Time is a Precious Gift (private)

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    Tondc

    Caroline Wesley


    Caroline's legs carried her forward through the spiraling, twisting maze that she found herself trapped in, slowly being driven insane by the sound of her footsteps clacking against the tiled floor as she fruitlessly looked for the exit.


    That exit being a simple door with the number "153" printed next to it.


    It was the day before autumn classes started, and she was going through what was becoming a standardized ritual for her, finding the locations of her classrooms beforehand to save herself from possible issues later. It normally wasn't this much of a problem, but she was quickly discovering that this particular building's hallways were, well, practically identical. Their dull white walls and reddish-brown tiled floors blended seamlessly together, leaving her feeling like a hamster running on a wheel, constantly moving without making any progress.


    She turned into another hallway, unsure of whether she had already been there or not. The only clue she had was the numbers associated with each door. Her eyes glanced at the closest one, "141," room 153 had to be near!

    Andy Caraway


    Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. All that could be heard was the constant ticking of the clock. The clock that ticked time forward no matter how much one might not want it to. A sigh escaped Andy's lips as his eyes glided across the page f his book and then again to the dreaded clock.


    He couldn't believe that he had spent about four hours in the deserted classroom. Andy didn't originally mean to spend so much time in the plain white-walled room, fill with posters of past visitors to the university, but with everyone still moving into dorms, it was the only quiet place on campus. Who would want to be in a classroom before classes even started after all? Standing up, his back cracked from sitting for so long. Tossing the book into his backpack, Andy kicked the desk he had moved to prop his legs up on back into place causing a loud thud.


    With everything gathered, Andy absentmindedly walked out of room 153, unaware that anyone else was even in the building, let alone coming his way. Or rather, in the way of the room just exited.

    The post was edited 1 time, last by Tondc ().

    (I forgot to add Caroline's eye and hair color since the picture is in monochrome, but I added it now beneath the image. Sorry about that.)


    147... 148... 149... 150... Her eyes drifted over each number as she walked. Just a couple more doors...


    A sudden, muted bang made her jump, and her pace slowed to a halt as she warily eyed the door slightly ahead, to her left, from which the sound seemed to have arisen from. The hell? There really shouldn't be anyone in a classroom at the moment... right? Classes didn't start until tomorrow, so there shouldn't be any reason for a student to be in there. A professor, maybe, or perhaps a janitor? Did they drop something, or fall down? They weren't hurt, were they?


    The door started to creak open, and she felt her back arch upright, a tingling sensation in her leg to take a step back. She caught a glimpse of red coming through the door.


    Oh, for Pete's sake, it was just another student. "Well, hello there," She said, moving to look at the number near the door, trying to play it cool and act like she wholly hadn't been spooked by him merely exiting the room. 153, finally. Her gaze moved back over to him. He was a fair bit taller than her, enough so that she had to tilt her neck up to look at him. "I wasn't really expecting to see anyone else here," she stated simply.

    (No worries. I didn't even question it when I first saw haha)


    Stopping midstep, Andy was drawn back to reality upon hearing a soft voice from his left. Her awkward movements didn't go unnoticed by him: her sly peak at the room number, the slight startled sound in her voice. A smile appeared on his face, while he prayed the girl took his smile as a friendly one and not an amused one. "Same. I figured everyone would be staying far away from these academic buildings until tomorrow when it's unavoidable," he laughs lightly.


    Looking down slightly, Andy took in the girl's looks in quick detail. She much considerably shorter than he, and her brown hair seemed to fall nicely around either shoulder. Continuing to smile, he extended his hand to her. "Anyways, my name is Andrew Caraway. Though everyone just called me Andy. And you are?" he asks, his voice brimming with confidence, and genuine kindness.


    It was a slight pain however, having to stop when all he really wanted to do was relax somewhere else that wasn't so confining. Or for that fact that his stomach was starting to make obvious growls, demanding it be fed. Another laugh escaped, slightly embarrassed by his stomachs growling, though he maintained his good nature, waiting to finish the conversation.

    Caroline could feel a bit of warmth gathering in her cheeks when he smiled at her. She hoped that it was a friendly one, and not an "I'm totally laughing at you internally right now" one. Though, based on his tone of voice, it definitely seemed to be the former, fortunately. Now she could only hope that there was no blush showing on her face, that'd be even more embarrassing...


    She caught movement in his shoulder, and her eyes followed his arm down to his outstretched hand. She attempted to force the nervousness out of her posture as she reached for his hand, giving it a shake as her gaze moved back up to him. "Caroline, Caroline Wesley," she said with a sheepish smile, "it's nice to meet you." Goodness, she felt like a nervous wreck in comparison to him. The way he stood, the way he spoke, he practically radiated with confidence, her on the other hand...


    A sudden rumble caught her attention, and she blinked, taking a second to realize that it came from Andy's stomach. There was another rumble, but it was her stomach this time. "Guess you haven't had lunch yet either, huh?" she chuckled, dropping her hand back down to her side.

    It wasn't hard for him to realize that Caroline seemed a little nervous. Though he wondered if this was how she always was or if it were him who caused her slight anxiety. They way she continued to act brought cause to believe it was a mix of both reasons that made her uneasy. With her sheepish smile. Her seemingly forced handshake.


    However, being that she was nervous, made him nervous. Andy didn't like when he couldn't read someone and how they felt, particularly about himself. Did she like him? Did she not and was just too shy to tell him to leave her alone? Nervousness made someone unpredictable, and unpredictability was one thing he was scared of most. How would he know how to react or respond if he didn't have some inkling of what the other person would enjoy? He wouldn't know.


    Bringing his hand back to his side as well, he maintained his smile, regardless of his feelings. "Yeah, I lost track of time in there. Forgot I ate right through lunch. Or when I eat lunch rather," he laughed lightly again, "Anyways, I'm going to head to the cafe down the street. Do you want to come Caroline, or did you have plans already?" he finished, waiting for her response before he would exit towards the back door of the building.

    Just when she thought that she might be regaining her footing, she was pushed off balance, caught off guard again. He was asking if she wanted to have lunch with him? A hint of surprise flashed over her face, "Oh, um..." she murmured, taking a moment to think. Was he just asking to be polite? His smile seemed a little force now, almost like he was trying to hide some other emotion behind it, was she just imagining that? Was she bothering him? Did he think that she was a nuisance? Or did he actually want to hang out with her?


    She finally shrugged, smiling her awkward smile once more, "Naw, no plans really, so I'd be up for a trip down to the cafe. It sounds like fun! But, uh..." She looked over her shoulder at the plain hallway behind her, and the nearly exact duplicates that branched off from it. "...You're going to lead me to the exit, though, cause I have no clue about how to get back there," she said with a small laugh, turning back to look at him.

    The corners of his mouth remained raised in a smile as he nodded at Caroline's acceptance. He was surprised that she had accepted, though pleasantly surprised would be a more accurate description. An eyebrow raised as she continued to admit she had no idea how to navigate the monotonous building. "Seriously? Well alright. It's the least I can do for someone who accepted to eat with me," he laughed lightly before motioning for her to follow him out towards the back entrance to the building. Andy couldn't quite believe that Caroline had no idea about the layout. She looked to be about his age, though then again, all college students looked relatively the same age. For all he knew, she could be a freshman just new into college. In which case he was glad he was taking her to a great cafe.


    Taking a left turn at the end of the hall, the door could be seen at the other end of the hall. Its glass windows a stark difference tot he white walls of the rest of the building. "It takes us to the back of the building, but it's still and exit" he informs simply before pushing the door open and holding it for Caroline.

    Another shaky laugh escaped her lips at Andy's response, and she lightly nodded, the look on her face seemingly saying "yeah, I know, pretty silly." She hadn't had a class in this building yet, though, so she wasn't used to its layout. Hell, she hoped that she could eventually get used to a design that felt like a sprawling maze.


    She followed after Andy, constructing a mental map in her mind as they took a left turn, entering a hall with glass windows in its side, and a door at the end of it. Finally, something different! As they walked, she shot glances through the windows, taking note about how noticeably dim it had grown outside, and of the puffy grey clouds that were consuming the sky.


    Her attention was pulled over to Andy when she heard his voice, seeing him open the door and hold it open for her. "Hey, if it gets us out of here, then it's alright in my book," she said with a chuckle, walking through the exit, "thank you!" Taking a couple more steps forward, she warily surveyed the grey-colored sky, feeling the ominous power that the wind carried. It definitely seemed like a storm was brewing, hopefully later rather than sooner. She looked back to Andy, "Alright, what cafe were we going to head to?"

    Once outside, he looked up at the darkening sky. For a split second, the thought of canceling right there entered his train of thoughts. Breathing in, he smelled the air surrounding them. It didn't seem like it was going to rain any second. He looked behind him for a moment towards Caroline "The one a few blocks down on the mainstreet. I think it's called the 'Cool Fruits Cafe' or something like that" he said before starting to walk down the street.


    Feeling the breeze against him, he frowned slightly. Perhaps he was wrong the they were going to get caught in the rain. Once again he thought about just turning back, but his mind stopped him again. Like it or not Andy wanted to go to the cafe with Caroline. He couldn't pin point what it was, but he felt like they were meant to meet. What was he thinking? Destiny wasn't really a thing. Things just happen, there isn't a set path. Right? Perhaps it was just the intrigue that he wasn't the only one hanging around an academic building the day before classes started. Yeah. That was it.


    "Anyways, I think it's my favorite place to get drinks like coffee or smoothies or whatever. Even their sandwiches are pretty nice. Personally, the chicken salad on a croissant is to die for," he comments as the continue, quickening his pace a little to make sure they didn't get caught in the on coming storm.

    "Cool Fruits Cafe," hmm, she hadn't been there before. Man, she'd been on this campus a whole year so far, and she was still discovering new things! It was exciting knowing that she still had some exploring to do, with new things to find, especially if those things happened to be nice cafes with good food...


    Her stomach grumbled again as she followed after Andy, a small frown forming on her face when she noticed the slight hesitation in his steps. Her gaze turned skyward, to the gloomy clouds looming overhead. Was he thinking about heading back to avoid the possible storm? The thought brought about a tinge of disappointment. She hadn't truly realized it till now, but she was really looking forward to eating with Andy, even though she just happened to run into him only a moment ago, why was that?


    His voice pulled her attention back downwards, over to him, seeing his pace quicken. Her lips curled into a smile, and she quickly caught up to him, matching his step. "I guess I'll have to give that chicken salad croissant a try then, sounds yummy," she said with liveliness, "along with a smoothie, definitely. Maybe one made with peaches if they have it, ooh, that'd be fantastic!"

    (Sorry the heat here has been deathly, which literally left me with no will to type out a post)


    Her enthusiasm towards the cafe made him smile. I never can convince any of my friends to come here with me. The fact that she so willingly said yes to a complete stranger to go with him to one of his favorite spots near campus only added to his sense of 'this meeting was meant to be.'


    "Yeah I'm almost positive they have peach smoothies, especially since the season for them in nearing," he comments over his shoulder towards her. In almost no time with their quickened pace, they made it to the cafe in almost no time at all. Opening the door, he held it open for Caroline. "After you," he gestured for her to enter ahead of him, his smile still plastered to his face.

    (No worries!)


    "Ah, I guess it is near the time for them, perfect!" She said in response to Andy's comment. Upon making it to the Cafe, she offers up another smile as Andy holds open the door for her once again, "Thank you!" Having made her way inside the Cafe, her eyes did a quick scan of its interior. From the sleek chocolate-brown floor to the round mahogany tables, the inside was filled with warm, earthy tones, which created a seemingly soothing atmosphere.


    "This is nice," she commented, her gaze making an immediate beeline to the plethora of foods lying on display near the counter, sandwiches with varying makeups, and sugary treats of varying evils. The hole in her stomach was becoming significantly more noticeable, and she was practically salivating from all the pleasant scents bombarding her nose. She looked back at Andy, catching a glimpse of the steady stream of rain pouring outside the window. "Woah, seems like we made it just in time," she laughed, glancing at the line in front of the counter. It didn't seem too busy at the moment.

    He lets out an amused laugh seeing Caroline fawn over the food behind the display counters. Not that he could blame her as he had done the same thing when he first stumbled across this little jewel. Hell, it still made him feel like that, his mouth watering from the aroma of all the fresh food and baked goods. "Whoa, seems like we made it just in time," Hearing those words, he instantly turned back to look out the windows, the steady fall of rain seeming to fall harder. "You're right. It also looks like we'll be here for some time," he pauses to look towards the menu, even though he knew exactly what he was going to get, "When you've decided what you want you can go to the counter and order. I'm assuming you'll get the peach smoothie, so you'll just have to wait a minute at the counter for them to make it,"


    Walking up to the counter, he smiles as a girl around their age smiles and greets him. "You're usual Andy?" the girl asks. He nods laughing, pulling out a ten to hand her. Andy was here often, almost too often. It was bad enough that all the employees knew his order: the croissant with chicken salad and a medium strawberry banana smoothie. Once his smoothie was out, he looked towards Caroline again, "I'm going to sit over there. I'll wait for you there," he motions to a seat in a cozy corner near the window, allowing them to watch the falling rain.

    "Yeah, seems like it," she said, her eyes following Andy's to the menu. So many choices... "Right," she nods in response as he continues, watching as he moves up to the counter. Hearing the girl's inquiry, Caroline had to force herself to suppress a cheeky grin. It definitely seemed like Andy was a usual here, he truly must've loved this place.


    Caroline's gaze turned to the seat that Andy pointed out, and she nods, looking back at him with a smile. "Sounds good! I'll get my food, and then meet you over there," she said, before making her way, slightly timidly, up to the counter to order. "Hello, could I get a medium peach smoothie and a, um, chicken salad on a croissant, please?" A nervous smile painted across her features.


    A few minutes later, and she left the counter with a plastic-wrapped croissant in one hand, and a peach smoothie in the other, making her way over to the table in the corner. Setting her food down, she pulled a chair out across from Andy and sat down. "You know," she started, beginning to unwrap her chicken salad croissant, "anytime I come here now, I'm going have to deal with a giant double chocolate chip cookie trying to tempt me, pure evil." She chuckled, taking a bite from her sandwich, glancing out the window. Rain always seemed to be calming somehow, but she was never quite sure why that was.

    Andy had unwrapped his sandwich upon arriving at the table he picked out, however, it remained untouched until she joined him. Once she sat down, he finally took a bit from his sandwich, grinning a bit at the taste. The croissant seemed to melt in his mouth, leaving a nice buttery taste before the sweetness of the chicken salad kicked in. His eyes glanced towards the window, momentarily watching the rain fall to the ground. It was calming. Watching the rain. But there was always something that made Andy feel uneasy about the rain. Sure in dozens of movies, couples finally had their first kiss in the rain, or it drew people together, but that was never the focal point. It was always the grey or black clouds that always caught his eyes. It just felt ominous, and every time he felt like something tragic would happen. There wasn't any reason for it, but it was always an underlying fear.


    His eyes reflected his worry, seeming to go off into a trance for a moment, small lines of worry creasing his face. It wasn't until Caroline's remark about the double chocolate chip cookie that brought him back to reality. An eyebrow raised before responding "I don't blame you," he pauses thinking back to his first semester at the university "You know the infamous freshman fifteen? Well it didn't exist for most, but for me it did and it was because of those cookies. You are right to be afraid of their evil," he laughs, a large smile plastered on his face. "Also, what do you think of the sandwich?" he asked before taking another bite from his own sandwich.

    (Sorry for the delay there, I didn't have enough time to write up a post yesterday.)


    A smile mirrored from his face onto hers, and she nodded as she swallowed the remaining bits of food in her mouth. "It's good," she stated simply, before immediately taking another bite, savoring the sandwich's buttery sweet mixture. A flash of light through the window caught her eye, and she looked just in time to see a streak of lightning in the distance, a low rumble following soon after. She appeared to be lost in thought for a moment, her gaze locked on the stream of rain droplets outside. The grin on her face noticeably dipped for a moment, as if a troubling thought entered her mind, but she quickly looked back at Andy, seemingly all-smiles again.


    "You know, I hadn't even really heard of the 'freshman 15' until my roommate mentioned it when she first introduced me to a nice ice cream place, saying that it was a 'total waist killer,'" she said with a laugh, giving a shrug. "I hadn't really heard of it before then, though, not really sure why." Her head then tilted slightly to the side, "Still, I'm guessing you managed to beat it out in the end? Cause you look fit, like an athlete..." Wait, that wasn't an odd thing to say, was it? There was a brief pause as she set her sandwich down, a light blush crossing her cheeks as she started to fiddle with getting her straw out of its wrapper and into her smoothie. "Like, I wouldn't have known if you hadn't mentioned it..."

    (No worries)


    He had almost missed it, but Andy caught the smile on her face fade, and change almost into something... melancholy. His mind started racing. Was it something I said? Did she really not like the sandwich or even this cafe? Was she just saying that because she knows I love this place to much? No that couldn't possibly be it. Multiple more possibilities came to mind, but each didn't seem to add up. Finally resigning himself to not knowing, he looked across the table at her.


    A laugh escaped from his mouth at her words. "Yeah I did. It couldn't keep me down though, which I guess it pretty good. For me anyways. And you'd be right. Well partially. I played soccer for years up until this year. Captain in high school!" he grins before he took a sip of his smoothie. His grin didn't fade as he discretely watched her awkward actions, trying not to add to her potential discomfort. "How about you? Play any sports? Any activities? Dancer perhaps? That would be my guess,"

    A light giggle slipped past her lips, and she gently shook her head. "Nah, not a dancer, I honestly couldn't dance for the life of me," she said with a little grin, taking a sip from her smoothie, sending a wave of sugary peachy goodness down her tongue, delicious. "And I never really been involved in sports, honestly. I just... um, never had much of an interest in them, I guess?" She shrugged, taking another sip, her eyes momentarily breaking contact to look down at the table. She then looked back up at Andy, her voice gaining a bit more enthusiasm. "I am a part of the astronomy club, though! And I work as a tutor down at the Math Center, you know, one of those student employment positions? So there is that. I've been thinking about getting involved in a couple of more clubs, but I dunno..."


    Another sip, "What about you though?" She asked, putting her smoothie down before reaching for her sandwich. "I know you mentioned Soccer... but is there anything else you're participating in now or, well, used to be a part of?" She took a bite from her sandwich, eyes widening slightly as bit a mayonnaise splashed across the side of her lips. She gently put the croissant down, rising out of her seat slightly as her hand stretched towards the napkin dispenser at the table's center.

    Quickly, his hand moved towards the napkin dispenser to push it towards Caroline a couple of centimeters as she stood to reach for it. He grabbed a napkin for himself before returning his hand to pick up the last bite of his sandwich. Finishing the sandwich, he wipes his mouth, before laughing, amused. "Where were you years ago when I was in Calculus and really any math class after... well 2+2? That's an exaggeration, but yeah it always gave me some issues," he pauses for a moment to wash down the sandwich with his smoothie, "But I'm in... well a lot actually. I'm not sure how I even managed it with soccer and all for all these years. They have this Law Club so I casually go to those meetings. I'm pretty active in an Animal Welfare club, that gaming club that's on campus too. Oh and theater." he chuckles a few times, scratching the back of his head after finishing his tangent of activities.


    It was a miracle he was even standing giving how involved he was, even if it was superficially to an extent. Like how could anyone be involved in so many clubs so actively and evenly? It's not possible. I guess I'm just sorta superficial. He nods hoping that he didn't just make her feel like a hermit compared to all of his activities. "Sorry, that was a lot,"