22 September 2012
Nothing was more daunting than the first day at a new college. It was about a thousand times worse in the middle of the term. Once you'd missed your chance to join a group or become a part of the social status quo, you were left to obscurity and being an outsider. Moving to Maine and giving up everything in her life had been hard enough, but getting used to being a nobody was tough. Maddison sighed as she looked around her English Lit class. The obvious groups and cliques were clear enough; the nerds, the potheads, the popular kids and then there was her and the guy called Ethan.
Ethan.
She had spent the first week just staring at him and wondering how she could get his attention. A month later and she still hasn't got the nerve to say 'Hi' let alone walk by his desk. Everyone had been polite enough to her the first week but when it became clear she had nothing exciting to offer, she'd been left alone. She wasn't a cheerleader, she wasn't rich and she wasn't talented at anything cool like the guitar. Ethan had gone out of his way to ignore her though, he hadn't been unfriendly, he'd just been nonchalant. As if her arrival made no impact on his life.
"Alright guys, I'm going to assign you partners for this research. I expect a well thought out essay in 2 weeks" called out the lecturer as he put the partner list on the board. Maddison hoped she hadn't missed anything crucial for class in her daydream of Ethan. "See you next week" the professor threw out as he escaped through the doors.
Maddison groaned inwardly, she'd hate to be placed with any one of the 'cool' kids. It would be all of her effort into the work and no thanks for any of it.
As she waited for everyone to scan their names and leave, she noticed that Ethan was hanging back as well. This would be a great chance to break the ice, if she was that brave enough. When it was just her and Ethan left, Maddison grabbed her books and her bag and walked down to the front of the board. Hearing footsteps behind her, her heart quickened as she looked for her name with an urgency she had never felt.
Thomas and Payne Britney and Justin Andrew and Callie Maddison and Ethan
"Looks like we're partners then" came a masculine voice behind her. Maddison turned to face Ethan and tried not to blush at the horror and delight of being next to Ethan. "Yeah I guess so" Maddison replied, chastising herself for such a cliche response. Taking the time to study him, she noted he was at least 6ft tall. She had to look up to meet his dark brown eyes and when his gaze locked with hers, she felt a small pang of something in her abdomen. "Well gimme your number and we'll meet up at some point" Ethan stated as he got his iPhone out of his pocket. Maddison stumbled through her cell number, praying her blush wasn't that noticeable in the fluorescent light if she kept her head down.
"Later" Ethan said as he walked to the door without a backward glance at Maddison.
She tried to congratulate herself on the fact that he'd spoken to her but it felt hollow, almost as if she'd been robbed of something amazing.
Sighing dejectedly, Maddison swung her bag over her shoulder and walked to the door, looking for a clue in the replay of her memory of Ethan. Absentmindedly she pushed through the door and ran straight into a wall of masculinity.
"Fuck I'm sorry Maddie" Ethan cried out as he grabbed her hand while her books ended up on the floor. "Oh! It's fine, I wasn't watching where I was going" Maddison replied, hating that her second encounter with Ethan was less than flattering for her.
"No don't apologise, it was all me" Ethan said as he bent down to pick up her books, his hair falling over his face. "If anything," he continued, "I owe you an apology...I didn't really present the best of myself" he finished as he stood up to face her. As he flashed her a quick grin, Maddison felt the promise of something she didn't quite understand.
"So lets try it again, I'm Ethan Scott" he said smiling as he introduced himself, sticking his hand out to meet hers between their bodies. "I'm Maddison West" she said, putting her hand in his and feeling the warmth he radiated. "How are you finding Maine?" Ethan asked as he gave her books back to her. "It's okay, I guess I'm still getting used to it" Maddison replied.
"Well let me give you a tour and we can grab some lunch, talk over the research assignment...if that's okay with you?" Ethan hesitantly asked as they moved into the hallway.
"Why were you so cold a few minutes ago?" Maddison asked, delaying her answer.
"I wish I hadn't, I am sorry about that. I guess I had yet to process the fact I was lucky enough to be partners with the cutest girl in senior year" he answered, his words rushed as if he had to get them out or risk losing something. It took a few seconds for Maddison to catch up with what he said, but the blush that rose from her chest was a sure sign that she'd understood him.
"So about that tour..." Maddison trailed off, waiting for him to pick up on the hint. On the inside, she was glowing with the knowledge that he was just as flustered with her as she was with him. Suddenly Maine held an interest for her, and it wasn't quite as lonely now that she had Ethan.
"Sure" he said, smiling at her and offering her his elbow. "Just hold on tight and stick with me kid" he joked as he attempted to emulate Humphrey Bogart.
Maddison laughed as they linked elbows, immediately feeling even more comfortable being with him.
-
"Hello Maddie" the familiar greeting came behind her.
Maddison jumped as she snapped out of her daydream. That was all she had these days, her memories of her previous life and Ethan. She turned her head and saw the lone figure step out of the grey fog.
"Hello Doc" she replied.
Righteous IV • Opuss № I