Chapter Text
The distant hum of thunder pollutes the stale air. My strained gaze follows the filthy tiles that litter the floor with each cautious step, avoiding the obstacles of bodies that seem to be everywhere. I tighten my grip on the strap of my backpack slung over my right shoulder, slipping past a small family who seem to be lacking in pace.
An engine whirls to life behind me, the noise muffled by the wall that now separates us. A thin stripe of the crescent moon slips in through the glass as I pass straight by the baggage claim, fumbling with my earbuds while trying to fish them out of my pocket. I focus on the music blaring in my ears as I start the short trek to the terminal, drowning out the noise of hyper children arriving back home in time for school, and the methodic rumble of an airplane as it takes off or lands.
I stifle a yawn, emerging into the terminal at last, in search of a coffee shop to quench my craving for caffeine. It's still another half-hour trip to campus itself, one I'm not keen on travelling feeling drowsy despite the late hour.
I find a small Starbucks tucked away at the end of a row of various shops and slip inside, pulling the buds from my ears. It's much quieter than I had expected, anticipating a flood of people arriving back as the summer comes to an end. I suppose most are likely to head straight home after a long flight.
Upon entering, at a quick glance I note three clusters of people.
A young couple are sat together by the window, talking in a hushed whisper. They seem as though they had just arrived here on a holiday of some sort, beaming smiles and crinkling eyes. They don't appear tired, the expression of which shows whether or not they've just come back from time away. The energy radiating off them is vibrant and energetic, only talking quietly due to the presence of various others.
An older man is sat lonesome, brows furrowed as he scrolls through his phone. His neatly groomed hair and pristine black suit tells me he's on some sort of business trip. Either returning home from one or arriving to go on one is unclear to me.
Finally, a small family are tucked in a booth on the same aisle, the two teenage children looking rather bothered by the situation, one glued to his phone while the other sips at her drink in silence. The parents are trying to hold a light conversation with the pair, only gaining slight head movements and mumbles in response.
After collecting my drink, I settle at a table on the opposite aisle, letting my backpack onto the seat beside me. I open the zip and tug out a book, taking a brief sip of my iced coffee before the book is sprawled out on the table and I swiftly get swept into the story.
The peace only lasts for five minutes, broken by a melodic laugh that ripples through the tranquility and tears me from the pages.
It's a light, genuine laugh that spreads through the shop quicker than a wildfire as the owner proceeds to the counter. My head slowly snaps up, trying my best to remain discreet while scanning the room.
My curious gaze falls upon three women who had just entered the store. They're all bearing light smiles, the blonde wearing one similar to a smirk, as if she had just made a witty remark to which her friends found funny. My fingertips lightly brush over the printed text now cradled in my lap as a distraction, sharply snapping myself from my deepening thoughts and lingering gaze as it starts to become somewhat weird.
The distraction doesn't last long, when a raspy yet smooth voice is speaking, consuming my attention once again.
I can't help but watch as they reach the counter, silently absorbing their orders without recognition I had done so. A joke slips from her lips and her friends laugh again, moving a hand to swiftly tuck a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear. My mind turns foggy, clouded over by a stream of thoughts bombarding me at once. I don't even realise I'm still looking directly at her until suddenly, she's staring right back at me.
Blue eyes stare into mine, directly catching my gaze. On instinct, I almost immediately flit my eyes away, to look at something less captivating like my plastic cup or the book whom's pages are slowly slipping out from under my clammy fingertips. However, she doesn't let me, holding me captive for a few seconds more than I would've liked.
The tips of my ears burn up with embarrassment, breath falling short in my throat. My eyes wander down to her lips; corners still folded upwards but her large smile has dimmed since, starting to form a smirk.
I quickly peel my eyes away, letting out a subtle breath I didn't even know I was holding. My lungs relax under the decrease in pressure, gaze settling gently back onto my book, swallowing some more coffee down thickly.
I read over the pages but the words don't sink into my skin, too preoccupied with various other things rushing through my head. I mindlessly turn a few pages, pretending to read and I hear the businessman leave but I don't dare look up again, heart still pulsing in my ears.
There's a shuffle that comes from the booth in front of me and a heavy weight plummets to the depths of my stomach, dread pouring over me. Out of the corner of my eye I spot curled brunette locks hanging past her shoulders, back facing me - the shorter woman who had ordered earlier. Oh.
I can't help but occasionally tune in to various aspects of their conversation, guilt tearing at my insides. I know it's wrong, but I can't stop. My brain screams at me to leave the awkward situation my curious and over observant self had put myself in, but there's an invisible string bounding me to the seat and I feel obliged to stay.
I piece together fragments of sentences I coincidentally hear and learn quite swiftly that they seem to be old friends catching up after some time away. I continue to sip at my coffee, suffocating in my own mind.
A movement pulls me from my thoughts yet again. The shorter brunette isn't there anymore, having slipped out of the booth; I hear her distinctive voice order three pastries followed by the response of the monotoned barista.
I suddenly feel eyes on me. Like they're blazing into my skin and I shuffle in my seat, lightly tapping my finger on the sticky wooden table.
I tremble under the sign of attention, unease gliding across my bones. The idea that she's noticed me and is continuing to notice me is unsettling and doesn't sit right.
My brows furrow as I stare harder at the book, fingertips burning.
I pause for a few beats, waiting for the sensation to disappear. When it doesn't, I risk a glance upwards to reassess the situation myself.
The woman is mostly looking at the book resting on the table, as if she's trying to figure out what I'm reading. There's a slight grin that spreads over her features, lower lip clasped between her teeth as she chews it subtly.
She notices. She notices and I blush, averting my gaze faster than she can clasp onto mine. I think her grin widens and her friend returns with their food, looking over at me curiously. Two new pairs of eyes- both brown this time- one accompanied by a slightly confused frown, and the other, an obnoxiously wide smile, briefly brushes over my face, only worsening my state.
Adrenaline pumps through my veins, face heating up furiously, spreading down my neck and over my ears, tinting them a slight shade of pink
Fight or flight.
I softly slam the book shut, depositing it back in my bag. I secure the straps over my shoulders with quavering hands and ascend from my seat. Fingers wrap around the half-full cup abandoned on the table, and without a second thought, I bolt out of there.
It's dark outside as I exit the terminal; a navy blue canvas littered with tonnes of microscopic stars. I find the bus stop and wander over to it, taking the money out of my pocket to grip in my palm as I patiently wait. My phone is in my other hand, mindlessly scrolling through to check the time of the next bus: five minutes.
The journey back home is short. I send a string of messages to my mom to let her know I arrived back safely while onboard, still nursing my coffee from earlier. My phone pings, a message from Cady.
Cady:
Have you landed yet?
Me:
Yeah sorry, I got distracted
On the bus now
She sends me a thumbs up in return along with several other emojis, and saying she'll be round tomorrow morning to help me get settled.
When I unlock the door to my apartment, it's stuffy and warm from being unused for several months. I let the door swing shut and fasten the lock, immediately cracking open two windows to allow fresh air inside. My bag is set down at the base of my wardrobe, empty cup lingering on the counter waiting to be washed out before recycled as I dig through my suitcase for clothes.
Relaxed, I finally settle into bed; hair and teeth brushed, face washed, clothes changed, curtains pulled to. A brittle exhale escapes my lungs, blindly searching for the lamp switch. My thumb finds the cool plastic and the room is suddenly engulfed in an eerie darkness, shuffling down further into the comfort of the sheets.
I let sleep sweep over me, unable to suppress the prominent image of soft blue eyes at the forefront of my mind. My stomach lurches at the realisation but by that point, it's too late. I'm already knocked out cold, swirls of navy and ice corrupting my peace.