Hate to Love You - Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Hannah
I shot a quick wave in Sarah's direction as I breezed past the front desk. I didn't stop for a chat, mainly because she was in the middle of flirting with a cute Korean exchange student who I recognized from my Chem lectures. With a playful wink thrown my way, she returned her focus to the conversation.
The library was a towering four-story structure that catered to a wide range of academic needs — a public seating area, private study rooms, computer stations, and, naturally, a sprawling collection of books. With the library's age and reputation, it even opened its doors to the public, so long as they played by the rules. But in practice, it was mostly college students who populated its walls.
I made my way upward, taking the elevator until I stepped onto the third floor. It was the designated area for chatter without worrying about being too loud. Passing by rows of world history records, I eventually arrived at the clusters of tables arranged in a circular pattern at the center. Scanning the area for familiar faces, I wanted to ensure I wasn't the first to arrive.
And there, sitting together and talking, was Skylar and Cassandra. Cassandra was in her signature attire — flannel and jeans, her hair braided into an intricate French braid, but Skylar was definitely a lot more dolled up today. Her hair was meticulously curled in pretty loops that hung down to her shoulders. Hooped earrings dangled from her ears, and a splash of bold red lipstick framed her radiant smile. Her ensemble — a white crop top paired with high-waisted jean shorts — was completed with her trusty sneakers, albeit in a dark blue this time. Before I had thought she was more handsome than beautiful, but not today. Today she was pretty.
I sarcastically wondered why. Wouldn't have anything to do with the only male member in our group, would it?
In the last two lectures we had together, Skylar and Fuckface flirted up a storm. She was a lot more serious about it than he was, with him only reacting to her administrations, but I still wanted to punch him in the face. I thought I'd be happy about that, but I always left the classroom in a foul mood.
Unnoticed, I approached their table, catching snippets of their conversation.
"He still hasn't replied to my messages so I'm not sure if that's actually his number," Skylar's voice carried over to my ears.
"It could be that he's really busy. Give it a little more time." Cassandra squeezed her friend's hand in reassurance.
"I guess." Skylar sat upright, pulling her hand from Cassandra's. "I could always just ask him. When do you think those two will get here?"
"I'm here," I announced, swinging my bag onto an unoccupied seat and taking the one next to it. This way, no one would be tempted to sit next to me.
"Oh, hey." Skylar smiled. It lost a bit of its luster when she looked around and didn't see the one person she actually wanted to see.
"You didn't happen to see Tristan, did you?" she asked.
Tristan. Tristan. Tristan. Tristan. Tristan...
Oh God.
No, she didn't.
This bitch just told me his name.
I was gonna scream. No, I was gonna cry. No, throw up. Faint maybe? All of the above?
I pressed my forehead against the cool surface of the desk, emitting a guttural, pained moan. The wood veneer chilled my face and I pressed my cheek against it. I didn't even care about the germs right now.
"Are you okay?" Cassandra's voice was tinged with concern.
"No. No no no no no. I'm not. I'm not okay. I'm very not okay. I think I'm gonna be sick," I groaned.
"Sick?" Cassandra stood up quickly and came around to me. She put her hand on my back and started rubbing soothing circles. "Can you tell me what's wrong?"
"Shetoldmehisname," I mumbled, my words somewhat muffled by the desk.
"What?"
"She told me his name."
"She told you his name?"
"Yes."
Cassandra stepped away from me, both brows raising.
I was well aware that I was overreacting. But you have to understand — I had been determined to keep his name a mystery, resolute in my intention to forget him at the first opportunity that presented itself. So, you can imagine the visceral horror that surged within me as his name, uninvited and unwanted, wormed its way into my awareness.
And how suddenly, I could feel an invisible tie latching onto me. Because now my ears would perk up whenever his name was mentioned, and inevitably that would lead me to learn more about him, more about his life, his activities, his relationships — his very existence. His name would turn into an involuntary trigger, hijacking my attention whenever I heard it, something I dreaded because then it felt like I'd never escape him. And that was a nightmare — will be a nightmare.
"Uhh..." Both girls stared at me, their expressions a mix of confusion and uncertainty.
"I'm sorry?" Skylar frowned.
She should be sorry.
"It's okay. I'm just being stupid." I sat up and let out a sigh. "You guys might as well know my name too."
"Oh, we already know. It's Hannah, right?" Skylar replied, her tone expectant.
"Right. How did you find out?" Had Tristan told them? But how did he find out?
"We just asked around. Listen, I'm sorry if I upset you or something. I didn't mean to. But why don't you want to know what Tristan's name is?" Skylar's head tilted slightly, a faint trace of amusement playing on her angular face.
Even at the mere mention of his name, a shiver crawled down my spine.
I scratched the back of my hand. "It's... complicated. But whatever, it's done. So let's just move on—"
"Wait," Skylar interrupted me, watching me closely. "I have to ask — is there anything between you two? You act kind of strange when you're together."
I protested almost immediately. "No! There's absolutely nothing going on between us. I mean, I didn't even know his name until you told me it just now. Trust me, we don't like each other. And right now I'm inclined to dislike him even more. That asshole's running late and I don't want to wait for him. So, shall we get started?"
"Hold your horses, Hoodie-Girl. I'm here. I just had a meeting and it ran a little late. My apologies."
The fine hairs on the back of my neck stood up in response to his presence registering behind me. It was a sensation that was both familiar and unsettling. With cautious anticipation, I slowly turned my head, bracing myself.
I had tried to steel myself for this moment, but the sight of his gorgeous face still made my heart skip a beat.
My gaze met his green eyes, the intensity of the connection electric, like a live wire passing between us.
He grinned.
"Miss me?"