The Older Guy

Chapter II

                  

The morning had started out horribly for Karrah. She'd overslept and as she rushed to get clean, she accidently turned on the cold water in her shower instead of the hot. When she finally managed to get herself dressed and out of her flat, she bumped into someone carrying a cup of coffee. The dark, strong scented liquid spelt all over her white t-shirt forcing her to go back home and change. After changing into a black t-shirt Karrah made a mad dash for the bus stop only to get there and see the bus pulling away. Things couldn't get any worse, right? At least that's what she thought until a pigeon flew overhead and decided to use her shoulder as a toilet.

"Oh come on!" Karrah threw her arms up in frustration.

She took a glance at her wrist watch seeing that she only had forty minutes to get to class. She'd make it with five minutes to spare if she ran but then Karrah remembered that she failed PE in secondary school for a reason. She always had the option of missing class and catching up another time but Karrah didn't want to have to go around asking for notes. That would be too much work.  She began to walk. Being late was better than missing class completely, she thought. Karrah walked as fast as she could. The burning in her thighs didn't help keep her fast pace. She was quickly running out of breath when she heard a car honking.

"Karrah...?"

Karrah was shocked to see Michael waving at her from the driver's seat of a shiny, black Land Rover. He gave her a big smile and beckoned her to come to the window. Karrah gripped the strap of her backpack and stepped forward.

"Morning, Karrah! I wasn't sure if it was you but I took the chance anyway! Do you need a lift?"

Karrah had lost her words the moment Michael pulled up beside her. He was the last person she expected to see today, not that she minded seeing him anyway. He looks nice, Karrah thought. His ginger hair was combed back and he'd trimmed his beard. The tight, white V-neck showed off his chest perfectly and his black leather jacket brought out his blue eyes. Karrah hadn't noticed she was staring until Michael called her name.

"Sorry" she apologised "What did you say?"

"I asked if you need a lift."

Karrah took her bottom lip in between her teeth. Could she trust Michael like that? Yes, they'd met before and she enjoyed his company but he was still a grown man and she was still just a twenty year old girl. Karrah took another glance at her wrist watch.  She had only twenty minutes left. Karrah sighed mumbling sure before sitting herself in the passenger seat. She instantly recognised the sound of Kurt Cobain's voice filtering through the woofers. The car started down the road when Michael asked;

"Where ya headed?"

"Oh, to University of Westminster..." Michael nodded and silence swallowed them both for a moment when Karrah continued "You like Nirvana?"

Michael chuckled "I don't look like I would, huh?" Karrah shook her head "I figured as much, but yes I do like them very much."

"I love them!" Karrah stated a bit excited. She cleared her throat and went on "What's your favourite album?"

Michael's eyes briefly drifted towards Karrah and then back to the road. He smirked as he turned a corner. "In Utero."

Karrah's eyes widened with pleasure "No way; that's my favourite album too!"

Karrah was going to continue talking when she felt the car come to a stop. They'd reached campus grounds and a familiar pang of sadness ran through Karrah's body. She sat for a moment just staring out the window as her fellow students walked on by. Karrah really didn't want to leave. She'd take talking to Michael over listening to her Psychology lecturer any day. But she knew she'd have to even if she didn't want to.

"Thanks for the lift, Michael."

"No problem." Michael threw his arm over the back of Karrah's seat. "You should get going if you don't wanna be late! And take this." Michael took off his leather jacket and handed it to Karrah.

"What's this for?" Karrah looked down at the piece of clothing and then at Michael who smiled at her.

"To hide the bird poo. You don't want any of those young lads that you like to see poo on your shoulder, do ya?"

"Oh no, I couldn't-"

"Yes you could. It's no problem really. I'll just stop by the pub later to pick it up."

"But I'm not working today."

"Then I'll come get it tomorrow. I'm working late tomorrow so I'll stop by after closing time. I'll even stay for that coffee cake you promised I'd love."

Karrah didn't know what to say. Here was a man she'd only met two nights ago offering his jacket to her to save her from embracement. Not many people were that kind. Not many people at all. She smiled and slipped on the jacket. As expected it was too big for her. The sleeves were too long and the torso was at least mid-thigh. But she didn't mind, especially when Michael told her she looked cute in it.

"Right...thanks again." Karrah stepped out of the car, slammed the door shut. "See you around."

"Tomorrow night to be exact. Have a nice day, Karrah."

Karrah waved goodbye as she watched Michael's car pull away. As she began to walk towards her class, she couldn't help but sniff his jacket enjoying the scent of his cologne.