sing over the drunken crowds and leave a lasting impression.
Fabien led the way to the parking lot. Hardly anyone was out at this time on a Saturday morning. Most who were out and about had morning classes. Carina didn't know why she felt anxious. She shouldn't care if she ran into Jaxon but she knew that it did matter. She didn't want to see how he'd react to seeing her leaving campus with another guy. Although Carina had called things off with Jaxon she hadn't dated anyone.
Fabien walked up to a 4x4 jeep. He hopped in and motioned for Carina to do the same. "Are you okay with me planning the day?" He timidly asked.
Carina warmed to his apprehensiveness; she thought it was cute. It was a refreshing change from the overbearing and arrogant assholes she seemed to attract. Carina shrugged her indifference. Her main objective was getting away from campus. After that it wasn't much else to it.
Fabien drove them to a quaint restaurant. It wasn't one of those familiar chains Carina was accustomed to. Carina followed Fabien into the restaurant. The small dining area allowed for a dozen tables and a few booths along the walls. Fabien was immediately greeted by name as they walked inside. Carina raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"I come here often" Fabien muttered flushing with embarrassment.
"You've made quite the impression for them to remember you." Carina teased. It was nice to see that he had a routine at his home away from home. The waitresses affectionately stared at Fabien like he was an adopted son.
Fabien shrugged uncomfortable with Carina's scrutiny. He walked her to a corner booth and waited until she slid into the seat. Fabien handed Carina a menu. A bubbling waitress immediately descended on the couple. She took their orders and scurried away.
Carina learned about Fabien's interests and hobbies while they awaited their food. They ate their breakfast and continued their easy conversation between bites. Carina immensely enjoyed Fabien's company.
Fabien surprised Carina. Rather than hiking through the National Forest they went canoeing. They worked well together paddling in the waters and navigating through narrow terrain. Carina savored the sights and sounds of nature and appreciated that Fabien didn't try to fill the silence. Carina thrilled with excitement as alligators banked on the shoreline while turtles basked on fallen logs getting their time in the sun.
Carina tilted her head to the sky. The symphony of the forest soothed her. Fabien steered the canoe to a small lodge that served picnic lunches. They found a small clearing and laid out their meal. Although it could've seemed romantic, Carina didn't feel the slightest flicker of interest within her. Fabien was good looking and charming. Carina quietly ate her lunch wondering why guys like Fabien couldn't keep her attention.
It was late afternoon by the time Fabien and Carina wrapped up. They walked down a trail back to the jeep. Carina sensed Fabien's tension. He'd been so laid back in the beginning of the day but had slowly withdrawn as the day progressed. Had she done something to make him uncomfortable?
"Are you okay?" Carina tentatively asked.
"Am I that obvious?" Fabien groaned.
They laughed as Carina shrugged. Fabien nervously shoved his hands in his pockets and slowed his pace. "I'd like to get to know you better Carina" Fabien replied. He looked at her from the corner of his eye.
"I've really enjoyed today." Carina offered.
Fabien took a deep breath. Carina found it endearing how nervous he was. This was a major difference between the freshmen guys and upper classmen. Carina was accustomed to a guy who knew what he wanted and just went after it. Carina felt a different kind of empowerment. This could be refreshing.
"I know you and Jaxon have a history..." Fabien paused and faced Carina. "Are you through? I mean do you want to explore other possibilities?" Fabien flushed with embarrassment. He was blabbing.
"Fabien, Jaxon and I never had
Fabien led the way to the parking lot. Hardly anyone was out at this time on a Saturday morning. Most who were out and about had morning classes. Carina didn't know why she felt anxious. She shouldn't care if she ran into Jaxon but she knew that it did matter. She didn't want to see how he'd react to seeing her leaving campus with another guy. Although Carina had called things off with Jaxon she hadn't dated anyone.
Fabien walked up to a 4x4 jeep. He hopped in and motioned for Carina to do the same. "Are you okay with me planning the day?" He timidly asked.
Carina warmed to his apprehensiveness; she thought it was cute. It was a refreshing change from the overbearing and arrogant assholes she seemed to attract. Carina shrugged her indifference. Her main objective was getting away from campus. After that it wasn't much else to it.
Fabien drove them to a quaint restaurant. It wasn't one of those familiar chains Carina was accustomed to. Carina followed Fabien into the restaurant. The small dining area allowed for a dozen tables and a few booths along the walls. Fabien was immediately greeted by name as they walked inside. Carina raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"I come here often" Fabien muttered flushing with embarrassment.
"You've made quite the impression for them to remember you." Carina teased. It was nice to see that he had a routine at his home away from home. The waitresses affectionately stared at Fabien like he was an adopted son.
Fabien shrugged uncomfortable with Carina's scrutiny. He walked her to a corner booth and waited until she slid into the seat. Fabien handed Carina a menu. A bubbling waitress immediately descended on the couple. She took their orders and scurried away.
Carina learned about Fabien's interests and hobbies while they awaited their food. They ate their breakfast and continued their easy conversation between bites. Carina immensely enjoyed Fabien's company.
Fabien surprised Carina. Rather than hiking through the National Forest they went canoeing. They worked well together paddling in the waters and navigating through narrow terrain. Carina savored the sights and sounds of nature and appreciated that Fabien didn't try to fill the silence. Carina thrilled with excitement as alligators banked on the shoreline while turtles basked on fallen logs getting their time in the sun.
Carina tilted her head to the sky. The symphony of the forest soothed her. Fabien steered the canoe to a small lodge that served picnic lunches. They found a small clearing and laid out their meal. Although it could've seemed romantic, Carina didn't feel the slightest flicker of interest within her. Fabien was good looking and charming. Carina quietly ate her lunch wondering why guys like Fabien couldn't keep her attention.
It was late afternoon by the time Fabien and Carina wrapped up. They walked down a trail back to the jeep. Carina sensed Fabien's tension. He'd been so laid back in the beginning of the day but had slowly withdrawn as the day progressed. Had she done something to make him uncomfortable?
"Are you okay?" Carina tentatively asked.
"Am I that obvious?" Fabien groaned.
They laughed as Carina shrugged. Fabien nervously shoved his hands in his pockets and slowed his pace. "I'd like to get to know you better Carina" Fabien replied. He looked at her from the corner of his eye.
"I've really enjoyed today." Carina offered.
Fabien took a deep breath. Carina found it endearing how nervous he was. This was a major difference between the freshmen guys and upper classmen. Carina was accustomed to a guy who knew what he wanted and just went after it. Carina felt a different kind of empowerment. This could be refreshing.
"I know you and Jaxon have a history..." Fabien paused and faced Carina. "Are you through? I mean do you want to explore other possibilities?" Fabien flushed with embarrassment. He was blabbing.
"Fabien, Jaxon and I never had
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