build me up.

TWO

chapter two.
blackberry wine

____________

MY BRAIN couldn't process his name for a second.

He has the same name as my childhood friend, but there was no way in hell he just magically appeared after years of not seeing or hearing from him.

Should I feign ignorance or ask for his last name?

Either way, that lingering thought wouldn't leave until he confirmed my thoughts. I'll handle this the best way I know how; I was going to do this through a process of elimination.

"Oh! Nice to meet you, Peter. Are you from Huntsville? " I ask.

I was pretty good with conversations. Admittedly, at times, I'd stutter over my words or my thoughts wouldn't come out coherently, but I always managed to make it work. I took the small second I had to look more at his face, and the closer I looked, the more it looked like...

"No, actually. I moved around my whole life; I'm a military kid," he answered with a chuckle. I nod in understanding. As far as I know, Peter from my past moved around a lot, however I am unsure if he was a military kid.

"Where are you from?" he asks, he's body leaning towards me and his eyes brightening in sincerity.

A blush creeps on my face as I focus on forming my words not his beautiful face. No one has ever looked at me with such curiosity before it took me by surprise.

"Originally Michigan, but i moved here in 9th grade," I spoke somberly, my voice coming out more timid than i would've like.

"I used to live up there! I still have some family that stays there. What part of Michigan?" His blue eyes widen at the connection, and so did mine. My heart sank into my feet as I eagerly awaited to learn more about him.

Before the conversation could go in further, the woman who was proctoring our exam called for us to line up before giving us instructions. Peter and I had quietly agreed to talk again, but before hashing anything out we were deep in testing.

___________

During the exam, I couldn't help but steal small glances at Peter. He was sitting diagonal from me with his back hunched over his exam and his hand vigorously moving on the sheet of paper. He was super engrossed in his work unlike me who kept zoning out.

He was a gorgeous man.

When we were all called in to take our exams, I really got to see his full physique. He was tall, almost unnaturally tall (at least to me he was) and his shoulders were broad with a slim waist. His legs were long but muscular from the tightness of his joggers and his hands were more noticeable veiny. He was your stereotypical Wattpad character but in real life, and clearly some kind of athlete.

To my dread, I wasn't able to let go of the thought of him being the Peter from my past. I wanted him to be the love that came back into my life to sweep me off my feet like a fairytale. But the still voice in my headed doubt that.

By the time I had finished my exam, Peter had already left, our conversation seemingly hanging in the air, never to be had again. Instead of allowing myself to wallow in disappointment, I went on to my next class.

The rest of the day was filled with reviewing chapters and heavy debates that kept me on my toes. I loved my classes and I loved school, but not the act of doing homework and taking exams. It was hard for me to come to terms with the fact that I loved school; many people would look at me weirdly and find more reasons for me to hate it. However, my college experience has been by far the most exciting journey of my life.