Chapter 313: boyfriend VI

Chapter 313: Chapter 313: boyfriend VI

By the time they finished breakfast, it was already around half past nine.

Christopher stood first.

"Shall we?"

Vivienne nodded.

"Okay."

He held out his hand.

She looked at it for half a second before placing hers in his.

Her fingers were a little clumsy.

She was still shaking from excitement.

Because this was really happening.

They were going to walk across campus together.

Hand in hand.

As boyfriend and girlfriend.

And people were going to see them.

More importantly, people who knew Christopher were going to see them.

Students from his year.

People from the fencing club.

People who knew him well enough to notice that the girl walking beside him was new.

And that she was holding his hand.

Oh my God.

Vivienne tried very hard not to smile too widely.

Christopher simply closed his fingers around hers and started walking.

Calm.

Relaxed.

As though this were the most ordinary thing in the world.

Vivienne, meanwhile, felt like her heart was trying to escape her chest.

They crossed the path leading toward the gym.

A few students looked at them.

One girl glanced twice.

Then another.

Vivienne noticed.

Of course she noticed.

Her first instinct was to become self-conscious.

They’re looking.

Then she remembered why.

She was holding Christopher’s hand.

In public.

As his girlfriend.

Her lips curved.

Well.

Let them look.

She tightened her fingers slightly around his.

Christopher glanced down at their joined hands, then back at her.

He didn’t say anything.

He didn’t need to.

He simply continued walking.

That somehow made her even happier.

She smiled to herself.

This was nice.

Really nice.

She’d had a relationship before.

But she had never had a boyfriend at university.

Never walked across campus holding someone’s hand.

Never had to deal with people who knew her boyfriend seeing them together and immediately realizing—

Oh.

Christopher has a girlfriend.

And that girlfriend was her.

Vivienne almost wanted to laugh.

She couldn’t believe this was actually happening.

She looked up at him.

Christopher was completely at ease.

His fencing bag was slung over one shoulder, his expression relaxed, his attention occasionally shifting toward the people around them as they walked.

Someone passing by called out,

"Morning, Christopher."

"Morning."

He answered naturally and kept going.

Vivienne looked down at their hands again.

That’s my boyfriend.

The thought still felt almost absurd.

But she liked it.

Very much.

When they reached the gym, Christopher glanced inside.

There were already students moving around the venue, competitors gathering near the pistes, and spectators beginning to fill some of the available seats.

Christopher looked around briefly.

Then he guided Vivienne toward one of the open seats near the front.

"Here."

He gestured toward the seat.

Vivienne sat down.

Christopher waited until she was settled before letting go of her hand.

"You’ll be able to see the piste from here."

Vivienne looked toward the fencing area.

"Yeah."

He nodded.

"Good."

Then he adjusted the fencing bag on his shoulder.

"I’ll go change."

Vivienne nodded.

"Okay."

"I won’t be long."

"Okay."

He gave her a small smile.

"I’ll see you in a few minutes."

Then he headed toward the changing area.

Vivienne watched him go.

Then looked around.

Okay.

She was alone.

She looked toward the fencing area.

Then at the other spectators.

Then back toward the entrance.

She had watched him fence before.

She knew what fencing looked like.

She knew enough to follow what was happening.

Except—

Today was different.

Because today, she wasn’t simply watching Christopher.

She was watching her boyfriend.

Vivienne pressed her lips together.

Okay.

What does a girlfriend actually do at a fencing match?

She looked around.

People seemed to know what they were doing.

She didn’t.

Should she cheer?

Obviously.

But when?

During the match?

Between points?

After he scored?

What if she cheered at the wrong time?

She frowned thoughtfully.

Then another thought occurred to her.

Does he need water?

Her eyes moved toward the vending machines.

Maybe she should get him something.

Water.

Obviously water.

Or—

Would a sports drink be better?

She had no idea.

Maybe juice.

No.

Water.

Definitely water.

Good plan.

Brilliant, Vivian.

She nodded to herself.

She would get him water.

And when he finished his match, she’d give it to him.

Simple.

Easy.

Girlfriend duties.

Then another thought came to her.

And if he’s sweaty...

Vivienne’s imagination immediately supplied an image.

Christopher coming off the piste.

Removing his mask.

His hair slightly damp.

His face flushed from exertion.

And her standing there with a towel.

She could hand it to him.

Or—

Maybe she could wipe his face herself.

Vivienne’s heart fluttered.

Yes.

She could absolutely do that.

She pictured herself confidently walking up to him and gently wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Perfect.

Completely normal.

Very girlfriend-like.

She nodded once.

Excellent.

She went and bought the bottle of water.

Just in case.

Then she returned to her seat.

A few minutes later, she noticed a familiar face nearby.

Eleanor.

She was already in the competitor area, preparing for her own event.

The moment Eleanor noticed Vivienne, her expression softened into a small smile.

She gave her a wave.

Vivienne smiled brightly and waved back.

Then as if to ask why she’s there, Eleanor’s eyebrows lifted slightly.

Vivienne understood. So her eyes flicked toward the changing area.

Then back to Eleanor.

Eleanor gave her a small knowing smile and nodded.

Vivienne nodded back.

She still hadn’t told Eleanor or Amelia that she and Christopher were a couple now.

But well... Eleanor could see for herself.

Hehe.

Anyway, Vivienne glanced toward the changing room again.

Then she saw him.

Christopher stepped out.

Vivienne’s breath caught.

He had changed into his fencing gear.

All white.

And somehow—

He looked incredibly more handsome.

She had seen him in fencing gear before.

But today, seeing him walk toward her as her boyfriend made something flutter inside her.

Oh my God.

She couldn’t stop looking.

Christopher glanced at where he left her.

Vivienne smiled.

He walked toward her.

Not hurriedly.

Just calmly.

When he reached her, he looked toward the competitor area.

"I’m going to warm up over there."

He gestured toward the space beside the pistes.

Then he looked at her.

"If you like, you can come closer."

Vivienne blinked.

"Can I?"

"Of course."

A small smile touched his lips.

"Come along."

Vivienne stood immediately.

She followed him toward the competitor area.

There was a clear separation between the active pistes and the space where the competitors were preparing.

Christopher set his fencing bag down beside one of the player seats.

Then he looked at her.

"You can sit here."

Vivienne nodded.

"Okay."

She sat down.

Christopher moved toward the other fencers.

Vivienne looked around.

She was much closer now.

Close enough to see everything.

Eleanor was still nearby, getting ready for her own event.

She glanced over at Vivienne once more.

Vivienne smiled at her.

Eleanor gave her a small thumbs-up.

Vivienne smiled proudly and returned it.

Then her attention went back to Christopher.

He was stretching now.

Focused.

Controlled.

Completely different from the relaxed man who had walked beside her only minutes ago.

Vivienne watched quietly.

And she couldn’t stop looking.

There were girls around the gym watching too.

Of course there were.

Christopher was popular.

He was good-looking.

He was one of the strongest fencers and was also the university’s student council vice president.

A girl nearby whispered something to her friend.

Vivienne glanced toward them.

Then back at Christopher.

She smiled.

That’s my man.

The thought came so naturally that her cheeks warmed.

Let them look.

He was hers.

Christopher looked over again.

Their eyes met.

Vivienne smiled and gave him a tiny wave.

He gave her the smallest nod before turning back.

Her heart fluttered.

She settled into her seat.

And waited for his name to be called.

--

Tbc