Rendezvous

welcome back

"Shut up!" I hissed as I slammed my hand onto the nightstand. I missed my phone completely and caused it to collapse on wooden floors with a thud. I sighed as I reluctantly launched the covers off my body and grabbed my phone. The obnoxious alarm and buzzing ceased while I resisted the urge to crawl back into bed.

"Thanks for waking me up," my roommate, and best friend, chuckled as she got out of bed.

"Whatever," I laughed as I searched for a shirt to wear in my drawer. "It's a miracle you didn't wake up earlier."

"Neo, you suck!" She cried as she flung a pillow towards my face. I caught it before it struck my face and tossed it back to her. "Do you mind if I use the bathroom first?" She asked tentatively.

"If it means we get to class on time then yes," I teased.

"You know what," she began. I smiled knowing she wouldn't be able to finish her sentence. "I have nothing to say to you." She strut away and disappeared into the hall. I shook my head and shimmied into the first pair of jeans I saw. I threw on a hoodie and made my way to the living room.

I checked to see if I had everything I needed for my sophomore year in college. As I rummaged through my belongings, I realized I had forgotten my schedule.

In a matter of twelve steps, I was at my desk searching for it. I opened the top drawer and pulled out the sheet. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched a small square sway gracefully onto the ground. I picked it up and flipped it over.

My heart skipped a beat when I realized it was the Polaroid I took during the summer. The memories from that night flooding back and painted my brain with blissful memories.

8-2-19

The warm comforting breeze that made me feel at ease. How the stars filtered the sky with their twinkling light. The way his eyes lit up with excitement with every spontaneous decision we made. Him.

"Bathroom's all yours," Ximena chirped as she walked into the room. My breath stammered nervously as I stuffed the picture into my desk.

Pushing any thoughts of him out of my head, I replied, "Thanks."

•     •     •

We walked onto campus feeling much more confident than the previous year. The anxiety and excitement was obvious on the incoming freshman as they scurried across the quad. While the upperclassmen enjoyed the morning sun on the lawn or talked to their friends.

"Why did I ever think that becoming a nurse was a good idea?" Ximena thought out loud as we arrived to her class.

"You'll be fine," I smiled reassuringly.

"I mean I guess," she sighed. I rolled my eyes at her dramatic response and waved her goodbye. I watched her disappear into the crowd and decided to step into class but none of it mattered when I saw him.

There he was. In the middle of the student body stood a tall, handsome man. His eyes amber eyes glowing under the sunlight. The shimmering strands of auburn peek through his dark chocolate curls. And god forbid I would ever forget his charming smile. His eyes light up whenever his pink lips would curl upwards. Or how the corner of his eyes wrinkled with every laugh.

The person he was talking to wandered off and next thing I know, his golden eyes meet mine.

Shit.

He gazed directly into my eyes and grinned, and I couldn't bring myself to return it. I turned around swiftly and rushed into class. My lungs struggled to keep up with my unsteady breaths and my nerves wouldn't allow me to focus.

"Excuse me," someone said. I looked at them and realized I had been blocking the entrance.

"Sorry," I stammered. I sat in the first empty chair I could find and tried to calm myself done.

My mind was preoccupied with sensations of the emotions from that one night. We played our cards right thinking we would never cross paths again. I knew I would crave his presence and everything that involved him and it was terrifying. Once you get a taste, it's impossible to let go.