Chapter two- Tequila!

"Hello class and welcome to Psychology 101." A small mid forties woman introduces herself as my first professor of the year, Dr Jameson.

I did it, I started college, my dad still isn't talking to me and I feel awful for it, but just being in this room right now, more than makes up for it. The last couple of weeks all I have done is get prepared to start college, I shouldn't really have been accepted but I made a few calls to people I knew through my dads company and here I am! I have never been so excited about something in all of my life, I'm finally doing something I have chose to do all by myself! My apartment is pretty close to campus so I decided to stay living at my place instead of living in a dorm. I have been avoiding my families calls because I know they will be on my dads side about this situation, so I am giving them all a chance to calm down.

"Class, I have a third year student who will be my assistant for this term." As Dr Jameson finishes talking, in walks a guy, no, a God. 6ft 2 of perfection, I don't know if it's my imagination but it looked like his gaze lingered on me longer than it did anyone else in the room, I can't stop staring, I don't know what's wrong with me, I'm acting as if I have never seen a good looking guy before, but he just seems different...

I struggle paying attention to the class that I was extremely excited to start, because my gaze and mind kept wandering to the beautiful stranger sitting in the corner of the room, he isn't even required for this class as it was just an introduction class, so why is he sitting there looking all perfect. His eyes find mine before I quickly look away and try and give Dr Jameson as much attention as the rest of the class is.

As soon as the class finishes I rush out, annoyed at myself for not paying more attention to a class I basically gave up my family for, while internally scolding myself I glanced up, my heart nearly jumping out of my chest, Mr Perfect is standing in front of me.

"Hey, I noticed I hadn't seen you around before." He runs a slightly shaky hand through his hair. Wait is he nervous?

"I would think you hadn't seen anyone in the class before, since it was the first day." I say a little too confidently, considering how I'm feeling.

He laughs nervously rubbing his neck with his hand, then composes himself.

"Brody." He says with a smirk, holding his hand out.

"Melanie." I say, shaking Mr Perfe- Brody's hand.

"See you around, Melanie." Brody winks and walks away.

This. This is the start of my world turning upside down.

It's been three weeks since I started college, I'm in way too deep, I've made zero friends, though Brody has made small chit-chat with me, I don't think he's as interested in me as I thought. The course I am taking is hard, I'm not used to the studying but I have tried my best and though it has been hard I haven't fallen behind. Since it's a Friday night and I'm sick of sitting in my apartment, I've invited my best friend Olivia to come round and then maybe hit the bar.

I hear a knock on my door, so I run over to answer, Liv swings her arms around me and we hug and spin around, we are used to seeing each other a lot more often, but with me starting my course and struggling a little with it, I haven't had any time to see her, so it's amazing to finally spend some time together. We chat about what's happened in the last couple of weeks, me leaving out Brody until I have had some liquid courage.

"you are dressed so much nicer than me." I pout looking down at my worn out jeans and then to Liv's red cocktail dress.

"Then change, wear that black dress you bought at the mall the last time we hung out!" Liv says excitedly.

With a sigh I change into the suggested dress, a little black dress, which doesn't leave much to the imagination with it being so tightly fitted, it's a beautiful dress and I am so happy to finally be able to wear it, I'm not sure it's suitable for a night at the bar. We call a Uber and make our way downstairs to wait for our ride.

After an awkward Uber drive, where the driver focused his eyes more on us than he did the road, we got to the bar, It's busy but we manage to grab some seats at the bar, just where we want to be. After a few tequila's I decide to tell Liv about Brody.

"So, you guys just chat a little? When I called you the first day after your class, you made it sound like he was so into you!"

"I thought he was! But obviously my radar is off." I say pulling a face because of the tequila shot I just had.

I see a forty odd year old man with a weeks worth of stubble eye us from across the bar, my heart instantly sinking because I know how this will go. He starts staggering towards us and it's very clear he's had far too much to drink. I focus on conversation with Liv and realise she hasn't noticed what's about to happen, just as I am about to warn her, a heavy arm drapes over mine and Liv's shoulder and we're hit with the stale smell of lager.

"Oh hey there, pretty ladies." He slurs .

We both squirm out of his heavy arm and back away. His eyes narrowing in on me, with anger behind them as he looks insulted that we would leave his presence. His hand comes out towards me as if he is going to grab me but, before he can a strong hand grips onto his shoulder.

"I suggest you leave." The owner of the strong hand growls.

The intoxicated man looks as if he shrinks 10 inches as he quickly stumbles away. Because of all the drama it takes me a few moments to notice...

"Brody?" I exclaim.

It seems that Liv has recovered as well.

"Brody." Liv elbows me and waggles her eyebrows, I give her my best death glare.

"Are you okay, Melanie?" Asks Brody, concern in his eyes, apparently not noticing mine and Liv's exchange.

"Yeah, I'm okay, thanks." I say a little breathlessly, partly because of the alcohol, mostly because of Brody.

Our eyes lock for longer than should be comfortable.

"Well..." Liv says, breaking our connection.

"I've got an early day tomorrow, so I'm going to head off" Liv says as she fakes a yawn.

Before I can say a word, Liv is already sprinting out of the door.

"So, is your friend trying to play matchmaker?" Brody raises an eyebrow and smirks. Okay, great, I guess he didn't miss our exchange.

"What? Erm, well... no! I mean... Yes." Why can I not function like a normal person around him? I must be red as a cherry.

Brody's piercing green eyes are boring into me, I fight the urge to squirm.

"Do you want me to walk you home?" Brody asks, standing up and holding his hand out towards me.

"Sure, thanks." I take Brody's hand as I get out of my seat, expecting him to let go as soon as I stood up but, he doesn't.

We small talk on the way to my apartment, as my mind wanders, thinking about the events of the night.

"So are you enjoying the psychology class?" Brody asks.

"I love it, but it's really difficult, I'm struggling to remember everything and... I don't know, I'm just not used to studying this intensely I guess." I shrug.

"Hey, if you ever need help or a study partner, you know where I am." He winks and I blush.

Just as we reach my apartment block, rain comes down, heavy and fast, I notice Brody is only wearing a t-shirt and jeans, no jacket, so that's when I find myself saying...

"Do you want to come in until it stops raining?" The second the words are out of my mouth I regret them, expecting him to just brush me off. Brody looks taken back but composes himself quickly.

"Yeah, that would be great." He smirks. I inwardly sigh in relief.

I unlock my apartment door with shaky hands, silently thanking myself for tidying the place up earlier. I enter and gesture for Brody to come in.

"So is your roommate here?" Brody asks as we step inside.

"No, I don't have a roommate, it's just me."

"Woah, you can afford to live here by yourself?" He exclaims, examining the apartment.

"Erm, so do you want to watch TV, while you wait?" I ask, trying to quickly change the subject.

We sit on the sofa and stare at the TV, I find myself relaxing more and more the longer I am around Brody, we watch mindless TV, until...

I wake to daylight shining in through my windows, my head rested on Brody's chest, before I have time to register anything, my front door is being flung open.

"Mel! Get out of bed, we need to talk-"

Brody and I simultaneously jump up and away from each other, looking like a couple of teenagers being caught kissing by their parents. Hannah stands by the door in utter shock, looking back and forth between me and Brody, I glance up at Brody's face and see pure horror.

"YOU FINALLY GOT A MAN" Screams Hannah.