Chapter 5

Adam settled into his studies over the next two weeks as his workload gradually increased. He and Kim sat together in lectures and seminars. They had lunch together most days and went to the Student’s Union bar most evenings with their flatmates. But Adam insisted on studying alone. Even though he and Kim were on the same course, he knew he worked better by himself.

He found that the best place to work was the university’s massive library—that way he didn’t suffer the constant interruptions from Cassie who insisted on asking if he and Kim were ‘officially’ an item yet.

“I still don’t see why you have to work on your own. You’re only going to be reading notes, for God’s sake.” Kim and Adam stood in front of the library. She said the same thing every time he wanted to study by himself. Adam got the impression that she was finding the course more difficult than she expected.

“Because I get easily distracted if there’s anyone there to talk to,” he replied. “Or anything nice to look at.”

She ignored the compliment. “But with the tutorial tomorrow, it’d make sense to look over the notes together.” Kim frowned. “We can show a united front to Little Miss Movie-Star.”

Adam shook his head. “It’s not a contest and even if it was, I’d still rather look over them alone.”

“Okay.” She didn’t sound as if it was okay. “I’m going to Pizza Hut with the guys from my flat tonight, so I guess I’ll see you at the tutorial tomorrow.”

Kim stomped away and left Adam to climb the stone steps that led to the entrance.

Westmouth University Library was housed in a grand sandstone building at the heart of the campus. Whenever he went in, Adam could smell the knowledge bound in the covers of its books. The library covered three floors and Adam’s favourite spot was a study booth on the top floor, in a corner far away from anyone else.

He found his booth, unoccupied as always, and spread his lecture notes out across the desk. He picked out what he’d written about Nineteen Eighty-Four and began reading. He was halfway through when heard something.

He stopped and listened. It was coming from the other side of the bookshelf behind him. He lifted his head and listened harder but the noise had stopped. He thought it had sounded like someone sobbing, but he must have been mistaken. He returned to his notes. He’d read just a few sentences more when he heard it again. He listened. There was no doubt this time. Someone was in the next booth, and they were crying. He put his notes down and went to see who it was.

He stared in disbelief—Chloë Goodman was sat at the desk with her head in her hands. He considered his next move. Should he say something or return to his work? After all, he’d been attending lectures and seminars with her for nearly three weeks and they’d yet to exchange two words. On the other hand, they were due to have a tutorial together the next day.

He coughed. “Erm ... Are you okay?”

Chloë looked up. “Do I look okay?”

In Adam’s opinion, she looked better than okay, even in her current state. But he thought better of telling her that. “Not really. I was working in the next booth and I heard you crying.”

She huffed. “You heard the big film star sobbing so you thought you come and get the gossip? Why don’t you take a photo on your phone? The magazines will pay more for the story if you have a good picture to go with it.”

“Actually, I didn’t know who it was. I just came to see if there was anything I could do to help. Clearly, there isn’t. I’ll leave you to it.”

Adam returned to his desk and picked up his notes again. What a bitch, he thought. I was only being polite. I guess it must be right what people say about her.

He resumed reading but found it difficult to concentrate. He was about to give it up as a bad job and pack everything away when he heard a delicate cough from the entrance to the booth.

“I ... I’m sorry,” said Chloë. She looked at the floor. Her big brown eyes were puffy and wet—her face red.

Was this the same girl who’d won Fame magazine’s sexiest actress award last year? The same girl who for her eighteenth birthday Ladz magazine had celebrated because she was no longer ‘Jail Fodder’. Adam remembered that disgusting headline—It’s Okay to Fantasise About Her Now. She’s Legal!

She flicked her eyes up to meet his and Adam’s heart stopped. “I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just that I’m not used to people being nice to me for no reason. Normally they’re after something.” She paused. “Everyone is always after something.”

Adam gulped. “Don’t worry about it. Apology accepted.”

“Good. I don’t want you to think bad of me.” The hum of air conditioning units filled the silence. Adam couldn’t decide how to respond. Chloë shuffled her feet before saying, “Well ... I ... erm ... I should leave you to get on with whatever you’re doing. Bye.”

She turned to leave. She’d only taken two steps when Adam called after her. “Miss Goodman. Wait.”

She stopped and faced him. “Chloë. My name is Chloë. The only people who call me Miss Goodman are usually trying to sell me something.”

“Right ... Sorry ... Erm ... Chloë, why don’t you sit down for a bit? I’m a good listener. Or so I’ve been told.”

“Thanks, but I don’t want to trouble you with my problems. You’ll think I’m being silly. I mean ... What’s a big film star got to get upset about? Right?”

“I don’t know. What has a big film star got to get upset about?”

“But I hardly know you.”

He stood and held out his hand. “Adam Smith.”

She smiled weakly and shook his hand. “Chloë Goodman. Although I guess you knew that.”

He nodded.

“Your name sounds familiar,” she said as she sat down.

“It should. We’re in the same tutorial group.”

“Yes! I knew I’d seen you somewhere before. You sit with that pretty dark-haired girl in lectures, don’t you?”