NORA PROPPED HERSELF up on the bed, tucking her hands under her chin. "So..." she drawled, wiggling her brows for effect. "You and Graig, huh?"

Bims shot her a glance, failing to keep a straight face as a broad smile split her lips. Miriam turned her attention toward them. "Hmm," she teased, and she couldn't help but smirk; Miriam was next on the list. Did she think she hadn't noticed the tension between Dave and her?

"Guys, guys. It's nothing. Let's not blow this out of proportion," Bims insisted, trying to deflect their attention. Too late for that.

"Don't give me that," Miriam chimed in, and Nora nodded in agreement.

"Seriously, guys, I don't want to get my hopes up. And besides, I don't like him. I like Nate." Of course, anyone with eyes could see that from the way Bims was fangirling over him.

"Even so, what did you guys talk about?" Nora pressed, determined to extract the details. She had seen Bims exchanging numbers with Graig the other day at Relish, and her curiosity was piqued.

Bims couldn't keep the smile off her face. "We just talked about stuff, you know, school, department, level, where I stay, and blah, blah, blah," she gesticulated as she spoke.

"Blah, blah, blah? Hmm," Miriam teased.

"Where you stay? Why? Don't tell me you told him," Nora panicked. If Graig knew, then his friends would know too.

"I did. Sorry," Bims bit her lip sheepishly.

"Did he collect your number?" Miriam asked, taking the words right out of her mouth. It seemed Nora wasn't the only one who had noticed their interaction.

"Yes," Bims answered, her smile widening, but it soon faded. "But he hasn't called or texted."

"Maybe he's been busy," Nora tried to cheer her up, even though she wasn't pleased that he hadn't reached out. It had been over a week now, and she wondered how Bims must be feeling about it.

"Or he just didn't—" Nora cut Miriam off, anticipating that she was about to make a blunt statement that could hurt.

"Now, madam, over to you. Don't pretend like I didn't see sparks flying between you and Dave," she said as she turned to Miriam who looked at her incredulously as if she had suddenly sprouted two heads.

"Did you hit your head or something?" Miriam shot back, giving her a savage look. "Because it seems like your brain has shifted." No surprise there, Mir could be rude at times.

"I totally saw it too." Bims chimed in, knowing full well she hadn't seen anything but just trying to get under Miriam's skin. Join the party, sister!

"You're both nuts," Mir replied, looking around the room and the kitchen. When they asked her what she was searching for, she posed with her arms akimbo. "I'm looking for the drink you had or the weed you smoked before I came here that's making both of you say nonsense now."

They all laughed, and Bims' laughter was indeed contagious. Mir lived on campus while Bims and she stayed off-campus, but Mir often spent most of her time at their place. She practically lived there, though she hadn't been around this week, which was why Nora had just been able to bring up the topic.

"Did he also get your number?" Nora asked.

"What does he need it for? I wouldn't even give it to him if he asked," Mir replied defiantly.

"I think he likes you, though," Nora pushed her luck, fully aware that if Miriam killed her over this, she wouldn't blame her.

"I'm leaving," Mir threatened, but they all burst into laughter, 'persuading' her to stay, obviously knowing she wasn't going anywhere.

"Seriously, Nor, I'd rather chew jeans than feel anything that's not disgust for that guy. He's so cocky, arrogant, flirty, annoying, annoyingly annoying... I can't even deal." Mir ranted as she went off about the unique qualities in Dave.

Maybe not so unique, Nora thought, considering that he shared those qualities with his friend.

"Omg, calm down. I know, right?" she responded, nodding in agreement.

• • •

"Fuck!"

"Damn!"

"What the hell!"

"Fuck!" Nora pressed herself further against the wall of the academic building, wishing the rain would just stop. "Stupid rain." Of course, it only got heavier, and she sighed in defeat. "Sorry, you're not stupid rain. But please stop. Please."

"Asshole," she muttered under her breath as the rain poured down even harder. Wiping her hand down her face, she resisted the urge to pull out her phone and text Jacob. Sure, her phone was water-resistant, but there was no way she was risking it by exposing it to the downpour. It was already in enough danger as it was; soon she'd be drenched too.

Jacob was the drama coordinator at her church, and as it stood, she had already missed two rehearsals this week. This was the last rehearsal before the weekend, and she'd promised herself she wouldn't miss it. But if this stupid rain didn't stop immediately, it looked like that promise would be broken.

She watched longingly as cars sped by in the rain, wishing someone would stop to help the princess in distress. One car swerved by, splashing water everywhere, and she cursed at it. Just then, as she wiped the water from her face, the car reversed and parked in front of her.

Looks like the driver wanted to receive her cursing firsthand. The passenger-side window rolled down, and she squinted at the driver. Even though it had been over a week since she last saw him, she recognized him immediately. Only a lunatic would drive like that.

"Hop in," he motioned for her to get in, but she crossed her arms and looked away. He was going to have to physically carry her to get her into his car. "Come on, Nora, I'm doing you a favor here, unless you want to get wet."

"Well, I'm wet already," she shot back, instantly regretting it as soon as the words left her mouth.

He smirked, and she braced herself for the disaster that was about to follow. "I know I have that effect on girls," he quipped, his tone dripping with arrogance. How original!

"Eww, gross! Shut it Nathan, and leave me alone," she snapped.

He gasped, feigning shock, then pouted. "But why?"

"Because I don't like you, dummy!"

"Feeling's mutual, babe," he rolled his eyes, as if to say 'duh!' "Now come on in."

"I'm not stepping into your car," she shot back.

"Yes, you are."

"Make me," she challenged.

"For the love of God, woman, the rain is getting heavier!" he snapped, his frustration evident.

"And what do you care?"

He pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly exasperated, and honked the horn hard enough that she had to block her ears. "You're insufferable, do you know?" Nora said, wincing.

"And I'll get more annoying if you don't get in the car right now."

She rolled her eyes; she could still make it to rehearsal if she left now. Late, but better than not showing up at all. Finally, she relented and climbed into the car. She watched as he cringed when water splattered onto the floor mats. The car was surprisingly neat, and it smelled nice too. He turned on the heater, and she couldn't help but feel grateful for the warmth.

"You're welcome," he said, as he began to drive away.

"I never said thank you," she replied, crossing her arms.

"You just did," he shot back with a wink. His wink was almost adorable, making the other eye disappear just a bit. From the side, his long lashes stood out against his cheek, giving him a charming look. They curved upward, creating a nice shadow under his eye. His nose and lips complemented his features perfectly, creating a side view that looked almost picture-perfect. Why did he have to be this beautiful, with no brain?

I guess you can't have it all, she thought to herself. Or not, because he asked, "Have what?"

Ugh! "Nothing."

He stepped on the gas, and she shot him an icy look. "Stop driving like you have nine lives, will you? Don't get me killed, please."

Nate chuckled, and she shot him a side-eye, which earned her a soft smile in return. "I'll try not to," he replied, slowing down a bit. This surprised her; she hadn't pegged him as someone who would listen, even just once.

"Thanks," she offered, managing a small smile.

"Where are you going to?" he asked, but she was about to answer when her phone dinged. It was a message from Jacob in the group chat.

Jacob@therevealers100: The rehearsal has been canceled due to natural factors which could not be avoided. A new time for the meeting will be scheduled later tonight. Signed: Drama Coordinator, Jacob O.

A few people reacted with excitement, but she just locked her phone and sighed. "Hey, I asked a question," Nate pressed.

Her eyes widened; that meant she'd have to tell him where she lived. Ugh! She could just get down halfway and— "How often do you think aloud? Just tell me where you live," Nate's voice cut through her thoughts, and she flipped him off.

***

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