It was three days later, on Thursday, when I saw that guy again. We were in the lunchroom looking for a place to sit when suddenly Elijah gasped and pointed across the room at Demian. He was looming over someone I assumed to be a freshman, who looked like he was about to pee his pants. I couldn't hear what was being said but a few moments later the freshman handed over a handful of money and ran off before all the bills even hit the floor. Elijah made a sound that vaguely resembled a broken muffler before steering me towards the lunchroom doors, muttering that we'd be eating outside today. I glanced over at the guy again and saw him stick the money into his hoodie pocket. Maybe I was wrong about him and the rumors -at least some of them - were true.

~~~~~~~~DEMIAN~~~~~~~~

I hate how scared people are of me. I know I'm not a small guy. I'm 6'1", I work out often and have noticeable muscle tone, and I don't really try to be social. No, I should say that I actively try to avoid being social. College students are loud and annoying, always talking about parties and drinking, or complaining about courses and professors. I don't have interest in talking about any of that, so why would I want to be involved in those conversations? I've heard rumors being passed around about me, ranging from me being a social recluse to being being hot-headed and prone to violence. I gave up trying to correct the rumors a long time ago, shortly after Ashley spread the first one. Nobody would listen to me, and it seemed like I was only adding fuel to the fire the more I tried denying whatever was being spread. I've gotten used to ignoring the things people are saying and do my best not to let it bother me anymore, but then I have days like today, where someone I've never interacted with -hell, never even seen before- bumps into me and thinks I'm some monster. All I wanted was to get my lunch and be on my way, but some freshman bumps into me and starts babbling about how sorry he is and that he'll never do it again. I'm almost a foot taller than him, and his body is hunched in fear, making him look even smaller. He looks like he can't decide between running away or pissing himself. I told him it was fine and to just watch where he's going, but next thing I know he's throwing money at me and booking it out of the cafeteria. I don't even know who he is so I can return his money. Maybe the lunch ladies will know and be able to get it to him next time he comes for food. I pocket the bills and make my way to the counter. Everyone gives me a wide berth, like I have the plague.

"Hi Leslie," I greet the elder woman behind the counter.

"Oh Demian, how are you today?" She smiles at me, taking my money and grabbing my usual sandwich and chips.

"Do you happen to know the kid with red hair who just ran off?" Sadly, she's used to seeing things like this happen with me.

"Oh, I see him here regularly, yes. Though..I don't know his name. Why do you ask, hun?"

"Can you make sure he gets this back?" I ask, handing over the bills.

"Of course. I'll set it aside for him." She had that sad, knowing look in her eyes. This wasn't the first time I'd had her do this for me, and while I hoped otherwise, it was likely it wouldn't be the last.

She adds a cookie to my bag and gives me a soft smile which I return in kind before setting off to find a place to eat. I always sit somewhere outside the lunch room. I can't stand the staring and whispers while I eat. It takes me a while to find a secluded spot. Today I'm beneath a tree near the pond, and I have a great view of the ducks. The tree mostly blocks me from the other students sitting at the tables, and the sun is warm on my back. It's going to get cold soon, so I appreciate being able to sit out here comfortably still.

After finishing my sandwich I savor the cookie until the very last crumb. I don't know when Leslie realized I had a sweet tooth, but I certainly don't mind that she knows and uses it to bring up my mood. It works pretty well, most of the time.

I go to throw my trash in the bin and narrowly miss being plowed over by a guy who looks vaguely familiar. His friend is staring at me like a deer in the headlights, and I assume this guy will be even worse, but when he looks at me up at me he just blushes and quietly apologizes. Honestly, I was surprised that he didn't freak out, but before I could say anything his friend grabbed him by the arm and took off with him. I rolled my shoulders, tossed my trash out, and made my way to the gym for a light workout before my last class. I needed a distraction from the events of today before I have to go to my shift at the care facility.

~~~~~~ADRIAN~~~~~~~~

"Adriaaaaan," Elijah whined in an annoyingly shrill voice. "You're going to be the death of me! Twice! You ran into Demian twice! You really need to watch where you're going."

I nodded, my face still flushed from said interaction. He was right, I did need to pay more attention to my surroundings. I've always been a bit of a klutz, and how often I walk around lost in thought or focused on something else, like the conversation we'd been having before bumping into Demian again, certainly wasn't helping. Now that I'd seen his interaction in the lunchroom, I couldn't help but wonder what he'd been about to say to me. Would he have asked for money or some favor? Is it true that he gets violent? He didn't seem like he was about to hurt me in any way, but I suppose it's hard to tell others intentions. Especially when part of me is still too focused on how hot he is to fully take in everything else going on during our interactions.

Elijah pointed to where my last class would be held and we parted ways after exchanging numbers. He said it's so I can reach out if I get lost, but I think he'll be texting me just to talk as well. We seem to get along decently, so I don't think I'll mind.