My Turning Page

Chapter 9

"What else could George Orwell have been doing, other than foreshadowing the dangers of unchecked authority, and suppression of individuality? He knew society would end up this way"

"Shhhh" a sound comes from nearby. I match the glare from someone nearby with my own. Eventually my eyes fall back on the person in front of me.

"All I'm saying is that I don't believe it's a prediction, but rather a precautionary tale. It's exaggerative, and pessimistic. It leaves no room for the ability of positive societal change. We are better than that". Heidi's voice a soft calm, matching the library environment around us.

"Well I will just have to read your exam essay when you complete it. You have me intrigued to read an opposing view" I smirk at my study buddy.

Her eyes brighten as she says "you definitely can. Let me know when you've chosen your essay topic".

"Of course, thank you for this study time and helping me narrow it down. It really helps having someone to debate with" I say as I pack up my things. It is even quieter than usual. People are scarce, only those who like an early start to exam season are here.

Walking out of the library, decor is strewn about the sidewalks and the common, where people like to meet with their friends or to have a place to sit outside. It's evident what is coming up soon. Everyone is starting to prepare for Halloween and the "Moonlit Masquerade Carnival".  I make a mental note to ask Nadine what our plan is this year. It is a tradition we go together.

The wind whips at my face as I tighten my scarf around me to my next destination. Coffee.

"Brew-ha-ha" finally comes into my view just as my fingers start to lose feeling from the cold. I can already imagine the warm mocha coffee heating them up. My purposeful steps slow as I make eye contact with the barista at the counter. The poor girl looks a bit startled, probably sensing the desperation for caffeine and warmth in my eyes. I give her a sheepish smile, along with my order and pay, as she scurries off to fulfill it. Looking around, I realize I'll have to find somewhere to sit. It's busy in here, near impossible to find a spot thats empty and somewhat away from others where I can be secluded and read some of the book that I packed in my bag for the day. This one is short poems to inspire ideas for the epic poem I still need to plan. My gaze moves past groups of people conversing, and others sitting by themselves quietly on their phones, until freezing on familiar broad shoulders that are currently moving up and down from laughing. Laughing at what? Well, whatever the pretty brunette sitting with him said. She's got sharp feline shaped eyes, a bright hazel color. Her smile back at him wavers as she must sense my staring and makes eye contact with me.

"Oh shit"

"Your coffee miss". Saved by the barista.

I quickly scoop up my coffee and head in the opposite direction of the cafe to a corner that is hidden by a group of people. It's not my preferred spot. A girl is cackling at practically every word the guy next to her says, while trying her best at a flirty smile. I contemplate leaving, I mean at this rate I won't get my reading done either. Just as I start to collect my bag, and get up, the group decides now to leave. I plop back down in my seat and smile victoriously, thinking things are looking up. After placing my book next to my coffee, I decide to finally take my first sip. I take a big gulp, not caring if I burn off some of my taste buds. A hum comes up from my throat, shutting my eyes from the chocolatey taste. As I come back to reality, I start coughing up the coffee I was trying to swallow as I see bright hazel eyes staring back at me, along with those damn pensive green eyes.

"Fuck".

Maybe if I slump down in my seat, it'll negate the eye contact we just made. I cram my face into my book hoping he'll not come over. I am still salty about last Saturday when he stomped all over the budding feelings I thought we were sharing when we made dinner together. I've successfully avoided him for 5 days. He said that we'd talk about our time in the closet, but there's nothing to talk about. I was reckless that night and Saturday night letting him in. Who was I kidding? There is a reason I've liked him for years and it wasn't just his impeccable body and handsome face. His sense of humor has made me laugh since we were kids. His thoughtful looks always made me want to be in his brain, wondering what he is thinking about. He is kind. Truly kind. He may be quiet, cold even on the surface. But underneath that is warmth. Warmth that would make you forget your worries and feel safe.

"Mira?...uhh Mira?".

I guess I can't ignore him forever. My eyes peep at him from above my book. He doesn't look all that pleased. "What's his problem?". I look around his arm to see the hazel eyed girl watching us curiously. Clearing my throat I ask in my most polite voice "Did you need something Elias?" His eyes narrow while his jaw tightens. 

"Yeah I've got a question for you actually". His voice is cold. calculating. sardonic, even. All the bad things. My eyes widen slightly, not expecting this reaction.

"Uh-umm okay, w-what is it?". Being under his scrutinizing gaze will have you wanting to confess your sins and ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness of what? I'm not sure. I went through everything in my mind but I'm still not sure what would garner this look.

Elias folds his arms across his chest, distracting me to the natural flex of his muscles for half a second. Okay, more like a whole second. "You really don't know do you?" Disbelief. I hear disbelief in his voice.

I take a turn in narrowing my eyes back at him. "See, I can do it too". I can't help but scoff when I say "No, but I'm sure you're going to tell me". My smile is sickly sweet as I observe him. He's wearing navy blue Nike joggers with nike sneakers and black Nike zip up. I laugh internally, remembering the one time in high school he went on a rant about how you can't wear two different brands together. Seems that didn't change. His wavy brown hair is tousled back, probably from the wind. Just as the thought crossed my mind, he runs his hand through his hair, slightly pulling on it.

"Scratch that"

Oh how I'd love to be the one doing that instead. It's like every time I come into contact with Elias, my mind goes haywire, immediately reverting to the need to climb this man and do everything in that little box I have compartmentalized in the back of my mind.

"Do you have class or work tonight?". Elias voice brings me back to our moment at hand.

I'm caught off guard, not sure where he's going with this. "Why do you want to know?" I ask cautiously.

"Nadine texted me asking".

"Oh! No I'm free for the rest of the day". My mind immediately buffers. Wait a minute, why would she ask him to ask me?. I hurriedly pull out my phone to the texts between Nadine and I only to finds the last ones from this morning when she told me she was going out to lunch with Luis. It finally clicks. I grab my bag protectively, scooting away from his tall figure as I hiss out in disapproval "You tricked me!".

"Yeah well if you'd have stopped avoiding me again I wouldn't have to play dirty". The corner of his mouth quirks up like he thinks he's so clever. "Now, I think it's time to have that talk". He starts meticulously prying my bag from my disbelieving body while packing my book and picking up my coffee all in one swift move as he puts his hand under my arm to lift me from my chair. "Now, I need to get my stuff from where I was sitting but don't you think about trying to run off, I've got your things and you won't get very far without your keys or phone". He guides us back to the pretty brunette who is looking more amused by the second at this scene. "Phoebe, this is Mira. Mira, this is Phoebe". He gestures to us both like it sums everything up.

"Such a man".

Phoebe's smile stretches even wider as her first words seem to read my mind. "Hi Mira, I'm Elias friend. We are in Biochemistry together. I must say, you are even cuter than what Elias described". I'm momentarily stunned just as Elias starts coughing on air.

"Well now that that's all done, I'm gonna go. I'll text you later Phoebe" Elias grabs his things, expertly juggling them with mine and my coffee while his hand rests on my lower back, pushing me to walk forward and away from this odd situation.

"You better text me all the details! It was nice meeting you finally Mira". I didn't need to look back to hear the smile in her voice.

I look up at Elias as he guides me out of the cafe and to his vehicle as I ask "what does she mean by it was nice meeting me fina-"

"Oh look here we are, go on in and get comfortable" he cuts me off, practically throwing me into the passenger seat along with our stuff and shuts the door before I can even utter another word. Im left perplexed while he gets in his seat and buckles up, putting his hand on the gear.

My hand shoots to his on the gear shift. "Hold on, hold on. Where are you even taking me?"