think his joke reason is good enough to walk to my door with me and carry my backpack.

As Darren stands in front of me, I can feel my heart racing. We've only known each other for a week, but there's something about him that makes me feel alive. He's confident, funny, and smart, and every time I'm around him, I feel like I'm in a dream. I start to ask him for my bag when he interrupts me, looking very different than he had before.

"Cassie, there's something I need to tell you," Darren says, his voice confident and strong. "I know we've only known each other for a short time, but I can't stop thinking about you. Every time I'm with you, my heart races, and I feel like I'm the luckiest guy in the world."

I can feel my cheeks burning as Darren's words sink in. Is he about to tell me he loves me? We've only known each other for a week, that's not enough time to fall in love, is it?

"I know this might sound crazy, but I think I'm in love with you," Darren says, and my eyes widen in shock. I can't believe what I'm hearing. He's so bold and confident, and I feel so shy and inexperienced in comparison.

"I don't expect you to feel the same way, but I had to tell you. I had to let you know how I feel," Darren continues, taking my hand in his.

I can't find the words to respond, and I feel like a deer caught in headlights. I'm not sure how I feel about him yet, and I'm not sure how to react to such a bold declaration of love.

"I don't know what to say," I finally manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "I like you, Darren, but love? I don't know if I'm ready for that."

Darren's face falls slightly, and I can see the disappointment in his eyes. He must have expected me to reciprocate his feelings, but I'm just not there yet.

"I understand, Cassie," he says, his voice softening. "I don't expect you to feel the same way, but I had to tell you. I want to be honest with you, and I want to see where this goes."

I look up at him, and I can see the sincerity there. He's not pushing me, he's not demanding anything from me. He's just being honest, and that's something I can appreciate.

"I want to see where this goes too, Darren," I say, smiling at him. "I don't know what the future holds, but I know that I enjoy spending time with you, and I want to get to know you better."

Darren's face lights up again, and I feel a rush of relief. Maybe we're not on the same page yet, but we're both willing to see where this goes. And who knows? Maybe I'll fall in love with him too, someday.