Chapter 240: getting to know II
Christopher read the messages again.
She had told him about her day with such enthusiasm.
Not simply "It was fine."
She’d actually told him things.
Even the embarrassing parts.
He found himself smiling.
It seemed only fair to return the favor.
He normally wouldn’t bother typing such a long message.
But she had taken the time to tell him about her day.
So he did the same.
Christopher: My day was fairly busy too. We had a lecture in the morning, and then I had a Student Council meeting in the afternoon. We spent more time discussing the Sports Festival than I expected. There are still a few things that need to be settled, especially with the different clubs and teams trying to coordinate their schedules. After that, I had another class, and then I went to fencing practice. It wasn’t particularly exciting, but it was a long day.
He looked at the message.
That was considerably longer than he normally texted.
Still, he sent it.
Vivienne’s smile widened as she read it.
He had actually told her about his day.
She liked that.
Vivienne: That sounds like a long day too.
Then:
Vivienne: Do you usually have Student Council meetings that often?
He considered it before replying.
Christopher: Not every day. It depends on what we’re working on. Sports Fest has made things busier than usual.
Vivienne nodded to herself.
That made sense.
She remembered how much everyone at St. Albion had been talking about it.
Vivienne: I can imagine. Everyone seems to be talking about it.
Christopher: They are.
Vivienne: Even our professors.
Christopher: Then you know how difficult it is to escape.
Vivienne smiled.
Vivienne: Unfortunately.
She paused.
Then another question came to her.
Vivienne: What subjects are you taking this semester?
Christopher glanced at the message.
He answered, listing the subjects he was currently taking.
Vivienne read through them carefully.
Some were familiar.
Others were subjects she wouldn’t encounter for another few years.
She found herself comparing his schedule to her own.
Vivienne: You have quite a lot.
Christopher: Fourth year.
Vivienne: You keep saying that as though it explains everything.
Christopher: It explains some things.
She smiled.
Vivienne: Does fourth year really get that much harder?
Christopher: In some ways.
Vivienne: Which ways?
Christopher smiled.
There it was again.
Why.
She always wanted to know why.
Christopher: The work becomes more specialized. There’s less time spent on general subjects, but the expectations are higher.
Vivienne considered that.
Vivienne: That actually sounds interesting.
Christopher: It can be.
Vivienne: Do you like your course?
He paused.
That was a slightly different question.
Christopher: I do.
Vivienne: Why?
Christopher laughed quietly.
Of course.
Christopher: You really do ask why about everything.
Vivienne smiled.
Vivienne: Is that a bad thing?
Christopher: No.
A moment later:
Christopher: It makes conversations more interesting.
Vivienne’s smile softened.
She liked that answer.
Very much.
She rested her chin against her hand.
Vivienne: Then I’ll keep asking.
Christopher smiled at the screen.
Christopher: I suspected you would.
She laughed quietly.
There was something so easy about talking to him.
She didn’t feel as though she had to think of clever things to say.
She could simply ask what she genuinely wanted to know.
And there was, unfortunately, quite a lot she wanted to know.
Her eyes drifted toward the clock.
Then back to her phone.
Vivienne: What time do your classes usually end?
Christopher read the message.
A faint smile appeared.
There it was again.
He had begun noticing the pattern.
She had asked when his classes ended before.
She’d asked when he usually returned to the dormitory.
She’d asked where his clubs met.
She’d even somehow managed to appear outside the Publications Society.
And then she’d shown up at fencing practice.
Now she wanted his schedule.
Christopher typed:
Christopher: Are you asking for my schedule?
Vivienne froze.
Her cheeks warmed.
He knew.
Maybe not exactly what she intended to do with the information.
But he knew.
She smiled despite herself.
Vivienne: Maybe.
Then:
Vivienne: Is that a problem?
Christopher leaned back.
He could tease her.
He probably should.
But he found the whole thing rather endearing.
She had never actually tried to hide her interest in seeing him.
She simply wrapped it in increasingly elaborate explanations about coincidences.
He smiled.
Christopher: No. I’m just curious why you need it.
Vivienne stared at the screen.
She couldn’t exactly say because I want to know when I can accidentally run into you.
So she chose the truth.
Or at least, most of it.
Vivienne: I’m just trying to understand what your life looks like.
She paused.
Vivienne: You’ve told me about your classes and your clubs. I want to know more.
Christopher read the message.
That was fair enough.
And he had to admit, he liked that she wanted to know.
He began typing.
Christopher: Monday and Wednesday are fairly similar. My first class starts at ten, and I’m usually finished around six.
Vivienne read it carefully.
Vivienne: And Tuesday and Thursday?
Christopher: Eleven to seven.
Vivienne: That’s a long day.
Christopher: It can be.
She smiled.
Vivienne: And Friday?
Christopher replied:
Christopher: Fencing in the morning. Eight-thirty to eleven-thirty. Publications Society. One-thirty to four-thirty.
Vivienne smiled.
So now she knew.
Monday and Wednesday.
Tuesday and Thursday.
Friday.
His clubs.
His usual schedule.
She looked at the messages again.
It was strangely satisfying.
Vivienne: Thank you for telling me.
Christopher: You’re welcome.
Then she added:
Vivienne: And when do you usually have fencing outside Friday?
Christopher smiled.
Christopher: Friday is the regular session.
Vivienne: I see.
She paused.
Then:
Vivienne: I ask a lot of questions.
Christopher: I’ve noticed.
Vivienne: Does it bother you?
Christopher’s reply came after a moment.
Christopher: No.
Then:
Christopher: I think it’s rather nice.
Vivienne’s expression softened.
She smiled down at the screen.
Vivienne: Good.
A moment passed.
Then:
Vivienne: Because I still have more questions.
Christopher laughed quietly.
Christopher: I suspected you did.
Vivienne thought for a moment.
There was something she’d been wondering about since the Sports Fest announcement.
She typed:
Vivienne: Which do you actually prefer? Polo or fencing?
Christopher looked at the question.
Christopher: Polo.
Vivienne immediately replied.
Vivienne: Really?
Christopher: Yes.
Vivienne: Even though you like fencing?
Christopher: I do.
She frowned slightly.
Vivienne: Then why?
Christopher stared at the screen.
He smiled.
There it was again.
Why.
She really did ask why about everything.
He began composing an answer.
Polo was difficult to explain in a few lines.
He’d grown up with it.
He liked the speed.
The strategy.
The coordination between rider and horse.
The feeling of being part of something that moved quickly and demanded constant awareness.
Fencing was different.
More precise.
More controlled.
He liked that too.
But explaining all of that through text would probably result in another five questions.
Christopher glanced at the phone.
Then smiled.
There was a simpler solution.
He pressed the call button.