Chapter 5 - Hill family (1) (1/2)

Wednesday evening, Aiden is taking a walk before dinner. It helps him think.

Last few days his mind is going back to the girl with a pretty smile, which seems to be immune to his charms.

Many times, he replayed their conversation in his mind, as if he is trying to find some missing piece of the puzzle.

Without realizing, his legs brought him in front of the women's dorm.

Aiden knows where Sarah's room is, because he checked her student's record. He looked up to the third floor where Sarah's room is and noticed that light is on. He smiled. Somehow, knowing that she is there, gave him comfort. He thought of calling her but stopped himself. 'What will I say? I'm right under your window, staring at it?' He shook his head and dismissed that idea. He will just look like a stalker.

He wondered why he is not able to get her out of his mind.

Aiden got startled when light in her room went off. 'It's early to sleep, isn't it?'

He stared at the window, expecting the light to come back on. After a minute, he saw a familiar figure come out of the door, and without thinking he walked toward Sarah.

By the time Sarah noticed Aiden, he was only few steps away. She got startled and looked at him with her eyes open wide, caught off guard, like a deer in front of headlights.

Without realizing, she held her breath. 'Was he always this handsome?'

Sarah shook her head lightly while scolding herself silently: ' Why am I thinking how handsome he is? Shouldn't I be concerned that he is here, in front of me? … But maybe it's a coincidence… ' She decided not to jump into conclusions.

Aiden stopped two steps away from Sarah while wondering what possessed him to approach her. He could have stayed in the shadow, watching her from the distance. But there is no going back now…

”Hi”, he smiled.

Sarah blinked few times before responding: ”Hi.” She exhaled breath she was holding.

Aiden looked at the suitcase she was holding. ”Going home?” He frowned lightly.

Sarah nodded. ”Yes. I'm done with exams.”

He was observing her without a word, and it made her uncomfortable.

”Hmm… I have a cab waiting for me.” Sarah took a step back, away from him.

He stepped toward her, not allowing her to increase distance between them. ”Where is the cab taking you?”

”Train station.” Sarah wondered why is he asking her this. And why did she answer his question?

”I can drop you off.” He offered without thinking.

”Hmm… no, thank you.” Sarah shook her head. She already has a cab waiting. ”Maybe next time.”

Aiden was not happy that she rejected, but there was some hope when she said: ' next time '. He will remember that.

”Let me help with your bag.” He reached out and took the handle of the suitcase. Their hands touched lightly, and he smiled. His eyes followed Sarah's hand which hid in her pocket.

”Entrance to the campus?” He was asking where the cab is waiting for her.

Sarah was confused. Their hands touched, and she didn't dislike it. She never liked others touching her, how come she didn't flinch when his hand touched hers? Maybe because they shook hands already, so technically, this is not first touch, and it's not like he did it on purpose. She found an explanation that works.

”Yes.” Sarah confirmed where to go.

He walked with a suitcase behind him, and Sarah followed.

She wished to touch him again, to confirm if she really does not mind touching him. But she didn't dare to reach out. 'Maybe when he gives me the suitcase back…' She thought that will be a good opportunity to touch him again ' by accident '.

The entrance to campus was very close. They reached it after few short minutes.

Sarah was disappointed to see that Aiden put her suitcase in the trunk of the cab. Like this, she didn't have a chance to touch him again.

Sarah shook her head and scolded herself, 'What am I thinking?'

Still thinking how her thoughts are silly, Sarah was smiling when she looked up and their eyes met. ”Thank you.”

He held his breath and thought how her smile is much prettier than the one he saw on Saturday. ”You are welcome. I will see you on Monday?” He had difficulty to remove his gaze from her eyes.

”Yes.” She lightly nodded and paused for a second before entering the cab. ”Bye.”

Aiden watched the cab depart down the street.