Read A Prior Engagement for Free Online Page B

nerve and attempted to start a conversation. “Hi, Evie.”
    When he said her name, it sounded romantic, and she heard the reverence in his words.
    “Hello , William.”
    They both pulled their notebooks from their bags, avoiding each other for lack of words, but delighted to be there all the same. Evie tapped her pen on her notebook then looked at William again and smiled. He’s very handsome and he smells good , she quickly assessed. I bet he has lots of girlfriends . She sighed. Smelling and looking like that, he must , she determined. This upset her, which then confused her because she didn’t understand her own feelings.
    He sat up and saw her frowning or frustrated, he didn’t know her well enough to decipher all of her expressions yet. But one thing he did know is that he would make his best efforts to learn each and every one of them. “How are you today?”
    She rearranged her face to smiling again before she responded, “I’m fine, thank you. How are you?”
    “I’m great.”
    Great? He’s great. Wow. She couldn’t recall responding to such an everyday question with great. She decided to explore further. “How is studying for finals going?”
    “Good. You know we have our paper due in another week? I think I’ve gotten all my research together to start writing. How’re you coming along?”
    “I’ve gathered most of my information, but need another trip to the library before I start writing.”
    “I’m going to the library tomorrow. We can meet up . . . if you like?”
    It seemed innocent the way he phrased the proposition, but it warmed her entire being. “Yes, I would.”
    William had always thought her eyes seemed sad when he watched her in class. But lately her eyes didn’t look sad at all. They sparked to life when he asked her to study with him.
    Not wanting to draw any attention from their neighbors, he whispered, “One o’clock?”
    “All right, I’ll see you in the Brit Lit section of the library tomorrow at one.”
    William also liked the way she repeated every detail of his proposal as if confirming each word in disbelief. He answered with a nod and she returned the favor. Professor Lang turned on the microphone, which meant the students had to pay attention because this lecture would be on the test.
    But Evie was too giddy to pay attention. She was distracted by her new friend and glanced at William often. As he took notes, she noticed that he had very nice penmanship; his long fingers grasped the black ink pen in his right hand. She used blue ink, but wouldn’t let his small, flawed preference for black ink be a deal breaker.
    Her mind ticked through several reasons that might excuse this small infraction. Maybe he grabbed the pen from a huge jar of pens and didn’t think about blue or black the way she did, though she still thought it was obvious that notes were meant to be taken in blue ink. Or, maybe he stole it from a waiter at a restaurant because he liked the way it glided across the receipt he had just signed. Wait a minute! Break what deal ? She was shocked how casually her thoughts regarding him entered her head fifteen seconds earlier.
    William looked at her, and again she had that strange flustery-frowny expression on her face. It dashed his hopes a little, and he turned back to the professor.
    “I’m going for coffee after class,” she whispered.
    William perked up, but he wasn’t sure if she was asking him to join her for coffee or just letting him know that she’s getting coffee. It was a statement, not a question, right? Maybe she was only thinking out loud. No, she was saying that to let him know she wants him there, too. Yes, I’m sure that’s it, yes. She wants me to get coffee with her. His reply was cryptic at best. “Coffee after class?”
    Evie was confused. Is he backing my statement or agreeing to join me?
    Everyone stood up around them shuffling their stuff back into their bags. William and Evie looked at each other realizing they had been