Strangers | ✔️

two

wednesday ☼

The first two days flew by way too quickly. We visited universities, famous museums, galleries, parks, memorials, ate at a dozen different restaurants, exhausting ourselves and soaking up the whole city experience.

We took too many selfies, bought too many souvenirs, ate too many desserts, laughed too many hours. It was wonderful, and I couldn't believe that it was only two days in.

I woke up at noon on Wednesday, only to find that the girls have brought some packed brunch back to the hotel room. They were giggling in the bathroom, suitcases open with clothes strewn messily on the floor.

"Good morning!" Allie singsonged, poking me on the cheek as I walked into the bathroom.

"We're going to a bar tonight." Raegan looked through her make up bag, glancing at me. "I assume you're not coming?"

I shook my head sleepily, throwing my hair up into a messy bun before gently pushing past the two of them to brush my teeth.

"Of course you're not." Allie let her ponytail down, looking at herself in the mirror, like she's wondering what she should do with her hair today.

"Which bar?" I asked softly after I finished in the bathroom.

"Just one down the street. Concierge recommended it. We'll be safe." Raegan kissed me on the cheek. "Now go eat your food. Oh, and pick a dress for us."

I picked up some dresses beside their suitcases, laying them onto their beds instead. I wolfed down some eggs and toast in hunger, watching as they fussed over each other in the bathroom. I felt a little guilty that I was refusing to go with them, but you really can't blame me, going to bars were nightmares for me.

"You guys are preparing so early." I said, looking at each of their dresses, wondering why Raegan would ask me, of all people, to choose a dress.

"We wouldn't expect you to understand; we have to look perfect for this, okay. It's an once in a lifetime opportunity!"

"Allie, you're coming back here for college."

"...Okay, I know that, but still. Don't ruin the mood."

"Honey, get us two chairs in here, will you?"

I did as Raegan told me, and they sat down. Raegan started to do Allie's makeup, humming a song I didn't recognize.

"I think the black dress and the blue one would be nice." Raegan paused and glanced towards the bed, then nodded at me.

"Okay, good choice. I approve."

"Heh." I smiled, wondering what I was going to do for the whole day, on my own. The rest of the day, at least.

* * *

The university's library was very quiet. The only sounds were the flipping of pages, and the occasional scraping of a chair on the polished wooden floor. I brought some books to an empty seat, sitting down as quietly as I can. I decided that I was indeed going to bury myself in books for the rest of the day.

I glanced at the windows, appreciating the sunlight streaming through them. As I retracted my gaze, I noticed that the person sitting next to me looked very familiar.

Too familiar.

I froze when I realized I was sitting next to Damien. Of all the empty seats in the huge library... I just had to choose the one next to Damien. Sometimes I think my subconscious mind hates me.

I forced myself to stay still and keep calm. I didn't think he'd noticed me yet; he was engrossed in his book. So instead of dwelling on the fact and getting distracted, I opened my first book of the day and started reading.

Time disappeared as I delved into the world of literature, absorbing each word and each sentence as if my life depended on it. Damien disappeared into the distance; everything disappeared into the distance.

I didn't notice when the sunlight dimmed, didn't notice when the boy beside me stood up all too quietly.

Didn't notice he had walked back towards me until it was too late.

"You coming?"