Chapter One

Spring break was now over and he was back at Oxford, he stands in the garden taking pictures of the grounds and some of the students as they walk from class to class. Once more he wears a white button up shirt, sleeves rolled up almost to the elbows, and his black boots. Today however, he wears a pair of black slacks one pocket bulging with film. Having no classes for another hour he saw no harm in taking some pictures for the year book and school paper.

He absently snaps pictures as he walks, his mind on the girl he saw a week ago at the café back in London, not paying any attention to where he is walking. A grunt passing from him as he is brought back to the here and now when either he bumps into someone or they into him, he isn't sure which is the case.

A gasp passes her pouting crimson lips as she absently bumps into someone nearly causing her to loose her glasses the way she looses her books all over the ground in front of her. She kneels down in a rather lady like fashion, something rare for girls today, to start picking up her scattered papers and books. Her French accented voice passing her lips nervously and apologetically as she adjusts her glasses in the process. "I'm so sorry. I'm very sorry. " A rush of crimson to her other wise fairly pale ivory cheeks as her long golden lashes dance over them. Her sapphire eyes not lifting from the ground, afraid to find out who she had bumped into, after all it could be one of the many enemies she has acquired. Now much like she had back in London she wears a semi-short blue pleated plaid skirt and a white French cuff blouse and her black mary-janes.

The moment he is brought crashing down back to reality enough to realize the mess his absent minded thoughts had caused he kneels down as well helping her gather her things as he speaks, " Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going. " His own soft New York accented voice apologetic.

After gathering her papers and books for her he hands them to her speaking once more, " My mind was in the clouds, I'm really very sorry about this. I am usually very careful. " His gaze shifts to her face finally and a slight gasp escapes his lips. " Hey, you're the girl from the café in London a week ago, aren't you? " He smiles at her, a shy clumsy smile hoping he's not mistaken. " What was it that she called you? Sere isn't it? "

Her eyes had instantly met his, a rush of crimson rising into her high boned ivory cheeks with recognition. As quickly as her gaze had met his it lowers to the books and papers she now takes from him clutching them to her bosom as she stands to her feet shuffling one foot in front of the other. Her long golden lashes that frame sapphiric eyes lower to shield them from view. Her voice passes her crimson petals I a soft French melody that wavers clumsily. " It's a nickname… I've known Annette forever it seems… "

She shifts again on her feet nervous and unsure of her own voice as she brings her gaze back up to meet his or at least look at him again finally. " You caught Marcus… " She recalls when he caught the waiter, which she knows as Marcus a long time klutz. She takes a deep breath holding her books and things against her chest with one hand she extends her right hand to him which waves slightly still shaking with nervousness. " I'm Serenity… "

His smile, while shy, is warm and gentle upon his lips. He extends his hand to grasp hers, giving it a gentle squeeze as he says, " Peter… Peter Parker. A pleasure to meet you, Serenity. " Forgetting he still holds her hand he asks dumbly, " So, are you a student here? "

The blush upon her pale cheeks deepens to a richer shade of near scarlet hues. Finally she pulls her hand slowly from his grasp to clutch her books shyly. " Yes… First year… I've heard of you I think. You work for the paper don't you? Taking the photos for the year book too I think… "

He releases her hand, a faint blush rising to his cheeks. " Yes, that's right. This is my second year. " He runs his hand through his soft brown locks, shuffling his feet slightly.

" So, are you on your way to class? I could follow the-… er… walk you there, if you want? " His words come out sounding more like a question, rather than an offer.

She adjusts her books and papers and nods softly turning to start heading down the path to her next class. A moment after she starts walking she finally answers his question. " I'd like the company… Do you like it here? " As swiftly as she answers his question she changes subjects to hopefully keep both of them from dying of embarrassment as quickly.

He easily catches up to her, his long legs pacing with ease. " It's nice up here, and the professors are all very good. I don't have many friends, but that's nothing new. " He shrugs softly, not thinking she might not be looking at him.

"So, what do you major in? I'm majoring in Science and Photography, with a minor in Literature. " He asks, switching subjects slightly.

" I' m not really sure, right now my major is listed as Music with a minor in English Lit. This semester anyway, last semester it was Music with a minor in… Dance I think…" She blushes slightly again as they come up to her building. " I change my mind a lot I guess. The friends I had back in France all said I was a bit of a flake.. "

She walks up the stone steps grabbing the handle of the door and opening it slightly to step in, but turns back to him for a moment. " It was really nice talking to you. Maybe I'll see you around campus again sometime? " It was a simple statement that in the end almost seemed like a hopeful question. However with her shy French chords you could never fully be certain either way.

" I'd like that. " He says as he turns to leave, then turns back quickly in mid step to add; " You know, I'm going to the café up the road around five or six tonight. Do you, maybe, wana go? With me I mean… " The words spill clumsily from his lips, as he blushes yet again.

Her long sunshine gold lashes splash of her cheeks rapidly in a shocked or rather surprised manner as she nods softly, a rush of scarlet dancing over her pale cheeks. She quickly ducks into the building heading off to her class so as not to be late.

He grins broadly, turning and rushing away calling to her back. " Tonight then!" He does a perfect triple cartwheel as he rushes back to his dorm room, to shower and change for his next class.