The Nail That Sticks Out

Chapter Five: Beautiful

Olivia Mei Sasaki

After my wholly cringe-worthy encounter with Mitsuki, I stared straight down at my notes or directly at the professor for the rest of the lecture before making a dash for it as soon as we were dismissed.

Why'd I do that? Why would I ever do that? 

My next class is in ten minutes and I sure as hell will not be sitting next to anyone. I'm feeling much too desperate and foolish to even try.

I realize with a sigh of relief that my next lecture is with the professor that Noah had mentioned. Dr. Davis, I recall. My earlier embarrassment dissolves a little at the thought, but I try not to get my hopes up too much. I've been looking forward to taking Human Anatomy since I graduated high school. Granted, I took some online courses of the subject over the summer, but I was still keen on taking it in university. I figured it was important. To know how the body works, how diseases occur, how to treat them. And then someday, I'll put my knowledge into use. I looked to the sky and promised my mom that I would as soon as I stepped off the stage at my high school graduation.

I walk with haste to the classroom since the Research Center was on the other end of the campus. Still walking, I pull out my schedule from my bag and search for the room number. 

120.

Just as I was about to look up to find the right door, I crashed into something. Some things.

I look down in horror at the metal trays, the pipettes, and broken beakers. Oh God. Is today some sort of shit-on-Olivia day that I did not get a notice for?

I quickly crouch down and gather everything into one tray.

"I'll do it."

I freeze in my tracks at the deep voice that seemed to fill the hall. A tantalizing scent made up of something musky engulfs me as a pair of hands come into view to pick up the larger pieces of glass. I look up and suck in a breath.

My legs feel weak and all I can do is watch while he looks down with concentration, cleaning up the mess I made. Crouched down, he still towers over me. His skin is tan. Very tan. His muscles tense and un-tense as he moves, a faint outline of his veins visible along his forearms. My eyes travel from his shoulders, his jaws, to his jet-black hair that falls just over his eyes. He's beautiful, in a strange and rugged sense. Dark. Dangerous. Beautiful.

"Fuck," he curses.

My eyes widen when he brings his finger up to his mouth and sucks on the side where a small cut had formed from a shard of glass. It should shock me, it should. But I find myself feeling hot, a strange feeling swirling in my stomach. His eyes flick up to mine and catch my stare. He holds my gaze and I'm trapped, rooted to the spot. 

Apologize to him.

His eyes are near-black, a storm brewing behind them.

Help him.

His eyes ask silent questions. He's curious. What is he curious about?

Say something, goddamn it. 

His eyes are lonely. And I find that beautiful. 

"You're new," he says more than asks all of a sudden, snapping me out of my trance.

"Are you lost?"

His words take a moment to register, and I open my mouth only to close it again when my voice fails me.

He quirks his brow, and then a knowing look passes his face. 

"You don't remember me."

What?

I would have missed the ghost of amusement pass his features if I hadn't been paying such close attention. His arm swiftly moves towards me and I tense, shutting my eyes. When nothing happens, I open them to see him holding a piece of paper that had fallen on the ground. 

My schedule!

My body finally cooperates and I snatch the paper, scowling at him. 

"120. Down that way. First door to your right."

He stands and points a finger behind me. I force myself up and clear my throat. 

"Thanks," I mumble, staring at the ground.

"Mhm. See you later," he nods, his face void of any emotion. "Olivia."

He goes back down to pick up the rest of the glass shards and pipettes. I stare at him confused. 

See you later?

You don't remember me, he said.

I have too many questions and yet I'm still feeling the effects of...whatever the hell just happened. 

Not wanting to torture myself any longer, I turn and head to my class. And damn it, I'm late for the first time in my life. 

A/N:

Don't we all love a mysterious man. 

Fun fact: Kai is inspired by a famous anime character. If anyone can guess who, I'll give you five stars. 

Happy reading! ;)