To Hell and Back

1

I stood in front of my mirror and wondered for the hundredth time this week how I was convinced by my one and only friend to dye my hair blue. I mean sure I've always wanted to be rebellious but my version of rebellious is more along the lines of just not putting my seat belt on when I get in the car, or returning a library book the day after it was due.

Dying my hair blue was more of a forced agreement (me being the forced one) than an actual in-my-twenties-rebel act. Thankfully, I had booked an appointment for tomorrow to get my hair fixed, albeit scheduled two whole days after I got the hair in the first place. Tomorrow could not come any faster.

I sighed as I gave my electric blue hair one final look before shoving it into a high ponytail and putting a beanie on. Once, I knew my hair was mostly covered I grabbed my keys from my desk, made sure my phone was in my hoodie pocket, slung my backpack over my shoulder and walked out the door, letting it slam shut behind me. Thankfully I only had two lectures for today, one after the other so I could get it over and done with. I walked into the lecture hall and took a seat somewhere in the middle. I was one of the few people here and looking at the time I realised I was slightly early; early enough to go get coffee at the campus café. Brickhouse coffee: the best place for coffee if you're poorer than dirt, or you're just too damn lazy to go to any of the coffee shops outside of campus. Walking in, the bell at the top of the door tingled lightly and I smiled at the familiar sound. I walked up to the counter and ordered my usual, a Chai Latte. Yeah, I know chai is tea, Yes, I do drink coffee. However, chai lattes are my all-time favourites. Once I got my order I walked back out into the chilly wind biting at my cheeks. I took a long sip of my latte before sighing in relief and making my way back to the lecture hall.

Settling down in my seat I took out my laptop and shoved my backpack onto the floor in front of my feet. The hall was fairly full by the time I had sorted out all my stuff. There were only a few seats left, some in my row, some a few rows back and then miscellaneously scattered near the front. I rubbed my hands together to try and create some heat but they were so cold it was like rubbing ice cubes together. Eventually I gave up and just focused my attention on my latte and my laptop. A minute before the lecture was due to start the last mad rush came trooping in. I chuckled as I saw them all scatter to grab the leftover seats. The professor came in just then, setting his bag down behind the desk at the front. I turned my attention there, before realising I had forgotten my note pad. Quickly I stuck my head under the table and reached for my bag. Scuffling inside my bag I grabbed my notepad and dug around quickly for a pen.

Just as my fingers enclosed around one I was hit square in the back my something. I cursed silently and made a move to sit up straight, completely forgetting that there was the underside of the table above my head. I misjudged how far I would have to go before my head was clear of the table and I knocked my skull right on the corner. It felt like an army of tiny men with rifles had just realised my cranium was the target. Cursing long and hard I cupped my hand over the throbbing area and sat up, flustered. Some guy had plonked himself down next to me and had a slight smirk as he watched me suffer. I gave him a scowl but looked away and focused my attention on the professor.

Ten minutes into it and I got a tap on my elbow and a note pushed across the desk towards me. With a sigh and a sideways glance I picked up the small torn up bit off paper and read it.

It said:

I hope your head is okay :)

Sorry for hitting you with my bag, I honestly didn't mean to.

Let me buy you coffee to apologise.

I gave him a look before rolling my eyes and writing back a reply:

That's okay you're forgiven

My head is throbbing but I'll survive.

And thank you for the coffee offer but no thank you.

Passing it back to him I once again attempted to focus on the lecturer and what she was trying to say. Just as I had refocused he tapped me on the arm. I glared at him before shaking my head and turning away. He, persistent little devil that he was, continued tapping my arm. I strengthened my resolve and straightened up to let him know I was ignoring him. This, however, proved useless as he became more persistent.

I managed to hold out until the last five minutes of the lecture before I turned to face him with the harshest death glare I could muster. It had no effect. He simply smiled at me and handed me another note. I snatched it out of his hands and read it, a frown etched into my forehead:

Aw, come on, just one coffee

Then you'll be rid of me forever.

I truly do feel bad about hitting you with my bag

Why was this guy so hell bent on trying to earn my utmost forgiveness, I literally already said 'I forgive you' to him?

Ignoring him in the hopes that he would forget about it I listened to the last bit of the lecture. He didn't bother me again, so when the lecture was over I sighed in relief and packed up; bringing my bag up to my lap instead of bending down. I did not need a repeat of the table butting episode. I stood up to leave when I felt a tug on my sleeve.

Turning around, already knowing who it is, I sighed and came face to face with the boy that bugged me.

Now that I could see him properly I realised he's really not bad looking at all. He had a structured jawline, maybe not sharp enough to cut cheese but defined nonetheless. He had beautiful brown eyes, the colour of toffee and long eyelashes that brushed his cheeks every time he blinked. His cheeks, which just had the slightest definition of his cheek bones, were pink from the cold winter air. He was looking at me intently, his lips forming into a wide smile that showed a perfect row of pearl white teeth, either from many years of braces or from the gods themselves.

"So... about that coffee?" He said, his minty breath blowing out in a white puff of cold air.

"No, and why are you so persistent, you don't even know me." I pointed out.

"Maybe I want to know you." He stated.

"You're really irritating you know that?" I whined, manoeuvring my way to the front and out the door, him on my heels.

"I'm not, I'm persistent." He corrected.

"Fabulous, go be persistent in your own dark corner." I huffed, speed walking to my second and last class of the day.

"No." He replied, looking me dead in the eye.

"Ugh, why can't you just leave me alone?" I grumbled.

"Because I want to buy you coffee," He replied.

"I have a class now." I threw out attempting to discourage him yet again.

"So after your class," He said confidently.

"You really want to buy a coffee for me?" I asked, stopping in my tracks to look at him.

"Yes." He nodded, a smile forming.

I gave him a dubious look but I could feel my steel wall of resolve being smelted under his gaze.

"Fine," I sighed, giving in, "Meet me outside Brickhouse at around half two."

"Cool." He nodded.

"Oh and my usual is a Chai Latte." I said, before walking into the class.

"Hey," He called

I turned around to listen,

"What's your name?"

"Anastasia," I replied with a small smile, before disappearing behind the door.