I don’t think I really realized how big he was compared to me.
“Mr. Adler is fine in class, but I prefer Dimitri outside of the classroom. Titles feel too formal.”
Would he feel that way if he hadn’t just seen me lose my shit? Or does he go by a first-name basis with all his students?
Why does the thought of that annoy me?
“Thanks, Dimitri.” I don’t mean for it to, but his name catches in my throat, making it come out husky and more like a question.
I follow the bob of his Adam's apple as he swallows hard, my eyes snapping up to meet his, and I swear they're darker now than they were a moment ago.
“Anything I can do to help, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Something about him feels safe and familiar.
I wait for him to tack something else onto that statement. Something like it’s my job or I want to see you succeed, but he doesn’t, and as the stretch of silence goes on, it feels as though something might snap at any moment.
I nod and force myself to turn away, sure that if I let myself, I’d stand here all day.
I make it to the door before I remember a question I had, and he seems like the only person I might get a straight answer from.
“Oh, hey, is there a bathroom upstairs in the dorms?” I turn back to look at him over my shoulder before I leave and find him looking at me in the most peculiar way.
“Never mind.” I wave him off and head out.
It’s not until I’m halfway down the hall that I realize what a stupid thing that was to ask.
I’m supposed to have a room up there; the last thing I need is to cause more problems with my roommates.
For someone who’s supposed to be so smart, I sure can be stupid sometimes.
Imight not distrust Dimitri—wow, that feels weird to say even just to myself—but I can’t leave his room fast enough.
I’m down the hall and nearly flying down the stairs as I try to remember which way I need to go.
I take the first right I see, then another one, and come out in a hallway I’m not sure I’ve ever seen before. How does this happen?
Crap, I might be lost.
That’s fine, it’s early, and I have plenty of time with it being the weekend. I’ll walk around all day if I have to.
Or I could just text Julez and ask him for help… Something tells me that he would happily come running, but I’m not sure I can handle him right now.
Not with so many emotions so close to the surface.
I double back and retrace my steps to the stairs.
“Lost?”
The sound that leaves my mouth is not only embarrassing but also way too loud in the quiet halls.
I stumble back a step, pressing my hand to my chest to try to keep my heart in before I turn and find the hot guy from the library.
He doesn’t smile exactly, but I swear I see it in his eyes.
I take a second to get myself under control before I even attempt to speak, though I’m not sure it matters at this point.
“Yes,” I admit after I can breathe again, and he walks toward me.
