She sighed. Begrudgingly, she did her hair and make-up and got dressed. “You look great! Let’s go!” said Molly. It was dark and cold. She could see her breath. She tucked her hands into her pockets to keep them from going numb. She walked across campus with her friend group. It was all she could do to forget the last few days and try to enjoy herself.
Two Days Ago
Abby couldn’t stop thinking about Zach. He was sweet. A little rough around the edges, but Zach had a good heart. She liked him back and was ready to start dating him when he stood her up. Instead of seeing Zach at the movie theatre, she saw him post a picture on Facebook with the caption, “I missed you, baby!” He had gotten back together with his ex. No warning. No apology. Just a picture and four painful words.
Two days later, her friends encouraged her to go to the Lighting of the Commons – a big winter event on campus full of cheer, hot cocoa, and Christmas lights. She didn’t want to go, but her friends insisted. No, they demanded. She knew they were looking out for her, but she really didn’t want to leave the comfort of her dorm room. She would much rather sit on her warm cozy bed, snuggled up with a fresh mug of hot chocolate, watching Grey’s Anatomy. But instead, she got ready, and she went.
About two hours into the event, her face was numb from the frigid air, and she was tired. She had taken all the “fun” she could bear. It didn’t matter how much her friends relentlessly tried to cheer her up. She just couldn’t take it. She made her goodbyes, said goodnight, and started heading back to the dorms. She passed her friend, Hunter, on her way out. Waving goodbye, he called her over to introduce her to his friends. Reluctantly, she walked over and shook hands with each of them, making her way down the line: Richard, Dillon, and Calvin. She looked up as she shook Calvin’s hand. As soon as their eyes met, it was as if time itself had ceased to exist.
He was so handsome, and he had the kindest eyes. Abby just stood there, frozen, unable to say anything. She admired his laughter and his joy. His smile was contagious. Soon, all her cold and numbness melted away. One by one, each of their friends walked away until it was just the two of them. Abby and Calvin. Just standing, talking about who they were, where they were from, what they were studying, and all of the other usual questions one asks a fellow college student. Her words flowed effortlessly now.
They walked inside and played billiards – really an excuse to keep talking. They didn’t expect to stay there until 3:00 am. But they couldn’t help it. Finally, they exchanged phone numbers and said their goodbyes. She smiled while he walked her to the door of her dorm hall. She smiled while he said goodbye because she knew she’d see him again tomorrow. She smiled when he texted her goodnight just minutes after walking away. She smiled because she couldn’t help it. She knew she just met the man she would spend the rest of her life with. And the rest of her life had only begun.
Two Days Ago
Abby couldn’t stop thinking about Zach. He was sweet. A little rough around the edges, but Zach had a good heart. She liked him back and was ready to start dating him when he stood her up. Instead of seeing Zach at the movie theatre, she saw him post a picture on Facebook with the caption, “I missed you, baby!” He had gotten back together with his ex. No warning. No apology. Just a picture and four painful words.
Two days later, her friends encouraged her to go to the Lighting of the Commons – a big winter event on campus full of cheer, hot cocoa, and Christmas lights. She didn’t want to go, but her friends insisted. No, they demanded. She knew they were looking out for her, but she really didn’t want to leave the comfort of her dorm room. She would much rather sit on her warm cozy bed, snuggled up with a fresh mug of hot chocolate, watching Grey’s Anatomy. But instead, she got ready, and she went.
About two hours into the event, her face was numb from the frigid air, and she was tired. She had taken all the “fun” she could bear. It didn’t matter how much her friends relentlessly tried to cheer her up. She just couldn’t take it. She made her goodbyes, said goodnight, and started heading back to the dorms. She passed her friend, Hunter, on her way out. Waving goodbye, he called her over to introduce her to his friends. Reluctantly, she walked over and shook hands with each of them, making her way down the line: Richard, Dillon, and Calvin. She looked up as she shook Calvin’s hand. As soon as their eyes met, it was as if time itself had ceased to exist.
He was so handsome, and he had the kindest eyes. Abby just stood there, frozen, unable to say anything. She admired his laughter and his joy. His smile was contagious. Soon, all her cold and numbness melted away. One by one, each of their friends walked away until it was just the two of them. Abby and Calvin. Just standing, talking about who they were, where they were from, what they were studying, and all of the other usual questions one asks a fellow college student. Her words flowed effortlessly now.
They walked inside and played billiards – really an excuse to keep talking. They didn’t expect to stay there until 3:00 am. But they couldn’t help it. Finally, they exchanged phone numbers and said their goodbyes. She smiled while he walked her to the door of her dorm hall. She smiled while he said goodbye because she knew she’d see him again tomorrow. She smiled when he texted her goodnight just minutes after walking away. She smiled because she couldn’t help it. She knew she just met the man she would spend the rest of her life with. And the rest of her life had only begun.
