Among Dragons (Editing)

Chapter 2

It was pleasantly cool out, and the sky was filled with such a vibrant blue that even the air around me seemed to be tinted a fresh color because of it. A gentle breeze blew the newly forming buds of spring to spread the floral scent around in the air. It was cool breeze, one that made small goosebumps rise on my skin.

I hugged my arms to try and rid of them. Maybe it would have been worth the burden to carry around a jacket all day. I hitched the sliding straps of my backpack up onto where they were supposed to stay on my shoulders, and continued my trek down the sidewalk. 

Houses passed by slowly with my progress, each of them varying in size but all still well kept and attractive. It was one of the main reasons why I walked home through this neighborhood after school, instead of one of the other, shorter ways. Plus, with such nice weather, why not? I loved the feel of the cool air sliding down my throat and pouring through my veins. It was refreshing, nearly one of the few things I found that could really make me feel alive. 

My eyes mindlessly traced over the zigzagging cracks in the bland colored pavement and the shocks of green from the tiny new plants trying their best to grow out of them. It seemed like almost a given that every time I walked this way, with my attention and my eyes wandering to take in the world around me, I would end up running into something. In this case, it was not a something  but a someone.

"Sorry," I mumbled disgruntedly to the person I had bumped into, still in a surprise to have my attention snapped back to speed. 

"It's okay," He smiled.

My gaze only briefly scanned over his face, taking in sharp features, a warm fair complexion, and a sprinkling of freckles across his cheekbones. There was also a long scar lining one side of his jaw line, and I couldn't help but trace it over with my eyes. 

"Are you okay?" I babbled out, as if the gentle run in could have hurt him in anyway. "I wasn't looking where I was going so, again, I'm sorry."

Another breeze rolled through the air. It made his dark hair stir slightly. "Don't worry about it, it was an accident." The sound of his voice was smooth and comforting, a voice that could be trusted. "I'm Niram, by the way." He stuck out his hand for me to shake, which I did.

I locked gazes with him then, almost struggling not to look away. His eyes were a deep but vibrant green, the intensity of them weighing down on me with a crushing pressure. I felt drawn to them in a way that I couldn't describe. It was a strong feeling, and it made me almost self conscious of my own eyes. They were a hazel color, one that depending on the onlooker, or the light they caught, were either unique or average.  

"Eris," I replied after what, at least to me, felt like hours. I ripped my gaze from his, but it felt like I had left pieces of me behind. Looking at him had felt like I was staring straight into an ocean, trying my hardest to make out what lay beneath the swirling waves of color and shadows, but never succeeding at seeing anything other than a deep mystery.

To have him look back at me felt like he was seeing straight back down into my soul. It had been discomforting, but the pull of mystery hiding in his gaze was too enticing for me to let go. I looked back into his eyes not long after.

"I just moved to the area, and I was wondering if you could tell me how to get to the school?" Niram looked around at our surroundings as if there'd be some sign that he was close.

"Oh," I laughed. Suddenly, a drowsy feeling swept over my body briefly, making me blink from lost thought. "It's just right down this street and to the right. It's pretty big, you can't miss it."

I blinked again as the wave of dreariness passed over me once more. This time, it made my head spin.  

"Are you okay?" His face looked bewildered, but a swirl of relief danced around in his eyes.