Until I Met You

Chapter Message (24)



Message (24) Grace

Next day, I attended my classes like normal. Nothing eventful happened which somehow made me suspicious. None of my days in college were this quiet and peaceful.

Jake met me in the hallway in the morning when I was going for my first class. He teased me in the morning by telling me to inform him earlier about the troubles I'm going to get in today. So he could get his weapons ready. I glared at him as I walked away swatting my book at his arm. He just ended up saying not to harm him. It's his strong arm that is going to save me. I just walked away without saying anything. However, highlights among students were about the three students who quit ted college simultaneously. I decided not to talk about it.

However, in the back of my mind, I still wonder what Jake had told him for him to turn this scared. He probably had said something that he had used before. After all, Mason and Ethan gave each other a look that totally meant they knew what was going on.

Even anxious, I felt quite good about how peaceful my day was going. But I had a bad feeling this day is not going to end well. I just hoped that this feeling was wrong. Otherwise, I can't handle getting in another trouble.

My classes ended early, so I decided to go to a nearby bookshop. I've already texted Jake that I was going to a bookshop and won't be at lunch in the cafeteria today as I'll go straight home and study. He texted me asking if I wanted him to come with me but I declined. He texted back saying, 'Don't get into trouble, trouble.' It made me snort so hard that everyone around me gave me a questioning look. Probably thinking what's wrong with me. How could I possibly have explained to them that it was not me who had a problem but the person messaging me.

Whatever it might be, I somehow felt a warming sensation in me. A painful, peaceful, sweet and happy sensation at the same time. When I read his text I couldn't help but smile. Even in the morning, his teasing filled me with happiness. I had no idea what was wrong with me but whatever it was, it felt good.

His cocky expression made me feel like I could kill him but at the same time it made him look sexy and it made me want to steal glances at him. Our interactions made me want to stop time and savor the moment.

Anyway, I had to buy two books. One for world history and second for human evolution. Our teacher gave us notes and referred some great books but I wanted to make a stronger base over the topic. Hence, I decided to go to the nearby bookshop. After all, I could not afford to be bad at studies and risk my scholarship.

I walked about twenty minutes and came to a bookshop named 'Books & Publishers'. I entered the bookshop. A bell rang, indicating my presence. I gave a small smile to the receptionist who was a young lady wearing glasses. By the looks of her, she looked like a student in a college but a senior. She smiled back at me.

"Welcome to Books & Publishers. I've never seen you here before. You're new?" She asked and I nodded my head slightly with a warm smile on my face.

"Thought so. If you need any guidance or help in finding your book. Then please let me know." I nodded my head once.

"Thank you." I said and made my way to the history section of the library. I searched the name of my books on the computer and found the location of it. First book about world history was on the 156.0 number and the second row of the rack. I walked over the aisle and started looking for my book.

"Where is it? Where is it? Where is it?" I chanted this over and over again in a low voice. Starting from the upper part of the rack I slowly made my way down to the last pile of books. I couldn't find it there, so I moved to the next one. Finally, my eyes landed on a book named 'World history and major issues.'

"Gotcha." I whispered when I heard someone passing me. I looked at the person and it was just a random person. Sighing I moved to the next book about human evolution. It was on the 157.6 number and the fourth row of the rack. "Let's go." I muttered to myself and walked over to the raw. The whole rack was in the corner. Luckily, I found it in the upper part of the rack.

"Thank god." I said to myself and reached out to grab it but my hand couldn't reach it. I stood on my tippy-toes to reach it and I did reach it but not enough to grab a hold of it.

"Ahh..." I groaned in annoyance and glanced up, it was still there. I decided to try and grab it for the last time. If it didn't work out then I will go and find someone to grab it for me. I stood on my toes again and got a hold of it. With a little excitement I tried to pull it out. I pulled my book but simultaneously another book came out with it. I bowed my head down and waited for the book to hit but it never did. I saw two hands. One was holding the book that was about to fall over me and the second one was holding the main book.

"I always knew you were clumsy." A gasp broke out of me. I looked at the source of the voice and went still. Ethan stood there with my two books in his hand.

"When will you stop being in trouble?" He asked, grinning at me.

"What are you doing here?" I questioned him. He held the two in each hand.

"Which one?" He asked, showing me both books. I reached out and took the book named 'A brief history of Human Evolution.' He glanced at the book in my hand and smirked at me. Putting the book back, he stuffed his both hands in his pockets.

"Human Evolution, Ha?" He mocked, more than asking me.

"You didn't answer my question. What are you doing here?" I asked him again, tugging both books at my side.

"Why does a person come into a bookstore?" He asked me. I pursed my lips and didn't say anything. He was right. It was a dumb question, but I was asking something else.

"I mean what are you doing here? As in, for what books you need to shop for?" I asked him. Explaining what I was actually asking.

He leaned into me making me lean back and replied in a quiet tone.

"Romance." He said and then continued.

"Novel." I gulped at his words. Something flashed in and out of his eyes. Something, I couldn't quite catch. It was gone faster than it came. He was really close to me and it made me uncomfortable. His sudden move didn't even give me time to react. His breath fell on my face. I was about to tell him to move away when he started laughing. He resumed his laughter in a low voice even when I regained my posture and started to glare at him.

"Very funny." I told him.

"You should have seen your face." He said, chuckling. I frowned at him. He just smirked.

"I thought you guys don't like studies. What book are you here for?" I asked him.

"I was also looking for a World history book." He replied. I raised my eyebrows at him.

"You're a history major? I thought guys hate history and it's boring for guys." I said. Without saying anything, he picked up a book and gave it to me. He took my chosen world history book out of my hand, his fingers brushed against mine and placed it right back. He pointed to the one book in my hand.

"That one is much better. Read it. This book will give you a clear overview about every topic and it also has practice questions to help you remember." He said.

"What about you? Aren't you here for the same book." I asked him.

"I guess I am starting to find history boring." He replied to me, in a mocking tone. At his words, I rolled my eyes. Whatever.

"Ah... I've gotta go. I have to really start studying." I told him.

"Sure. Why not? Want me to walk you to the door?" He asked without mocking, this time.

"Nope. I'll manage." I replied. I moved out of the corner.

"Well. See you later then." I said. He nodded his head.

"Yeah. I'll see you later." He replied. I awkwardly smiled and left him there.

I bought those books and travelled to my home. I walked around the block to my house. When I was walking towards my home, I heard my name being called. "Grace. Grace..." I turned to look at the source of the voice. Mrs. Johnson was peeking over the fence and calling my name. I walked over to her and gave a small smile.

"Hello, Mrs Johnson." She gave me a smile in return.

"Grace. I need some help in my garden. Will you help me?" She asked directly. No pleasantries. But I was glad she skipped that. I looked at the books in my hand and then back to her face. Deciding it then and there. "Sure. Just let me put my backpack back in the house." She smiled. And nodded her head.

"Okay. I'll wait for you in my garden. Just get in, the door will be unlocked." She said and I gave her a brief nod. I walked over to my house, opened the door and got in. I was damn thirsty, so I opened the fridge, took out a full water bottle and gulped it down within a matter of seconds. Then I walked outside, closing the door behind me.

Walking in Mrs. Johnson's house, I took in her house. It was a big house. At least, bigger than mine. I entered her garden and... she deserves praise for her efforts. This woman had really put up efforts in her garden. Her garden covered a great area of her backyard. A whole clearing was bordered by bricks. In the clearing, stood different sorts of flowers. Lilly, rose, sunflower, marigold and many more. There were small plants hanging from sealing. Grass seemed trimmed. I walked inside her garden and saw her digging soil with a weeder.

"You had worked hard at your garden." I said and made my way to her side. She looked up with her face, smudged with some dirt. Her eyes took her garden and her face turned one of with pride.

"Yes. I've been interested in gardening since I was a teenager. Did I tell you that?" She asked without stopping from doing her work. I bent down at her side.

"So what do you want my help with? Seems like you have everything under your control." I said. She pointed at the plants packed in pots.

"I wanted you to help me plant them here." She said nodding to where she was busy digging the soil just moments ago.

"Okay, so let's get started then." I replied and picked up two pots. We took it out of the pots and dug a hole for each plant. We put them in the hole and covered it with soil. When I was watering the plants, I felt a vibration in my jeans. I placed the plastic can aside and took out my phone.

A message from an unknown number.

Jake's dad here. Please meet me whenever you are free today. For an urgent matter.


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