Portia

Portia
Chapter 2

Portia, the café where Christian worked, was more welcoming the second time she was there. Probably because it was mid-afternoon and Eva was one of the few customers. She tucked some of her hair behind her ears and waited, gazing out of the window. It was sunny, but still cold and she was glad to be away from the weak sun and the gusting breezes. She yawned to herself as she waited, her fingers freezing despite the general warmth of the café.
“Hey Eva. My shift ends in like ten minutes, did you want a coffee?” Eva looked up at Christian, her dark blue eyes pensive.
“You can have my staff discount if we get ours at the same time.” He offered as he smiled at her, dimples forming in his cheeks.
“Sure, thank you.” She answered.
“You’ll have to wait ten minutes.” Eva nodded and watched him walk off. He had decidedly nice arse, she concluded.
“Hey, Eva right?” Eva started as someone said her name.
“Umm, yeah.” She stammered as someone slid into the seat next to her.
“The name’s Colin, I sit behind you in Rosenbaum’s Chemistry class.” Eva smiled politely at the boy next to her, trying to find a topic to make small talk about.
“I didn’t think many chemistry kids knew about this place, they all prefer the Green Room.” Colin said.
“Really?” She asked.
“Yeah, they sit around and discuss the curriculum it’s terrible.” Colin said, laughing.
“Why would people do that?” Eva asked.
“I don’t know. How are you doing in Chemistry?” He asked.
“Pretty bad. I’m actually here to meet with my tutor.” She admitted, warmed by Colin’s friendly attitude.
“Christian?” He asked her.
Eva nodded.
“Yeah, he’s my tutor too, I’d just thought I’d pop in for a little impromptu Q and A. I’ll come back later though.” Colin went to stand and Eva felt a little disappointed.
“You can stay if you like.” She offered and he grinned and sat down again.
“So, how much of a bitch is Rosenbaum?”

~*~*~*~

Christian was not impressed when he saw the close proximity of Eva and Colin. If Colin wanted her as a girlfriend, then so be it. But only after Christian had finished with her. And even then he was a little iffy about it. He smiled as he approached, handing her the cup of coffee as he slid into the last remaining chair.
“Hey man.” Colin said smiling.
“Hey Colin.” Christian answered.
“Is it okay if Colin joins us?” Eva asked, turning her pretty, dark blue eyes towards him. Christian looked directly at her. He knew for a fact that girls loved his dark, chocolate coloured eyes.
“Well, I don’t see why not.” He answered. Eva looked happy and he was under the impression that she had few friends, so he figured it was good for her to make friends with Colin, but that didn’t detract from the main point. Christian had first dibs on Eva. It was his responsibility to educate her on university ideals.
“Thanks. I won’t stay long, I only have a few questions and then you and Eva can continue without me, I have plans.” Colin answered and Christian frowned at Eva’s disappointed face.
“I’m not that bad Eva.” He told her as one of books slid off the table, his face close as he bent to help her pick it up. She straightened her cheeks pink, Colin happily unaware. Eva looked a little embarrassed and Christian smiled warmly at her, making sure that his dimples were on full display.
“So what questions did you have?” Christian asked, turning his attention to Colin.

~*~*~*~

There was something about Christian that made Eva uncomfortable. Not creepy uncomfortable but nervous uncomfortable. She was relieved when he turned his attention towards Colin. She tried to even out her breathing, her heart thudding erratically the minute he settled his dark brown eyes on her. She studied the side of his face as he spoke to Colin, fiddling with the bracelet on her wrist. His nose was a little misshapen. It was a little too triangular and a little small for his face. He had high, angled cheekbones and his jaw was distinctively square. He hadn’t shaven recently, stubble visible on his cheek. She trailed her eyes down his neck as she admired his profile. His Adam’s apple was rounded and covered in a thin layer of dark stubble. His hair was a little long for her tastes, curling around his ears, but not yet reaching his collar. Eva watched his eyelids flutter up and down for a few moments before turning her attention to Colin. He was the first person who had been nice to her since she had started at university. Well, apart from Christian, but she was hiring his services so he had to be nice.
“Thanks Christian. And thankyou Eva for letting me cut into your session.” Colin said as he stood. He shook his Christian’s hand and lifted Eva’s hand to his lips, gently kissing her knuckles before quickly departing.
“Am I supposed to be swooning?” She asked Christian as the door swang shut behind Colin. She heard Christian snigger and she turned towards him.
“Well am I?”

~*~*~*~

Eva had unexpected spunk. She was surprisingly fiery and he finally understood why people thought she was bitch. She had occasional moments of bitchiness but she was a fast, eager learner and they ended up working far past the allocated time. They had worked so late that the evening customers had begun to trickle in.
“Wow, it’s so late.” Eva moaned stretching, her arms in the air as she rotated her neck.
“Do you understand everything at least?” Christian asked as he yawned.
“Yeah, I do.” She admitted, looking away as he lifted his own arms above his head to stretch, his black work shirt sliding up his slender stomach.
“So how’s life treating you?” He asked as he helped her pack up the pages of notes that they had accumulated, hoping her brain was fried enough for him to pry a little.
“I’ve seen better days.” She admitted.
“Your first year of uni was always going to suck; didn’t anyone ever tell you that?” He told her and she smiled at him, chuckling softly.
“It’s horrible.” She atoned sadly, running her fingers through her dark hair.
“It may seem horrible, but it really isn’t.” He told her.
“No, it really is horrible.” Eva insisted.
“It’s just so different from high school, don’t worry sweetheart, you’ll adjust.” Christian helped her pile her books into a neat stack, watching her carefully.
“Yeah it is. I liked high school.” Christian laughed.
“It’ll get better.”
“No it won’t. Everyone hates me.” Eva slipped her books into her bag.
“Well, I can’t help you there, everyone loves me.” Christian flexed his arm muscles as he stood. Eva laughed at him and she began to walk away.
“Thank you.” Eva said, walking through the door as Christina held it open.
“No problem. So where are you going and would you like me to walk you there?”
“I was just going to wander around a little, buy some random stuff.” She answered.
“How do you have the money to buy random stuff, I’ve been here three years and I don’t have money to buy random crap. You’d think I’d learn how to budget.” Christian said, gesturing towards his chest.
“I have an airtight budget.” Eva explained.
“I can’t budget to save my life. There’s always stuff I miss out.” They began walking, Christian’s shoulder brushing against hers every couple of steps.
“I have a little section in my budget for other spending.” Eva nodded at his bewildered look. He gaped at her for a moment.
“Well I don’t really go shopping for anything besides groceries unless I’m with my younger sister.” Christian told her, pouting a little.
“You shop with your younger sister?” Eva asked.
“I love my sister to bits.” Christian said fondly before stopping abruptly.
“Why are we stopping?” Eva asked.
“Did you still want those chem. Books?” Christian asked.
“Yeah, that would be great.” Eva nodded.
“Well, come right up.” Christian fished in the pockets of jeans for a few moments before pulling out his keys.
“Where?” Christian singled out a metallic, dark blue key.
“Up, to my apartment.” Christian craned his neck and pointed to a window on the third floor.
“What now?” Eva blinked at him.
“Yes Eva, now.”