A new friend.

DAWN'S POV

Remember that part of me that doubted I was going to get any sleep? That part was mistaken, extremely wrong. I only jerked awake due to repeated thuds that came from the door. It was Alexis knocking, one glimpse at the wall clock and it was ten am already! Ten am and I was still a potato mess on a stranger's bed.

Classic, Dawn. You really hit it this time.

I patted down what I could from the tangled mess on my head and wiped my face with my palms in case I drooled, though it didn't do much to hide how hideout I looked.

Here goes nothing, I opened the door to a bewildered Alexis. I think it's my face, it probably scared the shit out of him.

"Good morning," I said, and a nervous laugh followed.

"Good morning, I was getting worried when you didn't open up."

Yeah, probably because I slept like a dead body.

"Yeah, I was taking time to uh... Hey, nice shirt!" Someone, please save me. I felt the texture of the striped T-shirt he had on.

"Thank you," he took a few steps back before he continued. "I made a little something for breakfast if you'd like to eat something before you go."

What? This was clearly a trap. The killer that didn't kill me overnight is offering me breakfast. That was my weakness — food was my weakness.

I just wish the voice in my head would shut up.

"Sure, I'd be there in a few minutes. Thank you."

With that, I closed the door and went ahead to take my bath. My clothes from yesterday were ready to be worn, I washed them last night. So many beauty products to choose from, exotic shampoos and shrubs that made me wish I could stay in the tub forever. The best thing was the dried rose petals that were made available; I played princess in the tub cause who knows the next time I'd be seeing a bath as beautiful as this one.

The lovely aroma of pancakes almost swooned me off my feet, the aroma lingered in the air, pulling me in by the second. How could I say no to this? It was food! Nothing else beats a good breakfast. Let's fall into the trap, shall we?

In the blink of an eye, I was getting seated at his dining table against my will. Okay, maybe not against my will because a decent part of me thought it was uncalled for. The other ninety percent supported the desire to run my teeth through the delicious pancakes that were placed on a flat circular china ware before me—with tea cups to match staring at me! They were a light shade of golden brown, dripping with syrup, with banana slices and strawberries by their side.

I hereby declare the not-so-decent parts the victor. I had already flung my self-respect out the window, what else mattered?

"How'd you like your coffee? Sorry, do you take coffee?" He asked as he wiped his hands on his apron. His sleeves were rolled up to the elbow level revealing his veiny arms.

Okay, guys. You can bring the cameras out now, this was probably a search for the most shameless girl in America. I won, I know. Now stop the prank!

"I'm okay with this, thank you," I lied. "So what do you study in Brownston?" I asked with a mouth stuffed with pancake. My eyes widened at every bite, why was it so good?!

"Geography."

That was all he said, it took me a while to swallow while thinking of something else to ask, anything to ease the awkwardness.

"Hm, nice choice. Apart from that, what are your areas of interest?"

"Reading, what about you?"

"Reading too, and writing, I guess. And eating, what's life without food, uh?" I responded with a smile.

His pretty lips curved into an awkward smile too, he seemed like a good person underneath that cold, stern, insanely good-looking face. "What kind of books do you read?"

"Pretty much anything, romance, fantasy, adventure... Anything that piques my interest," I replied stuffing my mouth again.

"Oh, great."

Yeah, great.

"I could give some really good recommendations if you want..." My voice trailed off as he repositioned himself where he sat exactly opposite me.

"Sure, I'd like that."

"Hm..." I tapped my index finger on m chin, and try reading "over the horizon"

His face brightened up in an instant, how could someone be so beautiful?

"I read that recently, someone recommended it to me." He chirped.

I bet he got excited when he talked about the things he liked. I found it adorable.

"Okay then, how about "Not enough love", I think you can find this in the school library. The fourth section actually," I adjusted and leaned closer. "All the amazing books are there," the last phrase came out as a sheepish whisper.

"Alright then. I'd be sure to check it out."

I finished up quickly so I head to the college's hostel management office, I needed to get that pass to get inside the hostel building before December and how to tear my roommate's hair out of her pretty head.

"Thank you so much, for everything, thank you so much." I stood up to take my leave. "Can I get your account number on a piece of paper so I wire the cash to you as soon as I get my phone?"

"Oh, no. It's fine, you can just leave it."

"I have to pay you back or I'd feel indebted for the rest of my life. Not that I don't already do but it's only polite I paid back," I protested.

He succumbed with a shrug. "okay, I understand."

He picked a jotter and pen from a shelf nearby and scribbled his account details on it. He tore the page out and handed it to me.

"Thank you," I said, heading to the door. "And don't forget, the fourth section of the library!" I made a four with my fingers.

"Can you find your way back?" He asked.

No, no. I can't, I had no idea how to get back but it couldn't be that bad. I'd just ask a few people.

"Yes, yes," I said reassuringly. I didn't want to be such a burden anymore. With that, I was out the ginormous gate and on the street. Off to school, I go.

~~

I'd find my way back to school if it wasn't this difficult. Fifteen minutes and I was still walking around in circles, trying to find my way to Brownston university, a few weird stares made me clarify since I was in Brownston already. I really shouldn't have told him I knew my way back when I didn't. Now I was lost and homeless. Classic, Dawn.

I sighted a guy about my age or older who leaned on a bicycle at the front of a boutique. Who the hell named a boutique clothes store ??? I'd get back to ruminating over that. Now I needed to do something more important. He'd probably be less judgy than the elderly people that threw me awkward stares. I approached him.

"Hi, uh- Good morning, I'm headed to Brownston university and I think I'm lost, can you show me the direction?" I asked as pleasantly as I could.

The guy in a brown leather jacket and faded blue denim jeans turned abruptly to me.

"Oh, good morning. I'm headed there too, we can walk together if you want." His smile was warm and friendly.

"Oh, yes. That would be great, thank you so much." I replied clasping my hands together to show gratitude.

"You're very welcome. My name is Dylan, by the way. You attend Brownston?" He raised his nearly shaped brow as he asked.

"Yes, I do. My name is Dawn." Is this the part where I stretch my hand out for a shake? It would be weird to stop walking just for a handshake, right?

"Nice to meet you, Dawn. It's easy to get lost here. All the streets look so similar. I got lost a couple of times too, all because average Americans are too lazy to paint their homes any colour except brown." He ended his sentence with a short, but pleasure laughter and I chuckled too.

If only he knew how I got here in the first place.

He pushed his bicycle and walked at my pace since he was way taller. I could tell he shortened his strides to my short five-foot-four legs could catch up.

"Thank you so much," I said again. That was all my brain could give at the moment.

"Nah, it's fine, silly. I guess you're a first year?"

"Yes, I am, are you too?"

"Nope, it's my second year... isn't so different though."

He was humble too, very nice.

"And you stay around here?"

"Yup, I squat with a friend, he owns the house." He replied.

"Oh, good for you."

Time rolled by fast as we chatted while walking our way to school. It wasn't a far distance in the slightest, I was the one who got confused by the similar-looking streets. In that short while, I got to learn a little about Dylan, that he sang and played the piano. Also that he once bit a dog at his four-year-old birthday party, I remember choking on my laughter at how hilarious that was, probably the way he explained the dog sniffing his birth cake. He wasn't an avid lover of books like I was but what good is a friend without some contrasting attributes?

I made a new friend, or two, including Alexis even though I had no way of meeting him again. I could only hope I bump into him again, someday. I still feel like I didn't thank him enough.

Now, Selene!