chapter 2:Met him

I woke up with a pounding headache, my mouth dry and my body feeling like it had been hit by a truck. As I slowly sat up, the room spun around me, and I had to grab the bedframe to steady myself. Ronnie's room was unfamiliar, but the posters on the wall and the messy bed gave away that it was indeed her space. I looked around, trying to piece together the events of the previous night.

Memories started flooding back – the party, the tequila shots, the rooftop, and the stranger. Oh God, the stranger. I vaguely remembered kissing him, feeling his soft lips, and the way he made me feel like I was home. My face flushed as I recalled how I let him take control, how I surrendered to the moment.

Just as I was trying to gather my thoughts, Ronnie walked in with a tray of breakfast – pancakes, scrambled eggs, and a glass of orange juice. She set it down on the bedside table and plopped down beside me.

"Morning, sunshine!" she chimed, eyeing me with a mixture of amusement and concern. "I'm surprised you got so wasted last night. I've never seen you like that before."

I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the throbbing pain. "What...what happened?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ronnie raised an eyebrow. "You don't remember? You were making out with some guy on the rooftop, and then you both disappeared for a while. I was starting to get worried, but Jack said he saw you guys come back downstairs together."

I buried my face in my hands, mortification washing over me. "Oh God, Ronnie...I think I did something stupid."

Ronnie laughed and put a reassuring arm around me. "Hey, it's okay. You needed a distraction, and it seems like you found one. Although, I have to say, I'm curious about this mystery guy. Who is he?"

I shook my head, feeling a mix of shame and confusion. "I don't know. I met him on the rooftop. We just...clicked, I guess."

Ronnie grinned mischievously. "Well, maybe you'll see him again. Now, eat your breakfast and let's get you feeling better."

I walked across campus, the crisp morning air a welcome respite from the lingering fog of my hangover. As I approached the lecture hall, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me. Classes had started back up, and I was already running on fumes.

As I took my seat, I noticed a guy sitting a few rows in front of me. His broad shoulders and messy hair looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn't quite place him. And then, it hit me – the scent of his cologne wafted my way, and my heart skipped a beat. It was the same scent as the stranger from the rooftop.

My mind began racing as I tried to process the coincidence. Could it be him? Was he a student here? I found myself stealing glances at the back of his head, wondering if I'd ever find out who he was or if I'd just have to leave it as a mysterious night forever. The lecture began, but my attention was elsewhere, caught up in the tantalizing possibility that our paths might cross again.

As the lecture came to a close, I gathered my belongings and stood up, scanning the room for a glimpse of the familiar figure. My eyes scanned the sea of students filing out of the lecture hall, but he was nowhere to be seen. I quickened my pace, hoping to catch a glimpse of him in the hallway, but he seemed to have vanished into thin air.

I walked out of the building, joining the stream of students flowing across campus. I slowed down, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling university. The guy was nowhere in sight, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of disappointment. Maybe it wasn't him, I thought. Maybe I was just reading too much into it.

As I walked to my next class, I couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if I had run into him again. Would we have exchanged numbers? Would I have finally gotten his name? The questions swirled in my head, leaving me with more uncertainty than answers.

I sat at a small table in the campus café, sipping on a latte and staring at my notes for an upcoming exam. The hum of conversation and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee created a cozy atmosphere, and I was lost in thought when I felt a presence beside me. I turned to see the guy from class standing next to me, a hint of a smile on his face.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, his voice low and smooth.

My heart skipped a beat as I shook my head, trying to play it cool. "Not at all," I replied, gesturing to the empty chair across from me.

He sat down, and we introduced ourselves. His name was Alex, and as we chatted, I realized that he was the stranger from the rooftop. The connection was undeniable, and I felt a spark of excitement as we talked. It seemed that fate had brought us together again, and I was eager to see where this new encounter would lead.

I'm really sorry for keeping myself anonymous that night. I just wasn't expecting to connect with someone like I did with you, and I didn't know how to handle it. I know it's no excuse, but I was caught up in the moment, and I didn't want it to end.

I looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity there. It was clear that he was genuinely sorry for not being upfront with me.

It's okay, I understand, I said, my voice soft. You didn't know me, and I didn't know you. But I'm glad we ran into each other again. This feels like a second chance.

He smiled, relief washing over his face. I'm glad too. I have to admit, I've been thinking about you a lot since that night. I couldn't stop wondering who you were and if I'd ever see you again.

He pulled out his phone and asked, "Can I get your number, Mia? I'd love to get to know you better and make up for that night."

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I was ready to share my number with this virtual stranger. But there was something about him that put me at ease, something that made me feel like I could trust him.

"Okay," I said finally, reciting my number as he typed it into his phone.

As soon as he saved my number, his phone buzzed with an incoming text from me. "Hi," the text read.

He smiled, looking up at me with a sparkle in his eyes. "Hi," he replied, his voice low and smooth.

I couldn't help but be drawn to him as he smiled at me. His eyes crinkled at the corners, and his lips curved up in a way that made my heart skip a beat. I felt a flutter in my chest as I gazed at him, my resistance melting away with each passing moment.

The café around us seemed to fade into the background as I locked eyes with him. I couldn't look away, couldn't tear my gaze away from the warmth and sincerity in his eyes. It was as if time had slowed down, and all that mattered was the connection between us.

I felt a sense of vulnerability wash over me as I realized I was completely captivated by him. But somehow, it didn't feel scary. It felt...right.

I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the dazed feeling that lingered after Alex left. Maybe it was infatuation, I repeated to myself, trying to rationalize the intense attraction I felt towards him. After all, we had shared a passionate moment on the rooftop, and it was only natural to feel drawn to him.

As I sat there, sipping my now-cold coffee, I couldn't help but feel grateful that Alex had excused himself to attend a class. It gave me a chance to collect my thoughts and process the whirlwind of emotions that had been stirred up.

I gathered my belongings and stood up, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as I put some distance between us. Maybe some space was exactly what I needed to clear my head and figure out what I really felt about Alex.