Man of My Dreams

Chapter 2 (Tessa)

Emma and I walk down the busy halls of the university, trying to find our first classes. Luckily, we make it in time and agree to meet up again for lunch.

My first class goes well. It's a little boring, but the professor seems relatively nice and doesn't assign too much homework for the first day. When class is over, I quickly gather up my books and supplies, eager to meet up with Emma for lunch.

"Tessa! Over here!" Emma shouts through the crowded campus cafe.

I manage to push my way through the gossiping girls and leering jocks to where Emma's sitting. "Hi," I say, completely out of breath.

"Hi." Emma smiles. "How was your morning?"

"It was good. How about yours?"

"Did you meet him yet?"

"Who? Oh. No, Emma... because he's not real." I roll my eyes.

"Why does fate give the dream guy to the girl who doesn't even believe?! I would love to have your dream guy."

"Can we please talk about something else?"

"Like...?"

"I don't know. Let's just talk about anything else. I just sat through the most boring lecture and would love—" I'm interrupted mid sentence as the most attractive guy I've ever seen enters the campus cafe. I mean, this is where they'd cue the music and wind machine in a movie. He's that gorgeous.

"Tessa?"

"Do we know him?" I ask, still unable to unglue my eyes from his perfect appearance.

"Who?"

"That guy over there, next to the other guy with all those tattoos and piercings and the girl with the pink hair."

"Oh. No, I don't think so, but I want to." Emma giggles.

"I feel like I know him from somewhere."

"Maybe he's a model or something. He definitely has the looks for it."

I watch as the new mystery man sits at a table with his friends and takes off his leather jacket. That's when a set of flying birds tattooed on his forearm catches my eye. I let out an audible gasp.

"What is it?"

"Nothing," I lie.

"Tell me!"

"It's him."

"You have to give me more than that."

"Him— the guy from my dreams!"

"The guy over there is the same one from your dreams?"

"Yes," I whisper.

"How do you know? You said you've never seen his face."

"I haven't, but I've seen those clothes, that hair and that tattoo on his forearm."

"You mean you're serious? That's him?" Emma asks excitedly.

"Shhh!"

"What are you waiting for? Go talk to him!"

"What? No way!"

"Why not?"

"What do I say? 'Hey, you're the guy from my dream whom I'm madly in love with. Did you want to have lunch together?'"

"Or... you could just go say hi to him."

"Nuh-uh!" I shake my head.

"Why not? What's the worst that could happen?"

"He could hear me!"

"Stop!" Emma laughs. "Just go say hi to him."

"No. He probably wouldn't even give me the time of day. Look at who he's hanging out with. I don't look anything like any of them. There's no way I'm his type."

"You never know unless you try," Emma encourages me.

"There's no way a guy who looks like that would be into me. Not to mention, I'm sure he's nothing like the sweet and thoughtful guy from my dreams."

"Don't judge a book by its cover."

"Let's just eat our lunch. And stop staring over there before he notices," I warn.

Emma and I finish our lunch, and despite my warning, we continue to glance over in his direction. He really is something else. His eyes are mesmerizing. His laugh is infectious. And his dimples make me melt.

"It looks like he's getting ready to leave. It's now or never," Emma warns.

"It's never. I'm not going over there. That pink haired girl is probably his girlfriend, anyway." I sigh.

Before he finally leaves, I decide it wouldn't hurt to take one last look at the perfect specimen standing only feet away from me. As I nonchalantly glance over at him, his piercing green eyes meet my gaze. I feel myself freeze from his over powering stare as we lock eyes for what feels like minutes, even though it's mere seconds. I try to look away, but I feel drawn to him. I feel like I already know all his secrets, and he mine. I feel as if we've known each other for eternity, as if maybe we were meant to be and could maybe even be considered... soulmates.

As I'm lost in my ridiculous thoughts, the man of my dreams continues to walk through the campus cafe and out the door— and possibly my life —with the pink haired bimbo hanging off his arm.

"Earth to Tessa! Are you okay?"

"We have to find out who he is," I say, desperation thick in my voice.