Click, a light flickers on. I groan and pull the soft white comforter over my head.
“I’m hereee!” a cheery voice announces their arrival. The blanket is yanked off my head and I’m greeted by Nadiya’s warm brown eyes, smiling down at me.
“No way!” I grapple her in a hug. When we finally pull apart I take in her appearance, I had only seen her over the phone. If I had to describe her in one word it would most definitely be petite. Standing at 5’1, you wouldn’t expect such an extroverted girl. Everything about her was small, she likes to say her personality is too big for her body, and one day she’ll grow into it. I think that fits her perfectly, even though everyone knows at 18 she’s not growing anymore. Today she opted for a dusty rose hijab that complemented her dark skin. She paired it with a long black shirt and dark jeans. Hopping down from my bed, she introduces me to her parents. “Sorry I look a mess, I just woke up.” I apologize and make a beeline for the bathroom. After brushing my teeth and forcing my curly hair into a ponytail I emerge from the bathroom. “So do you need any help carrying anything up?” I offer.
“I think we are good, I’m almost done.” Nadiya huffs.
“You have a little bit of stuff.” I note, surveying the few boxes she had brought up.
“Yeah I just prefer it that way.” I scarf down a granola bar while Nadiya says goodbye to her parents. “I love the way you set up your side.” She comments. I had a fluffy white blanket over my bed which is raised to the highest setting. Below, I pushed my desk under and set up a blue lamp. Then I had hung up curtains on the bottom of my bed to separate my cosy office from the rest of the room.
“Thanks, are you hungry? I haven’t explored the campus yet.”
“Yeah! Let me grab my key card then we can head out.” She searches through her stuff before pulling out a card. “Ok lets go.” We make our way outside. I squint in the sudden light. It reflects off the white buildings, the grey accents accentuate the modern look. “This campus really is beautiful.” Nadiya sighs. Lush palm trees line on the side of each sidewalk, giving the campus a tropical feel.
“I know right.” I murmur. I’m so focused on the view I don’t notice the person in front of me until I crash into his shoulder, stumbling a bit before a firm hand catches my arm. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry.”
“Oh no it’s fine...Aviana?” Surprised to hear my name I look up into the deep blue eyes of...
“Igor!” I exclaim, “I’m so sorry, I totally wasn’t looking where I was going.”
“You’re good, I’m actually glad I ran into you today. I meant to get your number before. You know just in case you ever wanted that coffee.” I’m very aware of his hand still on my arm.
“Oh yeah, of course.” I take his phone with trembling hands.
“Cool.” He finally lets me go so I can type my number into his contact list before handing his phone back. “I’ll text you.” He winks then walks off. I look at Nadiya, both of our faces frozen in shock.
“Don’t do it.”
“Oh my gosh he’s gonna text me.” We both say at the same time. “What why?” I’m surprised by her answer.
“I don’t know he seems a little...creepy?”
“More like dreamy.” I joke.
“Yeah, yeah. Lets go and eat, just keep an eye on him.”
__________
After we were full and had explored most of the small campus, we were heading back to my dorm when my phone dings. Nadiya and I look at each other excitedly. I pull out my phone and she peers over my shoulder.
Igor: Hey, it’s Igor, wanna grab some coffee tomorrow before orientation?
“Oh gosh, what should I say?” I ask nervously.
“Well, do you want to?”
“Of course!” I exclaim. “But I need to sound cool.”
Me: Yeah that sounds great, what time?
Igor: I’ll pick you up, be ready by 9
My fingers move to answer but Nadiya grabs my hand. “No just leave it there, a mysterious ending. Will you be ready by 9? I guess he’ll have to show up to see.”
“Smart.” I tuck my phone away and we board the elevator to the 3rd floor. We spent the rest of the day talking about our homes and families. When it’s finally time to sleep my mind is full of Igor. He seems like a nice guy but Nadiya is right, there is something off about him. I decide to get to know him better before judging and eventually drift off the sleep.
My alarm blares, startling me awake. “Turn it off.” Nadiya mumbles. I quickly shut it off before jumping out of bed. I clean up then apply a thin layer of makeup that consists of concealer, mascara, and delicate work with an eyebrow pencil. I put on some lip gloss before tossing on a pair of jean shorts and a sunny yellow shirt that complements my brown skin. I click on a necklace and a bracelet before whispering goodbye to a sleeping Nadiya. As soon as I step into the lobby I notice Igor.
“Hey.” I walk up to him, he looks up and smiles.
“Hey, I wasn’t sure you’d come.” His gaze starts to drift down from my face. I clear my throat and his smile grows. “Sorry I really like your necklace, what does it say?”
“It says Love in Japanese,” I say. “I’m half Japanese” I add
“Ah, well it's beautiful. Shall we go?” I nod and we walk off. When we finally reach the coffee shop Igor orders my drink while I find a table to sit at. As I survey the people my eye catches on a tall man waiting for his order. His caramel skin complements the white striped button up shirt he’s wearing with black skinny jeans. His 5 o’clock shadow is neatly trimmed around his sharp jawline and perched on his nose are funny, circular, harry potter-like glasses, as weird as they are they somehow complemented his attractiveness. I can’t help but be mesmerized by him, no matter how many times I look I seem to notice new things, like the Egyptian flag pin on his bag, or the way he bounces on the balls of his feet while waiting. One of the waiters calls out a name and the man helps an elderly woman get up and get her drink. So he’s kind too, I think. I can’t help but wonder if he goes to Blank college. I’m startled from my daze by the thump of the drinks Igor slams down. The brown liquid sloshes a bit out of the cup. Igor quickly grabs a napkin and swipes it up.
“My bad, I put that down a little too fast.” He smiles, all the sudden he seems so plain compared to the man I just saw. “What were you looking at?”
“Oh nothing, I was just looking around.” I answer quickly. He frowns for a second before sliding my drink over to me.
“Here, a caramel macchiato.” I thank him as he sits down. “So Aviana, tell me about yourself.”
“Hm well, there's not much to tell, I like reading, animals. But those are kinda boring.” As I talk he fiddles with a leather bracelet on his wrist.
“That's not boring at all.” He reassures me. “I mostly like video games but I like watching movies too.” Oh dear, we had almost nothing in common so far. “Oh and I guess we both like animals.” I breathe a sigh of relief, so there is something we both like. “Yeah I love the thrill of hunting, you know?” I struggle to maintain a neutral face.
“You meant hunting? Oh my...” I can slowly feel my interest in Igor draining, if I even had any.
“Yeah that's not what you meant? I just feel like, as soon as I find my target, that animal should be mine. You know?” His dark eyes glitter.
“Well, I actually don’t agree much with hunting.” I struggle out, trying not to go on a rant. “I am studying to be a Vet after all.” I laugh nervously.
“Oh right, sorry you probably don’t want to hear about all that. Shall we go? Orientation starts soon.” I nod and grab my drink. Turns out Nadiya might have been a little right about him. When I think back, how did he even know which dorm was mine? Dismissing the thought, I stand up and turn to Igor.
“Ok, I’m ready.” As Igor holds the door open, I leave the small coffee shop, and the beautiful man behind me.
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