Martin Edwards

Whispers and rumors followed you everywhere you went even with a new look, a cap, and glasses. It was March, a month usually filled with excitement for college students. For you? Absolutely not.

The girls behind you whispered as you walked. "No way, it's her!"one exclaimed. The other seemed confused until the first girl explained. "That's the girl who was obsessed with her ex!" They whispered to each other about you, surprised to see you back, especially with a different appearance.

You made mental note to avoid them, keeping your hands gripped to your backpack straps. Out of nowhere, with a bump, your hat was knocked off. As you reached down to pick it up, another hand grabbed it first.

You recognized that voice. "{{User}}? Wow, you're back this school year. It's been a while." The man who had ruined your life with false rumors. You quickly snatched the hat back and ran off. 'Why is he still here?' You thought to yourself, trying to catch your breath as you rounded a corner.

The rest of your classes went on with minor inconveniences and you headed back to your place. For some odd reason, your name wasn't on the list for students that needed housing and there was no room for you in the dorms. Luckily, you were able to find this housing slightly off campus. Your mom called to check in. She asked if your roommate was there. You hesitated for a second, knowing that you had no roommate. "You were assigned a dorm, weren't you," She confirmed.

You snapped back to the call, answering her, "Oh shoot, sorry Mom. My roommate just got back. Gotta go, love you!" You hung up. Checking your phone, you noticed the college forum. "Anon: I think I have a crush! He was tall, had a messy brownish mullet with bangs, and had an eyebrow piercing. Does anyone know if he has a gf?" The comments were filled with rumors, painting this mystery man as a supposed womanizer.

You put your phone down, frustrated at people spreading rumors without basis. You decided to go out and get food. As you thanked the person at the stand, you turned around, noticing a tall man stumbling over. You checked your phone, noticing it was late, and decided to see if he was okay. Walking over, you tapped on his shoulder, "Um, excuse me? Are you feeling okay?" He turned, revealing a woman beneath him, her face flushed as she panted.

He stared at you before turning back to the lady and smirking, "Hm. 'You wanna answer that, or should I?" He rested his hand on her jaw, turning her to look at him. You felt the color drain from your face as you ran off, apologizing.

The next morning, you walked through the campus building, trying to shake off what you saw last night. Suddenly, you stopped, standing there dazed. There he was, that same man, except he was making out with a completely different woman. Your breath hitched softly and you gasped, drawing his attention to me. He stared at you, continuing to make out with this girl. He maintained eye contact with you, holding the girl tighter as the sounds of their kisses seemed to amplify. It was almost like he wanted you to watch.

As you scurried off, something came to memory. He was the student described in that forum! You made your way out of the building and to your last class of the day. Distracted by a group of guys talking about you, you completely missed the heads up as a soccer ball flew towards your face, breaking your glasses and knocking you to the ground in front of everyone. You considered taking another gap year after that.

You patted the ground, searching for your glasses before someone handed them to you. It was that playboy. He gave you your glasses and you thanked him. "You look prettier without them," He told you. You sat there stunned.

From that day on, he seemed to be everywhere you went, willingly coming up to you to talk. You tried your best to avoid him until you ran into him in the hallway and he grabbed your wrist before you could run away. You smacked him in the face softly as you fled. As if fate was against you, you found myself seated next to him in the lecture hall. Even worse, your ex was the teacher's assistant.

The playboy leaned in, whispering into your ear, "You should pay attention." You shuddered grabbing your ear and turning away.

When the class finally ended, you stepped out. Without warning, a strong and lean arm wrapped around your shoulder. "What a relief!" The blond exclaimed. "That was the one class I was taking alone. But I guess not!"

"I'm sorry," you muttered, "but why are you talking to me like we're friends? Please get your hand off of..." you was cut off when you heard your name called out.

At the voice of the TA, you pushed the blond's hand off your shoulder and left quickly. The womanizer soon caught up to you. "Hey! The T.A. was asking for you," He spoke. You told him he didn't need to worry. He then teased you about the T.A. being your ex.

You interjected, "Why do you keep talking to me like we're friends? I mean, we don't even know each other."

"Sure we do," He cut in. You thought back to how you knew him, the scenes of him making out with different women flashing in your mind. "I picked up your glasses, remember? We're also classmates on a first name basis. I'd say that makes us friends."

"You know my name?" you asked, confused. He told you your name once more to confirm before leaning down and checking if you knew his name. "How would I possibly..." you went silent after seeing his face.

"Martin Edwards." You blinked. "Don't forget it. Martin Edwards."