Stardust Romantics

Alternative Universe

We first met in high school,13 years ago. I can still recall how it rained that first day, and how nervous I felt. As a pilot's daughter,I have grown accustomed to being the "Nomad"' new girl. At some point, you had to start getting used to the feeling. I never fit in easily, and this was a truth I lived with for as long as I can l remember. Witnesses then would have probably described my persona as a lost deer and would have been right to, had they judged by the look in my eyes, and the insecure nature of my movements. Swimming in a sea of faces could only elevate the levels of worry and insecurity in the heart of a high school freshman.

Will I fit in? It was never an option in any scenario?

Would at least some of these faces, accept me?

Was this just another school, on a long list of transfers at the end of the day? Nothing more nor less than the common questions, I grew up asking myself. As he began his welcoming speech, one couldn't help but notice how much our new headmaster resembled the main character from the popular 90s computer game " Super Mario ".

"Some of you youngsters will most probably meet the love of your life, over the following five years. You will grow up with them and discover yourself along the way." I heard him say, on the stage.

Drifting away in a daydream, every now and then, I wandered into the sea of faces, looking class that I had not seen in hundreds of heads and figures. I was transferred directly into, the second year as if the

high school in itself was not enough of a challenge. Coming from four years in Dubai and Sharjah in the United States, returning home, I had no idea whatsoever of the subtleties of the system and language, even though I was born here. That was just another year, of

living with my family. I had studied the last years and my primary education in the East and felt like an alumnus of another culture living a

completely different worldview, and on top of it all shy in nature. I could not determine if all these factors were going to end up as a recipe for a fairytale or a disaster. My transport papers were not ready, it would not be a few more months, which only implemented the fact, that they had stamped me with the status of "Listener," whatever that meant. All these thoughts consumed me, with such predatory nature to them, that suddenly my uniform white shirt and blue lady scarf, were suffocating me. I felt the entire scene, flash before my eyes, tried at the same time to focus on nothing and everything, and struggled to regain control over my feet when I crashed into a tall strong masculine body.

Typical me! I thought to myself.

"I wasn't looking where I was going! I am sorry! Excuse me! I am new around here, I apologize! I am sorry!"

"'Don't apologize, please. Ladies are never to blame, especially not in such a reckless, chaotic crowd!" There was a softness to his voice, a specific blend between masculine confidence and sugar sweetness to his tone. My thoughts were interrupted, by the electricity, running through my wrist and waist, where his fingers met my skin. No matter how hard I tried, nothing could shake the feeling, my heart knew him. It was almost as if we met in another life. Suddenly cynical me was starting to believe the headmaster's words. Lifting my head, I felt the heat of flames arise in my body as our four blue eyes met.

"I am William. " He leaned towards me. Was I dreaming, or was that guy, waiting for me, to take his offered hand? No, you are not dreaming, and you are not in a Jane Austen novel, this time! Answered my intuition. He was for real.

"Clara! Nice to meet you!"' I mumbled nervously, realizing my cheeks were still burning, and to my disbelief, his were too.

"French or German?" William's face showed no emotion, but those eyes, these two blue oceans, were smiling at me.