His Greatest Adventure

Biochemistry

John's hand fell off the cold table, which promptly woke him up from his boredom-induced nap. He sighed as he sat up to look around the classroom. For the first time that semester, he really watched the students around him. One girl with blonde hair and a nose ring peered at her phone in her lap. She wore red vans, which tapped with her foot against the floor.

He noticed other people, not unlike himself, who stared with glazed-over eyes at the professor in the front of the room. John could vaguely recall that they were learning about the evolution of medicine in Britain, but honestly didn't care in the slightest. He only had one more semester to go until graduation from university, and his marks were fairly decent. The only obstacle to face at this point was gathering the strength to pull himself out of bed every morning.

As he continued to survey the room, a younger student caught his eye. He seemed to be a first year- he was probably quite smart, as this was a very advanced class for a first year to take. The man had dark hair, which swept his forehead in thick, shiny curls. His skin was pale, but darkened under his eyes and cheekbones. John noticed that he was maybe the only student completely focused on what the professor was saying, but he wasn't taking notes. He sat with his long fingers steepled under his chin.

Since the man sat against the back wall of the room, John turned back around quickly to avoid being noticed. He ran his hand through his sandy hair- it needed to be washed. He breathed in heavily, closing his eyes and stretching back against his seat. Exhaustion rushed through his body again, and he found himself dozing off for the remainder of the lecture.

John was leaving his dorm the following week when he saw the man from his biochemistry class again. He could see now that he was tall, probably over six feet (to John's five foot seven), as he was walking along the crosswalk towards the older man. He wore a light blue shirt, tucked into his black pants with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He was confident in his steps, but faltered slightly as he brushed past. John's stomach twisted- he had been curious about the man, and found himself thinking of him in his free time over the past week. When they passed each other, and the taller man slowed, John twisted his head around to watch him walk. He was greeted by another turned head, with green eyes that pierced his own. A small smile played on his lips. The boys continued to walk, heads facing forward again. John found his mind filled to the top with thoughts of the man from biochemistry once more.

As he sat in his English class later that day, John watched his hands sketch an image of the dark haired man on the back of his "Animal Farm" critical analysis. His pencil moved down and across, chiseling his unforgettable cheekbones and sharp jawline. The brows were furrowed, deep in thought like John had seen them only a week ago.

His thoughts wandered to the topic of his sexuality, which he was unsure of. He knew he found men attractive, but had little experience in that area. He had several girlfriends throughout secondary school and 6th form- and he had genuine feelings for them. John's sexuality had been a matter of confusion for a while, to say the least.

The anticipation for biochemistry was intolerable. The day after his encounter on the street with the stunning young student, John showered quickly and changed his clothes several times. He was a simple person with a simple wardrobe, but for the first time, he wished he owned something a little more flattering. After forty-five minutes, John finally decided on a dark green jumper and jeans. The following ten were spent bullying his hair flat against his skull.

When he entered the room, he realized he had gotten there quite early due to his infatuation with the boy in his class. Only two students were present, one of them being the blonde girl he had observed last lecture. John began to walk towards usual seat, when an idea lit in the back of his mind, moving him towards the back of the classroom.

If he could recall, very closely, the mystery man sat alone at a table last week. If John sat in the empty seat next to him, would the man move, or sit next to John happily?

Worry churned in John's stomach as he leaned his head against the brick wall behind him, watching the room fill with students. The empty seat next to him screamed for him to move, but when the familiar, pale man walked confidently through the door and to the back of the room, John forgot how to breathe.