Alone Awaken

Chapter 8: Remi

We reach the second floor where the dining hall is. I still can't believe I bumped into Colton, literally! That's what I get for keeping my head down all the time. Ugh, I just wanted him to leave me alone and yet here we are getting food together. If I wasn't so hungry I would have said no.

Colton pulls out his FredCard and gives it to the cashier. "Two meals please." The cashier smiles and swipes his card. "Thanks." Colton says after reaching for his card. The cashier looks at me with that "weren't you just here?" look. Yeah bitch, I was. I roll my eyes and follow Colton into the dining hall. This was the most updated dining hall on campus. It's my favorite because it's connected to my building and they actually make it made-to-order. All the other places are pre-made and are usually sitting under a bunch of heat lamps. Yuck.

"I'm going to go to the chicken station. Meet me there when you're done?" Colton asks.

"Yeah, sure." I respond with least interest.

I get in line, for the second time, to get more soup. Now that the last of the classes ended today, the lines are much longer then before. I take my phone out to entertain myself while I wait. I open up Homescapes, a gaming app I've been playing. It keeps me busy so I don't have to make small talk with people around me. After a few minutes, it's finally my turn to get food. I open the lid and scoop a heaping pile of Italian wedding soup in my bowl. I replace the lid and head towards the chicken station. Colton is still waiting in line, he probably will be a few more minutes. I decided to order a salad while I wait. Mixed greens with chicken and Italian dressing. I didn't realize how starved I was. Then again, I hadn't eaten since breakfast this morning.

I head back towards Colton and he just grabbed his plate and saw me waiting for him.

"Let's find a table before they're all gone." He nods towards the seating area. I just follow him like a little kid following they're mom in a store. I usually don't sit down to eat. I always grab my food to go and head back to my room. It's easier that way. "This looks like a good spot." He sets his tray down at a two-person table right next to the floor-to-ceiling windows. This place really was nice, I should eat here more often.

We set our trays down and head back to the drinks. Colton grabs two cups and hands me one. He places his cup under the fountain and chooses Mountain Dew. Typical college boy drink. I should have guessed. I just get water.

We make our way back and sit face-to-face. For some reason, this isn't awkward, it's easy to be around him. He hasn't pressured me to talk, like he promised.

He smiles at me and starts cutting his chicken. He holds his utensils properly with his index fingers pointed straight. Did this kid go to finishing school? Do guys even go to finishing school? I shake the thought away and start on my salad first.

I look back up at him and he looks out the window while chewing. He's going to wait for me to talk. I know he's waiting for me to say something. I slightly can't stand this silence anymore.

I clear my throat. "So why music therapy?"

His eyes move towards me with his head still facing the window. He smiles and turns towards me.

"I have always heard music differently then most. Like.. I feel what the artist is feeling." He continues to cut his chicken. "I want to be able to do that for others, but in a way to heel them." He finishes his sentence then takes a bite of chicken.

"But how does it work?" I ask curiously. Even though I already know through experience.

Colton swallows. "Well there's receptive music therapy, where people listen to music to help with depression, anxiety or for whatever health reasons. Then there's active music therapy, where the patient plays. I would assess what type of music would help them with their diagnosis." He takes a sip of his Mountain Dew, then sets it gently down and looks back at me.

"Cool." I take the last bite of my salad then move onto my soup. Colton licks his lips waiting for the conversation to continue.

"Do you only eat one thing at a time?" He asks.

What is he talking about? I look back down at my food. I ate my salad first, now my soup. Huh?

"That's really random to ask." I'm now self conscious.

"I gotta mix it up, little bit of chicken, little bit of veggies, swig my dew and repeat." He acts out each part as he's saying it. He looks ridiculous. I laugh. Oh my god, I haven't laughed in years.

Colton starts laughing too. And he looks beautiful. So playful and relaxed to be with me. I haven't seen someone like this around me since, him.

The thought makes me sad again and I stop smiling.

Colton sees this and looks at me with concern. He knows not to ask me again or he'll push me farther away. He's smart.

I continue with my soup and look out the window. The sidewalks are filled with students. Laughing and hugging. Some carrying bags filled with liquor and mixers. Waiting for their epic weekend to begin.

"Want to come for a ride with me? I have to go into town to pick up a few things." Colton asks. I just noticed that he finished his food before me. He's leaning on both elbows with his long fingers holding his glass about to take the last sip.

This seems crazy. We just met and he wants me to run errands with him? People who just met don't do that.

"I-I don't think that's a good idea." I tuck a straggle piece of hair back behind my ear. "And your shirt is soup-stained." A point to his abs-stomach, I meant to say stomach.

"Eh, I've walked around with worse." He looks down at his shirt.

It really isn't that bad, it's dried to a faintly dark grey. You'd only notice it if you stare hard enough.

"We don't have to talk.. It's such a beautiful day for a car ride anyways." He smiles at me. God that smile. I'm finding myself being unable to say no to that smile.

"Ok." I raise one shoulder with acceptance.

"Cool." He stands smiling. He grabs my tray and his. I grab our cups and head to the dish drop-off. We walk side by side towards the exit. He pushes the door open and lets me through. We head down the stairs and walk out of the Main Center and head towards the parking lot. He keeps his promise by not talking.

"So what kind of car do you drive?" I ask with curiosity.

"Honda civic."
"Oh fawncy." I tease.

He laughs placing his hand on his stomach.

"It's not that fawncy. It's an '08, but gets me where I need to go." He defends himself.

"Well from my own experience, douche bags drive them." I smirk at him. "I guess you can be the outlier."

"I'm pleased to know that I am the only acceptance." He sarcastically teases with his head held high and his hand on his chest as if he's of high standards. I can't help but laugh at him. He laughs with me and I almost forget where we are.

We walk to the back row of the parking lot and Colton takes his keys out of his backpack. He unlocks the car and opens my door. Holy shit, who is this guy? I nod biting my lip trying not to say anything bitchy and glide into his car. He closes the door and makes his way to the driver side. The wind blows his hair over his forehead. He runs his strong hand over his hair and smooths it back. He continues to move his hand down to the back of his neck. I can't help but bite my bottom lip again and look at my boots. How does the simplest movements from this man, make me feel.

"Ready?" Colton asks.
"Ready."