Infinite

Chapter 2 - This Fine Day

Finishing up her morning at work of uninteresting people, the regulars and the pains, Elixa grabs her things, says a rushed goodbye to Erik, who waves from his office with a smile, and runs out the door. The clock above the door chimes its usual 11am tune. Her university, only a few blocks away, always allowed her to do one of her favourite activities, walking. Normally it would be a brisk, energy filled walk as she always feared being late, and arriving half an hour earlier always secured her fears in the back of her mind. Today, however, would be different. Deciding she had enough time to reach her 12am class, a slow walk would do.

The streets of her home town were quiet for a change, and she was glad. The wide roads and small buildings gave it the ‘town’ feel that was so rare to find. The trees that overhung the road let small amounts of light through their dancing leaves, which also covered the roofs of the buildings around her. For once, she could admire her surroundings, the beauty of the town, however, her mind was still clouded with the events of this morning. This ‘Zyphyr’ plagued her mind around every thought. What got her the most were his eyes, and that laugh. It was almost as though he was otherworldly, and definitely did not belong in this era. There was just a manner about him that screamed ‘old gentleman’, and not in a bad way.

The university soon took up the horizon, yet Elixa was still lost in her thoughts, passing people she would normally greet with a smile, those who knew her from university and work. But this morning, head down, watching her feet, all she could think of were those eyes. It was as though she was swimming her way towards the enormous building that ended one of the few streets in the town. A small thought started to creep into her mind, through the calm grey memory. The thought, expanding now, did not really make sense to her. Slowly it started to turn into a feeling, a ‘wanting’. She wanted to see those eyes again.

Twisting her fingers together, her brows furrowed in deep thought. Never had she felt this tugging at her before, this pulling within her chest. She had barely interacted with this mysterious person, yet she needed more. Then a small laugh escaped her lips. She could barely speak to Zephyr in the first place, how much more of a fool would he take her for if she ever came in contact with him again? And what would Alex think if she asked about his friend? The loud-mouth would probably go right ahead and tell Zephyr that she was interested in him. But, how far from the truth was that?

Suddenly, she stumbles. Her left foot, hitting the first step to the university, came to a sudden halt, her body continuing its journey forward, causes a panic within her. Her training instantly kicked in, her right foot firmly planted on another step, sent her body to twist. Turning her body, she shifted her ungraceful fall into a scene of spinning skirt and hoodie as she redirected the flow of her body. Standing a few steps up now, legs firmly planted, she sighs out in relief. Lucky for her, last night’s training focused on countering trips from assailants, though she thought she would never have the need for it. She was far from clumsy, so what was happening to her today? First the spoon, now this darned step. Glad she had the fashion sense to wear jeans with a skirt, she got called back to reality by the sense of the students around her looking at her, some sniggering, others just staring at her in disbelief, not knowing of her evening activities.

Clapping brought her attention to the left of her. Seeing who it was, she hide her face in embarrassment, as Alex made his way through the crowd that was now moving again.

“A fine day for moves like that, Elixa. Seems like you have been rather distracted today, and it is only our second meeting,” looking to his watch he comments, “and not even noon yet.” A terribly teasing look litters his face. Before she could even retort, a flowing figure appears besides her mocking friend.

Materializing out of air, along with a smile that begins a heart-pounding throb in her ears, Zephyr doesn’t stop next to Alex, but continues towards her. He effortlessly bends over and picks up the bag that had unknowingly slid off her shoulder during the display of skill.

“I believe this is yours,” was the soft words that escaped his kindly smiling lips. There was no mocking, only sincerity. Realizing no one else had even bothered to ask if she was okay, she blushed at the simplicity of the gesture and shakily extended her hand to take the bag.

“I-I believe it is,” she could hardly say. Here, she was wishing, hoping, to see this man again, and she had never imagined it would be so soon, or like this. Thoughts, again, flooded her mind while she carefully took her bag, looking down in an attempt to avoid those eyes. Why was he here with Alex, at university? Why was she so flustered? Was he still looking at her?

“Oh, by the way, tomato-face, Zephyr is transferring to University Almeca, and will be staying with me for a while, till he can settle.”

Well, that answered her first question at least. The other two she was too nervous to find the answer to, so she kept her head down and, sounding as dignified as possible, answered.

“It’s MISS tomato-face to you,” reluctantly now, looking up to Zephyr, continued, “and welcome to the town of Almeca, Zephyr, and I am sorry you had to meet me on the two occasions my body has fumbled.”

Her voice was less shaky, however still stumbled over saying his name out loud, especially since his eyes still washed over her. He seemed concerned for her, his eyes scanning her body once, though not in the way one would expect a man to examine a woman. His eyes were looking for signs of harm, and it was clear to her that what she thought before was true. This is a gentleman, and he doesn’t belong in this day and age.

“Thank you for your warm welcome, Elixa. I am sure that we won’t always meet this way.”

Their eyes met then, locked together, and she felt safe. Her name, in his voice, sent a small shiver over her body. Seriously, what was wrong with her today, and how could he so easily do this to her, whatever ‘this’ was, and twice. She gave a small smile, maintaining eye contact and whispered out, “I hope not.”

“Oi, Zeph, let’s go, it is almost time for you to sign your admittance papers. Elixa, want to meet up after your classes tonight, and help make space in my humble abode,” Alex asked as he swung his arm around Zephyr and shook him teasingly. “This man needs a place to sleep tonight you know.”

Breaking the contact between their eyes, she looked to her friend and nodded.

“Sure thing, A. I will let you know when I am leaving. You know Sensei, always works me harder than the rest”

And with the end of her sentence, the two men turned and left. Alex could be heard talking loudly to Zephyr, who looked back and smiled, mouthing a small ‘thank you’ before disappearing into the wall of students.

Elixa stood for a while, leaning up against the balustrade for the steps, collecting herself, but before she could shake the feeling from the interaction and let her thoughts plague her mind again, she heard a loud bell, marking noon. Senses flooding back to her, she sped off to her class. She was late, for the first time. Today really wasn’t going normally for her.