For Law and Love – Chapter 3

Anna’s first week at Harvard had flown by. She was starting to regret loading 5 difficult classes into one semester to get caught up and graduate on time. As bad as professor Richards was, she would probably be able to manage in his class, but business statistics threatened to be the death of her. She planned to spend a good part of the weekend studying to get a leg up, but she figured there was no harm in taking one night off to attend Luke and Hamid’s party.

Anna ate some leftover takeout for dinner and perused her closet for an outfit to wear to the party. What did people even wear at Harvard parties? Should she dress up? Wear something casual? She decided on her favorite skinny jeans that fit like a glove and a dressy black tank with a plunging yet not too revealing neckline. She’d pass either way with that outfit. Just as she laid her clothes on the bed she heard an incoming FaceTime call.

“Briar! I’ve missed you. How was your first week?”

“Just dreadful without you. Well, not really, but it still doesn’t feel right without you here. Are you sure you don’t want to come back?” Briar asked expectantly.

Anna rolled her eyes. “You know I’m not coming back to Columbia, but I can’t wait for you to come visit me here.”

Briar put on a mock pout. “So you haven’t replaced me as your best friend yet?”

“Never, Briar! But I did meet a suitable stand-in in my business law class, and Oh! One of my teaching assistants for the class is Harry’s friend Luke!”

“Lucky!” Briar exclaimed. “He is so hot.”

Anna scrunched her nose. “He’s like a big brother to me. I have trouble seeing him that way…but the other TAs aren’t too bad to look at either.”

“Oh, really? Do tell!” Briar encouraged.

“One is named Hamid. He gorgeous – dark hair, dark eyes, super flirty…”

“But?” Briar asked.

“What do you mean but?”Anna pretended not to know why Briar would ask, but Briar knew her too well. Briar didn’t answer but cocked her head to the side and gave her ‘the look’. “Okay, but despite all that, I kind of have a thing for the other one, and I don’t know why. I mean he’s really cute. He has these deep blue eyes that seem to stare straight into your soul, and I can’t imagine he’d be anything but a great kisser with those full lips. Then his hair is kind of curly/wavy and just the right length for grabbing onto…not that I’ve thought much about it.”

“And you can’t understand how you like him why?”

Anna sighed. “He’s grumpy – I don’t think he knows how to smile. He only showed the slightest interest in me when he found out I was Harry’s sister, but that’s likely because Harry was his only friend. The other guys made it sound like Ernest sits home alone all the time. He’s probably a complete bore.”

“Ernest? Is that really his name?” Briar tried to hold back a giggle.

“I know, right? Add that to the list of odd things about him. It’s got to be a family name or something. The guys call him by his last name, Sinclaire.”

“Sinclaire has a nice ring to it.” Briar decided. “Anyway, with a name like Briar, should I really be talking anyway? Despite your objections, I can tell you like this guy.”

“And like I said, it makes no sense.” Anna shook her head. “He doesn’t seem to want to get to know me outside of grading my papers in class. He’s invited to a party Luke and Hamid are throwing tonight, but I doubt he’ll show. Why would I expect him to show up for me anyway? What is wrong with me? I don’t fall for guys this easily.”

“Ooh, you’re going to a party tonight?”

“Yes, Hamid is Luke’s roommate and they are hosting. My new friend Annabelle, the one I mentioned, is coming with me. We’ll see if these Harvard kids actually know how to have any fun. That’s enough ranting about me though. I’ve hardly asked what’s going on with you, Briar.”

“Nothing new. I’m still seeing Arthur…and Eddie.” Briar cringed, probably knowing Anna would have something to say about it.

Anna shot Briar a scolding look. “I know you haven’t promised to be exclusive with either of them, but I’m pretty certain Edmund Marlcaster is still very much exclusively engaged to Theresa Sutton. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I know what we are to each other.” Briar tried to come off as indifferent, but her expression and tone of voice said otherwise. Anna knew she had fallen hard for Eddie but kept Arthur around as security blanket for whenever Eddie decided to end their affair and toss her aside. “Speaking of Eddie, I should get going. We are hanging out tonight.”

“Yeah, I should get ready too. Have fun tonight” Anna said, trying her hardest to sound convincing. Like she was one to judge anyway.

~~~~~

Annabelle met Anna outside her apartment at 9pm. Luke’s place was about a 10 minute stroll from Anna’s and it was a nice night, so they decided to walk. When they arrived, the roomy flat was already full of people, much to Anna’s relief. There was nothing worse than being the first ones to the party, awkwardly waiting for other guests to arrive.

“Anna, you made it!” Luke approached and greeted Anna with a hug. “And you are in our class too –  Annabelle, is it?”

“That’s me! Swanky pad you have here.” Annabelle motioned around the room.

“Thank you. I wish I could take credit, but I could never afford even close to half the rent for this place. Having a roommate descended from Turkish royalty has its perks.”

“Did I hear you talking about me, Harper?” Hamid appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, and clapped Luke on the shoulder. “Good evening ladies. You are both looking radiant.”

Luke narrowed his eyes and shot Hamid a sideways glance before turing back to the ladies. “You’ll have to excuse him. He doesn’t know how to turn off the prince charming act.”

“No need to waste it on me,” Annabelle asserted. “Princesses are more my style.”

Hamid pretended to be offended. “Can’t I just give a compliment to be nice? – Don’t answer that Luke. Can I get you ladies a drink? Tonight we have beer….or, beer.”

“I suppose I’ll take a beer.” Anna answered. It wasn’t her favorite but she could stomach it. “Annabelle?”

“Sure, I’ll take one too.” As Hamid disappeared into the kitchen, Annabelle spotted someone across the room. “Oh, I’ve seen her in a couple of my classes. I’m going to go say hi.”

A couple minutes later Hamid emerged with two red Solo cups. “I see even the elite Harvard Law students aren’t above cheap beer and plastic cups. Annabelle went to say hi to someone. I’ll take hers.” Anna took both beers from Hamid.

“I can assure you we have the good stuff too. We usually just save it for more…intimate gatherings, as I’m sure you’ll come to find out.” Hamid’s words carried an undertone and Anna wasn’t sure if he was truly interested in her or if Hamid just flirted with any living, breathing female. The attention felt nice in a way, but also made her a bit uneasy.

“I’m going to go give this to Annabelle.” Anna held up the cup in her right hand and turned towards the other corner of the room. She hardly took one step before having to swerve out of the way of a tall figure coming right at her. A strong arm reached out to steady her. She looked up and it was none other than…. “Ernest! Are you trying to make a habit of nearly trampling me?”

“Excuse me?” His tone was slightly annoyed. “You were the one not watching wear you were going. And what do you mean making a habit of it?”

“The first time we met,“ Anna motioned with air quotes. “You almost ran over me at the book store.” Obviously he didn’t find her as memorable as she found him.

A look of recognition flashed across Ernest’s face. “Oh, that was you! I was so preoccupied I didn’t even get a look at your face.”

“Clearly.” Anna muttered. “What are you doing here anyway?” In her frustration it came out harsher than she intended.

Ernest scoffed. “I was invited. It’s polite to accept an invitation to social engagements when one is able to attend.”

“You sound like you are reading out of an etiquette book. I just thought…Luke and Hamid made it sound like you never really came to parties.”

“Well…” Ernest fumbled for a response, “Why were you concerned with the prospect of my attendance?” Dammit. He wasn’t supposed to turn this around on her, but did this attempt at deflection mean she caught him? Is it possible he showed up because of her?  If had been looking forward to seeing her, he was doing a poor job of showing it.

“I hadn’t thought about it until just now,” she lied. She’d been holding onto a shred of hope that he might show up all week. “I just remembered what they said when they told me about the party.”

Ernest shrugged. “It’s a new year. I’m trying to branch out more.”

“I see…” An awkward pause filled the space between them. Anna looked towards Annabelle who was thoroughly engrossed in conversation and had probably forgotten all about the drink. “Beer?” She held a cup out to Ernest.

“It isn’t typically wise to accept a drink from someone you hardly know. You never know what could be in it.” Anna would assume Ernest was teasing her, but there was no hint of humor in his voice.

“What makes you think I’d have any interest in taking advantage of you.” Anna instantly regretted it as soon as it came out.

Ernest’s cheeks reddened. “I wasn’t…I just meant in general.” His blush was adorable, and Anna relished being able to fluster him. Maybe he didn’t hate her after all. “I’ll take it.” He locked eyes with her as he took the drink from her hand. His fingers lightly grazed hers, his electric touch sending a shiver down her spine. Anna suddenly felt quite flushed herself. She had to avert her eyes before she burned up under the heat of his intense gaze. Ernest cleared his throat. “I’m going to go greet the hosts,” he announced and left Anna standing there without further conversation. He had to have felt it too, didn’t he?

Annabelle had disappeared by this time, so Anna mingled with the crowd. She met people she had seen around campus, both undergrads and law students alike. All of the law students had at least been acquainted with Harry, and while it was nice that they knew her story, everyone treated her like she was fragile or a bit broken. Maybe that was true, but she just wanted to not think about it for once and have a good time. She also didn’t want to worry about why it seemed like Ernest was avoiding her, always managing to be opposite of wherever she was for the rest of the evening. She drank a third and then moved to a fourth beer. Freshman year of college that might not have touched her, but she hadn’t been drinking at all lately and was a lightweight by nature. Two she could handle, three was usually the tipping point, and by four all bets were off. She was still feeling fine, at least she thought, and felt compelled to join some others dancing to some Marshmello collaboration in the living room. Even in her not so sober state her moves were quite impressive. Being a trained dancer had its advantages. It seemed as if all eyes were on her…except the ones she wanted.

Anna was dancing freely in her own world, when she felt a hand snake around her waist and spin her around. “Hamid! Hi! What are you doing.”

“I was just admiring you from across the room and thought I’d join you. Where’d you learn to move like that?” Hamid’s eyes wandered up and down her body.

“Former Dance major. Comes with the territory. Now did you come over here to talk or dance?” Hamid smirked and pulled her in closer. She hadn’t had much interest in him prior but her inhibitions were down, he was hot, and he was there. Ernest who?  Hamid grinded up against her, and she was fairly certain she could feel his excitement through his jeans which sent a small thrill through her. Hamid leaned down to whisper something in her ear, and then she saw him standing there watching them at the edge of the room with a disapproving look on his face. “What’s his deal?” Anna cut in and pointed at Ernest before Hamid could say whatever he had been about to say. “Why is he so stuck up and judgy?”

Hamid chuckled. “Sinclaire is certainly different. He does seem to have a stick up his ass most of the time. Bit of a loner and socially awkward, but he’s not a bad guy though if you can ever manage to break through his exterior.

Ernest started to approach them and Anna worried she might have been too obvious talking about him. “Thank you for having me, Hamid. I’m going to head home.”

Anna couldn’t help feeling disappointed that he was leaving despite having an eager and willing dance partner by her side. Before she though about what she was saying she called out, “Bye, Ernie!”, and if looks could kill she would have dropped dead right then and there.

Ernest was about to reply when Anna stumbled and fell right into Hamid’s arms. “Whoa there, maybe it’s time for you to head home too Anna. I can take you.”

“No, no, I’ll just go find Annabelle…Where has she been?”

“I haven’t seen her in quite awhile. I’m guessing she left with that girl she was talking to. Let me walk you home.”

Ernest rolled his eyes. “That won’t be necessary Hamid. I’m headed in that direction. I’ll take her. You don’t need to leave your own party.”

“Okay then. It was a pleasure getting to know you better Anna. I look forward to finishing our dance next time.” He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. The scent of strong cologne mixed with beer was becoming quite nauseating.

“Until next time. Say bye to Luke for me.” She should have gone and said goodbye herself, but she was starting to feel a bit dizzy and could not get home to her bed soon enough.

“There’s a problem,” Anna said, words slightly slurred as they stepped outside. “I’m not quite sure how to get home.”

Ernest shook his head at her. “I know the way. I’ve been there a few times with Harry”

The walk seemed to take hours. Maybe it had been hours – Anna had no sense of time anymore. She thought Ernest had insisted on taking her home because he wanted to, but he was probably just doing Hamid a favor. He barely spoke two words to her. He took her arm in his to keep her steady, but he kept as much distance as possible between them. He was so hard to read, ever more so when she was drunk.

Anna was about to key in her code at the front door when another wave of nausea came over her. “Are you okay there?” Ernest asked.

She turned back to him. “Yes, I’m fi–” and before she knew what happened, she vomited all over Ernest’s feet. “Oh my god, I’m so, so sorry. You can just go, I can let myself in.” If Anna wasn’t already mortified at her previous embarrassing display of behavior, this cemented it. She wasn’t going to be able to look him in the eyes ever again.

Maybe she imagined it, but he appeared more concerned than upset. “I better make sure you get in alright.” Anna didn’t have it in her to protest so she let Ernest lead her upstairs to her apartment door.

“Thank you Ernest. I think I can handle it from here. She got her key in the hole on the second try and quickly said bye, closing the door before she could embarrass herself further. She somehow mustered the energy to wash her face and hands and peel off her clothes before collapsing into bed and falling asleep almost instantly.