Take My Hand by Nicola Haken Read Free Book Online Page A

wondered if maybe I’d done something to annoy him. Maybe he
blamed me for Jared’s behaviour last night or something. This guy was so
unsociable it made me look like a party animal.
    It made me feel self-conscious sitting so
close to him and I found my eyes skimming the room for somewhere else to sit
next time. It’s sod’s law the place was crammed of course. It seemed psychology
was a popular choice. Still, it’s common knowledge that almost half of
undergraduates drop out during their first year so I felt a little better
knowing it was only a matter of time before another seat became spare.
    “Here. I have the money I owe you,” I said,
breaking into the uncomfortable silence between us once the tutor wrapped
things up for the morning while trying extremely hard not to focus on the
intoxicating scent of his spicy aftershave. “Thanks again for your help.”
    “Anytime,” he murmured with a ghost of a
smile, taking the two ten-pound notes from me. My eyes followed the notes as he
stuffed them carelessly into his open wallet. Then they zoned in on his student
I.D. card – Dexter Michaels.
    “Dexter,” I noted. “Like the serial killer?”
    “Excuse me?” he asked, perplexity washing
over his face.
    “Your name. Dexter – like the serial
killer Dexter,” I repeated, suddenly feeling dumber than a sack of crap.
    “Yeah, I guess. Most people call me Dex.” Oh
my God, did he actually just volunteer some information about himself?
Something unreachable flickered behind his dark blue eyes – intriguing
me… captivating me.
    Huh.
    Weird .
    “Well most people call me Em.”
    “Well, Em, I’m sure we’ll see each other
soon,” he said with a full-blown smile this time as he stood up from his seat.
I swear it was impossible to decipher what mood this man was in. Maybe he had
one of those mood disorders you read about.
    “Definitely. I’m coming round to yours… well,
Jared’s tonight.”
    “I’ll be working,” he deadpanned. For some
unfathomable reason that disappointed me more than it should.
    “Oh. Well see you here tomorrow then?”
    “Sure. See ya, Em,” he replied with a sultry
smile I’d never seen before. The way his American tongue tickled my name when
he said it left me feeling a little giddy and I stared after him until he
disappeared into the crowd of exiting students.
    “Bye,” I finally mouthed, even though there
was no one in sight.
    Feeling a little lightheaded I decided to
text Rachel and tell her I’d meet her in the Starbucks across the road instead
of the car park like we’d agreed. I needed a coffee fix – pronto. I felt
strange – like I was coming down with something. My head was spinning a
little and I felt nauseous. After tucking my phone back into my pocket I slung
my back-breakingly heavy bag over my shoulder, loaded my arms up with the mass
of books on my desk and set off to find some much needed cool air.

 
    **********

 
    Two weeks in and I think I’m starting to get
the hang of being a student in the heart of London. I can feel my confidence
levels growing by the day. They’ve had to – this city is so busy
absolutely all of the time. There’s always someone bumping into you,
asking you for something, striking up conversation just because you’re there…
I’m actually pretty proud of how far I’ve come. I can now hold a full-blown
conversation with a total stranger without my heart hammering to a near
explosion.
    With my collection of Glee songs playing
softly in the background, I was choosing an outfit to wear, trying to decide
between my fine-knit grey jumper-dress or my skinny jeans and cobalt-blue
halterneck, when my phone rang. I groaned loudly the second I checked it and
saw Mum Calling illuminate the
screen. Grudgingly, I swiped my finger across to answer.
    “Hi, Mum.”
    “Are you settling in okay?” she asked –
no hello as usual.
    “Yes thanks. I think I’m-”
    “And how’s Rachel?” she interrupted, cutting
me off – again as