Chapter 4: "She's Interesting"

"That's it!" I said and immediately turned off the projector.

My students yawn as they were fixing theirselves and their things, "Time to go home! But don't forget your critique paper, okay?" I added and closed my laptop.

Last classes really takes toll on me. After every last class ever since I teach in this university, I would really feel tired and exhausted, it feels as if the last ounce of my energy has been depleted and I can't even lift a finger. Teaching the students is not that hard, I mean really. But talking for a couple of hours every class, now that is exhausting. The students wave their hands at me and I wave back as I sat on my chair, resting my tired body.

"Yo Shaun!" Grey shouted leaning his self on the edge of the door.

"Oh? I thought you already go home? Didn't your class ended a while ago?" I said, packing my things.

 I walked towards him. He bump his fists to mine and grab my things, "I thought it would be a great idea to go home with you. You know, I'm keeping a close distance just in case.." he said in a serious tone.

I looked at him and shrug my shoulders. He really is an over protective one, especially during this time. Well, I can't blame him, the last time he let me out of his sight, a huge problem came to us.

I immediately locked the door to the classroom and walk pass Grey, the carpark is just outside this building. The Crescent Moon University is really peaceful at this time of day, that's why even though I'm exhausted from lecturing nonstop for one whole day, the quietness of the night somehow replenish my depleted energy.

"Well, thanks for the thought though. You can now go home." I said and grab my things from him and put it in the back seat of my car.

"Ohhh.. Why? I am thinking of sleeping over" he said smiling widely

I flicked his forehead and push him lightly, "No you can't! I can't sleep with you snoring like a passing train! I need a full rest you know, have pity on me!" I said shooing him away.

He scratched the back of his head and clicked his tongue, "Fine! I'll see you tomorrow!" he said and walked away waving his hand into the air, saying goodbye.

Grey's studio apartment is just a couple of blocks away from the university. Morning classes is not Grey's field of expertise. He had trouble waking early in the morning so he need to move closer. And I live an one hour away, so aside from the snoring part, he has to be early tomorrow. And I don't have the time to baby sit someone like him.

I watched his back got lost in the darkness of the night before I enter my car. I laid myself on the backrest of the seat for a couple of minutes before I start the engine.

The night is quiet, the street lights are flicking as if beating to the sound of the wind. Few people can be seen walking to the side of the road, well it's 9pm on the clock, the world sure is resting so as the people. As the clouds move, it unveils the beautiful sight of the moon, it sure is beautiful. This town named Orion really speaks for itself as the moonlight shines beautifully in this part of the city. But somehow I felt my body trembling from the sight of that magnificient moon. I laughed to myself. How can something this beautiful can bring this such fear to my body?

As I continue driving, there I saw a familiar silhoutte. She's sure walking slowly, taking her time in every step. She would sometimes stop walking, would shake her head lightly and then would continue taking steps. She seems so indulge in what she's thinking. I wonder what is going on inside that head of her's.

I parked my car on the side of the road, arguing with myself whether to run after her or just go home and rest. I really do owe her an apology for what happened this morning but I don't want to be involved with her ever again. That's what I thought.

But my body beats me to it, before I could weigh my choices, my body move on its own and get myself out of my car. Thumb pressed on the car key and my foot took brave and sure steps. There must be really something wrong with this body today.

Because of this stubborn body of mine, I just let it follow the woman infront of me. She would sometimes tilt her head to either left or right side then she would eventually let it drop as if losing an argument between her and herself. I find myself laughing quietly upon seeing how engrossed she is in her thought.

I leaned forward, few meters away from her. "Au-Austin.." I said in a whisper manner enough for her to hear me, hoping to get her attention, and look back at me.

But just like this morning, it's either she didn't heard me, or she chose not to. Well, choosing the latter is obvious. But I tried calling her for a few more times. Still, no surprise the result is always the same. "Austin!" I said a little bit more loud but she didn't even bulge.

What would this woman be thinking that she's not hearing me even though I am almost screaming at her?

After quite some time, she turned to every corner that she saw, I have a feeling that finally, she notice me following her. A smile sneaked to my mouth as I turned to a different corner. It took a while before I saw her. She stuck herself behind the large garbage bin. If she thought she could lead me astray, well, I've been living in this town longer that she would think. I can easily pinpoint where every corner would end up to.

She's fanning herself quite frantically while whispering something to herself. After some time, she let herself slide down in the wall behind, she slowly sat there. I tiptoed my way to her side and copy the way she's sitting. She looks so relieved, the way she looks in the library when she thought that I finally left. I quietly cleared my throat and stop myself from smiling too much.

"I've been following you for a couple of minutes. Do you really hate me that much that you won't stop walking even when I am calling you?" I said acting so offended and hurt.

She froze there for a second before she slowly turn her head to my side, her mouth were slightly open, "Again!?" she said exclaiming upon seeing my face smiling from ear to ear.

I smiled like a fool at her as I put my hands under my chin, resting my elbows in my knees, "Why? You don't want me here?" I said.

She heavily exhaled, dust herself a little and stands up, "What? If you want to mess with me, you came the wrong time. I don't have any energy to spare, so please leave me alone" she said so uninterested and somehow angry.

She turn around and was ready to take a step when I reached for her hand, "Wait! Just give me a few minutes! It'll be really quick!" I said and drag her to a nearby park just few blocks away from where we are.

No one is brave enough to break the silence between us while we were walking towards the park. I would occasionally look her at the side of my eye, but she really looks so pissed and I don't know why.

"Could you please let go of my hand now? We're not that close for you to hold me like a child" Austin said and forcefully take back her hand from me.

I could feel the awkwardness and tension building up between us as she takes a few steps away from me. She seems to be a bit more cautious and rude than she is. It's like I am some dangerous predator to be avoided. I felt my blood rushing to my head but I need to control myself and my emotions. I have a temper you see. And not just an ordinary one.

"Woah. That's kind of rude" I said, "You don't have to rub it to my face that you really really hate me. Just hear me for a little while" I added surrending. I really can't stand the coldness and straightforwardness of this woman. She's might actually messing with me.

She cross her arms and sat two benches away from me. She really do hate me, no doubt about that. I dragged myself in the bench near me, few meters away from her. Silence filled the space between us until she exhaled loudly and turn to face me.

"Alright... I get it. Just say what you want to say and let's wrap it up. I have things to do, can't waste my time chatting with someone I don't know." she said a bit angrily in a quiet voice and turn her face infront.

I looked at her. The moonlight shines on her face, this is the first time that I get the chance to look at her properly. Her hair falls perfectly just above her shoulder. The glasses that she's wearing this morning is not there, somehow she kinda looks a bit different from this morning at the library. She looks more approachable, aside from her forehead creases that is showing when she's frowning screaming "two-meters distance" away from everyone. But there's no doubt about it, she's really beautiful.

"Could you please just... Just spit it out? I don't really have the time to spare." she said without even looking at me.

I felt the flush in my face. Embarrassment is running through my body, "A-alright" I hurriedly said scratching the back of my head.

"Ahh... Again, I'm really sorry." I said letting out some air due to the pressure that she's putting on me. "It was my fault. I didn't know. I'm really sorry.." I added and peak at her.

She undo her crossed arms and placed it on each side. "Do you mean it?" she said looking at her feet.

I looked at her, confused. "Wha-what? What do you mean?" I said

"I said, do you mean it? Your apology?" she repeated still looking at her feet.

I stand up and sat one bench away from her before I answered her question, "Of course. Why would I not be? It was my fault after all. Saying sorry for what I have done is only natural." I said

She put her back on the backrest of the bench and tap her feet on the ground. I heard her exhaled, and saw her smirking. "Really? You know what, I'm tired of dealing with someone saying sorry just to ease their guilt. If you're sincere, apology accepted. If not" she stops and suddenly look at me, "if not, then go to hell" she whispered and immediately stands up and walk away.

I was so taken a back I didn't get the chance to answer her. I was left there confused about what she just said. She immediately disappeared from my sight. After a few seconds, I was laughing hard at what she said. She's really beyond my reach. Justin's right, she really do have a thick and hard wall around her.

"I could go to hell?" I said to myself and laugh again walking back to where my car is parked.

This day has been really long and exhausting. I met her at the library in the morning, went to my classes in the afternoon and early night, somehow find myself messed or rather, cussed at late at night and laughing to myself the next minute. What a crazy day!

I immediately drove to my house and laid myself on the bed. I turn to my side and looked at the picture, it was me, Grey and his dad. "Hey Matt, I must be going crazy!" I said and laughed again.

How many times have I laughed at myself today? If Grey was here, he would be creep out at this behaviour of mine and would knock me off for being weird. I need to stay away from her, I know. For my sake, and for her sake. But there is really something about her that keeps pulling me close to her. She's.....

She's interesting.