Horizon

“He stared at her, a breath pressed from his mouth as his heart began to race. 

Has she always glowed like that? No, no of course not. And yet, the halo of morning light refused to disappear from around her. Her dark hair glistened in the morning light, her eyes like sparkling glass, refractions of light that hint at something deeper. 

Something stirred inside him, completely impossible, and yet…

“Oh, crap.” The words came out before he could stop them. 

She blinked at him, her face hardening before she pushed him away.

“What is wrong with you?” she asks, grabbing up her books and shoving them into her bag.

They were supposed to be studying. This assignment, a large part of their grade, had forced them together. Two weeks of working together, and still, nothing. He of course had figured out the problem. They hated each other. He was oil, she was water. They don’t mix. But what happened if that line disappeared?

Henry turned away from her, clutching at the front of his chest, his hammering heart painful, too fast, as if something had shifted inside him. 

 Her hair had fallen in front of her face and Henry caught a whiff of her shampoo, its citrus scent hanging softly in the air. The sudden scent of her was a gut punch, and he stood up suddenly, grabbing his books in a rush. 

“Sorry, Kara,” he said, cursing himself for the formality. Why was he apologizing to her? “I forgot I have something I need to do.” He lied, feeling guilty. 

That wasn’t suspicious at all, he told himself as he rushed through the university courtyard, but he couldn’t stay. 

What the hell is wrong with me? 

He ran a hand through his hair. Maybe I’m sick, he thought.

Kara stared at him, her mind rushing through the last couple weeks, trying to process what had changed.

His usual messy appearance was exactly the same. His hair sticking up in a chaotic mess, as if he had just rolled out of bed. Typical Henry. The same as always. And yet…

“Oh, crap.” His words caught her like a struck match. 

Had he noticed? She hadn’t been staring long. Had she?

This isn’t happening. She blinked, forcing her face to go blank. She pushed him away.

They hated each other, didn’t they? He was fire, she was water. But now. Now she was boiling over.

“What is wrong with you?” She asked, not sure if she was asking him or herself.

Her hand tingled where it had touched him and she gripped her wrist, resisting the urge to rest it against her face, to feel his touch, even in this indirect way.

Wait, what? 

She flicked a glance back in his direction. Had she really considered that? She bent forward, letting her hair fall in front of her face, hiding the blush that was creeping across her face.

Henry jumped to his feet, grabbing books and papers from their table.

“Sorry, Kara.” he said, and Kara felt her heart skip a beat at the sound of her name on his lips. “I forgot I have something I need to do.” He turned from her, rushing out of the courtyard.

She watched him go, unable to catch her breath.

Oh, she thought, noticing the book that had fallen to the floor. She picked it up, running her hand across its surface, as if touching it might unravel something she wasn’t ready for. 

Her face burned hotter as she considered seeing him again.

Should I? It was just a book, but still… Her fingers tightened around it, as if letting go would symbolize accepting something she wasn’t ready for.

Returning it was the right thing to do. Simple. Easy. And yet, she stood there, unmoving.