Meeting You ✓

Another Day

Chapter 6

❈

"WAKE UP YOU LITTLE-"

The voice sounded familiar.
A high-pitched shriek laced with frustration.

Still, slumber was the only thing on my mind and I fell back into the welcoming warmth of the sheets, sighing in content.

"SHIT! YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE YOU LITTLE-"

Cake? I didn't want any cake.
Wait, late?

"WHAT TIME IS IT?!"

I shrieked in horror as I realised that indeed, I was late.
Again.

Climbing out of bed in a hurry and almost hitting the carpeted floor face first, I rushed towards the bathroom, brushing my teeth with lightning speed. With a few quick sweeps, I tamed my hair down, scrubbing my face with a clear aloe-vera cleanser and slapping on sunscreen in a dash.

My closet was anything but glamorous.

Swishing through a sea of fabric, I hastily slipped on a loose white collared shirt and a pair of funky-smelling denim jeans as the look of the day. Contacts were a definite no-go as I hurriedly put on black wayfarer glasses, tying my hair into a loose ponytail; the baby hairs flying past my hairline.

Kinsley got the hint as well, dashing down the staircase to plate some bacon and eggs. The aroma of warm delicacies washed over me as I slid down the banister, eyes locked on the delicious targets.

I scarfed them down with incredible speed, much like a starving hyena, as Kinsley untied the pastel yellow apron he had on his waist and donned an ironed-out suit; his usual work attire.

Once again, Kinsley's blaring voice burst into my eardrums, the man now reaching to grab my backpack and forcefully drag me into his car. "INSIDE NOW! RUN!" he shrieked out in complete disarray, closing the car door with a heavy slam.

I took in a deep breath, getting ready for the chaos to come. Latching onto my seatbelt, I geared in for the journey, gaze determined and steely.

With everything agreed upon, Kinsley finally jumped into the vehicle himself, hands grabbing the handbrake and pushing it down. Stepping onto the accelerator, he zoomed down the road in a roar of thunder, narrowly missing some turns as he swerved past the tight corners.

The buildings beside grew into one long neutral-coloured blur as I struggled to concentrate. It reminded me of video games I played, speeding down highways as vigilantes – crashing past mountain tops.

"WE'RE HERE, GET OUT, HAVE A GOOD DAY, STUDY HARD, LOVE YOU!"

My head spun as Kinsley yelled out the words, car screeching to a dramatically loud halt in front of the university building.

As soon as we'd reached, Kinsley grabbed my collar and quite literally threw me out of the car seat before disappearing from view once again, leaving a wonderful trail of dust to half-suffocate me. Still, I let out a wry, grateful smile as he disappeared into the horizon.

The university was alive with activity. Students rushed around to get to classes; some in complete distress, others peacefully sipping away on cups of caffeine. I listened to talks about holiday plans, research studies and assignments due, each person proposing their own problem.

Sighing, I took out my phone to recheck the schedule.
I hadn't quite memorised my class locations and the lack of a sense of direction didn't help much either.

Zipping open my backpack, I noticed a newcomer amongst the crowd of belongings: a small container of apple salad.

Oh, Kinsley must've packed me an extra snack.

I couldn't help the smile on my lips.

Spending days without Kinsley felt lonely.
The house was too empty, the rooms too quiet.

"Apple-salad?"

A familiar low voice entered my train of thought.

I laughed heartily, abruptly turning around.
"Theo! How did you find me?"

Theodore grinned, "Gingereve doesn't exactly have huge university compounds."

I nodded, "The beauty of Simplexton, that is."

The boy stood tall with an amused look, lips parting to reply.

However, another voice smashed through the atmosphere.

"And who may my man be?"

Avi Wingfeld.

I let out a loud sigh, "This is Theodore Nam, a friend that I have very very recently become acquainted with."

Avi moved closer, blatantly ignoring the distasteful tone. Wild curly black hair frizzed around his shoulders, resembling a lion's mane.

"Nice to meet you, dear Theodore Nam," he sang out, cooing, "I am the great Avi Wingfeld, Ilys Sun's best best friend. I see you and Lyssie have become – acquainted. Any plans for – further acquaintance?"

The boy smirked, bright sepia brown skin glowing in the light of the afternoon sun.

My jaw dropped.

And not because of his gorgeous sepia skin.

Theodore let out a warm chuckle, "Perhaps not quite yet," he answered, sneaking a quick wink towards me.

I felt my cheeks bloom bright red once more, throat running dangerously dry. I stood frozen as the clock struck twelve.

"Well, time for me to go, Lyssie, but let's talk some other time, alright?" Theodore smiled, backing away from my still very frozen figure.

The space breathed out a new sense of relief.

"And it was nice to meet you, Avi Wingfeld," Theodore continued (although I swore I saw a slight clench of the jaw).

Heart thumping wildly in my chest, I watched Theodore turn to leave, ash blonde hair riding with the wind. His brown eyes flowed with warmth as overwhelming as the sun, tan honey-toned skin radiating through the heat of the afternoon.

Theodore carried his paintings in one hand, strokes of acrylic paint that screamed of masterful creativity: the colours, the emotions.
Art creating art.

Golden boy.

I knew right then that Theodore Nam had plucked just the right notes on the strings of my heart.