Awakenings: The Greek, The Russian and Me

Chapter 21

I can't believe it's two in the afternoon. It's a beautiful sunny day, not a cloud in the sky. As we exit the building and reach the sidewalk, Erik takes my hand, and we cross the street headed to the park. Oh, the sun hitting my face feels wonderful, and I close my eyes for a second and just breathe in deep. We are walking in comfortable silence, and I wonder what he is thinking. "Shall we walk a couple of laps on the track?" he suggests with a hopeful smile.

"Okay," I reply, wondering if he usually walks or runs them. We reach the track and begin our walk quietly. After a while I break the silence. "A penny for your thoughts."

"Is that all they are worth?" he says with a brilliant smile.

I laugh and then counter, "Hmm, how about a back rub for your thoughts?"

His smile widens. "Now that sounds very interesting." We continue to walk in silence for a few moments, and he says, "I've imagined us on this track for a very long time, but I could have never fully imagined last night."

Goose bumps run up my arm as I listen to him. "But we have only known each other for about two months; that's really not a long time," I say.

"Yes, we've only known each other for about two months, but I've noticed you since last semester when we took Math 111 together. You always sat on the right side of the room toward the middle. You never asked questions and took tons of notes. You entered and exited the class always focused in your own world. I think that is what got most of my attention. Then I started observing you, and I saw how beautiful you looked, and when you didn't understand something, you would pinch the bridge of your nose near your eyes. I was surprised when we ended up in the same psychology class and thought it must be fate."

By this time I notice that we have veered off the track and are standing by the fence. I look at him in amazement. "Why didn't you ever speak to me?" I ask.

"You never really looked around the class or spoke to anyone. I generally don't walk up to people and start a conversation. I tried to run into you several times, but you always seemed to be on a mission. One day I had Olga sit at a library table you were at, and I joined her shortly after. I chatted with her, and you seemed to get annoyed and got up and left without a word. So then I thought it just wasn't meant to be, but I couldn't help watching you whenever we were in class or noticing you on campus." He draws closer and brings his mouth to mine. My mind is processing all that he has said, but I lose complete focus once he begins to explore my mouth with his tongue. My arms wrap around him and bring him closer to my body. He obeys with a muffled groan as he pulls his lips away. "Now we will have to chat here for a while until things settle," he says with a grin.

I instinctively look down and see that his shorts are sticking up in the front in a very obvious place. I giggle helplessly as I look into his eyes and whisper, "Wow, I never knew I had such effect on it."

His eyes twinkle. "You have no idea..."

My stomach is growling in a low tone, and he gives me a questioning look. "Are you hungry?" he asks.

"I'm starving," I admit sheepishly.

"Let's walk down this way; there are always food vendors." He indicates a path. We walk hand in hand, and I feel my heart is so overjoyed; I'm relaxed and not at all nervous. We arrive at a vendor grilling meat on a stick. "Two kebabs, please, and two iced teas," he says and then pays the vendor.

"I wanted to treat you to lunch, but you didn't give me a chance to pay, so I call dibs on dessert. It's my treat," I say.

He smiles wickedly and sends a shiver down my spine. "Only if I can choose the dessert."