Jay had managed to talk to Lina plenty of times in person. It was a requirement of his role as group leader, after all. But getting any kind of contact details from her was proving to be impossible. No phone number, no social media handle. Nothing.
It was driving him insane.
One afternoon, he found himself in the university library with her and Leo. Two other girls from their group, Vira and Ina, were also with them. They were laid-back, swore like sailors when the mood struck, and were brilliant to hang out with. Perfect confidantes, really, but Jay still found himself saving his most important thoughts for Leo. They shared a house and a course, they were practically joined at the hip.
Surrounded by his friends, Jay decided to try a direct approach.
"Lina, can I get your number? It'd make it so much easier to get in touch with you."
Lina didn't even look up from her textbook. "We see each other almost every day. Why would you need my number?"
"Well, for convenience?" Jay pressed, trying to sound reasonable. "So I don't have to wander around campus guessing where you are. It's a bit of a hassle."
"If it's a hassle," she said calmly, "then maybe you shouldn't talk to me."
Damn, this girl is difficult, Jay thought, feeling a flash of irritation.
"It doesn't work like that, Lina. You're the group secretary. If we can't communicate properly, the whole group suffers."
"Then communicate with me in person," she said, her tone final. "Full stop."
The table fell into an awkward silence. Vira and Ina exchanged a quick, silent glance. Leo shot Jay a look from across the table, a subtle flicker of his eyes that said, Keep trying, you idiot.
Jay took a breath. "Alright, fine. So if something comes up, I'll just have to hunt you down in your department? Or show up at your halls?"
"That's fine by me," she said, a mysterious glint in her eye. "I'm sure you'll be able to find me. People usually know where I am."
It felt like a riddle, but he had no choice but to accept. "Okay, then."
The tension soon broke, and the five of them fell into easy conversation, their laughter echoing a little too loudly through the quiet library. It wasn't long before a librarian came over and gave them a stern look, forcing them to pack up their things.
As they walked from the library towards the student union, the group split naturally. Vira and Ina walked ahead, deep in their own conversation. Jay found himself walking beside Lina, while Leo trailed behind them, looking around like a lost tourist.
This was his chance.
"Why are you so protective of your number, anyway?" he asked quietly. "Is there something wrong?"
"No," she replied, her gaze fixed straight ahead. "I just have a personal rule about not giving my contact details out to people I've just met."
"But why? Your details are probably on that stupid induction project list you're holding, right? You could just put your number there."
Lina stopped, opened her bag, and pulled out the induction booklet. She flipped to the first page, the bio page, complete with a passport-sized photo of her pinned to the corner.
She held it out for him to see.
"Wow," he said, letting out a laugh. "It's completely blank. Aren't you worried the seniors will chew you out for this? You barely even filled out your address, it just says 'London'."
"I don't like putting my private information out there for everyone to see, Jay."
"Okay, but… why?" he pressed. "You know me now, even if it hasn't been long. You don't trust me?"
She paused, considering his question. "Not yet. When I feel like I can, then I'll give it to you."
"When will that be?" Jay asked, a note of desperation creeping into his voice. "When this stupid induction project is over? When we graduate? We won't be talking as much then."
She stopped walking and turned to face him fully. "I don't know. But what makes you think we'll only be talking this much until the project is over?"
Jay froze. His brain short-circuited. It felt like a hint, a signal, a coded message he couldn't decipher. A jolt of excitement shot through him.
"Huh? I mean… of course not. We'll keep in touch, right? Hang out, talk… all that stuff. We're not just going to be friends for this one project, are we?" he stammered.
Lina tilted her head, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips.
"Are you sure you only want to be friends, Jay?"
Silence. A thousand replies died on his lips. His heart hammered against his ribs, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. The question was simple, but it was loaded with a hundred different meanings, all of them terrifying and exhilarating. He stood there, speechless, as the world moved on around them.
He was saved by the bell. Or rather, by their arrival at the bustling student union food court. The spell was broken. Lina seemed to have completely forgotten the question she'd just dropped like a bomb, immediately heading to the counter to order. Jay decided it was best not to bring it up again.
They ate ravenously, especially the girls. Jay was surprised by how much Lina could eat, given her slim frame. When they finished, the group split up for their afternoon lectures.
As he and Leo walked back towards their house, Jay's mind was still reeling.
"She asked me if I was sure I only wanted to be friends," he blurted out.
"What?" Leo said, confused. "Say that again, I don't get it."
Jay recounted the entire conversation, word for word.
Leo's eyes went wide. He burst out laughing. "Seriously? She actually asked you that? Mate, she's into you! You jammy bastard, hahaha!"
"I don't know, man," Jay said, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't get a chance to answer, and then at lunch, it was like it never happened. She was just laughing at my stupid jokes and telling me off for making fun of people walking past."
"She's a mystery, that one," Leo mused. "Impossible to figure out what she's thinking."
"Girls are complicated," Jay sighed. "Especially ones that look like her. I was thinking, maybe that's why she's so guarded. She's probably tired of guys only being interested in her for her looks. It must be tough, being that good-looking."
Leo gave him a strange look. "You really think so?"
"Well, yeah, it's a possibility, isn't it? You're the only good-looking person I know who's completely oblivious to it. You really are an idiot, you know that?" Jay said, punching his friend's arm.
Leo grinned, a triumphant, secretive look on his face. "Actually, mate… I've got a girlfriend."
Jay stopped in his tracks. "What? Since when? You never said anything!"
"Didn't want you trying to steal her," Leo joked. "But seriously, Jay, you have this… aura. Girls are drawn to you. It's weird. I was genuinely a bit worried."
"I'm not gonna steal your girlfriend, you moron," Jay laughed. "Come on, show me a picture. What's her name?"
Leo pulled his wallet out and produced a slightly worn photo. "This is Riana."
Jay looked at the picture. She wasn't a supermodel, but she had a sweet, kind smile and a round, friendly face. She was pretty. They'd apparently been dating since they were sixteen.
"I'm crazy about her, Jay," Leo said, his voice softer than Jay had ever heard it. "That's why I'm so protective. I couldn't stand to see her with anyone else. She's starting here next term, actually."
"You bastard," Jay said, shaking his head with a grin. "And here I thought I was the one with all the secrets."
"Well," Leo said with a wink. "Maybe you're not as much of a predator as I thought. Or maybe you just haven't realized it yet."
They both burst out laughing as they continued their walk home.