Ian Grey adjusted his helmet as the wind rushed past his ears. The early afternoon sun was warm against the back of his jacket, and the streets weren’t too busy.
He took a sharp left off the main road, tires skimming the edge of the curb. A red and yellow sign blinked up ahead. It was a fast food restaurant, he needed to eat burgers, or probably fries.
He rode into the lot, switched of the engine, and kicked the stand down. His left his helmet on his head as he stepped inside the fast food place.
He walked straight to the counter.
"Hey," he said to the bored looking kid behind the register. "Just give me the usual."
The kid blinked. "Uh... what’s the usual?"
Ian paused. "Right. Sorry. Uh, double cheeseburger, no onions, large fries, and... uh, coke. No, wait. Sprite. No, you know what...Coke."
He could almost hear the kid judging him silently, but whatever.
As he waited, he glanced around the place, and he saw her. She was sitting near the window, a plastic cup in her hand and a book open on the table. It was Tessa.
Ian liked her. They’ve gone on a few dates...but he still got slightly nervous and awkward whenever he was with her. Not that she made him feel awkward, he just couldn’t help himself.
He stood there for a second, like an idiot. Not sure if he should wave, nod, pretend he hadn’t seen her, or all three.
She looked up, their eyes met. She smiled, just a little. He walked over to her... feeling slightly awkward.
"Hey," he said, voice slightly muffled. "Didn’t know this was your go to spot for lunch."
She looked up from her drink and smiled. "It’s close. Cheap. And the fries don’t taste like regret. Most days."
He chuckled, pulling off his helmet and letting his hand rake through his hair.... "Strong review. Very convincing."
"I could be a food critic," she said, shrugging one shoulder. "If I didn’t have to work."
There was a small pause, comfortable enough.
"Oh," she added, leaning back a little, "I’ve been meaning to ask...would you be down for a hike sometime? Nothing intense. There’s this trail I keep hearing about. Supposed to be quiet, pretty views."
Ian blinked. "A hike? You... hike?"
She laughed. "I want to hike. Haven’t gotten around to it yet. But I figured, if you’re up for it..."
"No, yeah...definitely," he said a little too quickly. Then coughed. "I mean... yeah, that sounds cool. I could use a little nature."
"Good," she said, sipping her drink. "I’ll text you. Saturday maybe?"
"Perfect," he replied.
His order number was called.
He gave her a small wave and a crooked grin. "Catch you later."
"Later, Grey." Thɪs chapter is updated by N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
He grabbed his bag of food and walked out. The engine rumbled to life under him, and he rode back into traffic.
Few minutes later, he was pulling into the university lot. He took the stairs two at a time, food in one hand.
After all, he had a class to teach. He pushed the door open with his shoulder, the lecture hall was half filled with students scattered across the seats, some munching on snacks while some were discussing. A few were scrolling through their phones like he wasn’t even there yet.
Ian dropped the fast food bag on the table at the front, letting it crinkle louder than necessary.
"Alright, alright," he said, not shouting but just enough for for them to hear him clearly . "Let’s pretend we’re all here to learn something today."
A few students straightened up, while a few didn’t bother. One guy in the back actually yawned right into his face, which Ian chose to ignore.
He pulled a chair behind the desk and sat, leaning forward and dragging his fingers through his hair out of habit.
At twenty-four, Ian was almost the same age as most of them, a couple of his students were probably even older than him. It didn’t help that he didn’t dress like a "real" professor. Half the time he showed up in jeans, boots. After all he’s still young...so dressed casually most times.
But he was smart. Smarter than most people in the building. That’s what got him the job. He’d published books before he turned twenty-two. Knew how to talk about history and dead civilizations in a captivating manner that intrigued his students.
The girls in the front row always seemed to lean in a little more than necessary when he spoke. Some smiled too long when he passed their seats, they were obviously crushing on him after all... he’s handsome and smart.
It didn’t go unnoticed, especially not by the guys.
They didn’t like him. Not really. Not because he did anything wrong. But because he was tall. Sharp jaw, clear skin. Red hair, not fiery but deep. A bit messy, always looked like he’d just gotten off a bike... which, well, he had.
They didn’t respect him. Too young. Too confident. Too... there. But Ian didn’t care. Not really.