Unkempt.
Elizabeth had begun to look unkempt as a result of the bag she struggled with carrying. Her shirt which was straightened out earlier was beginning to appear rumpled. Her trouser had started developing crease lines.
Her first semester in the university had just come to an end. And residing far away from the university required her waiting a day after her exams before embarking on the 12 hours journey home.
Having found a tag-along in Blossom, since their homes were situated closely, they both struggled with their big travelling bags. Dragging and pulling it however they could. The school gate was quite a distance compared to their hostel and since there was no form of transportation other than walking inside the school environment, they had no option but to struggle and heave their bags along with them. Bags containing items that would have been better off left at school.
But who is to blame?
They were only just getting the hang of life in the university. With time, they'll learn.
Elizabeth, the most petite and the laziest of the duo, struggled the most with her luggages. Oblivious to whoever passed by her, her focus was on how she would get to the gate without tripping over.
'Do you mind me helping you?' She turned to look at the face from where the voice that just offered to help her, came from. A guy stood by her side, his hand extended to her. Tanned skin. His hair, a rich shade of black, full and neatly-combed, a face not swoon-worthy but handsome. Dressed neatly in a loose pair of brown shorts and a white T-shirt, he tilted his head to one side, awaiting a response. She had seen that face somewhere but she couldn't seem to pinpoint where exactly.
Being a shy and stubborn human, she was about to refuse when Blossom spoke up for her.
'No please. She needs your help more than I do'.
Elizabeth looked up, somewhat angry that Blossom had interfered in what apparently, didn't concern her but at the same time, grateful for the guy's intervention.
As he helped with her bag, she throttled over to Blossom's side to help. Being two to a bag, they still found getting themselves to the gate, a herculean task.
Eventually, they got there, flagged down a cab that'll get them to the park and thanked him profusely as they went their separate ways.
No sooner had they gotten to the park did they both forget about the guy who had helped them.
A month later.
At a random 7am class for students of the Economics Department, Elizabeth is settled on one of the seats in the middle of the class, her face grumpy and swollen from the lack of proper sleep.
She is seated, her elbow on the table with palms supporting her chin, a book open in her front although she seems to be staring at something far off, lost in her head. Movement towards where she sat, has her bringing herself back to the present, whipping her head to the person who seems to be abandoning all the empty seats and coming straight for the one next to her. Realization dawning upon her.
Course-mates.
That was why there was a bit of familiarity in his features that day.
They were course-mates.
He smiled as he took the seat next to her, extending his hand out for a handshake. Straightening her hand, she returned the gesture. Her face unwelcoming.
This was why she had no friends in her department. She rarely smiled nor entertained conversations. The only few friends she had in the university were her roommates.
Every other regular human would have retreated at how mean she appeared but not him. He seemed unfazed if not unbothered. Instead, he says "I'm Layefa"
"Elizabeth" she offers. Her face, a complete contrast to her introduction of self. She'll rather be left alone to mull over her lost sleep than spend time socializing. But Layefa definitely wasn't getting the hint. If he was, he was ignoring it.
"Nice meeting you Elizabeth" He responded but before he could utter another word, the lecturer walked into the class.
And Elizabeth done with all the familiarities, tried to focus on the lecturer's teachings but finds out that she's lost. Due to her unsociable self, she didn't get the material that had been shared amongst members of the department in the past week.
Having no other choice, she is forced to ask the person next to her for help with the material. He readily agrees and offers to share it using her contact info.
Being the social butterfly that he was, conversing with him came off quite easily and soon enough, Elizabeth found herself entertaining conversations with him.
The only course mate she was open to, one would have thought that with her aloof personality, Layefa won't stand her for long.
But here they are, two years into their friendship and still going strong.
This is my entry into the #Neoxianprompts.
Thanks for reading.
Image was created using meta.ai
Posted using Neoxian City
