My Friend the Psychopath

Chapter Two

9 years earlier

"Clara! Clara wait up!"

His kind voice floated across the college square. She smiled as it reached her ears. Her brown hair was pulled back with two barrettes, flowing gently down her back. She pulled her sweater closer around her and slightly shivered against the fall breeze. She turned to look at Zion as he ran toward her, his blonde hair flopping , his bookbag bouncing against his leg. She laughed as he dodged a frisbee that flew across the path and other students who were talking or walking to class. He looked like an angel with the dandelion fluffs in the air and the sun behind him. 

Clara sighed, smiling at him as he reached her. 

"And what could I possibly do for you Zion?" She teased him poking him in the chest as she said "you."

"You can give me the pleasure of your company as I walk to my English class." He chuckled, putting his arm around her waist. 

She leaned into him, closing her eyes for a few seconds breathing in his cologne and hair gel smell. "I suppose I could help you with that." She laughed quietly as they walked across the path, going towards the towering class building. The white stone encased cathedral looking buildings, with plenty of trees and perfectly manicured flower beds. Students everywhere were dressed in classic looking clothes with designer bags and shoes. She felt like she was in England even though it was Maine. She smiled as she looked around, feeling lucky that she was able to go to this school and that she had Zion with her to get through it. 

Zion slowed his stride to match hers. He was six foot four inches, with the longest legs she had ever seen on a man, yet somehow he looked in proportion. Perfectly in proportion she would say.  She always had two strides to his one step and was usually hurrying to keep up with him. He was full of energy all the time and often forgot that she was around a foot shorter than him. 

Zion was kind to her. He had been the only person to speak to her in their orientation, introducing himself to her, holding out his hand and keeping her gaze in his. His blue eyes had captured her that day and she hadn't escaped it since.

As they neared the class building Zion chatted about his day and their date later at the library. They had study dates frequently, where they talked and kissed a lot and studied little most days. But finals were coming up so she needed to actually study this time around. 

And maybe just a few kisses. 

Zion looked at her and said "Well, I gotta go upstairs for English, I'll see you at the library at 6:00?" He pushed her hair behind her ear and smiled at her, those perfect teeth and lips keeping her attention. 

Her heart skipped a little beat and she nodded. "I'll see you then, I have art history in ten."

Zion leaned down to give her a kiss, and then turned around to head into the building. She stood there for a moment and watched him leave, sighing with contentment. She hadn't felt so calm in her whole life. Lord knew she needed a good man in her life, a good male figure to influence her. She had found the perfect man, who had a perfect image, and a perfect life. 

She knew deep down that no one was perfect, but was convinced that he was the exception. He had to be. No one else could do the things he did in her head and heart. 

She turned and walked to her class, day dreaming about their date later. Day dreaming about his lips on hers as they hid behind stacks of books. 

Day dreaming about their future, their inevitable infinity.