After her Psychology class, Tasha met up with Sabrina, still fuming about Liam.
"I swear, Sabrina, he's everywhere!" Tasha grumbled as they walked towards the campus library. "And he just loves to annoy me. He called me clumsy! Me!"
Sabrina shook her head. "He sounds like a total pain. Just ignore him, Tasha. You're better than that."
"I'm trying to ignore him," Tasha sighed. "But it's hard when he's sitting right next to me in class. And then he has to open his mouth."
They found a quiet table in the library and started working on their assignments. Tasha was trying to read a textbook for her Intro to Literature class, but her mind kept replaying Liam's irritating words.
"Hey, Tasha," Sabrina said quietly, nudging her. "Isn't that...?"
Tasha looked up, following Sabrina's gaze. And sure enough, at a large table across the room, was Liam. He was surrounded by a few other students, all with textbooks and laptops open. They looked deep in discussion.
Tasha groaned. "Are you serious? He's even in the library?"
"He's probably in some kind of study group," Sabrina whispered. "He is supposed to be really smart, remember?"
Tasha watched them for a moment. Liam was actually contributing, pointing at a diagram in a book, explaining something. He looked focused, almost intense. It was a different side of him than the bored, annoying guy she usually saw. But then, he turned his head slightly, and his eyes swept over their section of the library. For a split second, his gaze landed on Tasha. He didn't react, just looked away, but Tasha felt a familiar prickle of annoyance.
"Right," Tasha said, forcing herself to look back at her book. "Well, let him study. We need to study too. I have a quiz in Psych next week."
She tried to concentrate, but she could still feel Liam's presence in the large, quiet room. It was like he was a magnet for her frustration. Every time she looked up, she somehow spotted him.
After about an hour, Tasha needed a break. "I'm getting some coffee," she whispered to Sabrina. "Want anything?"
"Oh, yes, please! A latte!" Sabrina smiled.
Tasha headed to the small coffee cart near the library entrance. She ordered her coffee and Sabrina's latte. While she waited, she looked around, her eyes scanning the room one more time.
And there he was again. Liam. He was walking towards the coffee cart, too, holding an empty mug.
Tasha felt her shoulders stiffen. Just ignore him. Just ignore him.
He stepped into line right behind her. Tasha pretended to be very interested in the menu board, even though she'd just ordered. She could feel him standing there, his height noticeable even without looking.
"Excuse me," Liam's voice was low. "Is this line moving, or are you just admiring the art?"
Tasha spun around, glaring. "Are you serious? You just have to say something, don't you?"
Liam raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk on his face. "Just trying to get some coffee. Unless you plan to stand there all day."
"I'm waiting for my order!" Tasha snapped. "And I was perfectly in line. You're just impatient."
The barista handed Tasha her coffee and Sabrina's latte. Tasha grabbed them quickly. "Enjoy your wait," she said, giving Liam a cold look.
She turned to walk away, but Liam chuckled softly behind her. It wasn't a friendly sound. It was dismissive.
Tasha walked back to her table, her hands shaking slightly. "He's unbelievable!" she hissed at Sabrina. "He followed me to the coffee cart! He just can't leave me alone!"
Sabrina took her latte. "Wow, he really does get under your skin, doesn't he?"
"He's trying to!" Tasha said, sipping her coffee. "And it's working." She knew this wasn't just about a few bumps anymore. This was a war. A very annoying, caffeine-fueled war.