* * *
He tried again on Monday. “Can I get you some lunch?”
Another refusal. “I’m not really hungry, but thanks.”
And again on Wednesday. “How about some drinks?”
She mumbled as she ducked past him, “I’m not thirsty.”
Friday, just like clockwork, he was standing there. “Can I walk you home?”
“I’m not going home right now.”
Monday, Haven was prepared. She stepped out of the building after class with Kelsey at her side, chatting away, but the guy was one step ahead of her. He pushed away from the wall when he saw them and paused in their path, focusing his attention on Kelsey. “Excuse me, miss. Can I cut in?”
Kelsey’s brow furrowed. She was momentarily stunned into silence. “Cut in?”
“Yes,” he said. “You see, I’ve been trying to talk to your friend for weeks, so, well, I’m a little jealous right now.”
A smile slowly lit up Kelsey’s face. “Oh! Absolutely!”
Kelsey turned to her and winked dramatically, barely containing her squeal as she skipped away into the crowd. Haven just stood there in disbelief as the guy smirked. “So, since your friend approves, can I walk beside you wherever you’re going today?”
She shook her head. Unbelievable. “Why would you even want to do that?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” he asked. “You’re a gorgeous girl.”
Those words sunk in and she gaped at him. He was flirting, she realized. He was flirting with her.
She shrugged hesitantly. “Uh, I guess. I mean, you can do anything you want. I can’t really stop you, right?”
“Right.” The word was drawn out in his accent. “Are you giving me the it’s a free country spiel?”
“No. Well, yes . . .” She scrunched up her forehead. “It is, isn’t it? Or at least that’s what they say.”
“Yeah, but I don’t want to impose. I know I’ve been persistent, but I just wanted a chance to actually meet you. You can tell me no, and I’ll never ask again.”
There was a tinge of hurt in his voice that surprised her. She didn’t want to be rude to the boy, but his presence alarmed her, the attention unnerving.
“You’re not really imposing,” she said. “I mean, we’re just walking, right?”
“Right,” he said again, looking away from her and shaking his head. A smile tugged his lips as he motioned for her to proceed. “Walking. After you.”
Haven strolled down the street and he stayed in step beside her, his hands in his pockets and his gaze on the ground.
“So, where are we heading?” he asked.
“The library,” she replied.
“The library isn’t on campus?” he asked. “This is an art school, isn’t it? Just art? Or do they have normal shit, too?”
She peeked at him curiously. What kind of question is that? “Just art, but I like to think it’s pretty normal.”
He shook his head. “I didn’t mean it that way.”
“I take it you don’t go to school here,” she said. “Otherwise, you’d know that.”
“No, I’m not a student.” He laughed to himself. “I walk by here all the time for work, though. I’m working down at the construction site on Sixth Avenue.”