24 This Ain't No Crush

She nervously moistened her dry lips and chewed her bottom lip not knowing how to answer as he finally took off the cap on his head revealing several bald patches throughout the top of his head, as he declared I suffer from a condition called, "Alopecia Areata."

Her mind was a blur, she was in a state of shock. Her dark brown set of eyes looking straight into his set of light brown ones as he finally put his cap back on his head. What was she supposed to say? A momentary look of discomfort crossed his face when his mystery girl involuntarily pulled her arm away from him which was placed on the library table right next to his. His eyes began to grow moist with tears as he thought it was her gesture of being uncomfortable around him.

It was an involuntary action, she would never dare break his heart like that. His dazzling light brown velvety eyes that were so easy to sink into the depths of, were beginning to well up with tears because of her!?

She couldn't bear the thought of those eyes that she loved so much getting wet with her being the reason as she immediately put her arm back to where it was near him, so he knows his vulnerability was safe with her. His eyes began to dry as he realized she wasn't going anywhere as she leaned in closer and whispered, "How long has it been?"

"Since I was around twelve years old."

"Is it genetic?"

"No, it is an autoimmune disease. It means I have antibodies that work against my own hair follicle cells."

" I'm so sorry, Sam."

He gave an uncertain smile as he answered, "It's okay. I had realised you didn't know which is why I wanted to clear it out with you from the beginning."

"Sam.." Her voice traced off.

"Yeah?"

"But I don't understand. I have seen you without the cap multiple times and you were fine. Then how has it started from when you were twelve?"

"Yeah about that. It's actually a weird thing. My hair keeps coming back and falling off on its own. Like when my freshman year was just about to begin it started growing back normally but recently it has began to fall out again."

"Oh."

"It sometimes starts growing back in the winter season and starts to fall off in summer. It's not factual but it's just something I have noticed over the years as my own experience."

"And there's no treatment for it?"

"Not certainly. I mean there are a few, however, they're not very effective plus you know with medications there are side effects too."

"Right...right," she said dully.

"How could life treat him this way?" She thought to herself confused for a second or two before her thoughts being interrupted by his words.

"But I guess it is not so bad, right?" he said softly

"It is not?"

"No, I mean! Isn't that what life is after all? A test. Just because you're tested in one way it doesn't mean you become ungrateful to God for the millions of things that you're blessed with. Don't you think so?" he asked

She looked at her prince charming with eyes full of love as she nodded to his question while she admired his faith. He had been through a tough time in his life, and yet he was thankful for everything that had happened. It was just so beautiful. Could a guy be beautiful? She wasn't sure but whatever he was it was too good to be true.

"And besides whatever happens is for the best, right? It was a learning experience as well."

"How so?"

"It taught me how looks don't matter. I'm still the same person inside, but some people tend to act differently once they find out about this condition so yeah...I learned about the harsh reality of some people but I'm glad I did." he sighed.

She looked at him and wondered the pain he must have gone through. "How could someone hurt him this way? What has he been through?" she thought to herself as he pictured herself in his shoes.

"Was he right? Was she looking at him differently now? OF COURSE NOT!" she thought. "She had feelings for him. Genuine feelings of love for him that she had never felt before. This wasn't a crush. This wasn't some random attraction. This was LOVE."

The two heard someone approaching them from the right side as the two turned their heads to see Emma making her way towards them, wearing a dark maroonish loose top with beige coloured tights, and hair tied up in a sleek ponytail.

"Sam, I'm going for lunch to the cafeteria. You coming?" she said as she carefully studied Ashley for a minute from a distance but continued talking to Sam.

"Uhh yeah, you go ahead I will catch up with you in ten minutes."

"Ugh okay, just please don't keep me waiting for too long," she answered as she turned around and stepped away.

"That's your friend?" asked Ashley as the two watched Emma move farther and farther away and eventually out of the library.

"Yeah! My best friend actually. Her name's Emma. She is really stressed cause of the module, otherwise, I would have introduced you to her. She's really nice, I think the two of you would hit along." He smiled.

"That's sweet of you to say." she smiled back at him politely.

"Can I ask you something you, Ashley?" he asked politely, his voice sweet like drops of honey.

"Of course?"

"Has my confession about my condition upset you?" he asked sadly.

"I'm just shocked that's all," she answered. She swallowed dryly, unable to wet her parched throat, glancing away from Sam unable to make eye contact she added, "Sam..You're still the same for me." she said almost in a whisper but he heard his mystery girl clearly.

She glanced back at him to see his face lit up like a neon sign, a beautiful smile completely enveloping his face.

"I am glad. I'm really really glad." His voice was calm and pleasant.