I....I Love You - The never were

Tina ran through the halls and crossed between the buildings reading the room names and numbers. She was lost. First day of school and she was lost and late. She wasn't too hyped about going to classes either, it wasn't the major she'd wanted. The college wasn't offering the major she wanted that year 'Not enough student interest' so she took the next best thing, probably.

At 8:45 she walked into the class, 15 minutes late, the door was at the front so everyone saw her. Worse still, the department dean was the professor for the first course. Great! Of course the room was packed, and she had to make the walk of shame down the aisle while the dean recited the department rules, calling her name after each one.

There was only one open seat, it was at a table to the far left at the back. A shaggy, lanky looking guy was sitting there, his bag sitting on the free chair. He hesitated to move his bag, making it obvious he didn't want her sitting next to him.

The day went by without further incident, most of their classes were on the same block so Tina didn't get lost again. By the second class, she noticed that the students of her year were all guys. In fact, the only other girls she had encountered where two seniors, she had overheard them talking to the dean about their final projects.

Tina was determined now, she might be the only girl in the year but she would be the top of the class. She wasn't going to let these guys think they can make passes at her by pretending to help. The next day they had their first exam, Tina scored perfect, the second highest was a nerd who sat on the opposite side of the room. Her desk buddy didn't even score a passing grade.

Desk buddies, that's what they were. The seating from the first class paired them together for the rest of the year. She was stuck with this rough looking guy who obviously had no intention to take school seriously. No matter, she was used to working alone, pulling the slack from everyone else in group projects.

"You're good at this, did you take classes in high school?" He asked looking at her exam paper.

"No."

"Neither did I. You're pretty smart."

Ignore him Tina. He's an ass and an idiot.

She ignored him until they were given their first pair assignment in Health and Safety 4 hours later. A workbook exercise they had to fill out, well Tina had to, his handwriting was chicken scratch. She began filling out the book ignoring him. Of course she left the book between them, give the professor the impression that he was 'helping'.

But she was stuck on the scenario questions, while she could list one or two steps necessary for dealing with electric shock in a compromised workspace she didn't remember everything.

"The next steps are CPR or recovery position." He offered.

"No it's not."

"It is."

"No, because I would remember that. Hush I'm trying to think."

"We're out of time just write them down."

Tina put down the answers he suggested just as the professor called for time. She was certain they were not part of the answer and spent the rest of the day brooding over not being able to finish the workbook. The next day however, when the professor returned the workbooks they were the only group to enter CPR as part of their answer and got commended for it. Another A in Tina's book, the nerd from before just 3 points behind, she liked the win but it left her with a bad feeling.

The other guys made fun of him, saying he was riding on free A's for partnering with Tina. Some of them even demanded a rearranging of partners. Eric was his name. He seemed to get along with most of the class, well not most of the class, just anyone who wasn't a nerd.

"Eric, sorry about yesterday." She couldn't meet his eyes as she apologized.

He just shrugged his shoulders and slouched back into the chair. Tina opened up after that, she would talk more with Eric when they were early or between classes. Eric was cousin to one of her friends from high school, Maria, so when Tina hung out with her friends Eric was also there.

Through their talks they discovered they were born on the same day, at the same hospital. It became a little joke between them, arguing over whose opinion was valid for being the elder. Tina soon discovered their mothers had shared the same room too, and Eric was born in the morning while she was born the evening.

"Ha, I'm older than you."

"Yeah only by a few hours, it doesn't count."

"Still older."

"You know, I used to wish I could marry a guy who was born on the same day. I'm rubbish with dates. So if his birthday was same as mine I'd never forget it."

In the month that they knew each other, Tina and Eric were close, not just as desk buddies but as friends. She was aware of the way Eric would look at her even when they were around Maria and her other friends. She was aware because she was looking at him too. But clarity came the day they talked about their futures.

"So, what are you going to do after college?"

"Study in England. My uncle's a dean at a university there. He saw my work with repairing and modifying electronics and suggested I get into the field. But the college isn't offering it this year. So that's why I'm here. What about you?"

"...I was thinking of going to England too. Get a job over there or something."

"Really? Why so far just for a job?"

"No reason."

You liar, you can't afford to go to England. You don't have the balls to tell me you like me? Fine I won't say anything either. But Tina really liked Eric and the furtive glances they shot each other were getting on her nerves. Sure he was rough, loud, ill mannered and delinquent, but he was different around her when they were alone. In those moments, he was a little charming, soft spoken, it was awkward but he seemed to be making an effort to be more civil.

Her mother disapproved, not because Eric's family was poor, rather because they were chronic alcoholics. He had an uncle who wasted his life away at bars and another who'd had several DUI's. His grandfather and one of his aunts had both died from excessive alcohol use. To make matters worse, Eric himself was a frequent drinker and worked part time at a bar.

Eric's mother also disapproved, because Tina's family was wealthy. She believed they would look down on him and not agree. He would not be able to give Tina a life of comfort or even a decent one. She called him a swine and said Tina was a pearl he couldn't reach. So they stayed in limbo, neither confessing, but getting ever so closer.

Six weeks, that's how long they had known each other. It felt like a lifetime, they dreamt of each other often, talked about the things they wanted later in life, always syncing their wants with each other. But time waits for no one. Tina's parents got her a transfer to the college's other campus, two counties away offering the major she wanted.

Then came the day, the dean had pulled Tina from class letting her know everything was ready for her to transfer to the other campus. She could collect her documents the next day at the office. The reality struck Tina, she probably wouldn't see Eric again for a long time after tomorrow.

When she got back to class, Eric had a panicked look on his face, Tina had told him she was trying to get a transfer, he had been praying it wouldn't work out. But Tina's face was a mix of joy and sadness. He couldn't read her.

"What's up?"

"...The transfer's gone through. Today's my last, but tomorrow morning I have to collect my documents."

"Great." he croaked.

Eric's world cracked. He couldn't look or talk to Tina, he felt like crying just thinking about her. Tina felt hurt, Eric ignored her for the rest of the day. He didn't hang out with them at lunch and his posture was tilted away from her during classes. At the end their last lecture he picked up his bag and was gone without a word.

The next morning, Tina arrived to collect her documents, she thought of passing by the class to say goodbye, but decided against it. After collecting her papers she headed for the main gate. When she got to the covered walkway between the dean's office and the first block of classes Eric was leaning against one of the supports. Tina approached him slowly.

"Got all your documents?"

"Yeah."

"Cool."

"You should be in class."

"Maybe."

Tina was four steps past him. "Tina."

"Yeah." She turned to him, folding her lips.

Eric's mouth opened and closed a few times but no words came out. "...Good luck."

Tina's heart fell and she glanced about nervously. "...Thanks, you too."

She turned and took another two steps before stopping. "Hey Eric?"

"Yeah?"

"Your eyes are red, cut back on the alcohol. Don't forget to use the tape recorder for the classes you have difficulty with."

"...Yeah."

Eric watch her turn and walk away again, his mind screaming at him to stop her. Just a little bit more time, and he could say it, he'd tell her today.

Tina walked away from Eric slowly, her heart pounding in her ears, she should tell him now. She might not get another chance. Now, she had to tell him now.

"Tina?"

She spun around again. "Hey?"

Eric took a few steps closer, still unable to say the words thundering in his mind, his lips trembling. "...Be careful."

"...You too."

Eric and Tina stared at each other for a few moments. Professor Nowak hurried past them swatting Eric on the shoulder with a stack of papers.

"You are late for class Mr. Sulyard."

"Yes sir."

Tina gave him a weak smile and waved.

"Bye."

Eric and Tina wallowed in self pity under the covered walkway as the distance between them grew. What they couldn't say to each other directly they whispered to the wind that blew past them.

"I..I love you."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkU8wV6cT1

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