Chapter Text
Jon tensed as he heard the classroom door open. Classes only started two weeks ago but this girl was already predictably late. He did not need to turn around to know that she was standing at the door with her eyes sweeping the lecture hall for a seat. He knew her dilemma. When a lecture hall has 300 seats, the aisle seats always go first. Being late meant crossing over five people to get to the middle. You start asking yourself how much of a disturbance you want to cause.
Jon turned his head slightly, peeking at her from the corner of his eye. She had her laptop pressed against her chest and her bottom lip between her teeth. Her eyes met his as they scanned the room. He gave a her small nod and grinned at the sarcastic eye roll she gave him in return. He kept his eyes on her as she started down the stairs and made her way to a seat two rows in front of him. He refused to be distracted by her. He promised himself that he would only take a peek once he had a break in his notes.
Draw a diagram then mentally detail how different her hair is today. She tended to wear it in a braid or in a ponytail. He never saw it in her face. Today, she had several small braids feeding into one large intricate one that fell down her back.
Write a subheading then look at what she is wearing. He appreciated her dedication to the color red and how she always worked it into her wardrobe. It was an intense color that she wore like his sister wore pastel pinks.
Listen as a question is being asked and watch her as she twirls her pen and takes a swig from her bottle. Ignore the professor’s answer to catch a glimpse of the cartoon dragon screensaver on her phone.
Somehow he gets through the class without missing notes or her. He could not be more thankful when the class is over. Even if it means that he will not see her until the following week.
Jon knew he had a little crush. He knew he was infatuated. He did not know that he was truly obsessed with her until he saved her a seat and she was more than her usual fifteen minutes late. He could not pinpoint that anxious feeling until much later. He was worried about her. The class was nearing the half hour mark and his backpack still occupied the seat next to him. When she did not show up, he spent the rest of the day switching between sulking about how she probably dropped the class and worrying that something happened to her. He ignored how logical it was that she probably slept in.
Thursday came. Jon sat one row in front of the back so she could see him. He placed his backpack in the chair next to him and was surprised when she showed up before the professor. He waved her down, exhaling heavily as she gave him a big smile and made her way to him.
“I saved you a seat.”
She nodded, grinning at him while he moved his backpack.
“Thanks. I guess it’s hard not to notice that I’m always late to this class, huh?”
“It doesn’t bother me.” Jon shrugged and quirked his lips to the side. “It happens.”
She nodded at him with pursed lips and began pulling out her notebook. He was watching her again and could not pull his eyes away. She wore a black tank top with a burgundy jacket pulled over it. Her hair was pulled back into a simple ponytail and she was looking at him like he was crazy. It still took another moment to realize it was because he was staring at her.
“Sorry.” He apologized with a shake of his head. “I’m Jon.”
“Daenerys.”
He opened his mouth to say something, anything, and nothing came out. He could blame the early hour but really her presence disconcerted him. He knew he wanted to sit next to her but he never planned on actually talking to her.
“So…” She started with a tilt of her head. “Why are you torturing yourself with an 8 am class?”
Jon chuckled. He was trying to be charming. Talking about his schedule was simple. He could do that without making himself look like a fool.
“Because I hate myself?”
“Hey, me too.” Daenerys said with a giggle. “I didn’t realize we had so much in common.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself. I actually show up to this 8 am.”
“Wow.” She choked, turning to the front of the class. “You show up on time, you don’t skip class, and you save seats for your fellow classmates. Are you going to proofread my paper next week?”
“Anything to spend some time with you. I mean- ah fuck me.” Jon sighed and dropped his head into his hands. “I did not mean to say that like that.”
“What? The spending time thing or the fucking thing because I’m open to both.”
“You’re open to both?”
Jon raised his eyebrows and lowered his voice. Daenerys turned back to the front of the class and tilted her head to look up at him through her eyelashes. Before she could give him whatever coy answer she came up with, their professor walked into the class, calling their attention with an obnoxious ‘good morning’.
They spent the rest of the class sneaking looks at each other. Jon did everything in his power to keep himself from staring but he loved the smirk on her face when she found him watching her. When the class was over he caught himself before letting out a disappointed sigh. Even if she did not have a class after this one, he did. Should he ask for her number or her school email? Her Facebook or her Instagram?
Daenerys took the choice out his hands by gathering her things quickly and standing with the rest of their classmates. She cupped his face and ran her fingers through over the top of this head.
“I hope I can say that it was a pleasure to have met you. I’ll see you later, Jon.” She dropped her hand and maneuvered her way to the door with haste.
All Jon could do was stare after her.
He spent the entirety of his next class looking for her. He could have kissed whomever created the student directory. Daenerys Targaryen. The fact that there was only one Daenerys on campus did not surprise him. It still felt like the gods were on his side when he saw that her student profile included her email and her telephone number.
Then he found her Instagram and scrolled through all 360 posts before deciding that it would way less weird to follow her instead of cyberstalking her. Following her did not keep him from looking through her tagged photos or checking out her friends, though. It definitely did not stop him from trying to find her on Facebook as well.
Jon was standing at the bus stop doing exactly that when tires screeched against the pavement. He was too busy mentally debating a friend request to be distracted by a reckless driver.
“Hey, Jon!”
His head snapped up in surprise as she leaned over her passenger seat and called for him through her open window. She threw her head to the left, gesturing for him to come closer. Jon nearly dropped his phone trying to stuff it in his pockets as he sprinted to her car. He leaned into the window, his arms propping his head up at the top of the door frame.
“Hi. Nice car.”
She hummed without comment and gave a pointed look to her empty passenger seat.
“You wanna take a ride?”
“A ride?” He felt stupid for repeating after her but he wanted to be clear on what was happening before he found his photo posted on the campus creepers Twitter account.
“Yes, Jon. A ride.” Daenerys rolled her eyes and sighed. “My afternoon is free, my apartment is empty, and my panties are in my backpack. Are you going to stand here waiting for the bus or are you coming with me?"
He took a look around before meeting her eyes.
“Come on, Jon, don’t make me beg.” She poked her lips out in a silly pout as he scoffed and leaned further into her car.
“I want you to be sure because once I get started…” Jon trailed off and rubbed his hand over his beard as he eyed her. “You might not make it to your classes tomorrow.”
“It’s a good thing I don’t have Friday classes then.” She grinned at him as she leaned closer, patting the seat next to her. “Get in. I saved you a seat.”