Alone Awaken

Chapter 7: Colton

I don't know what to do. I'm rendered speechless and that never happens. The way she told me not to touch her, pained me. I've been rejected by girls before, but this.. this hurt. A type of hurt I never felt before. A hurt that will stay with me even though she's been in my life for 3 hours. She didn't mean it, she couldn't have.

I watched her disappear past the Willow vines. I wanted to follow her, but I knew I couldn't. Not right now, I'll wait and give her some time.

A minute later, I could no longer hear the crunch of her boots over the earth. I moved forward. I sweep past the vines that enclosed us just moments ago. It felt amazing letting this place in, into my lungs and my heart. This must be how she finds the inspiration to compose. I don't feel inspired yet, but I felt at home next to her. I need that everyday, I want that everyday.

I stay focus on keeping my path straight. For the most part, we headed south into the woods. I wish I paid more attention in Boy Scouts.

Moments later, I walked out into the grass field in which Remi and I once stood in. I can see our footprints still freshly pressed into the dewy grass. I look up and pass the parking lots, I see her. She continues back towards campus. I start to jog towards her. I just want to see where she's heading to. Stalk much bro?

I make my way pass the cars and onto the sidewalk. I push past fellow students that are heading towards the weekend. The last bit of classes must have just let out. I keep my eyes focused on her, only her. She walked into the Main Center Hall. Does she live there?

"Colton! Hey-Colton!" I faintly hear behind me. I ignore it and keep moving. I suddenly feel a strong grip on my forearm. I look behind me and it's Josh, my teammate. Scrawny kid, but fast as hell.

"Where are you going? We have to head back to the house to get ready for the party tonight. It's your turn to get the kegs dude." He tells me.

Fuck the party, I forgot. Every Friday the soccer house throws huge rager's. That way the soccer team can drink and stay at the house, instead of risking getting picked up by the cops. I, on the other hand, don't risk drinking during the season regardless. I signed a document stating I wouldn't, so I stand by that. I can't say the same for my fellow mates. They mostly got here based off of soccer alone. You'd think they wouldn't be stupid enough to risk that. "Yeah, don't worry I'll get them." I say waving my hand.

"Counting on you bro!" He says backing away smiling with his tongue out. Josh liked to party but what he liked the most, were the girls. He looked forward to every Friday for the "girls to come to him", he's fucking disgusting. I shake my head in disapproval and head to the Main Center.

I pull open the glass door and look around. I head into the convenient store first. I look at the front end where all the junk food is kept. Classic marketing. I head around the checkout counter towards the back. She's not by the drink coolers or the cold foods section. I head back to the front and turn left into Starbucks. It's pretty awesome having Starbucks on campus, the coffee everywhere else tastes like grounded up shit.

I look in the line, she's not there. I look around the shop to see if she's sitting. Nope. I turn towards the doors to exit and accept my defeat in finding her. My feet drag behind me as I push my hands into my pockets. I know she came in here.

The last place I didn't check, were the dorms and the bookstore. So with a shrug, I head to the bookstore. It's the end of September, I can't imagine her getting anything in here. But with nothing else to fail, I walk in. I go up the clothing aisle where countless FSU hoodies and jackets are hung. Being on the soccer team, I have so much college apparel. I couldn't imagine buying anymore.

I walk back towards the books. Huge book cases filled with every textbook imaginable. Spend $300 for one book to get 20 bucks back when you return it at the end of the semester. Fucking rip-off. No luck here.

I make my way to the exit and look pass the dining hall stairs. There stood the dorm entrance. The doors don't lock until 9:00p.m. I could just go in and find her room. Whoa! What are you thinking?! I can't do that, I know I'll be called a stalker and she definitely won't hesitate to call security. I stop myself suddenly not realizing I was moving towards the doors. I turn around, BAM!

Steaming hot liquid runs down my stomach and I jump instantly.

"What the fuck?!" I yell. I start pinching my shirt off my stomach to relieve the pain.

"You have got to be kidding me!" A voice in front of me yells back.

I look up with anger to see the idiot who wasn't watching where they were walking, when suddenly my anger dissipates. It's her.

"Remi?" I say in disbelief.

She looks angry and bends down instantly to pick up her empty to-go container of soup. Where the contents are now soaked into my shirt. I bend down to help her.

"Sorry, I turned off the stairs without looking." She says without looking at me. So she was in the dining hall.

"It's ok, I wasn't looking either." I grab the top and a plastic spoon that had fallen. "Can I get you another bowl of soup?" I ask while we both stand. "I was coming here to get something to eat anyways." Lie.

"Uh.. no I need to get back to studying." She says looking to her left. I know she's lying.

"Well you kind of owe me seeing how you've ruined my favorite t-shirt." I jokingly say.

Her cheeks flush with embarrassment. I instantly regret saying what I said.

"Kidding! Just kidding." I lightly touch her shoulders in reassurance. She didn't bat my hands away. Good sign.

"Come on, we don't have to talk." I smile.

"Alright, but once I'm done eating you leave me alone, got it?" Remi proclaims.

"You got it!" I wink.

She smiles and looks down at her boots. God she looks beautiful when she smiles. Such beautiful things never ask for attention.

I gesture towards the stairs letting her go first. "Oooooh k." She says with amusement.

Yes! I'm ecstatic right now. I can't believe she said yes. Here we go, a second chance.