Erica's POV

My first day of class. I'm so anxious. I'll have four weeks of one class, five days a week for five hours a day. All about application and precious documents. A historians wet dream. Jesus, who thinks that? I laugh to myself as I find my new classroom at ease, thankful that Kristen has taken time out of her busy schedule to show me around.

Of course I'm early. The classroom isn't even open yet, I lean against the wall and fiddle with my phone.

Niall has called me a few times, I haven't gone out of my way to talk to him. I've wanted to, I've wanted to so much. I used to see him so much and talk to him all the time, it's hard to quit cold turkey. But it's whats best for me. If he doesn't feel the same way anymore, I can't keep holding my hopes up. I mean, he did leave after I put myself out there. And in all of our conversations since he's never brought it up, never apologized, in fact he only usually asks me things about his house, as to where things are or what he likes and can't remember. A lot of me, me, me, so it's obvious to me where his intentions still are. And that's okay. At least I know now, I know how he feels and I can be okay with the fact that I put myself out there.

Kristen has been fantastic. She's busy with dental school but she still stops over quite a bit and when Heath went on his first away photo shoot to Maine she was there help me out. He left the Friday after I came so I had only been here for two days. So she stayed the night and showed me all her favorite spots on Saturday. We met up with some of her friends so she introduced me to more people. She was there when Niall called me the first time, it literally knocked the wind out of me to hear his voice again. We were walking in Central Park and she made me stop and tell her the whole story.

She supported me right away, saying I didn't have time for his bullshit, she's petite but I've learned quickly that she has that New York temper. Cross her and she gets feisty quick. I've seen her slam her hands on car hoods, flip people off, and yell and random strangers just for giving her a wrong look. I still find it quite hilarious. She didn't even freak out when I told her it was Niall Horan that I was talking about. Come to find out Heath had already told her so she said she let her inner fan girl out on him instead.

I see some more people joining me in the hallway. I'm not overly excited to have class in July, it's so warm here and the sun is usually always shinning. The buildings are tall but at least in the shade I can feel it's warm here.

I see a small, older woman walk through the middle, hands full of papers as she fiddles with her keys, opening the door and flipping the lights on, allowing everyone to come in. At least this classroom has large windows to see outside. And I automatically like her as the first thing she does after she drops her things off on the desk is crank open two windows, letting the fresh air fill up the stale room.

A few other people have come in first, selecting their seats. I never know which seat to take as others make their selections. I don't want to sit in the front row, so I take a spot in the middle in the second row. I drop my things off and pull out my pencils and notebooks from my messenger bag as I cross my legs at the ankle, checking one last time to make sure my phone is on silent. I don't want to have it ring in the middle of class, it's quite embarrassing and not what I want the teacher to know me for.

A few more people file in as our professor adjusts her things and looks at the clock, she looks a little nervous but because of her age, I'm sure she's done this before.

She clears her throat and the classroom quiets. I've just been trying to read her, I haven't paid much attention to anyone else in the class. I'll be with these people for four weeks, I'll have plenty of time to get to know them.

“Good morning. Welcome to Document Preservation class. I'm Dr. Helen Sorensen. This is my tenth year instructing at NYU, sixth year teaching this course in July. I'm from Denmark originally, I've lived in the United States since I was twenty-five, which as you can see, has been quite a while now. I got my undergrad at University of Copenhagen, my masters from University of Oxford, and my Ph.D. At Stanford. I worked for twenty five years in Washington D.C. At the Museum of American History. I'm one of few who can say they've touched and preserved the Deceleration of Independence, the Magna Carta, The Federalist Papers, The Emancipation Proclamation, Edison's Light Bulb Patent, the actual Check for Alaska and many others. I take this class very seriously, and if you do as well, I'm sure we'll get along just fine.”

Her introduction is intimidating in itself. She's actually touched things made hundreds of years ago, I'm sure not with her bare hands as the oil on your fingertips can destroy fragile papers. I settle myself in, I feel like if I could even ask her about her experiences I would sit in awe for hours.

The hours pass by quickly and she dismisses us for a break. We've just gone over the syllabus, introduced ourselves, and the reading material for the course. Glancing at the clock, I see it's already eleven, only three hours left to go. I'm surprised I haven't even looked.

I stand up to stretch, checking my phone and seeing that Niall has texted me. I just can't get away. I slide to open it, I think they're either just getting finished with their European leg of the tour or they're already finished.

From Niall:
Kinder Surprise Egg!

I laugh as he's attached a sill picture of him eating it, they've been banned in America because of the inside toy and to be honest I miss them. I don't respond as I put my phone back in the side pocket and join some of my classmates in the hallway. Stretching my back just a bit. At least they have nice chairs, not stiff wooden ones.

I see some people have gathered together, chatting with each other. This is a third year required course so I'm sure some of these people have known one another for a while now. I lean against the wall when someone comes up to me. I noticed him sitting in the back but didn't try to approach him.

“Hi.” He joins me against the wall.

“Hi.” I'm sure I look like a deer in the headlights. He's gorgeous. Tall, at least six feet tall if not more, dark, shorter hair, and dark brown eyes. He's got a strong jaw line, his eyes still look a little sleepy even though we've been here for two hours. His jaw line alone is impressive. I turn my attention away, I don't want to embarrass myself as I can't stop looking at him.

“I'm Ian.” He sticks his arm out as I shake it.

“Erica.” I smile.

“First class here? I can tell you're not exactly American.” He smiles, everyone here has such white teeth.

“Oh, what gave it away? My odd accent or the fact that I know no one here?” I laugh.

“Well, none of that, I was just saying that because you actually seem to like Dr. Sorensen. She's a hard ass.” I smile even more.

“She seems very knowledgeable.” I try to defend her.

“Oh she is. She's also quite a bore. But we can get her off topic quickly.” He bumps into me making me laugh, well this is easier than I thought. “So where are you from?”

“London, I grew up on the east side, I was actually born in Miami, but moved when I was six.” Which explains my odd accent at times. “You?”

“I'm from Chicago. Art History major.” He explains as he waves to others passing by. “You live close by?”

“Kip's Bay with my cousin.” I explain as he lets out a breath.

“Thank god.” I look at him confused. “Least you don't live with your boyfriend.”

“And why would that be a problem?” I ask confused.

“Well if I know you don't have a boyfriend, I can ask you out for a late lunch after class and know I'm not going to get beat up.” He laughs and I just look at him. Did he just ask me out? After knowing me for three minutes. “So, you want to join me for lunch?” He asks. This is happening.

“Yeah.” I snap out of my thoughts. “That would be great.”

“Good. We should get back in.” I suddenly notice people shuffling back into the room as I quickly join them.

Niall who, right? I smile to myself, I have a date.

Notes

Ah, snooze you lose Niall. I've been writing quite a bit lately so I've been updating more because I just want to share it! Things are getting messy, it will just get worse before it may bet better. :) I've added Ian to our list of characters as well.

I absolutely LOVE hearing from you all so feel free to leave me a comment on your thoughts or drop me a message. :)

Have a great Saturday!

xox