Our Time Is Here | a Lauren/You Short Story

1 • Reunited

5 Years Later

I'm late.

I ran as fast as I possibly could, trying to find the right building where my lecture was being held. It was my first day at university and I was already late to my first lecture. How great was that?

My eyes scanned the two buildings before me, and after matching the name up with the one written on my timetable in my hand, I raced towards the building on my left. I gained a few looks from other students, but I ignored them as I found the correct door. Looking inside the small glass window, I noticed that the professor had already started and a lot of other people were already there.

Cue awkwardness now.

I cleared my throat and wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans before stepping inside the large hall. The creak of the door brought everyone's attention towards me and I avoided the students' eyes as I looked apologetically at the professor. He was studying me with confusion, probably wondering who I was and what I wanted.

"Sorry I'm late," I mumbled loud enough for him to hear.

He raised an eyebrow before motioning for me to find a seat. No words were exchanged as I nodded hastily and avoided the glances I was receiving. I walked up the steps in the centre of the rows of seats. The professor's loud voice boomed through the hall and echoed off the walls as he continued his lecture, only making me want to hurry so I could find my seat and take notes. My eyes looked up only once and thankfully, a vacant seat was available at the end of the nearest row. I swiftly moved there and took a seat, setting my bag down beside me on the ground. I looked through it and pulled out my notebook, placing it on the desk before me.

"Now, this is your choice to make notes," the professor's deep voice grabbed my attention, causing me to look up, "but, I would suggest you do so as what I'm about to tell you is a key part of the exam you will have at the end of the year."

I fumbled about nervously in my bag, hoping to find a pen, but I finally realised that I hadn't packed one. I was too busy sorting out Eddie's lunchbox this morning to pack any writing equipment. Great.

A tap on my shoulder brought me out of my thoughts and I began to quietly turn around in my seat, hoping to face the person. Before I could fully turn around, a familiar voice spoke.

"You can borrow my pen, if you want."

"Thank you," I replied, facing the kind stranger, only to see the girl I didn't think I would ever see again, holding out a pen for me to take.

Lauren.

My eyes widened a little and I froze with shock. She seemed to recognise me, too as her expression mirrored mine, except her mouth was slightly agape. She looked exactly the same, just a little bit older. Her long hair was still it's perfectly dyed black and naturally wavy, and her green eyes were as bright and beautiful as I remembered. She was perfect, despite me not having the chance to fully study her. But, what was she doing here?

I quickly grabbed the pen from her hand and turned around in my seat, looking down at my blank notebook. I couldn't let her get in my head right now. Not now. I needed to focus on this lecture.

***

"Thank you for attending," the professor finished with a forced smile, placing his pen on his large desk.

As everyone began to pack their things away, I shoved my notebook in my bag and stood up immediately.

"Thanks for the pen," I said in a rushed tone, placing the pen on Lauren's desk and avoiding any eye contact with her.