The Invisible Silver Lining [CURRENTLY BEING EDITED]

Chapter 6

RE-EDITED

-CFF

_________

Still mentally berating myself that I happened to go to the one school that Kingsman is enrolled in, I walk over to the other freshman, slipping into their crowd. Even though I of course had no possible way of knowing, nor would have thought of actually stopping to look and see if the actor would be a student. Despite the fact that I wouldn't have made either of these actions, I still am feeling mad at myself for not doing the impossible

I could always just go on a tour by myself once classes started, right? Just depart now and head for my apartment, since I know Megan is going to be there later with a trailer that contains most of my belongings. She agreed to drive up to help me move in, bless her. I could leave now, and find my way around the massive campus by myself later this week. It makes sense. With a shake of my head, I stay quiet in my group, realizing my predicament won't be solved so easily.

Taking a look around I realize I am standing by a man, his posture relaxed and his hands massaging his arms. He is around my height, and is dressed in complimentary casual wear. Might as well make a new friend. I extend my hand towards the male, a friendly smile on my face. "Hello. I'm Evangeline. " 

In response the man smiles back, shaking my hand with a firm grip. "Blake. Nice to meet you Evangeline. You know what your major is yet?"

A standard question for freshmen, and new students in general. If the topic came around to what the major was, and the student knew what their major was, then they could easily become passionate about the conversation and carry on with endless words. It was a pretty safe question. 

"I do yes! I'm getting my major in theatre."

With that response Blake's eyes widened and he grinned deeply. "Excellent choice. So am I. I want to be a director."

While I do have some interest in directing, my passion lies in the role of a character. "Wonderful. You direct the piece and I'll do my best to get a part in it." Blake chuckles, making me feel happily confident. "I look forward to taking classes with you Evangeline."

Before I can give an agreed response, Alexander Kingsman raises his voice to break up the groups individual conversation. "Welcome everyone, welcome. Let's go ahead and get started so you can all head off to your living quarters. Now, I do know that many of you have already had a tour either this summer or last semester, but we do this for those of you who haven't. And of course, there's no harm in giving your mind a refresher."

The actor gives the group a wave, and begins to lead the twenty-five students behind him out across the campus. We traipse through hallways and various buildings. We stop by the cafeteria and the gym. Finally, after taking a look at the student's activity center and the bookstore, we finish our tour back in front of the administration building. 

Alexander draws us to a close, "Since you have now seen the main parts of the campus, are there any remaining questions?" Even though I try to look elsewhere, I can't help but watch Kingsman as he smiles politely at all of us little freshmen. With the shakes of heads and quiet murmurs, Alexander raises his hand to draw attention back to himself. "Alright then. Best of luck to you all in classes this week. You're free to move in to your dorms and apartments. That's all I have, I hope it helps." 

Bidding farewell to Blake, I reach for my keys in my pockets. Blake is staying on campus in one of the coed dorms, and I am beyond excited to take a look at my apartment. Turning fast, my eyes still on my pants pockets, I of course don't see the person standing directly behind me. Of course. Startled, I apologize, bringing my eyes up to identify the human so close. 

It's Alexander, wearing a startled expression much like my own. "We've got to quit meeting like this." Comes from the older student, and I have to fight the flaming blush that threatens to appear. "Evangeline, right?"

"Yeah. Hello." Again.

We stand in awkward silence, Alexander moving a hand to run it up through its hair. Even though his words come across as casual, there's a shake in his hands and an uneasiness in his eyes. Is he feeling as mind blown as I am currently?

"Look, Evangeline, I-"

"Yes?" I'm skeptical, of course I am. Our meeting this summer was stranger than strange, for the fact that it was quite random, and finished with him carrying me to the hospital. Not to mention the fact that he still remembers it, while I've been trying my best to forget it. The combination of that meeting and all of its after affects, and now? With him standing so casually? Its all so strange.

Maybe I can think of an excuse before he says anything more, maybe I can get out of here and rush back to my apartment before the conversation turns even more weird. If I just explain that Megan, and hopefully my new roommate, is waiting for me, then he'll just have to-

"Evangeline this is going to be crazy, but I am trying to wrap my head around the fact that you're here. And the only thing its telling me is to ask you out."

He must have seen my eyes widen, and immediately stoops down, waving his hands in a gesture that I suppose is to calm me. The words that come next are hurried, as if he's trying to rush it all out before I can interrupt him. "Even if it's just apologize for this summer! I don't want to make you feel weird, even though this situation is a little strange, sure. So, I'm sorry, I'm not trying to make you feel uncomfortable, but I can't help but feel like dinner would maybe get what happened this summer out of my head, because I'm not doing so hot on my own"

I blink rapidly, trying to keep my mouth from stuttering, "You mean, like a date?"

"Maybe. A bit, yeah." Alexander puts one of his hands in the back pocket of his jeans, shoulders slouching now. For some reason, his hunching is strangely adorable. If I had my sketchbook I would almost want to draw his position. 

"I can't do that." Refusal is the only thing I give him, keeping my words firm and resigned. 

Now it's his turn for his eyes to widen. I'm not sure if he thought I would refuse him or not, but I can't, not for personal reasons.

His hands sink deeper into his pockets, Alexander opening his mouth and giving me a slow reply. "You sure? It's just dinner." There's a pleading in his tone, a searching to see just why I am saying no. I can't give him my exact reasons, and honestly I'm not quite sure he would understand it if I did. "I'm sorry Alexander. I can't. This summer was strange for sure, and thank you, for taking me to the hospital. I felt horrible that I couldn't thank you. But, now I have and you don't owe me anything. So, thank you."

Feeling like it would be best to end the conversation now, I smile softly and turn to walk back to the conversation. But I can't shake the feeling that this chain of strange scenes is only beginning.