In the Eye of the Hurricane

Chapter 2

John - Alex

(7:38) do u have something to wear for thursday?

(7:39) yeah, my regular clothing, just freshly washed. Why?

(7:40) just what i thought. That'll never do

(7:40) i don't exactly have any other clothing, john

(7:41) that's about to change

(7:42) I'm taking you shopping for new clothes. consider it my early christmas gift to you

(7:43) r you serious? you really don't have to do that

(7:44) unfortunately, my good friend, i'm afraid I do

(7:45) besides, if you're coming down for christmas, u need new clothing or i won't hear the end of it from my parents for bringing someone home off the streets

(7:45) I don't look that bad

(7:46) mhm

(7:46) tuesday. after class.

Alex - Unknown

(7:23) hey!

(7:23) this is Eliza, from the party Saturday

(7:25) I met a lot of people saturday

(7:25) brown hair? We danced? beautiful blue dress?

(7:26) Yep!

(7:27) I was wondering if you'd like to hang out?

(7:29) sure. do you wanna meet for lunch?

(7:30) actually I've got plans today. what about tomorrow?

(7:31) can't. I've got plans that day. Wednesday?

(7:33) it'd have to be earlier. I'm visiting family for the holiday

(7:33) how about coffee for 10?

(7:34) is 9 too early?

(7:34) nah, I can make that

(7:35) Great! I'll see you then!

(7:36) looking forward to it :)

Alex had Political Science first up in the morning. Hooray. Nothing like waking up first thing in the morning to talk about politics. He usually walked to class with John, but he couldn't wait any longer at the coffee shop, so he bought two large to go and went by himself. Lucky for him, John texted him soon after telling him that'd he'd woken up late and to do just that.

The building his political science class was in was one of those old buildings with decorated sides and columns. Alex's class was on the third floor. There was an exceptional number of people cramming into the elevators, so he decided it'd be quicker to run up the stairs.

Alex took his seat, putting his bag down beside his chair as other kids came in clusters and joined the class. Class started, or should have started and neither John nor their teacher were in attendance. Class chatter was quiet in the morning. Alex took a long sip of his espresso, and turned his head at a knock on the window. He turned to look at the window. His eyes took a moment to adjust to the sunlight shining through the window. A silhouette sharpened into John, kneeling on the window pain outside and a wide grin.

Alex muttered to himself before standing. "What the fuck." He walked over the window and looked, down the side of the building. He gave John a look before opening the window, letting in a burst of cold air and a shout of disapproval from a classmate, and stepping aside. "What the fuck, John?" John hopped inside and Alex quickly closed the window.