The shrill ringing of Tia's phone jolted her awake. She yawned quietly, lunging for the device to silence it before the tone could wake Clara. Without checking the caller ID, she pressed the cool screen against her eyes, still heavy with sleep.
"Hello, Tia," Michael's voice came through, unnervingly calm.
"Yes, I'm up already," she murmured, her voice was thick and guarded.
Michael hesitated, wondering why she was offering that information, but he didn't press. Relieved that she didn't sound immediately angry, he paused for a moment, searching for the right words to pivot to his real intention.
"Hello? I'm listening," Tia prompted when the silence stretched too long.
"I was thinking... would you like to go on a date with me?"
The question acted like a splash of ice water, instantly clearing the fog from Tia's brain. She sat up, wondering who would have the nerve to ask such a thing this early. "Who is this?" she demanded, waiting.
"Michael," he said, his pace slowing.
"Why are you calling me?!" she yelled, then immediately clamped a hand over her mouth. She froze, watching Clara shift in her sleep. After a tense moment, her roommate settled. Tia exhaled a soft "phew" and returned to the call, her voice a sharp whisper.
"You haven't answered my question," Tia said.
"I don't want you calling me or even talking to me. Please, just stop. I'm begging you."
Michael felt a sharp pang at her rejection. "Tia, I really like you. We've never actually gone on a proper date, and I want to know you better," he lied, his voice desperate.
Tia scoffed. "You want to know me now? All these years you couldn't be bothered, so why the sudden change of heart?"
"I realized my mistake, Tia. I truly regret it. Can't we just start over?"
"It's too late, Michael. Why don't you go out with Stella instead? You two are a perfect match."
"No way," Michael snapped in disgust. "I don't even like her."
Tia sighed, leaning back. "I hate to burst your bubble, but I'm actually going on a date today with a 'real man.'" She threw the lie out like a barb, hoping it would sting.
Michael's mind raced. Could it be the crush from the diary? he wondered. "And who exactly is that?"
"That shouldn't be your concern. All you need to know is that I'm not going out with you," Tia said, ending the call before he could respond. She checked the time, hissing at the early hour. "The audacity. Does he think I'm his maid?" She pulled the blanket over her head and tried to drift back to sleep.
Meanwhile, Michael sat frozen on his bed. The rejection felt like a physical weight, compounded by the news that she was seeing someone else. He gripped his hair, tugging violently as if to pull the thoughts from his head. He wanted to groan aloud but remembered his sleeping family. Instead, he leaned against the bed frame, his mind churning with ways to make Tia run back to him.
*****
By the time Tia finished dressing, the sun was high in the sky. It was a no-lecture day, and she planned to head to the library to return a borrowed book. Clara was still dead to the world, which started to worry her. She tapped her roommate gently. "Wake up, sleepyhead."
Clara didn't even open her eyes. She simply waved a dismissive hand, clutching her pillow tighter. "Leave me alone, Tia. I'm having a good dream."
Tia chuckled. Seeing that Clara was perfectly fine, just lazy, she headed out.
The library was as quiet as a graveyard. After returning her book at the front desk, Tia began browsing the shelves. The first two titles she picked were duds that made her eyes heavy, but the third was a page-turner. She became so absorbed in the narrative that she barely noticed the passage of time.
A text arrived from Clara asking her whereabouts. Tia replied that she was at the library, to which Clara sent a sad emoji. Tia smiled, telling her she'd be back soon and not to miss her too much, before diving back into the story.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated again. Thinking it was Clara being clingy, she prepared to send an angry emoji, but the message was from an unknown number: I see you like books.
A chill ran down her spine. Someone was watching her. She looked up sharply, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on Xavier standing near a nearby shelf. A huge, relieved smile broke across her face. Xavier moved toward her, shaking her hand before taking the seat opposite her.
"What are you doing here?" Tia whispered.
"The same thing you are, I imagine."
"You didn't call me yesterday," she pointed out, trying to sound stern.
Xavier ran his fingers through his hair. "About that... I got home so late and was so exhausted I slept right through until this morning. I'm sorry I didn't call, but at least I texted."
Tia kept her gaze fixed on him. "Indeed you did, but I'm still offended since you only did it just now."
They continued to chat in hushed tones to avoid the librarian's glare. Suddenly, Tia's stomach let out a long, loud groan—the betrayal of a skipped breakfast. It was loud enough to echo in the quiet space. She felt her cheeks heat up, though she tried to stay poised.
"Did that just come from you?" Xavier asked with a chuckle.
Tia giggled awkwardly. "No! Why would such a weird sound come from me?"
As if on cue, her stomach groaned again, even louder. Tia buried her face in her hands, wishing the floor would swallow her. "Oh, this is so embarrassing," she whispered through her fingers.
"Don't be embarrassed. I'm hungry too. Why don't we go grab something to eat?"
"I'll eat later," Tia lied, trying not to seem too eager. "You go ahead."
"No, I want you to eat now. And I want you to eat with me," Xavier said, his smile so persuasive that Tia stood up immediately before he could change his mind.
She started toward the campus cafeteria, but Xavier stopped her. "Where are you going?"
"Aren't we heading to the cafeteria?"
Xavier laughed. "Oh, no. We're going to a restaurant off-campus. Hop in." He led her to his car and opened the door. The interior had a unique, clean scent that Tia found herself secretly sniffing as she settled in.
They arrived at a restaurant that looked unlike any place Tia had ever been. The decor was sophisticated, and as she scanned the menu, the names of the dishes were foreign to her. Noticing her hesitation, Xavier stepped in and helped her choose. When the food arrived, it looked like a work of art, but Tia hesitated.
"Most people love this dish, I'm sure you will too," Xavier assured her.
Tia stared at the plate, then looked up at him. "This... this looks very expensive, Xavier," she said softly.
He just giggled. "Don't worry about that. I've got it covered."
Tia decided to trust him and took a bite. It was delicious—so good she wished she could sneak a portion back for Clara. They ate in a comfortable silence, and it occurred to Tia that this felt exactly like a date. She had lied to Michael about having plans with a "real man" earlier that morning, and she was amazed at how quickly that lie had turned into her reality.