Crossing paths

Fateful encounter

I barely resisted the urge to blow out of anger. I was trying my best to keep myself calm, but I was so pissed inside.

The moment I turned around, somehow I forgot all about my thoughts. My mind went blank. Completely.

The person who was standing behind me, was a boy. I realised we were making eye contact from the moment I turned to face him. He was looking in my eyes, as if he was searching, staring, at my soul. I snapped out of this oblivion the moment he tilted his head slightly.

Then the sudden wave of irritation I felt a minute ago, came all back at full force. I couldn't just keep my mouth shut and let that slide. Not this time.

"Hey, you're supposed to apologise." I said as I huffed, already regretting it.

"It's basic manners." I added as I started feeling anxious by the silence.

He stood there, looking at me, not saying a single word. "How irritating" was all I thought to myself, when he finally opened his mouth.

"Hm, you look familiar..." is all he said and started walking away, passing by me. I felt so confused, at his words, while looking behind at his moving figure.

I followed him in. As I stepped farther into the building, I found myself in the centre of a large lobby, with a reception desk at the end of it. The whole lobby was full of beautifully painted portraits. There were painting of girls, dogs, even ones with families in it. The walls wooden, having that musky scent sealed all over them. There were staircases on both sides of the room. With a red carpet and golden fences the stairs leaded to a balcony on the second floor. It was mesmerising.

As I followed that obnoxious kid check in, at the reception, I thought I should do the same. As I checked in, I could see him climb the stairs to the left.

While my gaze was still on him, the receptionist said:
"The room for taking entrance exams is on the second floor, last door to the left."

I did a small nod and thanked her.

I speeded as I started going up the stairs, to my left. I got a glimpse of the boy going to the left. I realised something that actually made me giggle a bit from the thought of it. To the contrary, it was thanks to that rude boy from earlier, that I was able to understand what to do. Or else I would be still completely lost, not knowing what to do or where to go.

When I reached the second floor, and headed to the left corridor, I saw him.

There he was. That unmannered, spoiled, obnoxious, irritating kid, that didn't know how to apologise.

He was facing the door, when he suddenly turned around to see where the noise behind him, came from. Well, to his surprise, it was me. I kind of felt good by startling him like that. He didn't expect anyone following after him.

"Were you following me?", he said with an anxious face.

I choked on a laugh when he also muttered "What's so funny, creep?"

And here it all started, as I said fumingly "You better watch your words, kid. That's no way to speak to your elders."

He cocked an eyebrow as he said "What kid? I'm obviously older than you."

I turned and said amused "Older than me? Yeah, no way."

He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "What are you even doing here, stalking people around? You're going way too far by coming in here."

All of my calmness I tried to muster as I was talking to that prick, was all gone now. "Stalking?! I think you're just way too full of yourself. I'm not stalking anyone! I've got business to attend to here."

He narrowed his eyes as he said: "Wait, wait- did you just said I'm full of myself? Oh, you'll so pay for that!"

"Are you threatening me? You're the one walking on thin ice, kid." I said through gritted teeth.

We both turned our heads to the side, as we heard shoe clicking come from the opposite direction. Our "conversation" was finally put to an end, when a beautiful lady came our way.

"Ethan? What are you doing here? Isn't it still early for the exam?" The woman said looking surprised at him.

I turned to face him. His whole face changed. "Good morning. Mrs Campbell. Yes, me and my friend here, insist to be earlier.

She gently giggled with her hand covering her mouth. "Very well. Good luck to you all."

He nodded slightly and said: "Thank you very much, Mrs Campbell."

Mrs Campbell turned and as she was walking away, her blonde hair swaying to her sides, I realised just how perfect that lady was. I wanted to be like her. A gentle and elegant, intelligent woman.

"Not your friend." i muttered.

He glanced at me. "So, you're here for the entrance exam?" He said emotionlessly.

"Nice act you put there." I said, changing the subject, not even looking his direction.

"Yeah, thanks for answering my question." He added slightly annoyed.

"Are you stupid?" I said rolling my eyes.

He sighed. "Why am I even trying?"

He sat down on one of the chairs in front of the room. I decided to take a sit as well, as time didn't pass by. I sat two seats away from him.

"How funny." I heard him from across me. I turned a bit and saw him stand and sit down right next to me.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What are you doing?"

He locked his eyes with mine. "Sitting?"

I stood up, out of any energy to even deal with all this. "Stop it! You're annoying me from the moment I set foot here in this school. You're pissing me off!"

"Well, maybe there's the problem. You coming here! Are you sure you haven't gotten the wrong place? Because this is definitely not where you belong." He said harshly, his eyes on fire. Spreading fire all around me, I ran off from him.

I ran to the balcony of the second floor, holding in tears. I can't believe there are still people like that even in such place. Such a perfect place. But what hurts more was the fact he was right. I didn't belong here.