Wonderfall

Meraki

Lauren's POV

Meraki (v.): to do something with soul, creativity, or love.

"How old do you think she is?" I asked out of the blue as I walked with Normani back to the GSD.

"Who?" She wondered, not understanding what I was talking about.

"Our professor..." She eyed me cluelessly. "Camila Cabello?"

"Oh!" She exclaimed as though it had just clicked.

"I mean, the only class we've had so far was with Camila Cabello."

"Sorry, I was thinking about something else. My mind was wandering," She said, seemingly uncomfortable. It was as though I could read her thoughts.

And apparently, I could.

"Wandering-to-Drew," I said in between feigned coughs, earning me a pinch on the arm. "Ouch!"

"But isn't he drop-dead gorgeous?" She cried in a pleading tone as if she was begging me to share her feelings towards him to cover her silly outburst.

I had to admit, Drew was, indeed, a handsome man. He was good-looking, but I didn't have a crush on him, not by a long shot.

"He's really cute. Your reaction is understandable," I remarked as we made our way upstairs.

"He's godlike!" She exclaimed, exaggerating in every possible way.

I laughed at her childish behavior and gave her a pat on the shoulder.

"The good news is, he's gonna be stuck with us the whole semester. You won't run out of opportunities."

"Yeah, right," Normani said in disbelief. "Neither will you."

"I've just officially passed them all to you," I placed an invisible crown on her head. She played along and bowed to me. We chortled.

Normani was easy to get along with. She was a downright agreeable person. Her presence exuded clarity and gaiety. We had known each other for less than two days and our relationship was so effortless that I could have sworn I had known her all my life.

"Seriously though, aren't you interested in him at all?" She asked earnestly, hoping for a straightforward answer.

"Not really. My interest in him is the same I have for a door," I said, glancing at the rooms by which we passed. The doors had a beautiful, modern design with an antique finish altogether. That was certainly the work of a brilliant and sensible architect or designer. "No, scratch that! I'm actually very interested in doors, but not in Drew."

Normani laughed her head off, making all the students that were walking by look at us. She quickly pulled herself together and ignored the furtive glances.

"His ego would have been hurt if he'd heard your comment," She remarked. "I would."

"Then, I'm glad he wasn't here to hear it..."

"I have a question," Normani said, leaning her body against the lockers as I unlocked the small red combination padlock with an 'H' carved on it.

"Ask away," I prompted, wondering why there were so many numbers on those locking devices.

"If Drew, who's the pinnacle of beauty among boys, doesn't draw your attention, what kind of guy does?" She asked, eyeing me attentively.

That question caught me by surprise, and maybe I wouldn't have let my keys slip from my hand had I known the answer. Maybe I wouldn't have let my books fall had I known the answer. Maybe I wouldn't have become disconcerted by Normani's question had I known the answer. Maybe I would still be dating Wesley Stromberg had I known the answer. Maybe I would have dated a few guys in the past had I known the answer. Maybe...