ST. ALDATES STREET, TOM TOWER ENTRANCE, CHRIST CHURCH, OXFORD UNIVERSITY
I t's not the most amazing smell, but it reminds me of old books and things as ancient as human souls. The boy pushes me ahead to get off the bus with the other students. I don't have a chance to tilt my head and see his face.
"Goodbye, fat, old, and obnoxious bus driver, whatever your name is." He salutes the driver and nudges me off the bus as it hits the road again. I am surprised the bus driver doesn't slam back at the boy's rudeness.
On the ground, I turn around and flash my angry face at the boy. Something I am very good at. "Who the heck do you think you—"
All of a sudden, I can't speak. The boy wears a hoodie, like me, and he has this peculiar smile. Peculiar in a way I can't put my finger on it. It's like a soft smirk of mischief that is softened by the dimples on both cheeks. It makes him look familiar and oddly trustworthy. I can't yell at him. I wonder if that's why the bus driver took his insult lightly.
As the moment freezes, the boy looks down at me. A strand of black hair dangles on his forehead as he hangs on to his backpack. It's a funny bag, with all kinds of playing cards glued to it. They're all Jacks of Diamonds. I guess that's where the smell comes from. It's really silly. It doesn't match his good looks.
"Wow, girl," he says, breaking the silence. "We're not even going to kiss yet. I need comfort, dates, and a little cuddling before I go there."
"What?" My face tenses. I can't seem to shake off what people around me say. I feel insulted by his remarks. Did I really get lost in his attractive face that much? "I don't even know you."
"After all we went through on the bus?" His eyes widen, and he cups his mouth with one hand. "I was so close to dying for you. All you had to do was ask."
"You'd die for me?" I blink my puzzled eyes. "You just weren't ready to kiss me?"
"So you changed your mind about the kiss." His smirk is like the devil, and his dimples are angelic.
"Urgh," I sigh skyward, almost fisting my hands.
"You don't have to get his permission." He acts puzzled, looking at the sky above. "Jesus must have kissed somebody."
"Jesus?" I wonder why I am not just walking away from the embarrassment.
"Jesus," he repeats. "The guy who saved the world and looks as good as me."
"This is nonsense!" I freak out. Should I tell him I just left an asylum? Damn my feet. Why am I not walking away?
"I love nonsense." He pulls his hood back and holds me by the arms. "You know there is an actual science to it?"
My phone rings. It's probably the Pillar.
"Oh, you have a boyfriend?" the arrogant boy says.
"No." I can't remember which pocket in my jeans I tucked the phone in.
"Awesome!" He rubs his hands.
"I mean, yes." I find the phone in my back pocket. I feel guilty not mentioning Adam. Why in the world do I feel like that if I don't remember him?
"Bugger." The boy pouts, and I realize I don't want him to leave.
"I mean, no."
"Oh." He tilts his head back. "You're not insane, are you?"
I don't answer. My tongue is tied. I push the green button to answer the Pillar.
"His name is Jack Diamonds," the Pillar says on the other end. "He's a big distraction. Get rid of him. We don't have time."
"But…" I don't know how to explain my curiosity about Jack to the Pillar. Before I even ponder the thought, students rush out from another bus, and I find myself pushed through the main entrance with them. When I tiptoe to see Jack again, he's gone.