twenty-one-year-old, Ivone (ee-von) Flowers, is a hard-working college senior with plans to not only graduate but move out from her parent's home as her journey of adulthood begins.
but one day, as she was walking to her next class, she spotted some...
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FALL HAD FINALLY COME AFTER A STRANGE, BIPOLAR SUMMER. The leaves were turning and falling off trees, the grass was becoming shriveled and paler, and the air became drier. The breeze was cooler than normal, and the sun seemed like a heater on the back of my neck.
I was walking to my next class of the day. Music blared through my single AirPod that I managed to keep track of. It was my saving grace when walking to and from classes; without it, I'd get too lost in thought and forget where I was.
As I neared closer to the department building, the sun receded behind the clouds and the cooling breeze suddenly became colder. The coolness seeped through the small openings of my black crocheted sweater, pinching the exposed skin. A shiver went down my spine causing me to pick up my pace and fold my arms at my chest to stay warm.
It was going to take a while for me to get used to the change in weather, but I sure did love this time of the year.
It was quite busy on campus. The parking lots, which were usually bare, was filled with parked cars, students crowed the walkway, and there was a constant distant chattering nearly overtaking the music the played in my ear. I was patiently waiting at the cross walking, coughing down the second until the sign signaled to move headed when a car approached the cross walking before coming to a stop.
Incidentally, my eyes caught the driver's. It was a man with a strong gaze and slightly annoyed expression.
For some reason, we stared at each other intensely, with me unable to look away. It was as if my brain was trying to place a face to a name. I was sure I had seen this person before, but before I could think further, the crosswalk alarm startled me and I was forced to continue my journey to class.
I was embarrassed by the interaction, but before I knew it, I was no longer worried about it as I entered the building. Class had started and we were neck deep in lecture. I couldn't even tell you what the man looked like by the time class conclude only that I knew he was familiar. Someone I had seen before.
To my relief class was over and unfortunately, I had a dull headache forming. I learned so much information in so little time, it felt like my brain was working overtime. To my benefit , I had studied beforehand to retain some of the information, but my professor sure made it impossible to keep up.
I plugged my headphone in as I briskly walked to my next event for the day. My mind aimlessly drifted back to the interaction from earlier in the morning. It bothered me so deeply.
Who was he? And why did he seem familiar?
I could hardly remember his face aside from the shape of his eyes. Something about them seemed familiar, but racking my brain for an answer was only causing my headache to worsen. I decide to forcefully let go of it.
I needed to stay focus nonetheless m. I was heading toward the testing center for a make up test and I was not excited for the grueling hour and a half it would take to complete it.
Recently, I missed a slew of lectures and homework assignments because my father fell ill. I had tried my best to manage my time between caring for him and keeping up with assignments, but the stress m took its toll. Luckily my professors were kind enough to give me until the end of the semester to complete my missed assignments.
I had the idea to hold off on school until my father got better, but I only have one more semester to go and I couldn't afford to drop out now.
Once I got to the building and followed the testing center signs, I found myself in line with other students. My backpack was staring to feel heavy and my nervousness was clawing its way up my throat. I was afraid to fail this exam, especially being that my class is exam-heavy.
After getting checked in with the proctor, I happily left my backpack with her and sat down in the small hallway that leaded to the exam room. I had nothing with me. No phone, no book, no music; just silence. My mind finally began to clear as I was left with nothing but my thoughts.
In an effort to get comfortable, I crossed my ankles and lazy folded my arms. I began to run through the study guide in my brain, hoping that the information I learned was enough to pass the exam. Many people passed me and sat down as well, all clearly trying their hardest to recount whatever information they needed for their exam.
Someone in particular however, passed by me with a smell so intriguing that it distracted me from my review. The smell of sandalwood and frankincense filled my nose and ignited a small fire of curiosity. Whoever they were, they smelled great and I desperately wanted to compliment them.
The person, who I quickly discovered to be the scent wearer, sat directly in front of me with his elbows resting mon his knees and his head looking at his feet. The hallway was small enough to where my crossed feet were situated between his spread out legs. Out of respect, I uncrossed my legs drew them closer to me to avoid being in his space. He looked up momentarily, in which our eyes connected and my heart skipped a beat.
His doe eyes were the color of dark sea foam with long lashes that accentuated their beauty. His plump cheeks and narrowed nose was sprinkled with brown freckles. His lips were pink and soft looking and his chin had a slit dent in it. Something about his slightly tinted skin and ethnically ambiguous look felt familiar. I could tell he was a blend of different culture, but more importantly he was extraordinarily attractive.
"Sorry about that. Didn't mean to be in your space," I apologized with a small smile.
The nameless man hesitated before shaking his head with a wave of his hand and lowly muttering it's okay. He readjusted himself, sitting in an upright position before narrowing his eyes at me slightly. By his position, I could tell he was on the taller side. I felt uncomfortable being under his scrutiny, but still felt inclined to ask him what his name as to find out why he felt so familiar. But I felt nervous, and not be same of the pending exam.
After a few seconds, he leaned in some toward me.
"Do I know you, by chance?" He asked coolly. I was not expecting his voice to be as deep as it came out nor was i expecting him to speak to me.
"Uhh," I started awkwardly before regain my composure.
"I'm not sure, actually. You do look familiar," I spoke honestly. Trying my hardest to find any type of clue as to who he was.
"Hm, are you a singer by any chance? Your voice is perfect for it." I say teasingly but also quite serious. My mother worked her as a music professor, so it was possible I've seen him around there.
The question made him chuckle some before he shook his head, telling me the only time he sings is in the shower. We both laugh some, gaining a few glances from the people waiting with us.
"Since neither one of us can remember where we met, what's your name?" He asks, leaning towards me and holding his hand out.
His hand appeared to be smooth with a few scars on the top of his hand. It was also a few inches bigger than mine. Taking his hand and shaking it firmly, my assumption of their smoothness was correct. His hand completely enveloped mine in his warmth.
"I'm Ivone, nice to meet you," I say warmly. His eyes seemingly brightened at that before he opened his mouth to respond.
"You have a beautiful name," the man complimented effortlessly.
