Chapter 175: a day of texting

Chapter 175: Chapter 175: a day of texting

Wednesday morning began normally.

At eight, Vivienne and the girls were already seated in their classroom.

The Sports Festival announcement from earlier that morning was still fresh in Vivienne’s mind.

Especially one particular name.

Christopher Archibald.

She tried not to think about it.

She failed.

During their first break at nine-thirty, the girls gathered their things before heading toward their next classroom.

Vivienne glanced at the clock.

Then at her phone.

She remembered what Christopher had told her the night before.

His first class began at eleven.

A small smile appeared on her lips.

He’s probably still free.

She opened a new message..

She deliberately typed:

Good morning, Senior Archibald. Hope you’re doing well. Don’t be late to class. ^_^

She looked at the little smiley at the end.

Perfect.

It was meant to be there.

She wanted to sound sweet.

Cute.

Just a little playful.

She pressed send.

A few minutes later, her phone vibrated.

Good morning. I’m doing well. Don’t worry, I won’t be late.

Vivienne smiled.

She typed:

Good. I’m going to my next class now. You should prepare for yours too.

Christopher replied:

I will. Have a good class.

Vivienne’s smile widened.

You too.

She slipped her phone into her bag.

Claire glanced at her.

"Happy?"

Vivienne smiled innocently.

"Very."

--

By eleven, Christopher was in his lecture.

Vivienne knew better than to text him while he was in class.

She still checked her phone once.

Then put it away.

He’s probably listening.

She smiled faintly.

She didn’t want to distract him.

At lunchtime, however, she was free again.

The moment she sat down with the girls, she thought of another question.

She unlocked her phone.

She stared at their conversation.

What can I ask?

She thought for a moment.

Then typed:

What time did you get back to your dorm last night?

She sent it.

--

Christopher’s phone vibrated just as he left his classroom.

He glanced down.

Vivienne.

He smiled slightly.

He opened the message.

What time did you get back to your dorm last night?

He considered it.

Then replied:

A little after midnight.

Vivienne’s eyes widened.

That’s late!

A reply came quickly.

Not particularly. I’m a fourth-year.

Vivienne laughed.

Still. You should sleep earlier.

Christopher smiled.

I’ll keep that in mind.

She stared at that response.

Then typed:

Have you had lunch?

Not yet.

Vivienne smiled.

You should go eat.

Christopher replied:

I will. You too.

Vivienne looked at the message.

Then smiled.

Just finished.

She put her phone down.

Amelia looked over.

"Again?"

Vivienne nodded.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Claire laughed.

"You’re really enjoying this."

Vivienne tried to hide her smile.

"Maybe."

--

The afternoon passed quickly.

Classes.

Notes.

Lectures.

Another break.

Another class.

Vivienne didn’t text him again.

At least, not yet.

She knew he had classes too.

But by the time her final class was approaching its end, she found herself checking the clock.

She remembered something.

Yesterday, Christopher had said his latest class ended at seven.

But that was yesterday.

She wondered what his schedule was today.

When the professor finally dismissed them, Vivienne immediately picked up her phone.

She typed:

What time do you finish classes today?

Christopher answered after a short while.

Around six.

Vivienne smiled.

That’s earlier than yesterday.

My schedule changes depending on the day.

She nodded to herself.

It was 4:25 now, she can text him later.

--

When the bell rang and it was six, Vivienne couldn’t help but check her phone.

Christopher had said his classes ended at six today.

She could text him now.

She wanted to.

But she stopped herself.

No.

That would be too eager.

She had already spoken to him several times today.

Besides, he had just finished class.

He might be going somewhere.

He might be tired.

So Vivienne put her phone away.

She would wait.

At least for a while.

--

It was almost eight when she finally picked up her phone again.

She had already finished dinner.

She had finished her homework.

She had even changed into her pajamas.

And yet she was still thinking about him.

Vivienne stared at their conversation.

She smiled.

Just one more.

She typed:

Have you had dinner already?

She sent it.

Christopher replied:

Yes. I had dinner after class.

Vivienne smiled.

Good. Don’t forget to eat properly.

I won’t.

Vibienne went back to her readings.

But after an hour, she couldn’t really focus.

She stared at her phone.

She has been texting him almost the whole day. And what could they talk about?

Then she remembered the noticeboard from that morning.

The Sports Festival.

And suddenly, she had another perfectly reasonable excuse to talk to him.

She opened the conversation again.

I just read about the Sports Festival today. I was wondering... are you joining?

She stared at the message.

She already knew he played polo.

She already knew he would probably join.

But she wanted him to tell her himself.

Vivienne smiled.

Then pressed send.

--

Christopher just got back in his dorm about half an hour ago.

Unlike the night before, there were no friends around him and no noise from a crowded table.

His roommate hadn’t returned yet.

The room was quiet except for the occasional rustle of paper.

Christopher sat at his desk with a book open in front of him, reading through the material for one of his classes.

His phone rested beside the book.

It vibrated.

Christopher glanced at it.

Vivienne Beaumont.

Again.

He picked it up and read the message.

I just read about the Sports Festival today. I was wondering... are you joining?

A faint smile appeared on his face.

Of course.

The Sports Festival.

He looked at the message for another second.

Then, instead of returning to his reading, he placed his book aside.

He thought about his answer.

Polo was already practically a given.

He had been playing since he was young, and with the tournament being one of the most prestigious events of the year, there was little chance he would sit it out.

He picked up his phone again.

I think I’ll probably join polo.

He sent it.

A moment later, her reply appeared.

Polo? I knew it!

Christopher smiled.

Then another message came.

Are you good at polo?

He stared at the question for a second.

A quiet laugh escaped him.

Straight to the point.

He typed:

I’m decent. I’ve been playing for a long time.

Vivienne replied almost immediately.

How long?

Then, before he could answer, another message appeared.

"Decent" sounds suspiciously modest.

Christopher laughed.

He leaned back in his chair.

He had no idea what she expected him to say.

He typed:

I’m not sure what you’re expecting me to say.

The reply came quickly.

You could say you’re very good.

Christopher smiled.

Would you believe me if I did?

There was a brief pause.

Then:

Maybe.

He shook his head, amused.

The conversation was becoming surprisingly easy.

He glanced at the book on his desk.

Then back at his phone.

The reading could wait.

He typed:

What about you? Are you joining any of the events, or are you watching some of them?

This time, he was genuinely curious.

Vivienne took a moment before answering.

I don’t think I’ll be joining any of the events. I’m more interested in watching.

Another message followed.

Especially polo.

Christopher smiled.

Then another appeared.

I’m in the Equestrian Club, so I suppose I’ll have plenty to watch.

Christopher raised an eyebrow.

The Equestrian Club.

He hadn’t known that.

He typed:

You’re in the Equestrian Club?

Yes.

He smiled.

I didn’t expect that.

Vivienne stared at the message.

What am I supposed to say to that?

She had only mentioned the club because she needed something else to say.

She certainly wasn’t about to tell him that she’d joined partly because of Anthony.

So she settled on the truth.

I’m not actually very good at horsemanship. I’d rather watch than compete.

Christopher read the message.

A small smile appeared.

That sounded more honest than the way she had initially described it.

He replied:

Then watching might be more enjoyable.

Vivienne smiled.

Exactly.

She hesitated.

Then added:

At least I won’t embarrass myself in front of everyone.

Christopher laughed quietly.

That’s one way to look at it.

Vivienne smiled at the screen.

Then another thought occurred to her.

The Equestrian Club would almost certainly be involved during the Sports Festival. The equestrian events were relatively limited compared with the other competitions, and with the polo grounds right beside their own field, members were often expected to attend and support the other equestrian events as well.

She typed:

I might be there anyway. The Equestrian Club might have us watch the polo matches.

She paused.

Then added:

So I’ll definitely root for you.

She stared at the message.

A little bold.

But still perfectly reasonable.

She smiled and pressed send.

Christopher looked at the message when it arrived.

So I’ll definitely root for you.

He couldn’t help smiling.

Then I’ll have to play well.

Vivienne’s eyes widened.

She immediately showed the screen to Claire.

Claire’s mouth fell open.

Amelia leaned over.

"Oh."

Vivienne smiled.

"That’s good, right?"

Claire nodded solemnly.

"Very good."

Eleanor, who had been reading nearby, glanced over.

"He’s simply saying he’ll try to play well."

The other three turned toward her.

"Eleanor."

She smiled.

"What?"

"Let us enjoy this."

Eleanor laughed quietly and returned to her book.

Vivienne looked back at the screen.

Her smile returned. Then she typed.

Alright. Then, let me wish you all the best in advance!

She looked at it for a moment.

That sounded nice.

Not too much.

Not too little.

She sent it.

Christopher read the reply.

His smile lingered for a moment.

Then, he glanced at the open book on his desk.

He sighed. He had been neglecting his reading.

He picked up his pen, then looked at his phone one last time. He typed.

I better get back to reading now. Talk to you later.

He sent it.

Vivienne’s eyes widened.

Talk to you later.

She read it again.

Then again.

Her lips slowly curved upward.

Later?

That wasn’t goodbye.

That meant there would be another conversation.

She stared at the screen for a few seconds, wondering what she should reply.

Then she typed:

Okay. Talk to you later. ^_^

Vivienne smiled to herself.

She considered sending another message.

Then stopped.

No. Don’t be too eager.

She placed her phone beside her pillow.

Tomorrow, perhaps.

She could text him tomorrow.

After all...

He had said they’d talk later.

That was enough for tonight.

--

Tbc