Chapter 7: The Encounter

| The Encounter |

TIME PASSED by without you even knowing it. The more you ignore the time, the faster it ticks. First day in College gone better as I expected. No hassle at all. I even meet new girlfriends which share the same interests as mine—Nena, a black American girl who loves coffee and books, Trix, a foodie blonde girl, and Evette, the fashionista. Though I was a bit left behind by being a sassy lady like Evette, still we share the same interests when it comes to putting light retouches on our faces.

The day ends gracefully that I didn't even notice that my shift at the café was done. While talking to Kara my phone beeps, and Reina's name was evident on the screen.

“I get going,” shifting away from Kara, pulled the door, I answered the call.

“I'm on my way home,” not bothering what Reina wants to say, I talked first.

“Okay. I get you dinner. Vegetable salads and burger steak, is it okay with you?”

I stopped as I reached the main street. “Yeah. I'll hang up now,” I, then end the call and look from my sides for vehicles sort to pass by, on cue, I crossed.

The light from the lamp post shines the street as its defined the firm color of the asphalt and gives an aesthetic view to the surrounding.

Some students were still on the streets, walking to their destination. C.U was huge that you can't even find whom you're looking for in just a minute. Especially when you don't know each part of the University.

As for me, I just know where the lecture halls are, the cafeteria, the gym, the theatre room, the faculty, the Café where I work, the Grim park where we stayed in during our vacant hours, and our dorm. I didn’t even find the library yet.

Nena, Kara, and Trix live on the other side of the street. Indeed, C.U has lots of dorms.

“You tired?” Reina asked as I opened the door.

I didn't reply and just pass by, leave my bag on the wooden table, turn on the lampshade, and toss my body on the soft single bed. I heard footsteps that came from my cousin as I close my eyes. I seem not tired when I'm outside but when I saw my bed, exhaustion took place.

“Have you seen the prince?” the concern of Reina makes me open my eyes, and give a dazed look to my cousin, who is now seated on the edge of my bed.

“Prince?”

“Yeah. Prince of Denmark. The one I told you before.”

How on earth I'll know who the prince is if I haven't seen his picture?

“No.”

“Why? He has the same course as you.”

I massage my temple. “The hell I care.”

Reina laughed. “Why not? Don't you want to meet a prince, for once in your life?”

I heaved a deep sigh and get up. “Look, I'm here to spend my college life with my studies. No more, no less. And do you even hear yourself? You have a boyfriend, Rey, why does it seems like you’re inquisitive to this so-called prince?”

“Of course, I am. I am interested but not in the way you think it should be, duh. I'm just curious and it's an honor to meet a prince. Gosh, you're impossible,” she uttered and stand up.

“Get your ass up and let's eat. Geez, Becca, you need to see a physician,” she hissed.

I just laughed.

I don't know why I feel that way—not interested in boys. Is it because of the possibility that boys bring babies? My inner self laughed and an image popped inside my head, suddenly. The image of the guy this morning. His deep menacing eyes, his black messy hair, and his fine jaw—what the hell, did I just describe a man inside my mind?

THE NEXT day, I wake up an hour earlier than my schedule. Reina is still snoring while her blanket is wrapped around her body. I wore my slippers and walks inside the bathroom to take a bath.

When I came out from the bathroom, Reina is still sleeping, safe and sound. Seems the latter sleeps late at night again.

As the weather getting colder, I choose to wear long sleeves floral dress and paired it with my white sneakers. I then grabbed my sling bag and walk out of our room.

Tanesha, the cute girl downstairs greeted me.

“You look great, Becca,” the girl said.

“Thanks, Tan,” I replied as I went out of the dorm.

The dappled sun shone through the trees, creating mysterious shadows. The blue sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds that drifted lazily in the drifted breeze.

I went inside the Café and grabbed the usual—coffee and freshly baked cookies.

I was tempted to order the new recipe—vegetable omelet, but I held myself. I must not ruin my diet. Yeah, I'm on a diet. Reina, being a determined person to persuade me into having a diet, left me with no choice. It’s quite good anyway.

Walking towards the door, when suddenly, my clip loosens and fell. I bent down to pick it up. With eyes tuck on the clip, I bumped into something that shaken my hand where my coffee was. A little amount of coffee almost spilled to someone's shirt, but the man’s reflexes were swift that he immediately manages to grasp my hand and pushed it away before it ruins his black shirt.

I heard the man cursed and slowly, I lifted my head to meet his gaze.

Wide eyes, I whispered, ‘you.

“The hell you're looking?” he mumbled, deep and freakish, then he let go off of his grip.

I don't know but why does it seem like his touch sent thousands of electric volts that almost make my whole system, trembled.

What's happening?

When I recovered from the shock, I gave a genuine apology.

But he just replied, “Tsk!”

Eyes darted on me like I'm a sort of a criminal, he continues to walk and his shoulder bumped on me, which makes me take a step back.

“What the...” I whispered.

What's his problem? I already asked for an apology. Does he need to be that rude? If only he's not that ravishing, I may punch him straight to his face. He got an attitude!