September 10th, Freshman Year
I sat in class, scribbling down notes furiously as Professor Thompson droned on. Clyde Grey walked in, his piercing blue eyes scanning the room.
My heart skipped a beat.
He spotted me and smiled, making his way over.
"Hey, mind if I join you?" he asked, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine.
I shook my head, trying to play it cool.
"Thanks for letting me crash your study session," Clyde said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
As class ended, Clyde turned to me. "I've missed a few classes. Would you mind sharing your notes?"
My face flushed, but I smiled and handed him my notebook.
Our fingers touched, and I felt a spark.
"Thanks, I really appreciate it," Clyde said, his eyes locked on mine.
I nodded, still feeling the warmth of his touch.
We chatted for a bit, exchanging small talk about classes and professors.
As we parted ways, I couldn't shake off the feeling that our encounter was more than just a coincidence.
The next time we saw each other was at the library.
I was collecting my notes from the photocopy machine when Clyde's friend, Alex, approached me.
"Hey, beautiful," Alex said, his voice dripping with sleaze. "What's your name?"
I felt uneasy, but before I could respond, Clyde appeared.
"Back off, Alex," Clyde said, his voice low and warning.
Alex raised his hands. "Just trying to make friends, man."
Clyde stepped closer, his eyes flashing with anger.
"I said, back off."
Alex retreated, muttering under his breath.
Clyde turned to me, his expression softening.
"Sorry about that. Are you okay?"
I nodded, still shaken.
Without thinking, Clyde wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a gentle hug.
"Hey, you're safe now," he whispered.
His chest was warm, his heartbeat steady.
For a moment, I felt protected.
As he released me, our eyes met.
And I saw something there, something that made my heart skip a beat.
A spark of connection.
A glimmer of understanding.
It was as if Clyde saw right through me.
Saw the real me.
Saw my fears, my doubts, my dreams.
And still chose to stand by me.
I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude.
"Thanks, Clyde," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Clyde smiled back, his eyes crinkling.
"No problem, Dahlia. That's what friends are for."
Friends.
The word echoed in my mind.
Was that all we were?
Or was there something more?
--
October 15th, Freshman Year
The rain poured down like a relentless curtain, shrouding the world in a misty veil. I stood at the bus stop, drenched and shivering, my clothes clinging to my body like a soggy second skin.
That's when I saw him – Clyde Grey, standing under the awning of a nearby shop, watching me with an expression of concern etched on his face. His eyes, those piercing blue orbs, locked onto mine, and I felt a jolt of electricity run through my veins.
He strode towards me, his long legs eating up the distance, his jacket flapping open to reveal a crisp white shirt. "Dahlia, you're soaked to the bone," he said, his voice low and urgent, as if the rain itself was a crisis that required immediate attention.
I nodded, my teeth chattering, my body trembling with cold. Clyde shed his jacket in one swift motion and draped it over my shoulders, enveloping me in warmth. The scent of his cologne wafted up, a heady mix of leather and spice, and I felt my senses come alive.
As we waited for the bus, Clyde's eyes roamed over me, taking in the sodden state of my clothes. I felt a flutter in my chest, a thrill of anticipation. Was he looking at me with more than just concern?
The bus rumbled up, its headlights casting a golden glow on the rain-soaked pavement. Clyde helped me aboard, his hand brushing against mine as he guided me to a seat.
As we settled in, Clyde reached towards me, his hand hovering near my face. My heart skipped beats. I expected him to kiss me, to claim me in that moment of vulnerability.
But instead, he bent to help buckle my seatbelt, his fingers brushing against my waist. "Safety first," he whispered, his breath tickling my ear.
I blushed, feeling foolish for my expectations. The bus ride was a blur of noise and motion, but Clyde's presence beside me was a constant, a reassuring warmth that seeped into my bones.
As we reached my stop, Clyde stood up, his thigh brushing against mine. Electricity sparked between us, a frisson of tension that left me breathless.
"Let me walk you home," he said, his eyes locked on mine.
I nodded, still reeling from the closeness.
The rain had stopped, but the tension between us remained, a palpable force that crackled like a live wire.
We walked in silence, the only sound our footsteps on the wet pavement. The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us, suspended in a bubble of uncertainty.
As we reached my dorm, Clyde turned to me, his eyes burning with an intensity that left me gasping.
"Take care, Dahlia," he said, his voice low and husky.
I smiled, feeling a pang.
"Thanks, Clyde."
He smiled back, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
And then he was gone, leaving me wondering.
What just happened?
Was it just kindness?
Or something more?
---