Elliot remained fixated on the gleaming white floor beneath his shoes, as if it held the secrets of the universe as he moved forward in silence, so quiet that it felt almost rude to him. He was well aware that his behavior might come across as impolite, especially after the brunette girl, Luna, had kindly offered to give him a tour of the place. He had merely nodded in response, his voice seemingly lost somewhere in his throat, all thanks to the enchanting gaze he had gotten lost in when looking into Luna's spellbinding eyes.
The culprit was the soft shade of rosy pink.
It posed quite a dilemma for him.
To his dismay, his cheeks had a natural hint of rosy pink to them.
Consequently, he was reluctant to engage in conversation, fully aware that doing so would inevitably involve locking gazes with her. Such an exchange would, without a doubt, transform his complexion into that of a gigantic tomato. So, he chose to err on the side of caution and feigned indifference, sparing himself the potential humiliation of blushing in the presence of someone of such breathtaking and glamorous.
Even then, he consistently wondered, what on earth was wrong with him?! Why was he acting like some loser? - Though he more or less believed with a poker face that he was one.
And besides… he doesn't like admitting it, but he sucked at talking to girls because of his absolutely bashful nature and zero experience.
"Welcome to your first class. Surprisingly, we have some shared classes, though you'll be diving into Business Statistics while I'll be taking English instead," Luna revealed to the anxious Elliot, who nodded in return. He stole a glance into the classroom and then back at her, his cheeks tinged with a rosy hue as if he were sporting a touch of rosette blush.
And Luna's nose twitched with a frown.
For some inexplicable reason, the scent of Elliot's blood carried an unnerving sweetness that unsettled her. Now, she understood why the entire university seemed to be fixated on him; their gazes akin to hungry predators eyeing human prey. It presented a dilemma for her and a troublesome burden she couldn't ignore.
Despite herself, she found her gaze drawn to him, and she was unable to shake the realization that protecting someone who appeared so innocent would be a daunting task.
Already, she gleaned from a glimpse into his thoughts the depth of his naivety, and Luna pondered whether she should consider enrolling herself in this very university to keep him in her line of sight.
Indeed, her swift arrival today had been prompted by the frantic rhythm of his heart, which echoed earlier in her mind like a distress signal she couldn't ignore.
Luna found herself entranced by the boy's charming visage, akin to that of a lovable fluffy bunny. His wide, doe-like eyes met hers with gratitude as he stuttered out his appreciation, "Um, thank you for showing me around." Elliot responded with a gentle smile, his gaze momentarily dropping to the flawless expanse of white marble beneath their feet.
"Hmm, there's no need for such formality with me," Luna commented, her once-dead heart stirring at the boy's irresistible charm. Elliot's cheeks flushed an even deeper, and he simply nodded in response.
Luna watched him closely, narrowing her gaze to his fidgety body.
Suddenly, it dawned on her that there was an unsettling discrepancy about him.
As Elliot prepared to leave for his class, she gently grasped his wrist, bringing him to a halt. The instant her fingers made contact with his wrist, a revelation dawned upon her, but she decided to set it aside for the moment.
Luna released his slender wrist and cleared her throat before addressing him, "Sorry, I forgot to mention something. You see, I'm the President of the Student Council, so I'd appreciate it if you'd come to me for guidance or any assistance you may need. The students in this University aren't particularly kind or caring, so what I mean is, if you face any bullying or encounter any disturbances, whether it's due to your new status or any other reason, it's your responsibility to report such individuals to me. You can also approach other council members if you happen to get to know them by the end of the day. Do you understand?"
Originally, Luna hadn't entertained the idea of enrolling or assuming the role of student council president. However, circumstances had swiftly changed her plans. Upon learning of Elliot's severe illness, she felt compelled to take action.
Leaving him in such a state was simply out of the question now.
Luna's words held an air of authority, and her final question resonated like a command, leaving no space for the fragile boy to offer any resistance. In response, Elliot vigorously nodded his head in agreement as if his very existence hinged on his consent.
Luna regarded the boy with a firm demeanor, and although they were of similar height, she might have held a slight advantage in height from an inch. She responded, "Good. Now, head to your class. It'll start in twenty minutes, and I wish you a pleasant day." With that, the brunette girl departed, leaving Elliot to exhale a breath he hadn't even realized he'd been holding.
Elliot swallowed hard as the memory of those commanding, dark silver eyes crossed his mind once more, causing his knees to momentarily weaken.
Elliot let out a sigh as he entered the classroom and chose a seat at the back, right by the window. With his bag resting beside him, he extracted his textbooks and class notes, preparing for the upcoming lecture.
As he completed his preparations, Elliot gazed out the window and allowed his mind to wander, pondering, 'Luna didn't show up in class, even though just twenty minutes were remaining before it began, but then again, not everyone is a nerd like me.' Elliot pursed his lips in a slight pout at the thought, his gaze drifting toward the distance, where elms tumbled gracefully from the trees, carried by the whispering wind.
As Elliot gazed out his window, his thoughts wandered, tangled in the vibrant tapestry of greenery stretching before him. 'She never even asked for my name, yet it felt like she already knew. Could the principal have told her about me?' The idea settled in his mind with a quiet certainty, 'it would make sense—she is the student council president, after all. That's right. That must be it.'
Elliot released a sigh while his thoughts meandered, and he realized he had forgotten to inquire about the peculiar incident in the hallway before Luna's arrival. He dismissed it, thinking that perhaps the University was teeming with eccentric individuals, but certainly not her.
Yet, something still troubled him: why the need to bow to her instead of a normal or slightly formal greeting? Bowing seemed excessive. If he had an ounce of courage, he might have asked her, but his timid soul seemed to cower in the face of everything despite its inner beauty and charm.
His contemplations ceased abruptly when the classroom door swung open, revealing Miss Coraline Moore, accompanied by the same girl who's captivating yet formidable presence had made his knees tremble—Luna Silverton.
The brunette girl engaged in a conversation with their homeroom teacher, but then she pivoted, her gaze unerringly homing in on Elliot as though she possessed a preternatural awareness of his chosen seat. Her intense and penetrating eyes locked onto his, their sharpness contrasting with his own soft, honey-brown doe eyes and leaving Elliot with a nervous gulp caught in his throat.
Indeed, it was going to be a long day for Elliot.