Reckless Hero

I lifted my arm and waved her over with a smile. She hesitated for a second before shrugging and walking over. She smiled shyly as set her bag on the table and climbed onto the empty stool.

“Thanks,” she said softly. “I like being close to the teachers. Professors, I mean.”

“Me too,” I said with a nod. “Back in high school, I didn’t care because I could basically get A’s without lifting a finger. I have a feeling college will be different though.”

“Is this your first class?”

“Yeah. I’m pre-law. You?”

“I had an English class this mornin

g, but this is my first class for my major.”

“What’s your major?” I asked, hoping she would say pre-med.

“Philosophy,” she said simply.

I laughed. “Well, I guess Philosophy 101 is a pretty good choice then.”

“Yeah,” she laughed back. “Kind of didn’t have a choice.”

I nodded and tried to think of something witty to say, but my mind drew a blank and I ended up just watching her for a moment. She was cute in a shy, nerdy kind of way. Her glasses were thick with black rims and every time she looked down at the table, her hair fell into her face. When she looked at me, I saw that her eyes were grey with hints of blue. She was pretty, but not in an obvious way. And she looked smarter than any girl I had ever dated.

Back in high school, I’d been good at everything. I’d had girlfriends, played sports, and got straight A’s. Everyone loved me—it wasn’t cocky to say so, because it was true. I tried not to let it go to my head though. While I didn’t want to be arrogant, I also couldn’t deny what was right in front of me. I was good-looking, smart, athletic, and girls were attracted me—it was just a fact.

“I’m Tucker,” I said, realizing I hadn’t officially introduced myself. “Tucker James.”

“I know. We went to high school together.”

“We did?” I asked. My cheeks felt a little warm, but I covered it with a laugh. “Are you sure? I feel like I would have remembered you.”

She shook her head. “Probably not. I wasn’t popular. I always sat in the back of class and only had a couple friends. Plus, I lived a pretty sheltered life. My name’s Anna. Anna Harper.”

“Harper?” I asked with a frown, trying to see if the name rang any bells. I could tell Anna was amused, but was kind enough to not say so. I, on the other hand, couldn’t believe I was actually feeling flustered.

I had never failed with girls before, so this new and I didn’t like it.

“It’s fine,” she said dismissively. “I don’t expect you to remember me. You were on the football team. We didn’t exactly run with the same crowd.”

“Yeah, but this is Savage.” I shook my head. “Everyone knows everyone!”

“Apparently not,” Anna said, amused once again. She shrugged.

I watched while she got out her notebook and popped the top off a pen. She wrote the date in the top right-hand corner of the paper and titled the page ‘Phil 101 Notes – Day 1.’

I smiled to myself while I watched her meticulous writing. Her ‘y’ was curled in an adorably girly way. “You really are a nerd, huh?” I teased.

She looked at me with wide eyes and I gestured toward her notebook.

“I guess.” She shrugged. “I just want to do well.”

I felt slightly chagrined at my teasing when her earnest and completely innocent gaze met mine. My attempt at flirting had obviously fallen flat. Anna had only just sat down, yet she was already throwing me off my game. She seemed completely oblivious to my efforts, which was a rarity for me.

I wasn’t usually so awkward with the opposite sex. I had always been that guy who knew exactly what to say to get them eating out of the palm of my hand, and later crawling into my bed.

Anna looked back down and her hair fell over her face again. I got the overwhelming urge to push it behind her ear. But I resisted, instead watching her delicate fingers smooth the wayward strands back into place. I could tell it was an absentminded gesture.

She began drawing in the corner of her page, seeming to forget I was in the room—another rarity for me.