Elijah's POV:

I was super late.

 Couldn't say it was any different from the usual, but that didn't change the fact that at that moment time was running out. 

I snatched up my backpack from the floor, searching hurriedly through the pockets, growing frustrated as my eyes landed on everything but what I was looking for. My gaze drifted to my watch, the crunch of time pressing down on me as I did a visual sweep of my room.

"Keys, keys, keys..."

Where could they be? 

With one last glance, I hustled towards the living room, trying to remember where I'd placed them the night before.

"Cole, do you have any idea where my keys are?"

For reasons beyond my understanding, Cole patted his pockets before shaking his head and turning back to where he had been glancing at his phone. Knowing that he wasn't one to say much this early in the morning I continued to look.

"There is no point in me going to class now. It will be over before we get there," he finally said. "I swear a sloth could move faster than you. I thought you were supposed to be fast, being our goalie and everything."

I cast him an unamused glance, wishing he was still staring at his phone.

"I am moving as fast as humanly possible." I grabbed my duffle, as he walked over to the couch, picked up the baseball cap that was perched on the edge of it, and placed it on his head backward. "We aren't going anywhere if I can't find my keys."

"For the record, my grandma could move faster than you," he muttered, reaching for his soccer bag. I chuckled lowly with a shake of my head. He wasn't lying. That woman sure could move. I 

"Don't forget your water, man." I lifted my head just in time to catch the bottle Cole tossed at me, before throwing in another.  He might not have been good at finding lost keys, but at least he was thoughtful. "We can't have you passing out from dehydration during practice now, can we?"

I raised an eyebrow quizzically. "Cole that was you."

He shrugged. "It can happen to anyone."

Deciding not to counter him, I tucked the water bottles into my bag as he grabbed the three textbooks that were laying on the floor by the couch. I was fortunate enough to have mine downloaded to my computer.

"By the way, Hayden is hosting the team gathering this time."

On hearing that, I glanced up with a chuckle. "I don't know who thought that was a good idea. He's going to just love that."

The ringing whistle of Cole's agreement rang through the air, followed by a short laugh. Anyone could see that Hayden was a team player, just as much as he still liked to keep to himself.

"He'll probably be ushering everyone out of his place before everyone even gets there."

"I would bet on it, but I already know you're right."

Cole's responding laugh died down when his eyes shifted to his watch. "It's going time."

I glanced at the time on my phone. It seemed as if the world was moving in double time. I turned on my heels, relief flooding through me when by some miracle I spotted a glint near the couch on the floor.

So that was where the sneaky mother frickers got to.

I snatched them up, double-checking that I had everything before hustling after Cole. He didn't wait for me to lock up, before rushing down the stairs. I whirled around a second later, stopping short when a door down the hall opened, revealing a familiar face.

"You guys late too?" Hayse, my neighbor, and our soccer captain laughed, glimmers of sleep still lingering in his eyes. "I have a class with, Cole. Was going to ask him for his notes, but I guess that isn't happening."

I nodded.  "Unfortunately. He's probably downstairs plotting my downfall." He had just begun to respond when his apartment door cracked open. Hayse paused, glancing down at the brunette who appeared in the doorway, a large duffel bag in tow.

"Hayse you forgot your..."

Blue eyes widened, as she trailed off, her eyes darting in my direction before going back to Hayse. A gentle smile rested on his face. Huh. 

I glanced back at the girl, noticing the number on the jersey she was wearing. All of the guys on the team made a point to let their girlfriends wear their numbers at games. I had never seen Hayse participate in the trend. But now there his numbers were, plastered onto the shirt of red-faced brunette.

Maybe the reason why he looked so tired wasn't a mystery.

"Oh sorry," she mumbled shyly, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "I didn't mean to interrupt you guys."

Hayse shook his head, his expression softening. "It's okay, Elise." He reached out, wrapping a hand around the strap of the bag on her shoulder.

"Well, you forgot your bag," she whispered lowly, even though it was already in his possession.

Hayse's grin only grew. "I can see that, Ellie. Thank you."

Elise smiled softly, her eyes not leaving his even after she let go of the duffel. If it wasn't for the fact that she squeezed his arm lightly a moment later, and ducked inside I would have thought they would stay there forever. 

Hayse just stood there staring at his closed door.

"I didn't know you had a girl."

Hayse eyed me, blinking slowly as if he'd forgotten I was there. He cleared his throat with a shrug, tucking his hands into his pockets.

"She isn't my girl." I raised an eyebrow sensing that the word 'yet' should have belonged in the sentence. He scratched the back of his neck, his eyes flitting to the door as if it was taking everything in him not to go back in there. "Yeah, she isn't my girl."

I just nodded, feeling as if he was going to be singing a different tune soon. She hadn't looked at him like they were just friends. But, I said nothing.

"Anyway, I will see you at practice," He said after a second. "Bring your A-game, Scott."

I tossed my keys into the air with a chuckle, taking a step backward. "I always do."

He nodded, just as I turned around, hurrying down the steps and out to the parking lot. The ground was slightly damp when I made it outside, a lingering petrichor scent following behind me as a reminder of last night's rain.

Cole glanced at me when I got in the car and I held up my hands. "I know, I know. Your grandma could have gotten down the stairs faster on me."

"Damn straight. And she is eighty-three years old." I hid an amused laugh. "You would think that by now, we would have gotten the hang of being on time," he added after we hit the main road.

"Yeah, I don't think that is something that most people have gotten the thang of either," I chuckled,  eyeing the bustle of cars that were probably filled with students in the same boat as us. I peered out the windshield, as silence settled between us. I had just begun to appreciate the morning's stillness when Cole spoke again.

"Or maybe it's because you are always out so late. Like yesterday." I stilled his momentary pause hinting at his next words. "You know, I wasn't going to say anything but lately you have seemed different."

Called it.

My fingers tightened around the steering wheel, as I stared straight ahead, taking in the busy morning traffic. I'd just taken a breath, ready to reply to Cole when a car one lane over swerved rapidly. Just like that, panic clawed at my throat, my seatbelt cutting across my chest as I slammed on my brakes. I clenched my jaw, my heartbeat erratic as I watched a car whip down the street, the driver not even slowing down to acknowledge the fact that they had almost caused a car crash.

"Elijah?" 

The voice was an echo, taking a back seat to the jumble of memories that caused my vision to tunnel. For a moment I was lost, removed from my truck, and transported to the backseat of a red Chevy that'd been a birthday gift. 

I could hear the gentle singing of a child's voice. A girl. The melody would forever have no chorus, the sporadic tune comforting in its uncertainty.

The bright autumn ambiance dissipated into darkness, wisps of snow clouding my vision as my heart thumped in my chest. Outside of the car through the windshield, a little girl appeared out of nowhere.

She was gone before I could do anything, a shout caught in my throat as I became aware of what had happened. I wasn't in my brother's car, and the night wasn't littered with flakes of snow. 

No. It was almost 9 am in the morning and I was late to class.

I'd had another flashback.

"Elijah."

Weight landed heavily on my shoulder and I flinched, air breaching my lungs with a sharp inhale. I blinked once,  glancing at Cole whose eyes were on me warily.

Crap.

"You stopped the car," he said, glancing out the windshield before looking at me once more. His concern remained unconcealed as his eyebrows furrowed downward.

I took another breath, loosening my grip on the wheel. Wordlessly, I nodded, finally acknowledging the honk of the other frustrated drivers as I tried to shake away the images that played in my head. We drove without saying anything for a moment, but it wasn't long before the need for a distraction from my thoughts got the best of me.

"I couldn't sleep last night. Went to the Cemetery."

My voice was raspier than I liked, and my tongue had become sandpaper. Hoping that Cole didn't notice it, I continued to stare ahead, my body on alert as my eyes jumped from car to car, searching for any more lunatic drivers.

Immediately I regretted my words, the silence that settled in the wake of my words being different from earlier, now lacking peace and embracing obscurity. 

 I shouldn't have mentioned going to visit my siblings. 

I mean what was he supposed to say to that anyway?

"I'm sorry...." Cole sighed, a second later, his words slow and calculated. "I wasn't thinking. Are they getting worse?"

"Just not getting any better," I replied quickly, knowing he was referring to the cause of my lack of ability to sleep through the night.

People were right.

Monsters did lurk in the dark. 

"Have you thought about seeing anyone about them again?" I raised an eyebrow and he paused, his words slow and careful. "You know for the dreams. Like a therapist maybe. They aren't all bad you know."

I only shrugged at that one.

Maybe I should have considered his words, but that didn't change the fact that I didn't. A therapist would do nothing for me when it was my own memories that were the root of the problem.

Besides, I'd tried before. Well, it was more like my mom had forced the fifteen-year-old version of me to do so. That didn't work out so well. I shook my head, switching lanes to get away from a white car that was driving too close for comfort.

Some people didn't deserve a license.

"If it didn't work before, I doubt it will work now," I answered, giving away nothing more. "We've already had this discussion." 

Cole shook his head.

"It wouldn't hurt to consider it, though. I think your lack of sleep is getting to you," he continued, "Coach has been up to your ass for the past few practices, and you barely stayed awake during our lecture yesterday." Cole glanced at me, but. kept my eyes ahead. "Do I need to be worried?"

I sighed, tapping my fingers along the rim of the wheel. 

 "I'm fine. I will get my crap figured out before the season starts."

I wasn't lying either. My game might have been off, but it was nothing sleeping pills wouldn't take. I just needed to start them back up again. Everything else...well, I wasn't sure that they would ever go away. But I had been coping for years now. I would continue to do the same.

"I just want to know that you are okay." Cole scratched his head, clearing his throat. For a moment there was a lapse in conversation but I could sense there was more that he needed to say.

I glanced at him, lifting my finger. "You don't have to censor your words with me. I'm fine."

Cole sighed. "Look, I know you don't like to talk about it, but I'm here if you need to, or just need someone to listen."

He wasn't usually the person to get emotional, so I was a little surprised at the concern in his voice. While he had always been there for me, it had been silent support. The kind where even if he didn't tell me every day, I knew that he would always be there when I needed him.

My throat tightened.  "I know. Thank you."

A few seconds of silence passed, before Cole clapped his hands, with a serious nod.  The worry was gone, replaced with an expression I was familiar with. The normal Cole was back, and gone was the worry. "Well alright. You caught the end of the game on Thursday, right? I knew California didn't stand a chance."

Clearing my throat, I listened as he began to ramble about the football game everyone had been talking about, grateful that the previous moment had passed. But even though talking about how I was doing wasn't always comfortable, I appreciated him more than he knew.

When we finally arrived, Cole nodded once, before jumping out of the car and walking briskly toward his class. Fortunately for me, I had a half-hour before my next class started. Since I had already missed my first one, I was in no hurry.

After I found an open spot, I got out, making sure to grab my backpack before shutting the car door. I had just texted Cole to let him know where I had parked when a car backed up abruptly from a parking spot, nearly ramming into me before it jerked to a stop.

For the love of everything good and holy, were they blind?

I exhaled when the door of the car flew open, revealing a blur of wild curls and panic.

"I am so sorry!"

My frown dissipated as I watched a petite form barrel toward me, apprehension furrowing her eyebrows and concern tugging her mouth downward. I wasn't so sure she wasn't going to run right into me, as she moved, lean legs moving swiftly.

The fear in her eyes was concerning for reasons I didn't know of.

I hadn't thought it was possible, but her eyes widened even further when her gaze met mine, the diamond-like jewels glistening as she bit her trembling lip. No doubt an attempt to hold back the tears brimming in her eyes. Wordlessly, she tucked curly strands of hair out of her face, bringing my attention to the rosy tips of her ears. 

The same hue settled over her cheeks a second later.

I knew I should have tried to reassure her that I was okay, in hopes of curing the apprehension that furrowed her eyebrows. Yet, even so, I just stood there. 

While she stood there with her concern for me apparent, my own inability to speak was for entirely different reasons.

She was...

There wasn't just one word to describe what she was.

The thick curly hair that framed her face, fell in wild waves, its eccentricity giving her a lively yet calming aura all at the same time. A full set of lips sat beneath a gently sloped nose, adding to her allure and settling pleasantly amongst features that single-handedly redefined the definition of symmetry.

But it was her eyes that really did a number on me, though.

I swear they were solid crystals; the swirls of grey and blue mirroring tranquility and captivating me completely. They were like the sky right after a storm, contrasting against her dark eyelashes and golden brown skin perfectly.

Although in the rush of it all, some might have only felt the chaos of the moment, for those few seconds all I could acknowledge was her beauty.

Her pull was natural. Not at all forced, but innate.

 I was so busy taking it in, that I didn't realize that she was talking until I noticed the movement of her supple lips and realized I hadn't heard a word she had said.

When I finally did tune back into reality, the tears in her voice caused my frown to deepen.

"I'm so sorry." She sniffled, her cheeks reddening even further. "I didn't see you, I was in a rush, and was trying to move to a parking spot closer to campus." The wind whipped curls across her face as she spoke, her knuckles whitening from the force that she clutched onto a gray notebook. "I know it is no excuse...are you okay?"

Part of me wondered if I should've been the one asking her that. Sensing that her unease probably wasn't going to be lifted until I responded, I stepped forward with a nod.

"Yeah, you didn't hit me. Stopped just in time." For good measure, I  spread out my arms, hoping it would prove I wasn't lying. "See, no harm was done. If anything it's my fault for texting and walking. So I'm sorry."

I tried a smile, waiting for her expression to change, yet fearful tears still lingered in her eyes. She shuffled her feet, grey eyes roaming my figure worriedly as if she hadn't heard a word I'd just said.

"Are you sure?" 

"I promise. I'm perfectly okay. See no bruises. Not even a scratch." 

"That still doesn't make it okay." She swiped the back of her hand across her eyes with a frown. "Gosh, I almost killed you. I swear I looked behind me before backing out, but you came out of nowhere."

Most people would have probably brushed what had happened off with a quick apology, but the emotion that lingered in her eyes gave away more than just mere concern for my safety. There was panic too, regret lying heavily in her eyes.

I didn't know why, since she hadn't hit me.

"Look-"

"Not that it was your fault," she exclaimed before I could finish, extending her hands as if trying to make up for any possible offense. "First, I nearly hit you, and then I insinuate it is your fault. You must think I'm a complete idiot."

I half listened-half watched as she began to ramble, noting the breathlessness and tremble of her voice. Anyone would have recognized the fear in her gaze, yet there was a familiarity to it the same person could've missed. One I knew that was carved by experience. One that made me wonder if there was a reason why she wasn't letting it go.

"Listen," I tried again slowly. "I shouldn't have been on my phone. Getting hit by a car would have bound to happen soon or later."

Despite my attempt, her mouth tipped down at the corners, a clear sign I hadn't made things better.

"I'm joking," I added, trying to amend my mistake. "Look, honestly, I'm okay. You have some killer reflexes. I doubt that you would have hurt me. You weren't going that fast."

She winced, shaking her head. "Yeah, killer..."

Her words would have been funny if she hadn't looked so darn conflicted.

I shrugged. "Hey, I'm still alive. That has to count for something right?"

A small wave of relief washed over me when the corners of her mouth twitched upward. That was a step. She nodded slowly, and I cleared my throat trying to figure out what else I could say to turn the watery smile into a genuine one. 

"I'm Elijah by the way," I added after a moment, glancing around in order to keep myself from looking at her too long. The last thing I needed was to appear as a creep. "I haven't noticed you around here before."

I shoved my hands in my pockets, leaning back on my heels before I stuck out my hand and met her eyes once more. 

"Rowan." She took my hand, her soft skin flush against mine. "I guess we've never run into each other until now." Rowan winced, closing her eyes. "Until now. No pun intended," she added looking at me with a watery smile. I returned her smile, finding humor in her joke and noticing that her tears had subsided. I sighed out an internal breath of relief.

Rowan.

It fit.

"I'm sorry, I'm not usually this emotional. I guess I was just kind of scared."

I shrugged. "I get it."

If roles were reversed there was a chance my reaction would've been similar. There was too much history there. I let go of her hand, watching as Rowan pulled it to her chest before fiddling with the strap of her bag. It was as if she was suddenly unsure of herself, eyes seeming to search for anything to look at but me,

If she hadn't opened her mouth to speak a second later, I would have thought she was about to run.

"I should probably get in there," she whispered, tilting her head towards the main entrance, and finally bringing her eyes back to mine. "That is why I was in such a rush. I'm probably late already."

I nodded with a smile, remembering for the first time since she'd spoken that I had somewhere to be as well.

"Just as long as you don't run into anyone on the way."

As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. It probably wasn't the best joke to make considering she had just been on the verge of tears. To my surprise and relief, Rowan laughed, tilting her head back slightly. The sound that came from her mouth was melodious, resonating through my mind in a delicate song. It ran up my arm like a river, settling in my chest and causing the grin on my face to widen. 

I had never heard such a sirenic laugh before. Nor had I ever seen eyes become so bright. She waved her hand, oblivious to my astonishment as the watery smile on her face grew.

"Goodness, I'm so embarrassed." Rowan rocked on her heels, and a  stream of light highlighted the dried tears on her cheeks. "Is it too hypocritical for me to tell you to be more aware when you are in a parking lot next time?"

I caught the sarcasm in her voice, and it caused my mouth to tilt up further.

"Maybe just a tad."

Her shoulders shook with a small laugh of amusement, but she said nothing, neither of us moving for a moment. It was as if we were both waiting for the other to turn away. She broke the silent competition with a wave of her fingers.

"Well, it was nice meeting you. Elijah."

There had been a pause before she'd spoken my name. Almost as if she was testing out each syllable before stringing them all together. I'd never liked the sound of my name on anyone's lips more than I did then.

Her playful eyes twinkled in the sunlight, as she continued to smile softly. I didn't say anything immediately, trying to figure out if the tilt of her mouth was as genuine as it was spellbinding. I didn't want her to go through the day pinning blame or guilt on herself.

"You going to be okay?"

Her eyebrows rose at my question.

"I can't believe you are asking me that," she replied with surprise. "I think I will be. Are you?"

"I'll live."

Her gaze lingered as if this time she was assessing my truth as I had hers. I guess she was satisfied with whatever she saw because she nodded a second later. 

"Well, I'm thankful for that." She glanced at her phone with a wince. "I guess we both should probably try to get to the classes we were going to."

I lifted my head in agreement, wishing that she didn't have a point. "You're right. I'm probably late by now too." Despite my words, I felt compelled to stay, stalling for a moment before adding in, "Perhaps I'll see you around?"

Her reply came in the form of a smile that curved against her face almost shyly. I knew for a fact that I wasn't imagining the hints of pink that spotted her cheek right then and there.

Her smile...her lips...her laughter...that blush.

They were weapons she didn't even know she yielded.

"Bye, Elijah."

It wasn't the answer I was expecting, but something in the way it was spoken promised possibility.

With one last soft curve of her lips, Rowan turned. I was way too aware of the light sway of her body and the swell of her hips when she stepped near me, the subtle scent of vanilla floating in the air. A smell I hadn't known I liked until then. 

It was Natural.

Delicate.

I didn't move when she began to walk away, sparing one last glance at me before turning around completely. No, I was too busy wondering what lengths I would have to go to in order to see that smile again.