Dark Shadow (Angels of Death)

The New Guy

Chapter 13.1   The New Guy

(Harlem’s POV)

“Charrie, hurry up!” I yelled as I leave the room and ran down the stairs. I sat on the sofa and adjusted myself to tie the laces of my shoes. It’s been two weeks since she crashed her in my boarding house turning my peaceful abode into a music bar. Oh why? Well, let’s just say the she loves music so much that she can’t stand a single minute without having our stereo echoed all over the house. Whew! I can’t wait to see the shocking amount of my electric bill for this month.

                “Charrie!” I yelled again in a much louder voice. “We’ll gonna be late!” I continued as looked at the mirror and put some powder on my face. Honestly, I doubt it if she ever heard me clear because of the song “Mad” by NeYo was being played in full blast. Oh common, she really love the guy.  I grinned as I remembered how Charrie went crazy last month while watching his concert. Nah! I never knew that she’s capable of behaving like that.

“I’m ready!” she exclaimed excitedly as she went down the stairs wearing a white fitted shirt paired with a black skinny jeans and white rubber shoes. I looked at myself and I swear we didn’t talk about what we’re going to wear today. Like her, I’m wearing a fitted shirt but light pink in color. I paired it with a faded blue jeans and beige rubber shoes. However, she looks more girly than me with her blonde long hair lying freely on her shoulders because I have mine pulled into a bun and covered under a pink bull cap. “Good!” I answered cheerfully.

“Let’s get the ball rolling!” we said in unison and laughed as we leave the house.

TODAY is the first day of university intramural. We have a weeklong celebration for the activity and all students and faculty members of different colleges are expected to come. As you could remember, Charrie and I are assigned to cover the sport section of our university paper so we need to be there before the opening ceremony starts. We can’t miss the parade of players since it’s one of the highlights of the first day event. Laugh at me. It’s my first year in Lancester University and I’m really excited with what’s going to happen. Well, I hope everything will turn out right.  I must say that I’m living a normal life now. No more weird things…no more dreams… and no more Vladimir…

Vladimir…

It’s been two weeks since that “incident” happened, my last conversation with him. After that, he didn’t ever show up, not even in my dreams. It’s really confusing why I have this longing to be near him again. I’m afraid I’m losing my sanity. I don’t know! I don’t know myself anymore. Everything was so absurd. No nights passed that I didn’t wish he’ll come and talk to me again just like before but it never happens…  I’m missing him.

“Hey! Are you okay?” Charrie exclaimed as she tap my shoulder. It was only then that I realized that we’re already here in the assembly area. I looked at her and saw some lines forming on his forehead. I’m making her worry again. I don’t want to bother her too much so I feigned a smile and answered cheerfully. “Yeah, of course!”  I mentally slapped my face for it. “May be, we should keep our ass moving now. The parade is about to start.” I said trying to change the discussion.  As far as I know, the parade will go over the town plaza then will go back to the university oval for the lightning of torch followed by a short program for the opening remarks coming from the university president. Then the rest of the day will be sports tournament.

I saw how her face brightened up as she looked around. I bet she’s excited too. “Maybe we could meet in the headquarters after three hours then we could have our lunch, what do you think?” she suggested as she brought out her camera from her bag then focused the lenses on me. “Smile!”

It’s one of the best things that we ever had for being a member of university paper. They provide us a camera for the assignment. I took a pose and flashed my best smile then we both barked into laughter. “Charr, enough! We need to go now. Let’s just meet after three hours.” I said trying to stop her from taking a picture of me but she just laughed even more.  “Oooops...don’t be surprised if you’ll find your pictures spread all over the campus!”

“No, you can’t!” I shouted in shock. I could still remember how she had stolen a shot of me then had it posted in my locker door. Charrie could be so childish at times and I won’t ever doubt that she’s capable of doing what she just said. “Try me!” she shouted and ran away.

“Charrie!”

“See you then!” she laughed out loud and waved goodbye. Oh no!

IN SPITE OF the heat brought by morning sun, students and professors lively participate in the parade. Every colleges has their own striking uniform distinguishing them form the others. As I heard, there will be a competition for the best uniform too. Every college has their representative for Mr. and Ms. University Games who brought the banners and lead the line. And I must say that they are all absolutely gorgeous.

I am busy taking pictures when somebody grabbed me from my back and pulled me off. “Careful!” he shouted. With the sudden impact, I wasn’t able to react and lost my balance and we both fell on the ground. I wasn’t hurt that much because I landed on his top still holding my camera. Thereafter, a motor bike passed speedily leaving me in shock. It almost hit me if he did not pull me off.

“I think we can stand now.” he whispered as he attempts to suppress his laughter. I felt my cheeks heat up when I realized where I landed. “Sorry.” I apologized and immediately stood up and dusted my pants. I looked around and saw some students looking at us. It’s so embarrassing!

 “Thanks for that.” I said sheepishly. I looked at the guy and blushed even more when I found out that he’s staring at me. The guy was wearing a white sport shirt with navy blue lining and Knight Logo printed at the left side of his chest paired with white jogging pants and rubber shoes. He‘s I guess six feet tall because I have to look up at him just to see his face with my height of 5’8”. He has a deep set black eyes and a brown hair with some strands softly rubbing on his forehead.

 “It’s okay!” He smiled and offered a handshake, “I’m Kristoff.”

 “Harlem.” I answered looking at his hands. I guess he realized that I have no intention of accepting the handshake so he just put his hands back at his pocket. “Yeah, okay.” He said with disappointment visible on his face then turned his back on me.

Now, I’m being rude! He saved my life and all he’s asking was just a mere handshake but what I did was deliberately rejected him. Where’s your manner, Harlem? I shook my head and let out a deep sigh then called him.

“Kristoff!” He reluctantly stopped and faced me, giving me his “I-thought-you’re-not-interested-look”. I gave him an apologetic smile and walked towards him. “How about lunch?” I asked bringing my cheeks a burning feeling. “You know, just a thank you—“

“My pleasure!” He immediately answered and flashed a genuine smile as his eyes twinkle with enthusiasm.  So this is it! I have just asked a guy for a lunch. Nah! I wonder how Charrie would react on this once she learned about it.

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