It all started with a dare.

Chapter Eight: Sunshine

Sunshine: Noun 1. direct sunlight unbroken by a cloud, especially over a large area.

I guess in Joel's mind i'm a ray of sunshine unbroken by any negative comment or vibe,and i affect everyone around me by being so sunny all the time...

Well he isn't wrong, i don't let anyone get to my head, especially when they don't really have their facts in order. I always try to be the best version of myself and never feel pressured to do something i don't want to.

But he makes me act differently. I didn't want to party yesterday evening, but when he looked at me with those sparkles in his eyes, how could i say no? He just has a way on him and i can't say that it doesn't have me hooked 'cause i'd be lying. He brings out the little rebel side of me and it makes me feel kinda good about myself. In high school i was always the girl who obeyed every rule and never did anything wrong, it was not always fun, but it was in my comfort zone and i didn't mind staying in it.

But now, things have changed and i feel it's time to get out of that comfort zone and see that the big world isn't so bad. Joel changing me isn't so bad. Having a party every now and then isn't so bad. Falling in love isn't so bad.

But this "rebel child" has a hell lot of tasks to complete so she'll have to calm down. Yeah partying with Joel and our friends is fun, but i am not here only to party. I have responsibilities and i can't neglect my career just for a party. There is only one chance at this, and i can't afford to loose it.

I have been working on this english essay for the last four hours and it sounds more and more stupid every time I reread it. I just can't concentrate today. Even in class today, when I saw Joel the butterflies in my stomach erose and I know I've never felt this way before... I didn't even know there were still butterflies in my stomach, I've never felt it before , so it was quite the experience.

I decided that I was going to go for a walk to clear my head from all the brain-fog that essay has caused me. I stepped out into the bright sunlight and started walking from the dorms to the nearest coffee shop where I sat down at one of the booths inside the shop and drank my coffee peacefully. A few minutes later a boy with beachy blonde walked in and got himself a coffee. He turned around and his eyes met mine, which I covered up with a smile. He walked over to me and smiled slightly. "Mind if I join you?" he said almost sitting down, just waiting for my approval. "Yeah sure sit down" I said fiddling with the lid of the coffee cup. "So what brings you here?" he asked trying to make conversation, he seemed a bit akward. I could relate. I was like that aswell. "Well the coffee brings me here" I said laughing slightly, wasn't it obvious? We're in a coffee shop. "Obviously yeah, sorry" he said a bit embarrassed at his obvious question. "And you? Do you study at the University or do you just live around here?" I asked a bit more of a non-obvious question. "Yeah I study here. I'm into engineering. And you?" he said as he relaxed a bit more. "Yup I study here as well, I'm an English Major. " I said slightly impressed with myself. I haven't met another english major in the past few weeks. "Oh wow an English major, can't say I've met a lot of you in the past few weeks" he says honestly looking at me. "To be quite honest with you, me neither" I reply, starting to daydream about Joel again. The boy chuckles and looks aournd the coffee shop. He could see my mind was somewhere else because he just sat there and looked around until the bell of the coffee shop interrupted my thoughts. Of course it had to be Joel, who else would it be?  He didn't seem to notice my presence while he was ordering his coffee and waiting in the line for it. That was only until he turned around and our eyes met. 

When I tell you my heart stopped, I ain't lyin'. He took his coffee and walked over to my table with a hint of something in his eyes I couldn't really grasp. Then I looked to up only to see that the boy from earlier hasn't left and is still sitting across from me. This probably doesn't look good. Joel was now standing infront of me with his cofffee, smiling down at me. "Sunshine, we meet again." he smiles and glances to his left where the boy is sitting, "Oh I didn't know you had a friend here with you, the name's Joel" he lookes at the boy with the blonde hair and shakes his hand. I really need to learn what his name is, i mean it's been an hour and I haven't actually introduced myself properly. "Hey man, the name's Cody" he says and takes Joel's hand and shakes it, finally I know his name now. 

After a second, Joel looks back to me and sits down next to Cody, "I wanted to invite you to tonight's party, again. Do you want to join me again and then i'll pick you up?" he asks as he's about to take a sip of his coffee. I say yes as i look at him and give him a smile. "Oohhh what party?" Cody asks as he registers what Joel just said, looking a hundred times more excited than before. "The fraternity I'm in is holding just another party, we do it every weekend. We saw that we can't really do it as much in the week because we all have tasks and such going on." Joel says as he looks at me, not breaking eye contact with me, yet he's talking to Cody. 

My heart fluttered at the gesture and I give him a small smile which he returns it as he's about to stand up. "Do you want another cup of coffee, Sunshine?" he raises his brow as he looks at me. "Yes please, I'll give you the money real quick" i say as i reach in my bag to get my wallet but he stops me. "Don't even think about it sunshine, i'm paying" he says as he walks away. I shake my head and laugh slightly. 

Cody looks at me and smirks, "Okay i see what's happening here, don't worry your secret is safe with me." he says and laughs a little. I start to blush and look down, " I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about" i say and blush even harder. Just as he is about to say something, Joel comes back  with two more coffees in his hand. Ilook up at him and give him a thankful smile as i take the coffee, feeling Cody smirk at me. I send him a quick glance and see that i am correct, he's smirking widely as he looks between me and joel. "You alright sunshine? You look a little flushed." he says as he lookes down at me and the butterflies in my stomach starts dying and i feel my cheeks redden even more.

 Cody clears his throat and looks at me amd then he starts laughing a little, while i start praying that the blood moves from my cheeks to their original places. "Oh yeah i'm okay, just a little stressed" i squeak out and gulp. I have never done this and i sure as hell hope i never get in this situation ever again. I clear my throat and stand up, thanking Joel for he coffee and Cody for his presence as i make my way to the door only to be pulled back by Joel. I inhaled a sharp intake of breath as he wispered to me "you look really cute flustered, sunshine" and looks at me again before he says " can't wait to see you tomight,love" and walks back into the shop. 

Haaaay babiesss.  I have been gone so long but it feels great to be back and to be writing again. I hope everyone's having a good day or evening. Please vote and comment and tell me what you think about this chapter :) 

~Liz :)