Chapter 2 I Don't Fantasize About Him… Do I?

• OLIVIA
• "What does he smell like? What does his touch feel like?"
• Ashley's voice drills into my ear, high and excited. "You two were standing so close. What did you see in his eyes?"
• I let out a sharp breath and cover my ears with my hands. I am already tired of her questions.
• Aiden's scent? The feel of his touch? Why should I know any of that? And why do I have such a crazy friend? I am not even crazy myself. How did I end up with her as my only friend at this school?
• Ashley's eyes go wide. "Aiden said something to you. His voice made you wet, right? I wish it was me." She mumbles the last part.
• I shake my head and give her a deadly glare. But I find myself thinking about his voice anyway. His voice is husky. But when he spoke to me, it was low and gentle. It is enticing too.
• I want to hear him whisper in my ear. Or read my favorite books to me while his hand is between my thighs.
• What the hell am I thinking? Fuck Ashley. Fuck her for planting these thoughts in my head.
• Ashley leans against me and rests her head on my shoulder. "I have never wanted to be you so badly." She pauses. "I mean, you have such a boring life. Just reading books all the time. But when I saw you this morning, I wanted to be you. I was jealous."
• I lift my shoulder in a half shrug and she lifts her head. "You know the person you are talking about is my sister's best friend."
• Ashley rolls her eyes. "You do not have to pretend you do not have fantasies about your sister's best friend."
• "I do not." I lie.
• I would never tell anyone about the thoughts I just had. He is off limits. It would be wrong. Forbidden. Taboo. I should not be having those thoughts about him. I need to shake them off and forget them.
• "You do not dream of having a hot makeout session with your sister's best friend?" Ashley whispers in my ear.
• My eyes dart around the lecture hall. I heave a sigh of relief when I see no one is paying us any attention. Thank goodness. I do not want anyone to overhear this. Especially not the part about Aiden.
• "Just stop talking. Okay?" I snap at her.
• I do not even know why I got irritated. Is it because of her teasing? Or because of the forbidden thoughts her teasing stirred up?
• "So you do not dream of Aiden going down on you?"
• I close my eyes for a few seconds. I try to keep myself together.
• "I am warning you. If you do not stop talking about this, I am getting up and leaving this seat." My voice shakes a little.
• Ashley laughs. "Chill. I am just kidding around."
• My brows furrow. "You keep saying shit. You are crazy."
• "You stay friends with me even though you know how crazy I can be."
• "That is because I do not have the energy to make new friends."
• "Plus you are madly in love with me." She smiles from ear to ear.
• Ashley is my only friend at Elite University. Maybe the only true friend I have ever had. When I was new here, she saved me. She helped me with registration. She showed me around campus even though she was a freshman too. My sister is a sophomore and would not help me.
• I lean back in my chair as the lecturer walks in. Finally. The start of the day.
• My lectures end and I should head home. But Ashley has other plans. My stomach has been growling all morning. She insists we grab lunch. I have not eaten since breakfast, so I am happy to join her. We walk to the popular restaurant on campus.
• "Do you not think there are hotter guys than girls in this school?" Ashley whispers to me. She peers around the cafeteria like a detective.
• I sigh. Here we go again. The talks about boys. She will not let me eat in peace.
• "I do not spend my time rating how hot people are like you do." I take a bite of my pancake.
• "It is more fun to watch hot people than to crush on anime characters."
• "Whatever helps you sleep at night." I pout a little.
• Ashley clears her throat. "Anyway. There is a party."
• "Do not bother telling me. You know I am not interested in boring parties."
• She scowls. "You are attending this party whether you like it or not."
• "You cannot make me."
• "Maybe Nathan could." Ashley blurts out. She looks away from me.
• I turn around. A familiar figure is walking toward us. I feel butterflies in my stomach when our eyes meet. He smiles and his dimples show.
• Nathan. He is a freshman like us. I have been crushing on him since the semester started. What is there not to crush on? He is handsome. He likes books. He is nice to me.
• Nathan walks to our table with a smile still on his face.
• "Just finished lunch. I was about to leave when I spotted your hair, Olivia."
• I cannot help but smile back at him.
• "I know far more than you think." Aiden's words flash in my memory.
• What else does he know about me? How does he know it?
• Ashley taps my shoulder and jolts me out of my thoughts. "Nathan is asking you a question."
• I blink and turn to Nathan. "Yes?"
• "I just wanted to know if you would like a ride home." Nathan mutters. "Ashley mentioned your car broke down."
• My cheeks get warm. I look away from him. Why does my heart race at the thought of being alone with Nathan in his car? This should be a dream come true. We can talk about our favorite books. We can be silent while I steal glances at his ocean blue eyes.
• "I already have a ride." I hear myself say.