Mismatched socks

Sophia - Chapter 1: Vincent Van Gogh

The first thing I noticed about her were her mismatched socks and her lack of fashion that make her who she is. At first, I thought she couldn't find the other sock that matched the first, or that she was in a hurry that morning and didn't have any time to find the right socks. Oh no, that was not it.

She mismatched her socks on purpose. Everyday since I noticed her, I only saw the different socks. Maybe she thinks it brings good luck or has some sentimental reason for it. I wanted to ask her yesterday, but I was to shy. Maybe it would be weird for me to notice some stranger's socks.

Together with her mismatched socks, her blonde curly hair and lack of fashion, she walks in the library. She looks in my direction and I look down at my book immediately. Did she see me? I hope not. I write down some things for research and close the book.

I put my books and pencil case in my backpack. I take the heavy book about the French Revolution and walk to the shelve where it belongs. I put it back and read the titles of the other books, maybe there is something interesting.

'Uhm, excuse me? Could you help me please?' And there she stands. Her curls bouncing while she nervously laughs, her woollen sweater seams very comfy,  her jeans are a little bit too short, her colourful socks and her white trainers.

She frowns. 'Uhm, if you can't, you can just say so,' she says in an accent that is not British. 'I'm sorry, yes I can help you,' I say and look away. My cheeks are definitely turned red. 'Great! I cannot find the book about Vincent Van Gogh. It should be somewhere between the art and the history section, but I simply cannot find it.'       

I walk with her to the shelve where it should be on, but the book is nowhere to be found. 'Oh, well, then someone else will have it,' she shrugs. 'We could ask the librarian who has it?' I suggest. 'No, it is fine, I'll come back tomorrow. Thank you for helping me,' she says and turns to leave.

'Wait!' I say a little to loud. 'Yes?' She asks with an eyebrow raised. 'What's your name?' 'Renée. Yours?' 'Sophia,' I say. 'Nice to meet you,' she says and leaves the library. 'Renée,' I repeat in a whisper with a soft smile. Well, I am sure of one thing, she is not form England or anywhere form the UK. And the way she pronounced Vincent Van Gogh. Maybe she's form Germany, it would also explain her accent.

When I return to my dorm, my roommate Elise is lying on her bed. 'Everything all right?' I ask. 'I am exhausted,' she says. 'And I can't believe this year is only two months in,' she continues. 'I understand you completely,' I say with the biggest smile. 'What are you smiling about?' Elise asks and tilts her head. 'I'm not smiling,' I say shyly and look away. 'You totally are.' There is a silence while she looks at me, questioning.

'Her name is Renée,' I say loudly. 'OMG did you finally talked to her?!' Elise says surprised and stands to hug me. 'Well, she talked to me actually,' I say. 'What did she say?! Did she ask you out?' 'No, she couldn't find a book and I helped her search for it.' 'And?' Elise asks. 'We couldn't find it.' 'That's it?' 'That's it.'

Elise facepalms herself. 'You are a total idiot. You should have asked her out. Or just invited her for a coffee or tea.' 'She was already gone before I could ask.' Elise sighs. 'Well, she said about going back to the library tomorrow to look if the book was there then.' 'Great! You should be there and ask her out!' Elise says excited with her hands in the air. 'But what if she is not into girls?' 'Then you would've made a new friend, that's not that bad either.'

***

The next day I am sitting in the library. Elise is here somewhere too, she wanted to support me. She's just curious and wants to see how it goes. I play with a lock of my hair, waiting for her. 'She is not coming,' I whisper to Elise when an hour passes. 'Maybe she's in a class or is studying or hanging out with friends?' The big wooden door opens, and she walks in. She puts the tote bag on her shoulder and walks past my table. Elise signs me to follow her, so that is what I do.