So this is what Florida looks like? I thought to myself as I drove down Dixie Highway, along side a railroad and what looked to me like a small forest. When I heard I'd been accepted to Flagler College in Florida I had imagined pristine white beaches and cliffs overlooking the ocean. However, I did not imagine stretches of land filled with trees that looked like they could house a Slenderman. The sky was cloudless and the hue of the sky somehow looked bluer there than it had in California. The stretch of asphalt continued into the horizon, I could tell then it would be a long drive but for some reason I hadn't minded all that much.
Having decided to live off campus of Flagler College, I had chosen to go my apartments first. They weren't too far from the college and I hadn't needed to check in until later so I decided to walk there instead. Getting to know the new city was my reason for walking, I figured I could meet a friend or find a library or book store near by. The city had looked great as I was driving through it, peaceful enough. Then again many places had looked peaceful compared to my hometown. After putting away what I could, I pulled on my boots and sweater that I always wore, grabbed my purse and walked out. It was warm outside and humid. I immediately regretted wearing my boots and sweater. Shrugging off the decision, I walked to my college. The streets looked so clean, compared to my old ones that is. After walking for a bit I had stumbled upon a little park. There wasn't really anyone, a few girls sitting on the lawn and a man sitting on the bench with a book. As I was making my way by him, he looked up at me with a knowing smile. Smiling shyly I waved, I guess he had taken that as a sign to start a conversation.
"Your not from around here are you?" His voice was so familiar, I knew I had heard it before. Not wanting to be rude, I turned to face him and replied with a shake of my head.
"How could you tell?" I had been surprised my voice hadn't shook like it sometimes did when I talked to a stranger.
"The boots and sweater are dead give away. And your face is a bit pink, I can easily guess you're not used to this kind of weather." I cock my head, I am used to this weather. Why would my face be pink? It was never this humid in California but the temperature was about the same.
"Yeah, I just moved to Florida actually." I decided to not mention my thoughts.
"I was right, cool!"
"Alright well I better go then." I started to walk away and just as I had walked about a yard. I remembered where I knew his voice from. I looked back and saw that he had turned back to his book. How had I not matched this man's face with the voice I so loved to hear? I knew who he was, I had his infamous Love Song on my Ipod. I'd had a plushie I made of him in my bag with me. I pulled it out without thinking. Unable to contain my curiosity, I walked slowly back and stood in front of him. "This is you isn't it?" I had held the plushie up for him to see. Looking up from the book, he saw what I held. He looked a bit shocked but he didn't seem like he wanted to deny it. I knew it was him but I wondered if he would tell me the truth, after all I could have been some hormonal fangirl.
Looking me straight in the eye, his blue eyes shining, he laughed just a little and then said, "Hi."