11. Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Laura

"Laura, nice to see you here!" It is one of my classmates. Tracy? I'm not sure.

I take a breath and resist the urge to show how I don't want to see them. If I packed up a bit quicker, maybe I'd be out of the lecture hall already and I wouldn't end up getting caught. I did nothing wrong, but I still don't like this.

These few sure seem excited to see me and with whatever they are going to suggest. Except I'm not super excited about... this group. It's not even specific to them, I'm just... pretty much done with people after group discussions and all the lessons.

I force a smile regardless.

These few are other women in the class, and they seem to be a friendly group, except...

How do they manage to be friends already when it feels like we're barely into the semester?

One of them, who has blonde hair, asks, "Do you want to have lunch with us?" She winks. "We can have a girls' lunch."

Ryan, who has been sitting next to me in the lesson chuckles. "Girls' talk, huh? Have fun."

Now, he leaves. The few women laugh. The blonde one, who I can't seem to recall her name, says, "Well, well. Hope you don't mind."

I shake my head. "Mind our lunch together? Not at all."

They look at each other, seemingly meaning something else. Maybe it's about Ryan, who probably would have joined if it was going to be just a lunch session.

She shrugs. "It's okay, you'll have more time to spend with him and others."

I pick up my backpack and get ready to leave. "Let's grab food then." I'm hungry, but not hungry for the human interaction this will entail.

I move with the group to the restaurant within the campus. We have another lecture to attend in an hour or so, therefore we aren't traveling far for food. The food in the restaurant is fine anyway, it just gets repetitive when they don't switch up the menu.

The others chat about fun places they have visited since coming to the city. They are like me, all of us coming to study from another city. I try to nod along and pretend to know the places when I have never been to any of them.

Maybe I'm at the age of partying and getting to know others, but I just can't make myself do it. What's wrong with chilling at home and reading books?

Apparently, that's not in fashion, which is such a bummer. It would be a lot better for me if we talk about books and maybe aliens, but they don't seem to be interested in that, not that I'd want to bring that up when they are deep into the current conversation.

We order food and take a seat, getting ready to start the meal. While I'm in the group, it feels like I'm an outsider. I know they don't mean to leave me out, not that they even know I'm not interested in the topic.

Maybe I can still listen to what's being said, and I'd learn a thing or two.

What's Gisett doing? Probably standing there and fast asleep. I can't imagine sitting there as a statue and staring at the road all day. Not to mention he has been doing that for ages. Worse, apparently, being able to be a statue is a privilege for gargoyles. That's some kind of torture in disguise. Poor Gisett.

"So, Laura, how about you? Any nice places to recommend?" One of my classmates nudges my side, probably hoping to include me in their conversation.

"I... I've been to a few, but you guys already covered it."

"Ah, I see. Don't we all go to nice places?"

Another scrolls on her phone and shows us the screen. "Look at this bar, maybe we can get to know new people there." She winks. "It's going to be fun."

Another laughs. "You just want to get laid, huh?"

"What's wrong with that? I'm just looking to date someone, okay?"

Ah... That's not what I'm focusing on. It interests me, but it feels like I'd have to spend time with whoever I'm dating, and that'll take away from my personal time. But if they want to do that, I'm not saying anything against that for sure.

I say, "Testing the water's never a bad idea."

The blond one's eyes light up. "So, are you coming with us?"

Oh fuck... When will I learn to shut up? "I will have to check my schedule."

"Just come with us, it's going to be a fun night. They are hosting parties this weekend. Women get free drinks."

If it's free, it probably means something is off. I know the bar wants women there so they can get the guys there too, but I'm not interested in being a gimmick.

She nudges me again. "Just come with us, you can sit in the corner if you want anyway. It's free drinks."

I'm not interested in a drink even when it's free. But... Maybe they are just trying to have some fun. I won't die anyway. "I'll let you know after I check my schedule."

"Aw... Okay. We'll see each other tomorrow anyway, or say, soon enough."

Yeah... I'm so excited about that.