Infinity.

Chapter-1: The Speech

BEFORE

I would conclude by quoting Sorin Cerin. "Only in the eyes of love can you find infinity."

Thank you everyone for taking out time and listening to me.
The speaker, Alec Grindale, assembled some papers from the podium and went back stage.

Adriana looked up after about 35 minutes of bowing her head down to an interesting book of logarithm and looked around.

A smile extended her lips and her eyes sparkled.

Oh at last! Some relief. Saturday speeches be so boring.

Their school had a ritual where a senior would deliver a speech to the entire school every last Saturday of a month. Adriana, herself, has made her parents ask the authorities to save her from the embarrassment.

I would rather die.

She stood up. Yawned once. It was time to go home. She gathered her things up. She put the book in her backpack, her pen in her pouch, the notebook with her book, looked around once again, and started walking.

It seemed like she was looking for something but her mind was not able to recall what was amiss.
It happened to her often. As if she was empty. As if she was hollow. But she had no knowledge of what it would be that would complement her.

Whatcha thinking about?

Adriana startled by the sudden intrusion in her thoughts turned to see who the intruder was.

Alec Grindale was looking at her intently. His eyes were the first Adriana noticed. They were hazel coloured and complemented his brown hair perfectly. He was the same height as her and maybe a little taller. He was licking his peach lips with a pink tongue and that showed his prominent jawline. All in all he could be considered good looking

But, he was wearing a yellow sweatshirt and she hated yellow so she decided to include an essence of insolence in her voice.

Hi. She said while turning towards the exit of the auditorium indifferently.
But Alec's enthusiasm didn't flicker.

Answer me Riana! He insisted.

I hate it when people name me with their stupid sense of nomenclature. Why can't they understand that a name is a name. It's Adriana. You can't just change a legal name to something with less syllables. This is it. Enough socializing for today!

Bye. Was all she could manage to say as she started walking aggressively.

Adriana had always been an introvert; bereft of the gift of social lifestyle. She was there but she wasn't. She existed. Existed in reality. That is what people found odd in her.But are we not all supposed to do just that? To exist?

As she reached the door, she became aware of eyes on her. She knew someone was watching her.

Risking a quick glance behind her she saw a pair of hazel eyes at her. Eyes with crinkles at their sides. Alec was smiling. But not at her. It was as if he was smiling to aa friend of his. She didn't like that and quickly reverted. But suddenly it was the door in front of her and she crashed right into it.

Thud...Creak..screech. Went the door. Ouch. Went she and fell down. Her backpack cushioned the blow but she was stunned still.

Oh my gosh, are you all right? He came running and to help her to her feet. Strong hands tugged at her own.
Slowly she got up on her knees and then climbed up using his hands for support until she was up on her feet. Up against gravity.

As she focused her stupified eyes, she noticed another pair. This time it was under a layer of glasses.

They were dark, dark blue. Like the night-sky. Her favorite colour. And his iris had specks of white.
In the haze of confusion from the fall, she could see the sky in the hours of dark. Serene, calm, mystifying yet, unending.

But who he was, she still did not know.