As I stare out the window watching a small white butterfly flutter around a tree someone hits the edge of a book into my upper arm.
"HEY! Watch it!"
I swivel around on my stool to see who the attacker is, as I look up my breath is taken away
"Oh! Pardon! I am so sorry! Are you okay?" She responds in a thick French accent.
I sit there unable to respond just watching her light blonde curl bounce as she drops her books on the counter.
I struggle to find the right words, 'Um, yeah! No worries, you just gave me a fright, that's all."
"I am sorry I was rushing because I thought I was late," she rest her hand on my right arm where she hit it, "are you sure it didn't hurt?"
Her soft touch sends tingles up through my neck; I move away hastily, "it's all good", I return abruptly.
She notices my unease and turns to face the front of the class and organise her books. I watch her as she pulls her hair back from her face and tucks it behind her ear and then rests both hands on her lap waiting patiently until class begins. I feel guilt rising in the pit of stomach for being so rude to her and I feel obliged to make conversation.
" Hey, I'm Cosima." My voice is shaking with nerves as is my hand as I present it to her.
"Oh," she seems surprised that I'm talking to her "Allo, I am Delphine," she responds as she shakes my hand.
"I haven't seen you around here before Delphine, are you new or something?"
"Well yes I am! I moved here a month ago from France to go to university here."
"France? Geez that's a fair way"
"ah yes but very rewarding"
"how so?"
Before she can answer Mr Elka walks in the door and the room falls quiet.
I sit on the bench out front of the university slowly chewing my cold pasta from last night's dinner. I face the road with my back to the school and watch as people walk by; I enjoy watching observing, I guess what's why I became a scientist. I like to just watch and take in my surroundings taking notice of every detail, like the two bees hovering around the base of an old oak tree in the distance, or how a small toddler struggles to keep up with her mother's long strides as she walks with her head down concentrating on how to keep up. As I sit and observe in silence and hand lightly rests on my left shoulder; I jolt upright and straighten my back and turn to see Delphine standing behind me blocking the sun. I'm star struck; the sun is beaming behind her which makes her blonde hair golden, almost like I'd imagine an angel to look like.
"Allo again" she smiles showing her perfectly white teeth
"Hello, Delphine right?" all that's running through my head is 'play it cool, play it cool Cosima'.
"Oui! I'm sorry to bother you but I was wondering if I could sit with you?"
My heart began to beat out of my chest; I looked down at the space on the bench beside me to hide my blushing cheeks.
"It's okay if you don't! It was silly of me to ask I'll go sit somewh-"
"NO!" I cut her off almost yelling, "Of course you can sit here! Sorry I'm having an off day" I chuckle as she slides onto the bench.
"Off day?" Her eye brows crunch together making her purse her lips, she looks adorable.
"Um, yeah, like I'm making silly mistakes and not being myself."
"Oh! Oui, oui, I understand, it is taking me sometime to understand, how you Americans say 'slang'" she emphasises an American accent on the word slang which makes me laugh.
"I think you're doing quite well for a Frenchie. So, what's your story?"
"My story… Well, it's not that exciting" she giggles
"Well tell me anyway! I want to know more about you!"
Delphine looks down at her sandwich that sits on her lap; she begins to fiddle with the plastic wrapper.
"Hey look, I'm sorry if you don't want to talk about it or anything; I mean we can talk about anything else! Like the amazing weather we've had lately!" I try to force a smile but my worry seeps through.
"It isn't that Cosima, it's just, I have been here for over two weeks and I haven't held a conversation with anyone, let alone made a friend."
I grab her soft hand and notice it is colder than mine so I wrap both hands one hers and hold tight "I'd like to think we are friends," I pause with a grin as I let go of her hand "but it's a shame that I have no time for another friend, seeing as though I have SO many already!" I motion towards all the empty area around me.
A smirk begins to form across her face and she looks up at me with her deep blue eyes and says "Are you always this cheeky?"