C o l e

Yawning as I walked into the classroom, I sat in my usual seat and began to unpack my bag, taking out the things I'd need for this lecture.

"Hey!" The seat next to me moved and Myles was the one to claim it all the while flashing me a smile.

"Hey" I replied, nodding and then turning to the board.

Our professor had walked in pretty happy today so I figured this lecture would go by quick, though everyone should have suspected that there'd be a reason for our professor to come in so happy at nine in the morning.

"Today we will be working on a new unit but this entire unit is based on teamwork. When out there in the, as you kids say, 'real world' teamwork will be everything in this field of work. So partner up, and exchange names and numbers because you will need them" the professor said and a course of groans were immediately heard in response.

"Well, I feel like I don't have to ask but just to be polite, would you like to be partners?" Myles asked as he turned to me in his seat.

"Oh, uh, sure" I said, nodding my head as I gave my answer.

"Cool, let's exchange numbers" he said and he handed me his phone while I gave him mine.

"There's hardly anyone in your contacts" Myles commented.

"There's too many in yours" I countered and Myles let out a laugh.

"Touché" he said.

After giving back our phones, Myles began to speak again.

"Is there any specific place you want to meet up? I'm fine with anywhere" he asked.

"A library or cafe is fine" I said and Myles nodded.

"Cool, let's meet at the library after our classes" Myles said.

Once agreeing upon things, we waited for the professor to continue giving us details on our work. It was a test and study project, we had to run several tests however which explains why we were given an entire month to work on it.

"I can handle the research and tests but I gotta tell ya, I'm not good at writing the reports" Myles admitted towards the end of the lecture.

"It's alright, we can conquer and divide.  I'll handle all the writing" I said and I was immediately given the googly eyes.

"Thank you, you're a life saver" Myles said and I just shook my head.

Once this period was over, we parted ways and I headed to my other classes.

Jean had today off and none of Cinder's free periods aligned with mine so I didn't get to see much of those two today unfortunately.

After classes, just as planned, the two of us met up at the library and I began drafting up our organizers.

"So, how old are you? We look to be around the same age" Myles asked, already attempting to make small talk.

"I'm 25" I said and Myles' eyes widened.

"...or not. Wow, now I feel like a baby. I'm only 21" he said.

"Don't feel that way, I won't patronize you or anything of the sort" I said.

"I didn't think you would, you don't seem like that kind of person" Myles said and that's when I raised a brow at him.

"How would you know?" I asked and Myles smirked.

"I'm really good at reading people" he said, his nose turning up in the air and it's almost as if I could see it growing.

"Are you?" I asked, a bit of sarcasm dropping into my tone.

"Yes, yes. Let me think...you're the kind of guy who likes sweets?" Myles asked, looking to me to see any changes in my expression at his assumption.

"Go on" I said, giving an amused smile as Myles continued to 'figure me out'.

"Uh...well it's obvious you don't talk much. You've got this kind of aloof image going on but let me guess, there's more to you than that?" Myles said and I shrugged.

"I'm not sure if I'd call myself aloof nor do I consider myself an enigma" I said in response and Myles pursed his lips.

"Indifferent?" He tried and I furrowed my brow.

"Now you make me sound heartless" I said and Myles sighed.

"Okay, okay, wait" he said and he made a thinking face for a few moments before looking back to me.

"You drive one of those fancy cars don't you?" He asked and I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me.

"I'd hope to god there's no pedestrians on the street if I did" I responded and Myles huffed.

"You're good at uh...baking?" His guesses were beginning to get more and more random, Myles likely knew he was doing horrible and was trying anything at this point.

"A frying pan is more of a friend than an oven" I said and that's when Myles finally gave up with a slump in his seat.

"This is hard" he grumbled.

Just then, he sat up with a grin and pointed to himself.

"Do me" he said and I shook my head.

"I don't really like to assume things about people" I said slowly.

"Come onnnn. It's not assuming, it's guessing. And I said you could so it's fine" Myles insisted and I just put my pencil down before crossing my arms.

"Alright. You're persistent, the type who gives his all in everything he does. Friendly, obviously, and maybe just the tiniest bit pushy" I started and the way Myles expression went flat was all the telltale sign I needed to know I was on the right track.

"You had lots of friends no doubt and maybe even a pet. Hm, maybe a fish or two?" Giving a short hum, I put my hand to my chin in a faux thinking position.

"You're also probably an only child" I said and that's when Myles finally budged.

"That's scary. It's like you've known me my whole life or something. How the fuck are you doing that?" Myles asked, his face just the tiniest bit creeped out and I shrugged.

"Let's call it intuition" I said.

"Maybe I misjudged you a bit" he muttered.

"Is that all the questions you have for me or should I be expecting another round of them?" I asked and Myles paused for a moment.

"I think I'm good...for now" he said and I nodded.

"We should get back to the project, the library isn't open forever you know" I said and Myles nodded.

We worked on our things for at least a few more hours before deciding we'd done enough for today, the other parts having to be hands on and outside so we figured we'd do it another day.

"Let's get some snacks or something I'm starving" Myles said as we were leaving the library.

"There's a grocery store over there" I pointed out and with a nod from my partner, we both headed towards it.

Upon arrival, I walked over to the refrigerated snack section and eyes the puddings. The 4-packs were on sale but I knew if I showed up with more than one, Eros will have a fit.

...he'll live.

Grabbing three packs, I headed back over to Myles who was in the chips aisle and when he saw my arms full of pudding, he gave me a look.

"You really do like sweets. At least I was right about one thing" He commented.

"Yeah, Eros says I'm gonna be a diabetic when I get old" I said, chuckling at my words.

I could hear Eros complaining about it even now, my lover never failing to try and bribe me with something that would take my mind off the pudding but since such a thing doesn't exist, it never works.

His detestability of my pudding consumption had grown over the years and he was convinced that if someone stabbed me, only pudding would come out.

"Who's Eros?" Myles asked and that's when I realized I'd said his name with no context.

"Oh, yeah, sorry. My boyfriend" I said and Myles nodded slowly.

"Right...I forgot you said you had one" he said and I nodded.

"Have you ever dated?" I asked and Myles shrugged, his hands going for the bag of party mix chips in front of him.

"Yeah, not long though. I don't really think relationships are for me" he said and I tilted my head.

"Why do you say that?" I asked.

"I don't usually...connect? Is that the word? I don't know but whenever I get into a relationship with someone, it just doesn't feel right and I eventually lose whatever kind of feelings I may have had for them" Myles explained.

I honestly didn't know much about relationships either considering I've only been with one person my entire life and still am with said person. That doesn't leave much room for personal experience so I didn't know how to give encouraging words in this situation other than the general kind.

"The right one for you will come along someday. Could be tomorrow, could even be a few weeks from now but don't worry about it too much. Living in the moment is better than worrying about the future" I said and Myles gave a half smile.

"The right person, huh...?" He muttered.

"Uh...dude, could you move?" We both turned to see a little boy looking at Myles, upset that he was blocking the items he wanted.

"Rude little shit" Myles muttered before moving out of his way.

After grabbing the stuff we wanted and paying, we were finally out of the store and by now, the sun had finally set.

"Do you live close by?" I asked and Myles nodded.

"Yeah, a few blocks from here" he said, pointing in the direction of his home.

"I'll walk with you" I said.

"Oh you don't have to. I'm a big kid" Myles said and I chuckled when seeing him puff his chest out.

"Big kid or not, it's always good to have someone with you at night if you can" I said and gestured for him to lead the way.

"Well what about you?" Myles asked as we walked.

"I can call someone" I said.

"Alright..." Myles gave me a skeptical look but dropped the topic anyways.

As we walked, it was finally quiet for once. Myles loved to talk and although I didn't have too much trouble keeping up with conversation, it was still draining. I think I talked more today than I have in my entire life.

Eventually, we reached Myles' house and he turned to me.

"Thanks for walking with me even though you didn't have to" he said and I waved him off with my hand.

"It's fine" I said and I was expecting Myles to bid me farewell and head inside but he stepped up to me which had me confused.

"You know, there's another thing I was right about" he said and I raised a brow.

"And what is that...?" I asked, a bit bothered by the lack of space between us.

"There's definitely more to you than you're letting on" Myles said before backing away.

"And I'm gonna find out what it is" he said, a smirk finding it's way to his face before he saluted to me.

"Night" he said and headed up to his house.

That was pretty...strange.

I don't know what about me gave off such a mysterious vibe but I just let it go for now. Maybe I'm not the person he expected me to be and he's waiting to see if I'm hiding some kind of rare side of myself but who knows.

Sighing, I turned away from the house and began walking. It wasn't so far that I couldn't walk home myself so instead of bothering someone to come pick me up that's what I did.

The crisp air could help me relax anyways.