Tricks of Fate

Chapter 8

[Iris]

My eyes shot open and I rose like a zombie from a grave. I could barely breathe and my body was drenched in sweat. My right hand clutched on to my heart and my left mimicked the hold he had on the back of my neck when he.... As the memory came rushing back I passed my fingers over my lips. The sensation of his kiss lingered there, still, igniting a craving I didn't know existed with in me.
"Snap out of it Iris!" I snapped at myself, and in my passionate hase I woke Nora without meaning to. She looked up at me confused as to why I was screaming so I brought her close and held her like one would normally hold a baby.
"I'm sorry sweety I didn't mean to wake you." I whispered, planting a kiss on her forehead. I rocked her back and forth and sang "When you wish upon a star" till she went back to sleep. I soon followed and to my utter disappointment there was no part two, to my previous dream.

The next day I got discharged and was in time to catch my afternoon classes so I dropped Nora off at my dad and Cecil's, promising that I'd give them an explanation when I came back to get her, then made my way to campus. The university was huge with many different buildings spread out across a massive piece of land. I made my way to the language and media studies building that rested between the Science and I T departments. I had a passion for writing and a nose for mystery so I figured journalism was the career for me. There was also very little that scared me and the thought of being on the field made me giddy with excitement. My aim was to be an invastigative reporter and nothing, not even my father's overprotective concerns, was going to stop me.

As I rushed down the main hall way I felt like I was being watched and just as I reached the door that led to the lecture hall where my first class was being held I heard a familiar voice scream my name. I turned towards the call and couldn't believe my eyes. There he was. Barry Allen. He ran towards me with a smile that made his eyes glitter. My eyes lingered on his lips as flashes of the dream from the night before invaded my thoughts.
"Keep it together West." I thought to myself, diverting my eyes back up to his.
"Barry, hey! What an awesome surprise." I greeted once he was close enough.
"I was about to say the same thing. What are you doing here?" he asked with a goofy chuckle that made me want to attack him.
"I...ah...study here. Yeah I go to school here I'm majoring in journalism. How about you?" I asked
"Crime scene investigation." he responded.
"Ooohhhh, science man. Brains and brawn. I like that." I said then watched fascinated as his face turned a few deep shades of red.

People started filing into the lecture hall and I realised, sadly, that I had to go too. "Well I should probably get in." I said, my voice not hiding my disappointment.
"What time do your classes end?" he asked.
"Ummm five." I answered after consulting my timetable.
"I'll meet you upfront then." he said
"Oh Barry that's really sweet of you but you don't have to wait for me...."
"Iris," he cut me off "I want to."
I thanked the heavens for my chocolate skin that camouflaged the blush burning its way across my face.
"OK then. In that case, I'll see you at five. Barry." I said and flashed him my most charming smile before disappearing inside. I took my seat, my exterior a perfect example of calm. My interior a chaotic mess of screaming cheerleaders.