With a huff of fury, Tessa slams the door shut without another word, turning on her heel and stomping up the sidewalk toward the front doors.
Winding down the window again, I lean over and call out to her, ‘I’ll see you at three thirty.’
My only response is a middle finger flipped over her shoulder and as I straighten up, winding up the window again, suddenly I’m in a much better mood than I was.
Flicking on my indicator, I pull back out onto the road, turning onto the highway and heading toward our building, a smile etched on my face, the first one I think I’ve had there since I was deployed for the last time.
Tessa’s POV
Arrogant, egotistical, irritating, no good, pain in the ass, asshole!
I rip shreds off a piece of paper in front of me as the professor standing at the front of the class drones on about something I’m not even listening to.
I’m half tempted to take the damn bus just to make a point, but then I’ll be sat outside the house waiting for him to get back, hell, I could be sat outside the gates as I don’t have a passcode or anything! Oh yes, I’m sure Mr grumpy ass, conceited, egotistical, pompous, know it all, annoyance of my life would love that. He’d probably take his time coming home just to make me sit there and wait, just to prove that I need him or something.
My strips of paper are fast becoming confetti, and I have to force myself to release the tiny bits of paper before it becomes so small I won’t be able to sweep it all up and throw it away.
‘OK everyone, that’s it for today, don’t forget to note down the assignment on the board before you leave, it’s worth fifteen percent of your grade, so put some effort into it. Yes I’m talking to you Warren, putting your name on someone else’s paper didn’t work last semester and it won’t work this one either’ our teacher calls out as chairs start to scrape across the floor from students standing up to move to their next lessons .
Realising I’ve done nothing, I quickly pull out a pen and scrawl down the assignment from the board into my notebook before stuffing it back into my bag along with my stationery and swiping all my homemade confetti off the desk.
‘You throwing a welcome party?’ comes a smooth voice behind me, making me jump as I turn to find a tall, brown haired guy with startling green eyes looking down at me in amusement.
‘Sorry?’ I ask in confusion, as the guy beside me glances at my desk.
‘The confetti’ he replies, ‘were you throwing yourself a little welcome to your new college party whilst Professor Lang was droning on about the history of television? Or maybe you are heading to a wedding on a budget after classes and are helping out with a cost effective celebration idea.’
I blush slightly as I quickly sweep the last bits of paper into my hand, ‘no, I um . . it was . . ‘ I glance up at his grinning face. ‘I got nothing’ I admit in defeat, ‘I shred things with my fingers when I’m annoyed, and someone really annoyed me before I even got here so now I have a desk that looks like a snow storm hit it.’
The stranger laughs, his whole face lighting up as he throws his head back, ‘well, at least I’ll know when I’ve pissed you off’ he observes before sticking his hand out to me. ‘I’m Noah’ he introduces himself, shaking my hand firmly as I slide my palm into his.
‘Tessa’ I reply with a small smile.
‘Nice’ he says, ‘were your parents’ fans of the bible too?’
I laugh, shaking my head, ‘no, my mum just really liked the name, she said it called to her when she was looking through the baby name book.’
Noah nods, ‘my mother thought a good biblical name would keep me on the right side of the Lord. Plus, if there was another flood, then she was a shoe in to get a space on the Ark’ he adds with a wink that is filled with mischief and makes me giggle.
‘You are making that up’ I accuse him, shaking my head.
Noah holds his hands up, ‘OK, I totally made that up, my name has nothing to do with the bible, I just thought it would break the ice, and look! I was right! You totally want to be my newest and dearest friend now.’
I gather up my books, wrapping my arms around them and holding them to my chest as I look up at the handsome jock beside me, ‘I’m not sure about that’ I muse, ‘do I really want to hang around with a guy who tells lies and not even believable ones?’
Noah smiles widely, showing off a set of dimples that most definitely get him attention of the romantic kind as he throws an arm around my shoulders. ‘Of course you do’ he replies confidently, ‘just think how dull your life will be at this hell hole without someone as awesome as me in your life.’
I glance up at the guy beside me, ‘do you always touch people you just met without their consent?’ I ask playfully.
Noah winks, ‘only the pretty ones M’Lady, now allow me to escort thee to thy next lesson which I hope is the same as my own.’
He guides me out of the classroom, heading down the hall as people call out and greet him.
‘You’re pretty popular’ I comment, as a pretty brunette waves at my new found friend, asking if he’s going to some party on Friday.
‘What can I say, I’m a likable guy’ the jock replies with a wink, ‘now what class have we got next?’
I extract my timetable from my pocket and unfold it, looking over my classes for the day.
‘Free period’ I reply with way to much enthusiasm for someone who has only audited one class so far.
Noah fist pumps the air with his free hand, ‘me too’ he gushes, ‘let’s go and get some food.’
I turn my head so I can look up at him, raising an eyebrow, ‘didn’t you just say that you had a class?’ I demand.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.