"You told me I was different…" Llewyn continued, his enigmatic gaze steadily locked onto Rowan's face. "So why? Please tell me…"
Rowan's jaws clenched, something about llewyn's words seemed to kick him out of composure he'd struggle to maintain. Suddenly the musty air in the interview room seemed to drift, replaced by the summer air, distinct laughters and boisterous chatters from students in the campus, the grey walls faded into the clear sky.
He went back.
It was a usual day at school, Rowan and his friends wandered the courtyard lost in their conversation when he unexpectedly collided hard with someone. Books and papers scattered across the floor.
"Ow—ow—ow ." Rowan rubbed his shoulders groaning in pains as he slowly bent down to pick up the papers. "I'm really sorry I didn't s—"
His words caught in his throat, his gaze lifted and locked.
That was the first time he ever had a close encounter with the lone guy, Llewyn.
Llewyn didn't say a word or looked at Rowan, he gave a brief shake of his head instead signaling he was okay and picked up his materials before straightening up to his full height. He towered Rowan and his friends, they were captivated by his height. Oddly distant and calm.
He's tall!! Rowan whispered to himself mesmerizied as he watched llewyn's face. His jet-black hair fell messy over his eyes, he had an air of mystery around him, something inscrutable.
Without saying a word, Llewyn walked past them continuing on his path.
"Man that guy is really giving me creeps." Gideon muttered feeling unnerved still staring after him.
Casper giggled. "I swear! Anytime I lock eyes with him I get goosebumps all over my body."
"Hey, it's not nice to say such things about people." Rowan scold them playfully.
"Sorry." Casper and Gideon giggled tauntingly as they nudged each other.
Rowan let out a playful huff and rolled his eyes, he twitched a smile through the corner of his lips as he watched Llewyn shrink down the walkway, he rubbed the back of his neck thoughtfully. He really does look a little creepy.
— — -
The next day Rowan got into their lecture hall, his eyes pend around the hall deliberately, his gaze fell on Llewyn sitting inches away from the rest of the students.
Llewyn held a small digital camera, he seemed immersed in it, eyes glued onto the screen, scruntinizing the contents as if nothing else mattered.
"Rowan!" Gideon's voice distracted him from his thoughts. He waved from across the hall signaling Rowan to join him and the others.
Rowan averted his gaze from llewyn and walked up to his friends, sliding into a seat beside them. He leaned forward and asked. "Hey, do you guys think we should try talking to that guy?" He nodded unobtrusively in Llewyn's direction.
Oliver glowered. "Hey, are you okay? I heard that guy is not only a creep but a total weirdo."
Gideon sighed and shook his head. "Bro we know you're a social butterfly, but not with this one, trust me."
Casper leaned closer with a smirk, covering his mouth like he was sharing a secret. "What if he's a serial killer or a ghost?" He whispered vividly—loud enough for them to hear.
They all giggled.
Rowan chuckled, though a shaky inflection clung to his voice. He felt trickles of sweat beads falling down the back of his nape as his gaze drifted once more to Llewyn's direction,
Llewyn's remoteness had his curiosity thirsting, and what was more compelling was his skin that was white as a ghost.
—- —
Rowan wandered around the courtyard his gaze scanning around in search of Llewyn. When his eyes finally landed on him, he rushed towards him.
"Hey!"
Llewyn engrossed in his thoughts didn't realize Rowan was calling for him, he kept walking.
Rowan quickly caught up and abruptly stepped in front of Llewyn propelling him to stop. He hunched over gasping for air. "I've been calling for you!"
Llewyn stared at him quite confused by the sudden attention, speechless.
Rowan straightened up to his full height, extending his hands for a shake. "My name is Rowan, you?"
Llewyn hesitated, quiet for a moment, not comprehending why this stranger seemed eager to connect with him.
Concerned by Llewyn's silence, Rowan asked. "Are you okay?"
No response. Rowan studied his expression, wondering if Llewyn's was just shy or quietly hostile. Feeling a wave of embarrassment, He scratched the back of his neck awakwardly. "Well…I'm sorry for interrupting, i should—"
"Llewyn"
The deep soft but cold tone of Llewyn's voice caught him off guard, startling him.
Woah…his voice Rowan thought to himself, meeting Llewyn's gaze nervously, he stammered. "T-that's a very unique name! Let's get to know each other if you don't mind?"
"What about your friends?" Llewyn asked.
"You don't need to worry about them, I love getting to know new people." Rowan replied ethuastically, extending his hands again.
Llewyn studied it for a few moments.
Rowan embarrassed, wiped his hand on his jacket assuming Llewyn's hesitation was due to dirt. He offered his hand once more.
Llewyn finally shook it.
His palms were icy cold it sent courses of shivers down Rowan's spine. Was it his ghostly pale skin? Or was it just him?
"Nice to meet you Llewyn, wanna walk home together after school?" Rowan requested beaming a nervous smile.
"I'm sorry, I have a lot of things to do today." Llewyn's deep—calm voice replied.
Rowan raised his hands in a very defensive manner stuttering. "N-no you don't have to apologize there's always another day."
Llewyn's gaze fell onto Rowan's friends stepping up to them, he didn't say any more word and walked away.
"Huh? Ll—"
"Rowan you thick head!!" Casper interrupted, playfully wrapping his hands around his neck.
"Ahhhh! Stop!" Rowan yelled struggling to break free from Casper's grip. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!"
"They said curiosity kill the cat, maybe you wanna end up like the cat." Oliver taunt giggling.
"Here, let me assist you, Gideon." Casper added lifting Rowan's leg up carrying him like a log.
"Ahhh! Guys stop!!" Rowan shouted, thrashing helplessly.
Their noisy behavior began to draw the attention of by passers provoking laughter as they walked by.
These group of friends were known to be very noisy and social around school, the disturbance came as no suprise.
Rowan still struggled as his shouts saturated the courtyard and admist he heard a familiar voice
"Hey Rowan."
They all turned towards her direction.
It was willow—Rowan's campus crush.
"Oh, willow, how are you?" Oliver asked straightening his clothe, suddenly caring about his appearance.!
She giggled. Her soft laughter always made Rowan's heart to skip beats. "I heard noises from a distance I just knew who'd be the cause." She said, her eyes brimming with a playful imputation.
Rowan jumped in without filtering his words. "You know I'm not a noisy guy, it's always them!" He shouted, pointing defensively at his friends his face completely red in shame.
His friends ruptured into laughter nudging each other.
"I know you aren't innocent." willow chuckled and stepped more closer to Rowan. "So what was the chaos about?" She asked smiling widely.
Rowan scratched the back of his neck. His nerves tingling beneath his skin. His gaze pend deliberately looking for Llewyn but he was long gone. Rowan gulped returning his gaze to her.
"Nothing really." A nervous giggle followed closely.
"We were supposed to go get some books at the library today or did you forget so soon?" Willow said raising her brow.
Realization struck him. "Oh, yes! I didn't forget." Another anxious giggle slipped his mouth as he lied.
"I know you always forget." She exhaled, pulling his wrist. "Let's get going then."
Rowan missed a step as she pulled him along.
"Guys I'll catch on later!" He yelled out to over his shoulder.
"Shut up! Just enjoy your time." Casper yelled out but his tone cracked with jealousy.
The group watched as willow and Rowan shrank off into the distance.
Suddenly, Casper lets out a striking sigh, his shoulder slumped. "I wish I had a girlfriend too…" He murmured sulkily.
Gideon and Oliver burst into laughter holding their stomach.
"Hey, what's funny!!" Casper popped, his face burning in shame.
"We feel you bro." Oliver managed in between his breathe still laughing.
Casper huffed defeated.
—- — -
Not far away, Llewyn's feet came to a stop. His hair danced as the wind swept through.
He stared at his palm that Rowan had earlier shaken.
His fingers closed softly into a fist.
Rowan's warmth lingered on his palm very vividly. His chest tightened to the unfamiliar feeling, he couldn't shake it away.
"It's been a while…" he muttered under his breathe.
— — —