tall.

freakishly tall, you think. you’ve yet to become accustomed to this university; it’s absolutely terrible navigating.
and the fact that you have a terrible sense of direction certainly doesn’t help. so while you were staring intently
at the map on your phone, you didn’t notice the stranger blocking your path– and you didn’t notice until it was too late.
it’s always great to bump into people, right?

your eyes stare at him in wonder; he’s not a lot taller than you, but still– pretty tall. an apology balances on the tip of your tongue,
yet nothing comes out. he only stares back with a strange expression, though he shoots a smile your way and your mind runs blank.

“hi.”

“hi,” he says, and he laughs at your stunned expression, “are you lost, too?”

“yeah– i just need to get to this building.” you quickly respond, realization seeping in when you check the time.
only five minutes til class– the building shouldn’t be too far, but then again, it’s likely that you’ll somehow get lost.

“just came from there.” comes the reply, his brows raised slightly as he tries to recall the route;
it takes a moment before he gives directions. you repeat them over and over in your head,
glancing at the clock before rushing off, giving only a brief word of thanks before he can say anything else.

.         .         .

you somehow managed to remember his instructions, though the professor didn’t exactly appreciate the fact that you were a little late–
better than not showing up at all, right? 

now it’s the last class of the day and luckily, you know your way– it’s just that you only have a ten minute gap to get to the other building.
so you rush and you rush; surprisingly, you manage to make it just in time, but you’re out of breath and your appearance is disheveled.

eyes scan the class for a seat and there’s the familiar stranger from before; he doesn’t notice you until you carelessly toss your backpack on the ground,
letting out a long sigh before sitting beside him. he pauses for a moment before that bright smile appears–
one you hate to admit that you find yourself liking too much.

and he speaks.

“hi.”

you almost roll your eyes at the familiarity of this conversation. regardless, you humor him.

“hi.”