Oh. My. God.
He’s huge, so much bigger than when he was sitting across from me. I watch him approach, craning my neck back until I feel silly.
He’s got to be close to 6’5’’, which is obscene; nobody needs to be that tall.
I take a step back, and he stops, cocking a brow at me in question.
“It’s hard to look at you way up there,” I tell him, giving up. “Why the heck are you so damn tall?” I rub at my neck, worried I’ve thrown something out, when it pops and I sigh in relief.
“Where are you trying to go?” he asks, and I glance up at him but keep my neck at a normal level; lesson learned.
I debate for a moment but decide there’s no harm in telling him, and if he can show me the way, well, that’s even better.
“The wisteria tree.”
For a second, he just stands there, watching me, before I swear I see the edge of his lip twitch. Before I can look any closer, he turns away and starts heading down the hall.
“This way,” he calls back, beckoning me with a wave of his hand.
I scramble after him, nearly jogging to catch him because his legs cover ground much faster than mine do.
I fall into step beside him, gripping the straps of my backpack, unsure what to do or say. I’ve never been good at small talk, and I don’t even know his name.
We turn the corner and head out a set of doors onto a path I’m not familiar with before it turns, and suddenly everything is familiar.
“Why is this place a maze?” I say more to myself than him, but I still hear his snicker.
“I thought you were smart,” he says when I peek at him. I find him watching me closely enough that I’m almost uncomfortable.
“Book smart, but my brother used to tell me that I wouldn’t be able to find my way out of a cardboard box.”
The memory pulls a smile to my lips, but it only lasts a moment before it melts away, the horrors of reality snatching any happiness I might find.
I don’t dare look at him, not now that I’ve gone all Debbie Downer. Instead, I just continue to follow the long path toward the tree.
The closer we get, the more I feel it, that itch that only taking pictures can scratch. That need to let go and simply do something just because I want to, not because I have to.
It’s just as breathtaking this time, and I don’t even realize I’ve stopped walking until soft pressure on my lower back pushes me forward again.
“It’s just a tree,” he says, his voice deep and husky… and right in my ear!
I whip around and nearly come nose to nose with him. All the air leaves my lungs, and the world narrows to his honey-golden eyes that sparkle in the sunlight.
Again, they feel familiar, but I can’t place why, and honestly, my brain isn’t really doing anything useful right now.
“Enjoy the tree.”
His lips curl up in a barely there smile, but it has a devastating effect as my stomach erupts into butterflies and my heart beats double-time.
It only lasts a moment before it’s gone, but I just know it’s going to live rent-free in my head;he’sgoing to live rent-free in my head because I can’t prove it, but something about that smile felt like it was just for me.
He straightens back to his full height and moves around me to continue down the path, leaving me speechless as I watch him go.
Like a moth to a flame, I can’t make myself look away, my eyes eating up everything I can.
Unlike last time, it’s Saturday now, which means we don’t have to wear uniforms. I certainly am not, and I’m glad for that, as the morning air is still crisp. My jeans and sweater are a much better defense, that’s for sure. His outfit isn’t far off, except it’s all black. His sweater, jeans, shoes, and…
Again with the gloves
