Exploding Hearts (bxb) | ✔

T W O

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OLIVER FLETCHER

PAST
SEPTEMBER 2018

The first week of university was hectic to say the least, I had no idea how much work would actually be piled onto us. I wasn't unprepared, I was just overwhelmed.

When it reached Friday, I was pleased we could at least enjoy the weekend. Peter knew some older years that were throwing a flat party, he invited Ruby who in turn invited me. I preferred the idea of a party over going to a bar, it somewhat calmed me because being alone at a party is normal compared to being alone at a bar.

I had one more class to get through and I was done for the week, stepping in line at the campus coffee shop. Desperate for caffeine to shock my body into concentration mode for my last class, feeling exhausted from the pressure of this week already.

Only three years to go.

"Next please," the barista calls

"Hi, urm could I just get a latte with soya milk please?"

Her eyes beam back at me as she nods. "Anything else?"

"No tha—"

"Yeah, could I get an Americano to go with that please?"

His deep voice rang in my ears, watching as he approaches the counter. Holding out his card to the barista who takes it and jams it into the card machine for him.

My eyes blink back at Max who was yet to even look at me, shocked to the core with his boldness. "Thanks Amelia," he nods to her before removing his card quickly.

Max then turns to me, his eyes glimmering with self assurance. "You're welcome," he nods to me once.

My lips parting to form some kind of sentence but no words managed to leave my mouth, standing here like an absolute idiot.

"You shouldn't have done that," I say simply, feeling my voice wobble slightly.

"It's a coffee," he shrugs before throwing his arms over his chest.

Taking a once over of his outfit, black denim jacket covering his body, white t-shirt underneath with black skinny jeans and Vans.

"And besides," he takes a step closer to me. "You're a first year, you're gonna need it."

My eyes turn to slits as I glare at him, wishing that I could respond with something witty and sassy. But deep down that wasn't me, I couldn't even verbally abuse someone let alone get into some form of fight.

Fucking hell, I needed to get a grip.

"Your soy milk latte," Amelia places my drink down onto the table. "And your Americano."

"Thanks," I say quickly before ripping the disposable cup from the counter and walking straight out of the coffee shop before I had a meltdown.

I could feel someone behind me but I forced myself not to turn around, God knows what he was going to say next. Try and spill my coffee down my shirt or something.

"Hey," his deep voice shouts from behind me.

My feet slow down but I don't completely stop. He soon catches up with me and he stands directly in front of me, my eyes avoiding his stare at all costs.

He doesn't say anything for a few moments, my eyes shamelessly begin to raise to look up at him. His body standing at least five inches over mine, a look of pure amusement on his face.