You've Found Oliver (You've Reached Sam, #2)(36)

You’re telling me



At least we’re experiencing this together, so we have each other to talk to about it with. Who else would believe any of this? A million questions run through my mind.

I have to meet someone in the lab soon



But let’s talk later?



No worries



I check the time again. I guess I have my own work to get started on. How am I supposed to focus on anything right now? I lie in bed for a moment longer. Then I get dressed and step outside for the first time. The spring air feels warm against my skin. Cherry blossom petals cover the ground as I make my way through campus. It’s like I’ve woken up from a strange dream.

Then I touch my lips, remembering the kiss with Nolan. I can’t believe that actually happened. He was always romantic in that way—sneaking up behind me while I was waiting in line at the dining hall, or surprising me with flowers after class. Admittedly, there are things I miss about him. But that version of him doesn’t exist anymore.

I wander around campus to clear my mind. If only Ben didn’t live so far away. We could meet up and talk this through in person. Hopefully, it won’t be long until we see each other again…



* * *





It’s a strange few days, sitting at the library, trying to focus on schoolwork. I wake up wondering what month it is. At least I have some structure on the weekdays. I head into my history class on Monday morning and find a seat in the back. It’s another long lecture with slides slowly changing behind the professor. But it’s hard to pay attention to any of it. All I can think about is Ben.

My mind goes back to Twede’s Cafe. I could have sworn the door was locked when I arrived, but it somehow opened easily for Ben. And the time we met at the movie theater, I couldn’t find him sitting anywhere the first time I looked around. Then I checked again and there he was. I should have known something weird was happening between us. I wonder if he’s connected these things, too.

Eventually, the class ends. I wish I could go back to my dorm, but I’m scheduled to work at the library this afternoon. Unfortunately, Rami called out sick, so it’s only me at the circulation desk. At least it’s not too busy today. Ben hasn’t texted me yet. He’s probably still in class.

After checking books in and out for a few hours, I find a table to sit down at. I have several assignments I’m behind on. I pull out The Poetics of Space from my bag. It’s been a few days since I looked at it, so I open it up to a random page and choose a passage.

“If a poet looks through a microscope or telescope, he always sees the same thing.”

I’m not really sure what that means. How could you possibly see the same thing?

Sometimes it feels like I need a microscope to read between the lines in this book. If there are no wrong interpretations, it could literally mean anything at all.

And, of course, the telescope makes me think of Ben. That’s probably why it caught my eye in the first place. I remember something he said to me on the roof, about the universe. The more we find out, the more we realize how little we actually know about it.

I read the passage over again. Maybe it’s about the process of searching itself. Both the microscope and the telescope allow us to gaze into the unknown, hoping to find something meaningful—a discovery that only leads to a million more possibilities. I grab a pencil and start writing down every thought that comes to me.



* * *





The rest of the school day is uneventful. I’m just counting down the hours until I hear from Ben. He’s been extra busy with classes this week. It’s not until I’m back in my dorm that I get a text from him.

Sorry for taking so long



Just getting home now



Any new developments on your end?



Not as far as I know



I wish we could call each other



Yeah me too



I try his number again. But it still doesn’t go through.

Have you told anyone else about it?



No not yet



I barely believe any of it myself



I know what you mean. I haven’t either



I considered telling Julie everything. But she might think I’m playing some prank on her, which wouldn’t be completely out of character for me. I’ll decide this later.

I didn’t get the chance to say this before, but I had a lot of fun with you last time



Sorry this might have ruined it



It didn’t ruin anything



I had a great time too



Thanks again for letting me stay over



Anytime



Sad I didn’t get the chance to make you breakfast though



I smile at his message.

Raincheck for next time?



Definitely



I can’t wait to see you again



I’m so glad this hasn’t scared him off. We text for a while longer, making plans to meet up again. I’m not sure how we’re going to find each other, but somehow it’s worked so far. Maybe we can figure it out in person.

Can I ask you one more thing