Page 51 of Love in Development

My knee bounced and my notes grew more haphazard.College was supposed to get me away from him, so I could start over again, fresh.And IK, the guy I really liked, was around here somewhere.As the class ended and we packed up, I saw that familiar smile head-on.He didn’t notice me, yet I escaped as quickly as I could.But he sat near me in the next class, and the one after that.All in all, he was in three of the five classes I had that day.

The next day was the same, and all week I felt like he was following me.Walking down the same hallways I trod, sitting just near enough to distract me in about three-quarters of my classes.Who knew he had an interest in computers?I mean, he had taken that programming class with me, but lots of non-computer majors had too.I’d put up with him at DragonByte, never expecting to see him again.I’d thought he wouldn’t be a part of my future.But now my college life was going to be full of him.

Needing a moment of peace, I found a willow on school grounds—tucked away near the center of campus, close to several of my classes.It reminded me of the one in the game, and IK’s sensible advice.The sunlight filtered through the leaves as I drank my favorite grape soda.Having Ni in the lecture class made sense—it included everyone in computer related degrees.

Out of thousands of students at this college, he was in most of my smaller classes as well.He couldn’t be interested in being a game dev too, could he?What were the chances that both Ni and IK were good at sports, but wanted to major in computers and were attending SCAD?

I shook my head.Lots of guys were into both.I was just seeing shadows where there weren’t any.That was the problem; I was feeling a bit like I was cheating on IK.We weren’t officially together, and I wasn’t willing to take a step like that sight unseen.Which meant...I should meet him.But after how it had gone with RogueStriker, I wasn’t sure if I could.And what if he didn’t want to meet me?

Chapter 16

Icould finally contactIK!My new laptop had been delivered.I had just enough time to download COTSA and respond to his message about meeting tomorrow for the final rare boss battle in theShadows of Forgotten Lordsquest.I had to leave for class soon.It would be my last chance.My plan was to meet him under the willow afterwards, give him theDragon’s Eyeopal, and ask him if he wanted to video call.

The classroom wasn’t even half full when I found a seat.I settled in, readying my supplies, but dropped my pen in my haste.As I leaned over to pick up it up, my fingers brushed against a larger hand.Once my hand grasped the pen, fire spread from my fingers and up my arm.

I lifted my gaze but stopped when I recognized the square chin and lush lips.I swallowed hard, unable to meet his eyes.“Do you mind if I sit next to you?”Ni asked.“I brought a peace offering.”He set a grape soda on the table between us.He remembered.

Ugh.I was a terrible person.No better than all the guys I blamed for only caring about looks.Ni wasn’t a bad guy, just the opposite, and he didn’t really know anyone in these classes either.I was sure he was just drawn to a familiar face.Though I had plans to take my relationship with IK to the next level it didn’t mean I couldn’t be friends with Ni.I just had to control my reaction to him.I could appreciate a well-crafted game for its aesthetic beauty, so why not a person?

Clearing my throat, I nodded.“Sure.”

With Ni sitting next to me, seeking me out, the classroom talk, which I could normally tune out, seemed to be all about him.Apparently, he was the first freshman in years to have plenty of field time as the quarterback.His football skills, in addition to his looks and his kindness, would make him a target of every girl that ever existed.From what I’d seen so far, he treated college girls as he had those in high school.If they gave him little presents or love letters, he’d politely refused them.I would have thought he was gay, except I’d also seen him reject—just as graciously—those advances as well.Which left him with tons of friends.And I was left in a quandary.

The TA called the class to attention, made announcements, and called the roll while I ruminated on the problem.How could I have such a strong physical reaction to two different guys?I was seeing my dad’s worst traits rearing up inside me.Was I really like him?Just as easily misled from my true feelings by a pretty face?I mean, Ni was more than just a pretty face, but he wasn’t right for me.

How long would it take before I too fell into temptation?Not that Ni would acknowledge my feelings.I would be respectfully rebuffed, just as hundreds of others had been.But I would know that I hadn’t been true to IK.

It all came down to choice.I had decided to put my efforts into a relationship with IK.I turned my attention back to the teacher.The information covered was always in a document on the class page, but sometimes it was explained differently during class.So I still wrote down the important things the teacher said.I compared the two guys as I wrote my notes.

Both IK and Ni were kind and thoughtful.Both had forceful personalities without being abrasive—just commanding.IK knew my deepest, darkest secrets and accepted me for them.Ni was undeniably attractive, but I didn’t know what IK looked like.And there was the rub.

I knew how I could solve that dilemma, and I felt the pressure building for our meeting tomorrow.Dare I call it a date?Maybe IK didn’t want to.That would be ironic if I were in RogueStriker’s shoes.Though I wouldn’t behave as childishly as he had.My teacher continued his breakneck pace as if he could never cover everything unless he talked a mile a minute.Good thing I was used to it.I wasn’t sure I’d written down everything, distracted as I was by my thoughts about meeting IK, seeing his face, and him seeing mine.

I looked down at myself.I had gotten brave.I often wore one of the pretty blouses to school instead of my worn T-shirts.I was even wearing one of the long skirts today.They were more feminine than my usual clothes, but they were just as comfortable and covered just as much of my legs as my jeans.Today, I was wearing my denim jacket, but that was because of the cloudy threat of rain and not my self-consciousness.

I swallowed as I thought of meeting IK for real—in person.Could I do it?Would I like him if I did, or would I discover that I really was a shallow person?And would he like me?I had untamable, frizzy red hair.My eyes were too big and set too wide for my face.Every inch of me was covered with freckles, and my nose was too small.At least my teeth were straight because I had worn braces during junior high.