Hacking The Relationship Code

Chapter 14: Sunflower

I woke up to two messages on my phone on Monday morning. Both from Adrian. I noticed one was from last night after I went to sleep and the other was just a few minutes ago.

Adrian: I had a great time today, see you tomorrow.

Adrian: Good morning

I quickly replied back to him and got ready for school. We were already running late and had to rally to the university. By the time we entered the class, my face was flushed and hair ran all over the place sticking to my neck with the sweat. We managed to reach right before the professor's entry and occupied the seats Andy had kept for us. I slipped beside Adrian and Mia took the seat next to mine.

"Ran a marathon in the morning, didn't you?" Adrian asked.

"Yes, Mia spent some extra time in the shower so we raced our way to class."

The professor managed to stop every conversation as he stepped foot in the class and began his lecture on alternative investments. This week's topic was CDOs. These guys on the wall street could really fabricate anything to bet on, I realized today. I even learnt today that Finance was even a creative subject.

***

Things between Andy and Leslie were getting better but Mia and Cole, not so much. Leslie had texted Mia and I if we were up for the night-out which got cancelled due to the fresher. We agreed to have her at our place on Saturday.

I focused on my assignment in the library. It was itching me that I was still jobless. I didn't want to be leaning on my parents any more than I already was. I wanted to be able to afford rent from my own pocket soon. Mia had already had found herself a waitressing job at a diner.

I checked my email during the lunch break. A mail offering a sales position at a convenience store popped up on my screen. The relief was almost palpable as I sent them my eager reply. When I informed Andy about it, he was over the moon. Andy told me even he had bagged a job with the IT department of the university. I was glad for him.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?", I asked.

"So that you could stress about why you weren't getting any calls? No thanks. I just delayed the news till you came up with something good yourself."

"You know right, I would eventually get to know when you wouldn't be joining me at the library."

"Yes, I knew. I would have told you before Thursday because that's when I start working there."

"So, you were hoping I got a job before your deadline?"

"Yes."

"So neat! What would I do without you Andy? Geee Thanks.."

It was half sarcastic, half honest. Andy and I got each other. We clicked. That's how our friendship has lasted so long. I knew he would never judge me and we were lucky to have each other's backs.

***

After lunch, Andy and I joined Cole and Leslie to check out the refreshment area where there were all sorts of games. We spent the next few hours playing different games till I had suffered enough humiliation in front of everyone. I was slacking at every game we had played and I could do without any more embarrassment. I knew I wasn't a sporting person. On top of that, Cole had made enough fun of my nonexistent gaming skills for this decade.

I got a text from Adrian asking me to meet with him before class. He was done with his practice for the day. I ditched the others informing that I would see them in class. I ambled to the amphitheatre where he had called me while wondering what could be going on in his mind. I spotted him sitting on one of the trenches of the amphitheatre engrossed in his phone. I climbed my way to where he was sitting and seated beside him. His attention retracted from his phone towards me.