Labyrinth

Chapter 2

Chloe's POV

I'm finally back at my room and I think over the encounter. I'm so lucky I've already met someone here, I, honestly, thought that it would take me at least a week. I am glad it didn't - that would have been so much worse.

I wish I hadn't left him though. Actually, I've just realised something: I never got his name. How could something so important slip my mind? I place my head in my hands and let out a frustrated sigh. What am I going to message?

'Hey, are you the guy from the cafe?'

That sounds so shallow. What am I going to do? What am I going to do? I throw my phone across my bed and decide to try and distract my mind by doing some extra work.

I sigh, stretching and walking over to my desk, setting up my laptop and getting my notebook and worksheets out. The work isn't too difficult, just long.

After a while of working, I grab my phone and see that it's well past 11. It's late, but it's futile trying to sleep as I know I'll just lie there tossing and turning.

I can never sleep well. If I do, I feel lazy or just before I get to sleep, my brain floods with memories. Bad memories. I can only seem to remember the worst. I can barely think of a happy time, especially with her.

I shudder, thinking about her. I need to clear my mind. I don't need nor want this tonight. Everything was going so well. I don't need to fall back into that.

Frustrated, I run my hands across my face.

So, I get dressed once more, take my coat; pack my bag making sure not to forget anything. I make sure to turn my light off and lock the door.

I take a deep breath of the chilly, twilight breeze. Walks at night just feel different. There's no one word that could justify the feeling of your feet carrying you, sometimes floating, other times gliding, maybe even holding you down, whilst you wander through the scenery of where you are; whether it's the towering, stone trees of the city, or the imposing, yet enchanting guards of the forest.

I round the corner to see the lights in the cafe are still on. I walk up to the door and read the opening times, apparently, it's open all night. They really do know how to cater for students.

I push the door open and am once again engulfed by warmth, much needed warmth. It make me feel better, you know? Like when you're embraced by the warmth, that nauseous, gnawing feeling dissipates slightly.

I go to the counter and order another tea. It's not like I'm going to sleep anytime soon anyway.

With my cup in my hand, I head back up the stairs and sit down at a random table. I take out my book and just lay my head on the table just wanting to be asleep.

"Chloe?" A deep voice rumbles.

My head shoots up and my eyes lock with the stranger before, "Oh- Hi."

"What are you doing here? I thought you left a while ago?" His confused expression remains on his face.

"I did," I clear my throat, shifting under his intense stare. Shit. What am I meant to say? "I-I just wasn't tired so, I came back here." Why am I nervous? God, he makes me feel vulnerable.

He takes the chair opposite me and sits down, "Do you want to talk for a while?"

Do I want to talk? What if I say something wrong? I don't want that pressure right now. "I-"

He interrupts me just as I was about to speak, "Or, if you want, we can just sit here together. We don't have to talk or anything, just enjoy each other's company." He gives me a warm smile. Although, it didn't seem like he smiled often, I know I haven't known him long enough to make that judgement but for some reason, I just get the vibe that it's unnatural for him.

"What are we just going to sit staring at each other?" I joke. An incoherent mumble passes his lips. "What?" I ask.

He clears his throat, "What book are you reading?" He points to my book that's half covered by my arm.

"Oh, I'm just reading 'The Picture Of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde."

"Wilde is a great author. How far have you gotten?"

I smile slightly but try to hide it; this is the first time I've been able to talk about a book (that wasn't set in class) to anyone else, especially without being called a sweat. "Not too far, I keep getting side tracked." His grey eyes never leave mine.

"If you want, we could just sit here and read? It gives me company and for you, Chloe, it sometimes helps reading with someone - at least for me it does." A small smile graces his divine lips. Divine lips? Why did I think that?

"Sure." I open my book to my page.

It has been thirty minutes and I keep getting distracted by him. It's not what he's doing but I have a literal Greek God sat across from me, what do you expect?

I let out a small yawn, which doesn't go unnoticed by the God, "You seem tired," he states, "You should get some rest." The imperative tone he used was dominating, something that radiates off of him.

"I'm fine, honestly." I reply, only glancing up from my book to see him giving me a stern look. I quickly look back at my book, though I can't read whilst feeling his caustic gaze locked on me.

"You were yawning, you're obviously exhausted and I don't like repeating myself." The smile on his face contradicts his words.

I decided to ignore his last comment and tell him, "Thank you for the concern but, I always yawn." I give him a small smile. It feels sort of exhilarating, for some reason.

"That just shows that you need more sleep."

I wish I could get more sleep,  I thought to myself. With a sigh I decide that he's right. That, and the fact that I was yawning again. He raised his eyebrows in amusement and sat back, crossing his arms knowing that he'd won. "Fine, you win." I put my arms up in mock surrender.

"Oh, Chloe... I always win." He had a smirk plastered on his face.

I don't know why but that made me squirm in my seat. I cleared my throat and started packing up my stuff, hoping that he didn't notice. That would be so embarrassing. "I'll text you later." I quickly mumbled, wanting to get out of there as soon as possible as to not embarrass myself any further.

"Goodnight, Chloe." His velvety voice echoed around the room. God, that voice makes me want to melt.

I scurried out of there at the speed of light. Once I was outside, I leant against the wall and took a deep breath. Oh my God. Was this a dream? It feels like it.

He was right though, I was exhausted. I almost forgot that Uni started tomorrow. I groan knowing that I'll need to get up early.

With that thought, I start on my journey back. I get ready for the night: brushing my teeth, doing my face, getting my pyjamas on and all the normal night routine.

I turn my light off and climb into my bed. I close my eyes and his image goes through my mind. With that, I drift off.

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A/n: Thoughts?

Thank you for reading <3