Skylar

Chapter Two

Wednesday September Fourteenth.
The second time I saw Skylar, I wanted so badly to say hello, to meet her, to know her name.  None of which I had ever cared about before with anyone else.  She was... different. 
      I was afraid of course.  My wanting to meet her did nothing to change the churning of my stomach every time I got close, or the lump that formed in my throat every time I opened my mouth.  It's not that she didn't seem approachable, but I was not used to trying to talk.  I liked words, and I had good ones in my head, but they always came out of my mouth in a jumble.
      She was sitting outside, on one of the many strips of steps that flooded between classes.  It was the end of the day, and most were gone.  I headed out late to avoid the crowds, but this put me in a direct path past her.
      The butterflies in my stomach would not be calmed as I walked step after step towards her.  Breathe. Breathe I remember I told myself.  I didn't need to worry, but of course I did.  In fact, I worried so much, I stumbled on the steps and dropped my bag.  Cliché I know. 
      Skylar turned, my bag clutched in her hand, to see what I am sure is the most awkward pose I could have froze in.  My legs were crossed awkwardly, the result of trying to catch myself, and my hands were clutching the railing. I felt my face heat up as she stared.
As I righted myself, hastily reaching out and grabbing my bag from her outstretched hand, she did something. She laughed. She laughed long and hard, with her head thrown back and her hands clutching her stomach. I walked down the rest of the steps, past her, embarrassed.
"Hey!" I almost choked as I heard her shout, and turned hesitantly towards her. "What's your name!?" She stood, and I had to inch back a bit out of worry. She smiled at me then, and I swear I turned as red as a fire truck.
"I- uh" I stuttered awkwardly, staring at my feet. "Alex." It was one word. But it felt like all the energy I had had been poured into speaking it. Her grin was worth it.
"Skylar." And I knew. Her name was Skylar. It fit her perfectly. Of course it did. "See you around Alex."
I nodded my head silently. She smiled at me again, this time her eyes crinkling.
I don't know what qualifies as a conversation. But I counted that. So that was the first conversation we had. I hoped with all I was it would not be the last.