Tasha tried to ignore Liam for the rest of the Welcome Week party. She turned her back to where he stood, focusing on Sabrina, the music, and the new faces around them. But it was hard. She kept feeling his presence, like a cold spot in the warm, lively crowd.
"Just pretend he's not there," Sabrina whispered, seeing Tasha's strained smile. "He's just one guy."
"He's that guy," Tasha muttered back. Every time she laughed, she wondered if he could hear her. Every time she danced, she felt self-conscious. The fun started to drain away, replaced by a simmering annoyance.
After what felt like forever, Sabrina finally said, "My feet are killing me. Ready to head back?"
"More than ready," Tasha replied immediately. They said goodbye to a few new people and began to weave their way out of the crowded courtyard. Tasha made sure to take a wide path, just in case Liam was still near the edge. She just wanted to get back to her dorm, away from him.
The next morning, Tasha woke up feeling tired. The party hadn't been the distraction she'd hoped for. She ate a quick breakfast with Sabrina, then they headed to their first set of classes.
Tasha walked into her Psychology lecture hall, already dreading it. She looked to the seat next to hers. Empty. A small wave of relief washed over her. Maybe he's skipping today. Or he dropped the class! Please let him have dropped the class!
She sat down, pulling out her notebook. Just as the thought finished, the seat next to her suddenly scraped back.
Liam.
He dropped his backpack onto the floor with a soft thud and slid into the seat, not even glancing at her. He pulled out his laptop, looking just as bored and effortless as usual.
Tasha clenched her jaw. Her brief moment of hope crashed. It was like he was a shadow, always there. How was this possible?
During the lecture, Tasha tried her best to focus, but Liam's quiet presence was a constant buzz in her mind. She tried to take notes, but her pen felt heavy. She stole glances at him. He seemed fully absorbed in the lecture, occasionally typing something or nodding slightly. It was frustrating how easily he fit in, how little he seemed to care about anything, or anyone, around him.
When the class ended, Tasha packed her things quickly, determined to leave before he could say anything. She stood up, ready to bolt.
"Leaving so soon?" Liam's voice was calm, almost mocking, from right beside her.
Tasha froze, sighing inwardly. She turned, forcing a neutral expression. "What do you want, Liam?"
He had already packed his laptop and was slinging his backpack over one shoulder. He looked down at her, a hint of something unreadable in his dark eyes. "Nothing. Just noting your rush. You usually seem to be in a hurry to get away from me." A corner of his mouth twitched, but it wasn't a smile.
Tasha scoffed. "And why wouldn't I be? Every time we cross paths, it's either an accident caused by you, or you're insulting me."
Liam simply raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Maybe you're just clumsy."
Before Tasha could reply, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the stream of students. Tasha stared after him, completely speechless. He called her clumsy? She felt a deep, burning frustration. There was nowhere on this campus she could go without running into him, and he just seemed to enjoy annoying her. This was going to be a very long semester.