Like clockwork, Jazmine settles into her favorite spot in the library: the second floor, right next to the windows overlooking the center of campus, back to the wall and facing the door. There, she was able to be removed while still feeling a part of the buzz coming from the groups, duos, and random individuals that settled in the area. She likes people-watching and even considers it a hobby of hers. In her one little corner, Jazmine finds endless entertainment, but if needed, can focus because of the polite noise level this floor typically maintains (unless it’s midterms or finals week). It was the second Monday of the new semester, and she had been silently cataloging familiar and unfamiliar faces. It’s why she noticed the pale ginger searching desperately for a seat. 

They were, in so many words, delicate-looking. Ethereal, one could say; muscular, but still slender enough to hide it in their light footsteps. The more Jazmine stared, the more their appearance continued to scratch an itch in her brain she hadn't realized was there. 

It wasn't unusual for someone to see a variety of aesthetics on campus. The mountains have always attracted the holistic sort, city folk who'd never seen snow, and fashionistas due to the fairly decent fashion design program. There was very little Jazmine hadn't seen in her time at Anderson, yet they still stood out to her.

The newcomer's clothes were tailored to their willowy frame. A cropped dark, ripped-up band tee that sits just above their navel. The strip of skin is brief as her eyes trail down to the patchwork plaid skirt that Jaz could tell was the real deal and not some polyester crap. ‘Maybe they sew,’ the junior thinks to herself as she notes the same fabric used as a headband to hold back their springy curls. 

Jazmine could appreciate that the new face didn’t just wear the clothes, but styled them. From the silver-studded belt holding up the skirt, well-loved black boots, and jewelry glittering across their ears, lips, and hands — it was a committed display of self-expression that left the junior wanting to know more about this person. She felt that chance slipping away as their shoulders slumped.  

The ginger is doing one last hopeless sweep of the second floor when Jaz surprised herself by waving at them. They glance behind themselves, fully expecting another to be there, but no. They look back at the sun-kissed girl by the window, still waving in their direction, and point at themselves. With an exaggerated nod, Jaz can’t help but smile.

She seems friendly and really gorgeous, Cameron observed. The upperclassman sat alone at a table that could seat four, but only had a sketchbook, a pencil case of art supplies, and a laptop for company. She has earbuds connected to the device, and kindly takes out one as she focuses on the ginger. 

Gulping, Cameron closed the distance and couldn’t help but stare. She was really debonair—it was the first thing that came to mind (partially because it’d been the word of the day). It was clear that she was an athlete or gym rat of some sort; the sleeveless navy halter top and overalls combination showed off the hard-earned muscles of her arms. God, he was a sucker for arms.

Taking in her face, it was hard to focus on one thing. She had what Cam could only think of as the perfect features for a brooding face: thick, but manicured brows, almond eyes, full lips. Even her welcoming face wasn't completely soft, her diamond-shaped face making it seem sharper. Nonetheless, her eyes—a deep, almost black brown—were inviting and drew Cameron in. 

Heart be still, the ginger tries to remind himself as he closes the distance.

As they stopped right next to the table, Jaz's smile widened as she noticed the blush on their cheeks, but decided not to comment on that.  

“You could sit here if you want. It's just me.” 

“Ar-are you you sure? I don’t want to disturb you.” 

Gesturing to the empty seat, she nodded to the one across from her invitingly. “Why not? The more the merrier.” 

“Fuck," they sigh. It doesn't escape Jazmine's notice that the ginger's hand shakes as they reach for the chair across from her. "Thank you so much. You're a lifesaver.”  

They quickly sit down across from her, throwing the junior a shy smile as they quickly unpack. Jaz, however, pauses. The junior doesn't know what she was expecting, but their voice stuns her nonetheless. It wasn't high or deep, but just low enough for her to do semi-full introductions. 

“Name’s Jazmine. She, hers. But I also answer to they, them, if called that. I can be deceptive,” she offers with a hand out.  

“Oh! Uh, I’m Cameron. He, him,” he chirps back, his grip firm but not too much. Jaz could tell he was waiting for a reaction as she continued to look at him—eyes finally seeing the prominent Adam’s apple and broadness of his shoulders—but she only nodded. 

“Nice to meet you, Cameron. Gotta say, your outfit is the best I’ve seen today.”

“S-seriously?” The young man beams at this, bow-shaped lips stretching to reveal as beautiful smile. “I finally unpacked all my clothes and felt like dressing up today. Nothing like being able to wear the outfits I worked so hard to curate now that I’m here.”

“Oh?” Jaz looks down to flip to a new page, the scratch of her pencil soothing to Cameron. “Transferred?”

“Yeah. First semester here. My last university was a lot more conservative than I anticipated for a party school,” laughing a little while turning on his laptop.

“It be like that. But I hope you can find what you’re looking for here.” She looks up from her paper, a gentle expression on her face as she tilts her head at him.  Cameron grips his pen as her eyes float around his frame once more—it’s not appraising or creepy—but a quiet perusal that he hopes is interest-filled. 

Interest? His eyes widened as he caught him repeating the same mistakes. No, no, no. We are not going there, he reminds himself as he feels a slight flutter in his stomach. 

“Ah, th-thanks.”

“Well, good luck with your homework, Cam.” The dip to a lower register as she quieted sends a tingle up his spine. And just like that, she replaces the second bud in her ear, resuming her sketching.

Cameron has to force himself through the motions of propping his feet on the chair next to, and carefully arranging his skirt so nothing would peek-a-boo as he bent his knees to start his homework. Beginning the video lecture was almost enough to distract him from the fact that it hadn’t been two whole weeks into the semester at his new school that he fell into old habits: liking and wanting too much too soon.