Jealous by Lena Little
5
Giulia
Three days later
The bell in the clock tower perched smack dab in the middle of campus dings once, alerting all students that classes for the day start in five minutes.
Picking up my pace I take the slightly longer way to my first day of class, making sure to pass by the job board where I found that ad for the card dealing position. The moment I see it I tear the rest of the ads down and toss them in the trash nearby. A smile takes over my face as I know I might have just helped out a fellow woman, not to mention I’m not in the market for a job anymore. Julian told me to take some time and pursue what I want to do, which of course was to get my education taken care of.
It’s not a prestigious community college, but they have what I want…introductory automotive classes. As a girl, I always wanted to have a car, so I could just run away from everything. That, and the fact that I was a bit of a Tomboy, led me to want to be a mechanic. I briefly flirted with the idea of becoming an architect when I was growing up because I was so transient and wanted a house of my own to call home. But something about going fast in a fast car, or in Julian’s case a motorcycle, excites me more than designing rooms and determining where the wiring will be rigged.
When I told Julian I wanted to enter a male-dominated profession his expression immediately pinched and his muscles tensed. It was easy to tell it wasn’t what he was expecting me to say, or certainly his first choice for me, but he didn’t object. He just wrapped me up in a hug and told me he supported me in all ways, even if I wanted to be a professional hot dog eater, which made me laugh and showed me a side of him, a funny side, that I wasn’t sure existed.
Hurrying to class, I bump open the door with my hip and rush through the hall with my backpack full of new textbooks bouncing up and down.
The minute I reach the classroom I’m greeted by a sign that says “Pop Quiz. Report to the Icarus building basement by five after.” I exhale and turn on the ball of my heel, pulling out my map to find out where this Icarus building is located. Starting classes two weeks into the semester isn’t doing me any favors, and the last thing I need is to show up late on my first day when I’m already behind the eight ball trying to play catch up.
Luckily I locate the building and beat feet toward it. It’s just two buildings over so I make it in plenty of time, but as I arrive I realize I’m the last one there. All eyes are on me as I enter the basement, which is equipped with about twenty very basic entry-level motorcycles and two students standing around each one.
“Nice of you to join us, Miss Johnson,” the man who’s clearly the professor adds. Meet your new class partner, Jake.” He extends his hand toward the closest motorcycle where there’s a boy about my age standing by himself.
“Jake. Nice to finally have a partner,” he offers, extending his hand which I shake. His grip is firm and his hands are roughed up. Clearly, he spends more time working on bikes, or something of that nature, than he does tapping keys on a smartphone. I like that about him already…a capable boy who takes the bull by the horns, or so it seems based on his initial introduction. I was thinking most boys my age had lost that kind of gumption, at least when it comes to hands-on work.
I introduce myself and the professor gives some brief instructions about the exam as I try to listen while taking in all these new visual stimuli and new people. “Oh,” the professor adds. “And make sure to put your phone in the plastic sheath with your name on it and then place it in the box. You’ll get it back once you finish the quiz. We need to make sure no one is using search engines or stored notes to find answers.”
“Right,” I confirm, and shove my hand in my backpack and yank it out while the rest of the students grow restless. Just as I go to hit the power button I see an incoming call from Julian.
My eyes lock in on his name and number as the phone vibrates in my hand. “Whenever you’re ready Miss Johnson,” the professor says, his tone laced with sarcasm.
I hit the power button and the screen goes blank. Rushing to the box I see the only plastic sheath left, with my name on it of course. Even with only one in the box, I fumble it before getting a grip on it. All eyes are on me as I shove it sideways inside, but it gets stuck. I pull it back out and slide it in properly and then snap the top and put it in the box with the other phones, taking an extra second to place it gently so I don’t damage anyone else’s phone.
But no one seems to notice or care for my cautious behavior. At least half of the other student’s arms are crossed and I rush back to the 125cc motorcycle where Jake stands.
“Don’t worry. I studied like crazy. We’re going to ace the exam.”
“Thanks,” I whisper.
“Begin,” the professor adds, as he looks up at the clock and then promptly goes to his chair, kicks his feet up, and begins browsing a copy of Scientific America.
I quickly find out Jake wasn’t kidding when he said we were going to ace the exam. He flies through the questions, even taking some time to point out to me how he’s arriving at the answers. I don’t know much about motorcycles, only that they’re interesting and I’m fascinated by them, so I find his explanations very interesting and I’m held in rapt attention. I can’t wait to surprise Julian one day with the knowledge I’m already gaining. It makes me feel good to know Julian and I already have one thing in common that we’re very passionate about. Julian has the knowledge, so I need to catch up fast to at least be able to surprise him with some decent conversation. Hopefully, I can actually work on motorcycles one day. That would be the dream, especially if I earn enough trust to work on his baby or his ‘girl’ as he calls it.
Whenever we’re on the back of her I always feel safe, despite all the stories you hear about how dangerous they are. Maybe it’s because Julian just seems so in control, alert, and able to predict what other drivers are going to do before they even take action. It helps that he’s got a big body to hold onto and that he doesn’t drive too fast or recklessly when I’m with him. That definitely goes a long way.
In short order, we’re finished with the exam, or at least Jake is as I’m just lucky enough to tag along for the ride this time with a student who’s clearly going to be a huge asset to me this semester. I lucked out by getting him as a class partner and I need to find out what he likes so I can buy him a little thank you present for what he’s already done for me. I don’t know anybody at this college or any college, so it will be nice to have a friend that I see every once in a while.
We turn in our exam and grab our phones before stepping outside of the basement room. “Thank you for your help.”
“No problem. I love motorcycles,” Jake says. “If you have any questions or want to go riding sometime, there’s a group of us that gather every Saturday morning to ride some twists up in the hills. You’re welcome to join.”
I blush. “I don’t actually own a motorcycle…yet. But I plan to.”
“We can probably get you one you can borrow for the morning.”
I pause, a bit caught off guard. Julian’s face comes into clear view in my mind and I imagine the two of us riding down the California coast, or maybe the hills and rice paddies of Vietnam. Travel seems so amazing, and so far my experiences are limited to YouTube, but one can dream, right?
But as my daydream leads from sitting behind Julian on his Ducati, leaning around to see him smiling, the wind in his hair as we explore new places together, I’m quickly shocked when the positive emotions are replaced by Julian’s more serious side. I can almost feel him behind me, tapping me on the shoulder and wagging a finger at me as he frowns. It’s a crazy thought though, right? But why can’t I quite process if Jake is just a really nice guy who is really good at bringing people together or if he’s kind of innocently asking me out on a date?
“That’s nice, but I should probably get some more experience first. I mean…I barely know half of the stuff you were identifying on the bike for today’s quiz. God forbid I actually try to drive one.”
“No worries. Whenever you’re ready.” He pauses. “Did I move too fast on the exam or did you remember most of it?”
“Almost none.” I roll my shoulder up and make myself small as I wince.
“I can show you again, on my bike, if you’d like.”
A long beat passes. “Technically there’s still a full thirty minutes left in class so it’s kind of like a private tutor to get you up to speed.”
Now it does feel like he’s asking me out. “My boyfriend will be here to pick me up in thirty minutes, maybe a bit early actually. It’s not a problem if we take a quick look for say…fifteen minutes?”
“Nope. This is the one day of the week where I’ve got time to kill before my next class so it will be a lot better than sitting on a bench by myself watching squirrels run all over the place, not that I don’t like squirrels. Plus I want my partner to feel up to speed, so it’s a win for both of us.”
“Sounds good,” I agree, following him out of the building toward the parking lot. I’m excited to learn more and can’t wait to surprise Julian.
