A fond smile crossed Luka’s face. It felt like a sunbeam shining down on me. I allowed myself to bask in it, before an uncomfortable self-conscious feeling came over me. I couldn’t have anyone watching, least of all Vanessa who was just a few spaces down.
“He’s lucky to have someone as talented as you,” Luka said. “The work you submitted in your college application was impressive, and it’s only gotten better. I’m thrilled the English Literature department decided to give you a scholarship so you could thrive amongst us, rather than having your talents languish and go to waste if you had stayed in your hometown.”
And there it was again. Was this going to be a continuing theme with me? I knew that, much like Jaeson, Luka might have had difficulty relating to anyone like me. A commoner, some poor girl from the sticks who just happened to know how to write well.
My face must have taken a downturn, because Luka’s immediately became concerned.
“Are you feeling all right?” he asked. “Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s fine,” I said, shaking my head and waving it off. “I’m stressed under the deadlines, and I want to write and publish as much as I can, but there’s always so much going on. It’s really hard to play catch-up in a place like this.”
“A place like what?” he asked.
“VIP College. I’m the odd woman out here. I’m in a rowboat surrounded by yachts.”
Luka gave me a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry. I should have worded myself more carefully. Please accept my apology and know that I’ve never seen you as an outsider. I feel strongly that you belong amongst us, and I’m happy you’re here.
I smiled, but still felt that dull ache inside. His apology was better than Jaeson’s, but it didn’t change what I was and how I came off to them. To all three of them, probably.
Luka rested a hand on my arm. “I know what it’s like to be an outsider with your peers. I realize it’s from the opposing end, but I sympathize. So how do you feel about a peace offering?”
The warmth of his hand did a lot to comfort me, despite my feelings. “What kind of peace offering?”
“There is still an available position on the planning committee for the hundredth anniversary gala event,” he said. “And I would be honored to accept you as our final member.”
Luka wanted me to help plan a gala? He was offering me something prestigious with high visibility. I knew nothing about those kinds of fancy events. What if I did amazing? What if I didn’t?
I was starting to spin up with anxiety the longer I thought about it, but stopped as I remembered what Jaeson said.
Luka wouldn’t make the ball. He’d be too busy with the planning committee.
That was it. That was my excuse. I could skip attending the ball as a guest if I was working it.
I’d also get to spend a little more time around Luka as well. He was the hardest of the three to pin down in one spot. It would be nice to have an official reason to be around just him.
“Thank you,” I said. “I’d love to.”
“Perfect.” He shined that sunbeam of a smile back down on me again. “We can also use this opportunity to try and spend some more time together. What do you think?”
I flicked my eyes over to Vanessa. She was clacking away at the keys, but I could swear I saw her eyes shoot over to us for a second.
As much as I wanted to spend some time alone with Luka, I didn’t want to make my situation any worse than it was.
I knew I’d have to play this carefully.
