I get out of the car, bracing myself for whatever Kristoff will say. What brings him here so early in the morning? He never did this when we were dating. But seeing his face fuming and confused as he waits for me, my question may not matter.
“I knew it was you,” he grumbles at me. “What are you doing with him? Why are you getting out of his car now?”
My blood pressure begins to rise. “Excuse me?”
I sense Peter getting out of the car and walking toward us. “What’s up, Kristoff?”
“I’m not talking to you, Peter,” Kristoff yells, his gaze fixed on my face. “Is it him? Your new boyfriend? How did you two meet? Because of Julian?”
I sigh in disbelief. Of course, Kristoff is also acquainted with Peter.
“Whoa!” Peter raises his hands. “I’m not sure I like your tone, Kris. What’s going on?”
I suppose Julian didn’t tell him about Kristoff.
“I’m sorry,” I apologize to Peter. “He’s my ex-boyfriend, so...”
Peter’s face lights up as he realizes what is going on. “Ah. I see.” He crosses his arms over his chest.
“And he isn’t my new boyfriend, Kristoff,” I clarify before things get too heated.
“Do you think I’d believe you?” Kristoff charges. “You admitted I already knew who your new boyfriend is.”
I roll my eyes. “It doesn’t matter whether you believe me, and seeing me with Peter now does not make him my boyfriend, okay?”
Kristoff gives Peter a stern look, but his voice softens. “Is that true?”
I’m sure Peter thinks things have suddenly become complicated now. I’m just hoping he doesn’t spill the beans later.
“I’m innocent.” Peter grins playfully.
“But that is the clothes you were wearing yesterday, and I came here an hour ago, and you weren’t home. Where were you? How are you with him this morning if it’s not him?”
“Oh my God, Kristoff. Can you hear what you’re saying? This is embarrassing!” I turn to Peter to apologize because I hate that he witnesses this. However, he speaks instead.
“Hey, guys. I think I’ll leave this to you, whatever this is. AnyaI nod. “I’m sorry. I hope this hasn’t changed your opinion of me. Kristoff knows exactly what bad timing is,” I say, making sure my ex-boyfriend hears loud and clear.
“No worries.” He winks at me before turning to face Kristoff. “Hey, punk! Will you relax? You don’t treat girls like this. Understood?”
Kristoff groans. “Just shut up and leave.”
Peter waves his hand before getting back into his car and driving away.
I impatiently tap my foot, waiting for Kristoff to say something. “I can’t believe you just did that. That was so unprofessional of you.”
“What is he on about? What must you decide?”
I don’t think telling him what Peter wants would be a good idea. I haven’t even signed the papers yet, and I’m about to blow it up. Kristoff will discover Julian’s pitch to Peter and suspect everything.
And damn. Is he always this nosy?
“It’s a long story, but your assumption is completely wrong. So? What brings you here?”
“I just want to go to school with you,” he mumbles.
“That’s fine, but why?”
“I knew we never had a normal relationship,” he says, sounding more like a confession. “That’s why I’m going to try something new this time.”
“What’s the point of all of this? You’re wasting your time.”
“You didn’t answer my questions either. Where have you been?”
I check my watch, and we only have about thirty minutes until our first period. God! I still need to take a shower.
“I was with my boyfriend,” I admit truthfully, just to get this over with.
“You’re already sleeping with your boyfriend?” he laments. His voice and eyes convey guilt.
“Yes, and I think that’s what normal couples do.”
Especially waking up next to each other in the morning, cooking and eating breakfast together, and confiding in each other because we knew we could trust each other. I can finally entrust myself to someone for the first time in many years.
His face contorts. “I’m fully aware we weren’t like that, which is why—”
“That’s why you’re doing this, yes. I’m only now realizing what’s wrong with our relationship. I thought everything was fine, but it wasn’t. I was naïve, so I never wondered or asked why.”
“You’re not. I was supposed to look after you, but I failed you.”
I nod in agreement. “I’m glad to hear you admit that. Can I now go upstairs and get ready for school?”
He lets out a deep sigh. “Look. I’m here because I’m not giving up. I want to prove to you I can change.”
Kristoff isn’t the type to let things go, but my head is beginning to ache. He can’t just do whatever he wants! “Okay, then start explaining why we broke up. I’m still waiting to hear about it. What about Candice? You’re just going to hurt her too?”
“Fine. I’ll start from the beginning. I’m not going into detail; just give me this day. Let’s go out to dinner and maybe watch a romance. There’s a new movie out in theaters today. Whatever it takes, just so we can have a proper discussion. Deal?”
I snigger in disbelief. “Are you asking me out now? Are you crazy?”
“Come on, Anya. Friends do the same. It doesn’t have to mean anything.”
“We were exes, Kristoff. Of course, it has meaning! We’ll talk, but I’m not going to the movies with you. A dinner is sufficient, but it is not a date. Understood?”
“Why is everyone treating me like a child? I’m trying to be civilized here.”
I grunt in annoyance. “Kristoff, we’re going to be late! Just let me through, and we’ll talk later, okay?”
“Oh. I’m sorry.” He moves out of the way, and I stomp inside.
Kristoff waited for me and Lora, so the three of us drove to school in his car.
We walk silently to class, and Kristoff separates from us because he has a seminar this morning. We still follow a different curriculum because his major is Cello. I recall him having a rehearsal with the quartet this afternoon, but I’m guessing he’s ditching them now, so we can talk. That is yet another first. He had never previously dropped a practice for me.
I have two classes today. My ensemble and solfeggio class. They all went smoothly, thank goodness, despite my distracted mind.
Julian, on the other hand, hasn’t texted me since morning, so I’m wondering how his meeting went. And right now, he’s probably still in class, so calling him would be impolite.
Instead, I leave him a voice message.
“Kristoff asked me to talk tonight, and I couldn’t say no. I’ll listen to what he has to say. He saw me with Peter this morning. Please call me when you’re not busy...”“Are you ready?” Lora asks as she watches me stuff my belongings into my handbag.
“Always am, but it’s just Kristoff. Let’s hear his explanation. Would you like to come?”
She shakes her head. “I don’t want to talk to him. He’s the reason I haven’t heard from Candice. But there’s something else bothering me.”
“What is it?”
“Is this okay with... you know?” She leans into my ear and whispers, “Professor Hotness.”
“What’s wrong with this?”
Her shoulders drop, astounded. “This is why I think you’re still new to this.”
“I’m not doing anything wrong, Lors.”
“I know, but you’re dating him now, and you’re still going to dinner with your ex tonight?” she hisses harshly.
“It’s just dinner. It means nothing. Kristoff promised to tell me everything from the start, so maybe I’ll find answers about your sister. And I’d already told Julian about it.”
“What did he say?”
“He hasn’t responded.” I bite my lower lip. He hasn’t texted or called me all day.
“See? What if he’s just trying to play it cool? He’s considerate. Okay, let’s give it to him. But a man is still a man. They are jealous beings.”
Okay, she makes a valid point. Julian isn’t the type to frequently express deep resentment. Not in front of me, at any rate. Lora could be right because Julian is always calm and understanding. I shouldn’t take advantage of his generosity. Am I becoming insensitive now?
“Fine, then I’m not going.”
Lora sighs and rolls her eyes. “You just don’t get it, do you? You’ve already made plans with Kristoff and left your new boyfriend a message. Just think twice before you do it again, okay?”
“I guess I’ll have to learn a lot from you, Lors.” I give her a hug. “Thank you.”
She hugs me back. “Just be cautious not to believe everything Kristoff says. He lied to you once, and he can do it again.”
“Kristoff can lie to me all he wants, but we’re done.” I let go of my best friend and looked her in the eyes sincerely. “I was never in love with him. I only realized it now.”
“So you’re in love with the professor?” she asks, her voice barely audible.
“It’s too soon to say, but what we have is different. It’s special.”
“Maybe you just don’t want to admit it?”
“Perhaps,” I chuckle, “but I’m happier and free.”
She smiles sweetly. “I guess I have nothing to be worried about. I was afraid you’d be swayed by Kristoff’s sugary words.”
“Not going to happen. He’s a good friend, and maybe that’s just how I see him.”
“I’m happy for you. Good luck, and please tell me everything you can about Candice.”
I take up my bag and sling it over my shoulder. “See you at home?”
She laughs at me. “Oh, no. We both know where you’re sleeping these days.”
“Right.”
We share a good hearty laugh before I leave the room.