When our eyes met

I have no idea, what to expect. This is my last year in college and all I want to do is finish it and get a job in any company that paid me well and help my parent. I am looking at my friends, everything will change after this, all of them are still talking to each other after all latest incomingWell “newbies” in our college on how to arrange them and what activities they want to throw on, they even pick on the boys that they have interest on but not me. I have no desires to make myself available just to get hurt and it is not worth it.

“So, Leah, anyone you like?” Sheila asked me while looking at me intensely.

“Yeah, you should pick one this year, come on. It will be fun!” Paula adds.

“I… don’t think so. You guys go ahead, I will catch up later. I have to go to my part-time job now.” I always find the right moment to excuse myself. They are being nonsense, I do not have anything against them but I do not need intervention. As usual, I arrive at work pretty early and went for a smoke, the weather always gives me chills, I still could not believe that my parents move here five years ago and look at me now, still stuck on this place. I let out a big sigh and look at the sky. “I don’t want to work…”

“Then don’t.”

“Excuse me?” I look to my side this guy is sitting and smoking. He is not from here for sure.

“Don’t work then. You said you hated it.” He keeps on talking.

“What…you don’t even. Forget it, have a nice day you freak.” I finish my last puff and went inside, who the hell he thinks he is. I shake my heads off and forget about him, it is a busy day today I have to work double shift again when dan bails on his shift. That person is a total douchebag.

“I need your help today, ok Leah? My son, he has a soccer tournament.” John ask.

“I will, John, You can go.” I guess I have to wait for the last bus again. Luckily my campus does not have any curfew for seniors. That is how my days go by, I haven’t got anything to eat, it is a busy day. The only that I could grab is one piece of the doughnut and my cigarettes, I have thirty minutes to finish it all.

“Why did you only eat that?”

I didn’t hear the first time, his voice is distant.

“Hello?”

I turned around and see his face. It’s the same person. “What are you doing here and why are you talking to me?”

“Well, you hate your job and now here you are eating only this.” Holding and showing my half-eaten doughnuts.

“This has nothing to do with you. Can you please go away?” I take back my doughnut, looking pissed off at him.

“Well… my name is Ethan and I enjoy sitting down here. You sure have the best spot at this amazing mall.

“It is one lousy mall, good jokes you got there.” I give in and smile. “It’s all yours now.”

“Wait! What’s your name?” He shouts.

“I don’t have one!” Got him this time, only I deserve to sit there. “Assholes.”

I was beaten up, not enough people today but there are just too many people today I did not see realise it has already half-past ten. “Ben, I have to go. I’m going to miss my bus.” I let him do the rest, take my bag and leave. I have approximately fifteen minutes left before the bus left. “Shit, shit, wait for me!! ugh!” I have done it, I have to walk for about ten blocks from here, lucky for me I did the marathon in my junior year. This should be an easy run.

“Hey…. You! I’ll give you a ride.” It’s him.

“No, thanks. I can manage.” I reply, he could be a serial killer, who could have guessed, he has the look like ted bundy. Gives me creeps.

“Come on, it is late and I just want to help.” He insists.

“Well, Ethan. How am I supposed to trust you, I don’t even know you.” I ignore him and starts to run.

He speeds down and brakes in front of me. “Well, you call my name and you have my face. There, this is my driving license you hang on to it. Now, would you please get in the car and tell me where you headed.” He smiles.

“Fine.” I give in and goes inside, I had no choice it is almost -5 degrees outside and I’m starving. I did not have anything besides doughnut.

“You hungry?” He starts to speak.

“I’m not,” I reply short.

“Well, I haven’t. What’s good around here?” He looks at me, he’s just a normal human being but he made me feel some type of way. There’s no way he could have like me.

“Are you new?” I ask.

“Yes, I am. How do you know that?” He replies.

“I could tell. Why are you here?” I continue. “Why are you being nice?”

“I want to get to know you.” He replies to me with calm. “You… interest me. Now, could you let me know your name?”

“I don’t need to tell me your name. Ethan.” I will not let him know my name. “It’s just around the corner after you drop me, you can go there. That’s my hostel.” I get my stuff done and get ready to go. “Thank you. Ethan. For sending me.” He makes me feel uneasy some type of way.

“It was nice meeting you. Stranger.” He waves at me and drives away.

I must have been crazy, going back home riding a car with a stranger, he is persistent but he does not look like he will bring harm to me. I decided not to let him in my head. I am all sticky and I need to wake up early tomorrow today, has been a crazy day for me. Went into the shower and keep on thinking on what to do, I have more subjects and extra stuff to do in college, he should not occupying my mind. “He is a bad idea and you know it, Leah. Keep it t yourself. You do best on that,” rinse my hair and changed into my pyjamas and head to bed. My roommates are already asleep, she’s blessed with all the fortune that she had. I envy her life, there’s nothing that she has to think besides taking her dad company. Enough about others, I looked up and stare at the ceiling, praying for my parent’s safety and a good day tomorrow, closing my eyes and sleep---

**********

“Leah, good morning.” Sheila greets me, she always had this smile, makes you in good mood.

“Hye, babe. What are you having?” I ask when she’s carrying the lunchbox.

“Today is a vegan day for me, I’m trying to lose some weight you know. Evan doesn’t like it when I’m fat.” She pinches her stomach.

All that I can see, she’s losing weight drastically and it makes her look sick. “You know what, you are an amazing person and if Evan needs to shape you on how you look. It is his loss. You look perfect Sheila.” I hug her, she could not handle the truth. It is best to keep it to myself.

“Thank you, Leah. You’re the best! Ok, so I have set everything. All you need to do is stand here and guide them where to go. That’s it.”

“But… I’m in charge of the names only….” I complain.

“Nope. You need to have fun and get someone. For once, babe. Enjoy your life!” She left me. just like that.

I knew she will do this to me. I guess I just have to do it since I am not going to stay that long. “This is nothing, Leah. You can do it.” I get my bib and whistle and be their tour guide for the day, it was hectic this year intake has double and by that, it means more works in our end, I am so done with this college.

“Alright, so for all of you, this is your room for the next 3 years, there will be rules that you have to obey and we as theta will not accept any students that broke the laws. Cheers!” Fuck, that was so messed up. I could have at least sounds more sincere. I went down the stairs and check on the rest of the kids. There he is--- carrying his bag waiting on the line. Everyone is looking at him. Blood runs through my veins, my face blush and in instant I can feel something moving in my stomach. I act like I did not see him and stand beside Sheila, it was late at night and there’s no way that he will recognise my face and he is younger than me. “What the fuck.” I blurted out.

“What’s wrong with you, have you eat anything, Leah?”

“’ Nope, I am fine, do we still have more? I have to go to work.” I try to find an escape.

“Uh-huh… no you are not. I have told ben on this and he agrees, besides you have been pushing your ass off and they always ditch you. We should have fun, this is our last year. Come on, Leah. I know that you take more subject this year and you will go for your internships.”

“Alright, you win!” I finally give in.

“Yes! We will get wasted tonight. Wohooo!!!”

The line is still long, I could have missed him at any time and just stick to my job, I did not owe him anything except for the ride. “Shit, I should have compensated him.” I could only shake my head in disbelief. Sheila has gathered another group batch for me, I still have time to keep my act together. I complete the cycle and goes back down, they are still waiting for me and he’s one of the pack. I am not dumb enough to be head over heels for strangers, that is just plain stupid. I make a straight face and walks towards them.

“Alright, folks, you will need to get your stuff ready and follow me. Come this way.” It was smooth operations, it’s like he did not exist which is good for me. It will be easier for me to ignore him. after a few minutes, we’re done. That will be all, make sure that you settle down. Welcome to Sussex.” There… I end it well, this should be good.

“Hi, Leah.” Ethan stands in front of me, I felt like the time just hit the slow motions buttons. None of the guys here attracts me before, there all my friends, including my brother’s friends, I was used to boys and how they react to me. He is messing with me. “What do you need?” I ask.

“I know your name now.” He grins at me making him looks favourable.

“Ok, that is good and you should know you’re a sophomore and I’m a senior,” I replied short, he’s getting on my nerves.

“I was wondering, why do you look so young? you know to consider your age.” He smirks. He is trying to tick me off.

“3 years is not much of difference. ok. bye.” I turn around and dash through the stairs, I did not hear any footsteps following me. He should have given up by now --- After a few more trips, we can settle all of it and hangs out on sheila rooms. We have been friends since forever, not even once she forces me on doing something and she understands what happened to me especially my habits.

“Leah, what are you going to wear tonight?” It will be amazon theme, we will dress very less and show our junks. She gives off her common vibes which are being herself.

“I do love you, sheila. I think short pants and tank top will do for me.” I reply short and leave her room, we had enough drama for today, my mind is thinking about him, it makes me feel queasy. There’s something about his eyes like it can see through your soul. I have to get some air.

“Leah.”

******************