• Her

    It's chilly out, especially for this early in the year. September is supposed to be still slightly warm, with swirling leaves and a shining sun. Instead, the sky is gray and overcast, the leaves have already fallen to the ground, and a harsh wind is blowing. I think it's a good day for a sweater.
    I pull on a thick blue turtleneck and adjust it over my jeans. While I debate over a scarf, I comb through my long, wavy, light brown locks. They are extremely cooperative today; I take that as a good omen. With a quick glance out the window, I decide today is also a scarf day. I wrap my knit scarf around my neck, slip on my shoes, and make my way outside.
    The cold instantly stings my face. It feels like someone slapped me, hard. I blink a couple times to help my mind adjust. The air feels sharp as it goes into my lungs. The sooner I get out of it, the better. I jump into my cars front seat. My hand flies to the heater. All the way up. I can feel my face flush as the warmth hits me. That's much better.
    I pull out and begin my long journey in the dark. As I get on the highway, I make a mental note to myself to start my classes later in the day the following quarter.

    - - -

    I think I got lucky today. I found a parking spot as close as possible to one of the campus entrances. That meant I didn't have to walk for too long in the cold. Hopefully this is a good sign.
    After gathering my books, I quickly make my way up to the library. My friend Bria and I made plans to meet here this morning. Checking my watch, I realize it's too early for her to be here. I rush in the front doors, embracing the warmth, and make my way upstairs to find a table.
    Shooting a quick glance around, I notice that, although it's only seven in the morning on the first day of school, there are quite a few people already here. That thought makes me feel slightly more comfortable. I find a table near the stairs and sit, digging my headphones out of my purse. Deciding that I'm in an obvious enough spot, I let my gaze wander and wait for Bria to arrive.
    I make a number of observations. First and foremost, it is very casual for a library. People are lounging around and talking in voices louder than would be considered acceptable in a library elsewhere. A quick glance at computor screens shows Myspace seems to be quite high on the agenda. Secondly, the people are very friendly. Anyone who's eyes meet yours seem to smile, rather than shoot a harsh look. That fact comforts me, and I decide instantly I like it here.
    Still casually glancing around the room, someone catches my eye. He is walking, quite gracefully may I add, past where I am sitting. His fluffy-looking black hair moves with each step, brushing just above the tops of his eyes. He's bundled up in a thick sweater.
    His deep brown eyes make a brief contact with mine, and he holds it as he walks past. It was for only a split second, and it could have meant nothing. (Did he even notice I'm sitting here? Or did he see straight through me?) Nevertheless, I can feel my heart pounding against my ribs. I couldn't say why, though. Yes, he was cute, but he wasn't male-model gorgeous, or Hollywood cute. More of a boy-next-door charm. I don't know anything about this guy, and it makes me feel a little bit ridiculous and childish. Yet still, I feel the urge to talk to him.
    I glance after him over my shoulder out of curiousity. He's sitting a few tables down with another guy. He shoots me a quick glance back over his shoulder. Is it just the lighting, or do his eyes look sad?
    I look away, towards the stairs where Bria should be coming at any minute. There she is; I can see her curly red hair come into view. She smiles and waves happily. I wave back half-heartedly, tempted to glance back at the boy. I fight the urge, and scoot my bags over to make room for Bria. She happily bounces over and sits by me.
    "Oh my gosh, Elena, it's so exciting! This campus is so big!" Bria's grin threatens to split her face in half, and I can't help but to let out a little bit of a chuckle.
    "Definitely. It's great, though. I mean, more variety, more people to get to know..."
    "And more boys. Speaking of which..." Bria leans closer to me, lowering her voice to a dramatic whisper. "It seems you have your eye on one already. Is it that cute blonde over there? Or the emo boy in the corner?" I hadn't noticed until she pointed it out, but my eyes had wandered back over to the cute boy.
    Before I get the chance to answer, I see him and his friend stand up and start heading towards the stairs. Wait, they can't be leaving already, can they? His friend waves in our direction. I see Bria waving out of the corner of my eye. I take a deep breath, bracing myself for their approach.


    Him

    A sharp beeping cuts through my pleasant dreams. I roll over with a loud groan. The clock on my bedside stand reads 5:15. Already. I quietly get up and stretch. My hair feels like a mess and I have horrible morning breath. Something has to be done about those, I guess, especially since I'll be seeing people I haven't seen for over three months.
    After a long hot shower and a thorough scrub-down of my teeth, I style my hair. I go for fluffy, the kind that makes you want to run your hands through it. My sister gives me a funny look as I'm grabbing breakfast before I leave.
    "Is there someone special you're planning on seeing today?" I chug the rest of my milk and blink at her a couple times.
    "No, I thought you knew that. Why?"
    "Oh, no reason. You just look kind of... nicer than usual today."
    "Thanks sis. Do I normally not look nice?" I nudge her with my hip on the way out the door to emphasize my sarcasm. She laughs. Girls.
    The icy air cuts through my thick sweater. I consider going back inside and grabbing another jacket. It's too late now, though, and I see my bus rolling around the corner. Hunching my shoulders up in a small effort to retain warmth, I walk as quick as I can towards my bus.

    - - -

    I managed to stay mostly awake for the bus ride to school. The cold air that hits me the second I'm off the bus, however, wakes me up fully. My mind is set on getting inside, where it's warm, and I rush towards the library with my head down.
    The warmth envelopes me. I loosen up in response. Running a hand through my hair, I slowly head up the stairs. My close-yet-obnoxious friend Aaron had convinced me to meet him up here first thing in the morning. Don't get me wrong, Aaron is awesome. It's just he's very conceited, and that sometimes makes me feel inferior. He also thinks he can get his way with women all the time. I know better, and it just bugs the crap out of me.
    I pause at the top of the stairs, looking around for my obnoxious friend. I recognize a few people from previous years, and wave to them when they look up to me. As tempting as it is to get sidetracked, I realize that Aaron won't just let it go if I ditch him today. I push aside my urges and scan the room for him.
    There he is, at a table near the middle of the room. Go figure, his big ego forces him to always strive to be the center of attention. I adjust my bag and head in his direction.
    As I'm walking towards him, very slowly, my eyes wander toward the table closest to the stairs. A daintily slim girl is sitting there, and I notice her eyes casually wander over to meet mine. Her eyes are large, soft, and deep brown. Light brown bangs brush the tops of her eyes, and a few strands of her hair curve towards her shiny reddish lips.
    I rush my walk over to Aaron and quickly sit by him. Yes, I realize I'm rushing over to my friend just so I can look back at this girl. And I do just that, greeting Aaron quietly as I do so. He starts talking about his summer, and I just nod. I'm not really paying attention to him; this girl is in control of my thoughts.
    Her long hair slides over her shoulder as she turns and look back towards me. Her glance lasts only a second, to my disappointment. Maybe she didn't know I was there, and was just taking in her surroundings? I decide to give it up. I don't know this girl, and I have better things to worry about than whether or not she knows I exist.
    "Hey, Danny, I have to go to class in a few. But hey, my friend Bria's just over there. She has to come with me. And look, she's sitting with a cutie! You should come with me."
    I nod unenthusiatically to Aaron and get up to follow him to his friend.