Dangerous Attraction

Chapter 1: Chance Meeting

His morning started as usual. His alarm woke him up at eight, snooze at 8:10am, and snooze again at 8:20am. Then he lazily slung his legs out of bed, hauled himself to his feet and sighed heavily. Another long day of college lay ahead of him.

But, at least, thank Sothis, it was Friday.

Sylvain lazily grabbed his uniform, yawning as he walked to his bathroom. His dorm was usually empty, but the silence this morning left a longing in his heart. Maybe he needed a dog. He set his clothes on the sink, using the bathroom before starting the shower. He got in when the water was to his desired temperature, just soaking in it. Heat always woke him up.

Sylvain soaped up a scrubbie, washing himself. He heard his phone going off in the other room after a few minutes and sighed. He would be late if he took too much longer. He washed off the soap, getting out and drying off quickly. He got himself dressed, brushing his teeth hastily before exiting the bathroom and turning the extra alarm he set off. 8:38. Not enough time to make homemade coffee. Starbucks it is.

He made sure his bag was all packed up before grabbing a pack of pop tarts for breakfast and his keys. He pocketed his phone, grabbed his backpack, wallet, and headphones, and walked out. He locked his dorm, rushing down towards campus. Naturally, his dorm was on the top floor of the dormitories, so he always had to leg it to class.

He made it down to the campus grounds in record time, hurrying towards the main building. Sylvain purposely entered the door on the cafeteria side, making a beeline for the Starbucks. The line wasn't that long, thank Sothis, so he would still have time to walk to class.

After acquiring the godsend white chocolate mocha, he started towards his first period English class. The halls were full of students bustling around and chatting about nothing in particular. Some were talking about some boy they met, others about the new Fortnite update, and others about the news last night. He didn't particularly care about any of it, just longing for classes to be over so he could go to The Tower Restaurant and Brewery for a nice burger and bottle of Strongbow. Hell, maybe a beer if he was feeling adventurous. He was twenty-six, so he could drink.

He met up with Dimitri, an old pal of his right outside the classroom. "A bit late again, I see." He joked, chuckling.

"Yeah, yeah." Sylvain laughed. "I get it." He took a big swig of the mocha, relishing in the strong flavor of coffee mellowed by the gentle sweetness of the white chocolate. Perfect blend.

"I was hoping you wouldn't be overly late, and you certainly came through. You know exams are this morning."

"Yup. The hot shower had me mesmerized for ten whole minutes." Sylvain admitted. "That, and I needed my sweet, sweet coffee." He gently shook the cup to prove his point.

Dimitri chuckled. "I certainly hope, for your liver's sake, that you drink water today."

"I will, 'dad'!" He teased. Dimitri rolled his remaining eye, leading him into the classroom and over to their seats next to Ingrid.

"There you slowpokes are!" She exclaimed. "I was wondering where you were!"

"I was outside the door waiting on Sylvain." Dimitri answered, sitting down and getting his binder out of his bag for some last-minute review.

"And I had to leg it all the way here and wait for coffee!" Sylvain defended, laughing as he sat in his seat next to Ingrid.

She sighed. "If you would just wake up and get out of bed when your eight o'clock alarm rang, you wouldn't have to 'leg it' so much."

"But sleep!" He exclaimed, laughing again.

The school bells chimed shortly after, signaling the beginning of class.