Ding ding.
Eyes dart to me fromaround the classroom, and I cringe, sliding fartherinto my seat. I specifically sit in thebackto not draw attention to myself.
Ding ding.
It doesn’t appear to be working today.
I slip my phone out, switching it to silent before glancing at the notifications.
I’ve got six matches on the dating app?
I thought it would take a lot longer. I only downloaded it last night, and Karli was the one to swipe through the guys.
I don’t even know if any of them will be my type.
Another notification buzzes through.
It’s a message from one of my matches.
MichaelB22: I promise this isn’t a line, but I feel like I know you from somewhere.
I click on his profile. Attractive is an understatement. He is definitely my type. I mean, if I was into the whole dating thing. I think I’d remember those sky-blue eyes and unruly blond hair. Yet, something about the smoldering expression in his profile picture lingers in theback of my mind. But I know better than to admit that. Once I do, he will pull some cheesy line about fate or something of the like. I’m not on this app for fate to find me. I’m only here for research.
For Karli.
NotthatJuliet: Sorry. Your profile doesn’t ring any bells.
I try to focus on the class discussion, but the equations don’t hold my attention like they usually do.
He is familiar. But why?
My phone lights up, silent this time, and I tap the screen to open his new message. I wonder if he’s puzzled it out.
MichaelB22: Darn. I thought if you remembered, you’d be more likely to go out with me.
NotthatJuliet: So it was a line?
MichaelB22: No! I’m still convinced I know you, and I’m determined to figure out how.
NotthatJuliet: How do you plan on doing that?
MichaelB22: By taking you on a date?
I scoff.
The classroom goes silent around me, and I shoot my head up,back to real life.
“Do you not agree with that answer?” Professor Martin gives me a look reserved for his least favorite students. It’s never been aimed at me before.
A bead of sweat breaks out on my forehead. “Oh no. I agree. I agree wholeheartedly.” I nod until I nearly give myself whiplash. Slowly, the attention returns to him and the discussion, and I keep my eyes firmly on the front of the classroom for thirty seconds before my annoyance is too much to contain.
NotthatJuliet: Your overconfidence just got me in trouble.
MichaelB22: Really? I’d love to hear more about that over dinner.
Nothatjuliet: Not gonna happen.
Just because I promised Karli I’d go on five dates doesn’t mean I’ll go out with the first guy to ask. That’s how you wind up with a creeper.
