Even though it was Saturday evening, Juliette did not care to be anywhere else but on campus.

She had a found a small square table, the only one of its kind, near the back corner of the third floor of the library. She was about to sit at one of the many long tables in the main area of the floor, but as she walked past the stacks of reference volumes and journals, the orange glow of the setting sun caught her eye and she turned to look at it.

As she made her way between the shelving, she squinted and smiled. She took a look at her cell phone and noted it was almost eight o' clock. She had about an hour and a half to read and study some before she would need to pick up Lenny from the movie theater.

Earlier in the day, Krista had come over to her house. She had insisted that they practice some yoga together. It was Juliette's first time and Krista was thrilled to get on the mat next to her most treasured friend in the whole world.

Krista rolled out the two yoga mats she had brought with her onto the smooth wood of the back porch. After she selected one of her favorite mixes of relaxing instrumental house music, she plugged her small portable speaker into her iPod Touch and the girls sat facing each other.

Each of them couldn't help but giggle at one another seated in meditation pose.

"I'm not dressed right for this at all," Juliette spoke after their giggle fit lifted. She looked at the yellow, orange and white tie-dyed harem jumpsuit Krista was wearing, which allowed her to move and stretch freely.

"Hey," Krista eyed her friend's white tank top and comfy grey pajama shorts. "You're dressed just fine. Relax. Listen to the music and breathe."

Juliette tried her best to copy her friend. She stretched the length of her spine up and rested her hands, palms up, on her knees, being mindful to breathe in and out, slowly.

"Okay," Krista began, "let's just take one more cleansing breath... Nice... Now roll your shoulders back, slowly...Again..."

Juliette could not help but to open one of her eyes and look at Krista. Her friend's wavy and milky blonde tresses interspersed with strands of lavender, blush pink, and a pale blue-green were dancing all around her tanned shoulders as the breeze picked them up.

Krista rolled her shoulders back, and Juls felt herself relaxing as well. It was as if Krista was projecting her calmness and peace through her own heart and into Juliette's.

Krista had always been that person in Juliette's life that brought her such great joy by simply being who she was. As a free spirit, her open-mindedness and positivity towards the world around her and the people in in it really complimented Juliette's personality so well--which was often all work and no play.

"You can open your eyes now, dork," Krista grinned, having seen that one of her friend's eyes was already open. "Alright, now bring your right palm to your left knee and twist, imagine releasing all the tension in your back... Good... Now your left palm to your right knee, and twist..."

They were so deeply content and invigorated in the presence of the other. The late afternoon sun seeped through the porch railing and onto the figures of the two friends as they stretched, twisted, leaned, reached, and breathed together.

Though Juliette had never sought tranquility and transcendence outside the pages of a novel, she understood completely why her best friend sought the same things through practicing yoga. After having been on the mat for less than thirty minutes, she felt more connected to herself and the universe. It was almost as if she had read Jane Eyre for the first time, and the feeling stuck with her well into the evening and night.

Perhaps, it partly had to do with Krista, too. Juliette knew how influential and inspiring teachers could be when their passion for the subject they taught was evident in their lessons and class discussions. Their singular love made you love the subject as well.

Krista radiated ease and complexity. She was mysterious yet approachable. Juliette always saw her friend as having a well-balanced spirit, with a healthy dose of curiosity and fun to boot. Being in her presence and light allowed Juls to feel as if she were balanced as well, and she always savored their time spent together.

As Juliette took a seat at the small square-shaped table pushed up against the wall and behind the stacks, she felt as if the evening sun was setting just for her.

She was wearing the gorgeous long dress Krista had gotten her from Bali, some thin-strapped white sandals, a delicate silver bracelet with a round and flat turquoise stone that had belonged to her mother, and her favorite oversized light grey cardigan. Her hair was fastened into a loose knot at the nape of her neck and the ends of her long layers escaped from the knot in a lazy and becoming way.

The time read 8:37pm as she swiped her cell phone screen to life. She had mostly only been using it to call her uncle or Lenny, but after Krista got back into town the two of them had been texting daily again.

Juliette smiled as she entered a message into her phone.

Juliette: O, Yogi Krista, whatcha up to?

Krista: Yogi? I'm far from it. Aren't ya supposed to be studying??

Juliette: You're a yogi to me. I was. Did you see the sunset?

Krista: Yes! Beautiful. It reminded me of you, girl.

Juliette: Oh, shut up.

Krista: No! You need to quit being so down on yourself. You're stunning, inside and out. The sunset reminded me of you because it's so colorful yet so quiet. It only garners attention by simply being what it is. Sadly, it can only be appreciated at certain times, but that doesn't mean it won't come around again soon.

Juliette's eyes misted as she read her friend's text again. She was so thankful for her friend. Krista was a true blessing.

Juliette: You are the sweetest person.

Krista: No, you are.

Juliette: What are you up to tomorrow?

Krista: I have to work on my self-portrait for my 2D class, but that's it. I've already finished my writing assignment for Film Appreciation.

Juliette: But you just started on that this evening, right? Wasn't it supposed to be like 3,000 words or something?

Krista: Yeah. Well, I told you I selected Being John Malkovich for it, right? If only you loved John Cusack the way that I do, you'd have no problem whatsoever writing five times that! Lol.

Juliette: Oh, no. I feel a Say Anything night coming again soon. . .

Krista: Precisely!

Juliette suppressed a giggle and continued to tap in a new message when a firm and confident voice whispered, "You took my table."

She was so immersed in texting that she did not bother to look up. She held back another giggle and the voice spoke again.

"I see you are laughing in the library now, and not crying. That's a good thing."

Juliette gulped and looked up. She quietly answered, "Excuse me?"

It was Garrett.

He looked even better than he did the other morning in class. He stood before her in hunter green chinos, a worn long-sleeved denim shirt, and a pair of white and navy sneakers.

"I'm glad to see you're laughing and not crying. And, you've taken my table."

"Oh," Juliette awkwardly squirmed in her seat, held her phone tightly in both hands, and looked at the seat across from her. "I'm sorry. I didn't know. You can sit there if you want to."

"Thank you," Garrett smiled and placed his laptop on the table as he took the empty seat and ran his fingers through his ash brown hair. "I was only kidding. Though, I have sat at this table for the past two years. Funny, I've never seen anyone else sit at it before." He brows furrowed as he spoke and he adjusted the dark brown leather watch on his wrist before pushing his sleeves up.

"I only discovered it about an hour ago." Juliette loosened her grip on her cell phone. She adjusted the volume to silent and brought her eyes back up to Garrett's.

"What was so funny?"

"My best friend. She's in love with John Cusack."

Garrett let out a soft chuckle and averted his eyes back to his laptop screen. His face grew serious as he typed lightly and steadily.

Once the beating of Juliette's heart was back to a more manageable speed, she absently let out a sigh and took the clip out of her hair. She pretended to look something up on her laptop as she combed through her long waves with her fingers.

Garrett shifted in his seat a fraction, leaned forward a tad, and cleared his throat.

"How did you do on that Rothko assignment?"

Juliette typed complete gibberish into the search bar for far longer than necessary before lifting her eyes up and answering, "Oh, thanks for asking. I did really well."

He smiled and returned to his work.

Krista: Ditched me and Cusack for more studying, huh?

Juliette: No! You won't believe who is seating across from me right now!!!

Krista: Who?! Oh, no! Lemme guess!! Is it Professor Hottie?

Juliette: We already decided we wouldn't call him that!

Krista: I don't recall agreeing to anything.

He cleared his throat again and brought a closed fist to his mouth as he read through a lengthy email from the head of the English Department. Juliette stole a quick glance and went back to texting.

Juliette: Omg. Okay. Professor Hottie he is.

Krista: He sees all your colors, girl. Hehehe.

Juliette could not resist the giggle that bubbled and escaped from her throat. It came out louder than she intended. Garrett looked up at her and his eyes glimmered for a moment, a faint smile upon his lips.

Her face burned with pink embarrassment. She felt very warm suddenly and took off her cardigan. She rested the folded fabric on the table next to her and continued to type some more gibberish.

His eyes lingered on her bare shoulders and arms as she typed and clicked and scrolled. Just as she tilted her head to one side and pursed her lips in thought, he shifted his glance back to his screen and chewed on his lip.

Juliette: Please, change the subject.

Krista: No way. You may not be aware of this fact, but you are flirting with your professor and I want to be present for it, in some way. Haha!!

Juliette: Krista! You're killing me.

Krista: You, green apple, sure didn't fall too far from the tree!

Juliette knew exactly what Krista was talking about. She sighed and tried to release some tension by stretching her slender arms up above her head.

Juliette: My mom and my dad didn't start dating until after she switched majors. She wasn't a student of his anymore either!

Krista: Still. Apple. Tree.

Juliette: Kris!!!

Krista: Juls!!!

With very little inner debate, Juliette turned her cell phone off and placed it in her purse. She would call Krista on her short walk to the parking lot later. She opened a Word document and began to brainstorm some ideas for yet another upcoming Art Appreciation assignment.

It was already 9:30pm and several of the students at the other end of the room and on the other side of the stacks were beginning to pack up their belongings, wait in line at the printers, or leave.

"I have to leave!" Juliette squeaked and shut down her laptop. She stood up from her chair and swooped her hair into a high ponytail.

"I should be heading out, too, I suppose." Garrett readied his belongings to leave as well.

As Juliette was sliding her soft cardigan back onto her shoulders, he asked, "May I walk you to your car?"

"No, that's fine. I'm in a hurry. My car is really close."

Garrett lifted his hands and said, "Understood. See you in class Monday morning, Juliette."

"Yeah. See ya Monday, Garrett!"

With haste, Juliette waved good-bye and walked away. Garrett slid his glasses up the bridge of his nose and detected the faint aroma of lavender and warm vanilla in the air.

Once Juliette disappeared behind the closing doors of the elevator, he picked up his bag and jacket and made his way to the stairs.

She should have left about ten minutes before. Lenny had mentioned how strict Erik's father could be at times and she feared him being upset with Lenny for not having her ride there, on time, to pick her up from the movie theater.

Before the elevator doors slid open, Juliette searched her purse for her cell phone. She pressed the button power and hurried out of the elevator towards the exit.

All she saw was the bright glow of her screen as it came back to life beneath her before she slammed, sharply, into the side of a tall student.

"Whoa, there, little lady," he said.

Juliette would have fallen back onto the couple of students behind her if it were not for those arms that grabbed the back of her shoulders and brought her to his chest in one swift movement.

She was completely dazed and embarrassed. He still had her gripped in his arms and her hands were bound up close to her chest, grasping her phone.

She swallowed as he loosened his grip on her. All she could see for a moment was his broad chest and tanned neck before she took a wobbly step backward and looked up at his face.

"Juliette Wakelin," he said as a wide smile formed on his playful face.

She had no idea how this man knew her name, but something told her she had seen those deep blue eyes with flecks of steely gray in them before.

"You don't remember me, huh? Wyatt Jones," he held a hand out, "You've forgotten we met once before, miss, under pretty much the same circumstances." He chuckled and smacked his thigh with his free hand.

Juliette's cheeks were beet red at this point. She shook his hand as complete recognition dawned on her face.

"Aw, you didn't really hurt me, if that's what you're worried about, darlin'. More important thing is, are you alright?" He winced and rubbed his rubbed his upper arm and shoulder in mock pain.

Her eyes flickered and she brought her hand to her forehead, "Nice to meet you--again--Wyatt, but I really need to go now. I am picking up my little sister from the movie theater."

Wyatt placed his hand on her upper back and led her to the double doors. He opened the door for her and the cool night air greeted them with a friendly gust as they exited the library.

"Lemme walk ya to your car, at least," he offered.

"Sure."

Juliette dropped her phone into her purse and let her hair down, which had fallen sloppily out of its ponytail in the collusion.

Wyatt walked closely next to her and subtly shook his head as he saw her blanket of rich dark brown hair fall upon her shoulders and back.

"My car's just over there."

"Alright." He nodded and remained at her side as they approached her car.

Wyatt had on the same Braves baseball hat as before along with a plain black tee, jeans, and weathered rust-colored cowboy boots.

Juliette unlocked her car door and before she could open it, Wyatt's hand swooped beneath hers and opened her door for her.

"Um, thank you," she said and threw her things into the car. "Have a good night."

"You, too."

She got into her car and started the engine, but Wyatt was still standing there next to her car. Juliette put her window down and looked up at him with raised eyebrows.

Wyatt leaned forward and hooked one leg in front of the other as he rested his elbows on the base of her car window. He smiled real wide again and turned his head to the side.

"Wyatt, I really have to go now."

He turned his face back to hers and squinted his eyes for a moment before asking, "Would you like to have dinner with me sometime?"

Juliette let out a sigh and smiled crookedly up at him as she gripped the steering wheel and looked up into the rearview mirror.

"Tell you what," he offered, "If we bump into each other again, I'm taking you out on a date. You won't be disappointed. I'm a perfect gentleman."

He seemed like a perfect flirt, more like, but Juliette really needed to leave and Wyatt seemed determined, possibly even adorably so.

"Okay."

"Yeah?" He stood with a smile on his face.

Just as Juliette was putting her window back up and about to pull out of her parking spot, Wyatt was able to wink at her and add, "You know what they say, 'third time's a charm!'"

A/N:

Much like Wyatt, I was DETERMINED to get a chapter out for you, my lovely readers. It is now 3:21am and I still have to proofread it before I post it.

This chapter was pretty long, but I really feel like I should've posted two chapters at once, so  this will have to do for now.

What a day and what a night for Juliette, huh? ;)

I attached Florence + The Machine's "Cosmic Love" because it used to be a FAVE of mine. Still is. With the beats of the drums I imagine a heart beating, awakenings, and possibilities!

Please vote and/or comment if you love a boy in glasses or cowboy boots!!! :D

Thank you for your support!!

P.S. A few days ago, my friend,
lizzymeetsmalia
nominated me for a Fiction Award.
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If you are enjoying After Daniel's Life so far and would further like to support my writing endeavors (and those of other authors on Wattpad), please go to the link below and nominate my story. All you have to do is scroll down to "Best Teen Fiction Story" and as an inline comment enter the name of my story and my profile name as instructed in the rules.

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Thank you so much for reading and sticking with this book! Y'all are AWESOME!!! :D
This story has reached #111 in the Ghost Hot List!!!

xoxo,
Leanne