Writing prompts February: Short Story # 7

Hello dear Readers,
I am glad to present you this short and fresh love story. If some of you wonder about the importance of the names given to characters in my stories, I have to tell you that "Stellan" means "the calm one" or "der Ruhige" in Scandinavian.  it will become clearer if you read the story below.
As usual, do not copy or claim the story do be yours.
Story, settings and characters belong to me.
Enjoy your reading and leave me a comment. I'd like to know what you think ;-)

Love,

Reading Freak

The new guy

The auditorium was almost full on this Tuesday evening. The students were talking loudly and shouting out to friends who were already seated on the benches. The first rows of benches were full and students now had to climb to the 2nd and 3rd levels of the auditorium. This Philosophy course was compulsory for the students of the faculty and the auditorium was just big enough to allow them all inside. The Professor was not yet in sight. But a student remained close to the door, pretending to be deeply concentrated on the university’s billboards. His eyes quickly searched through the flow of students that enter the hall leading to the doors and he felt nausea rising in his stomach. What if she was already inside, he muttered to himself. He felt foolish and stupid and at the same time nervous and light-hearted. That was the effect she had on him. And he did not even know her name.

- Stellan, man, what are you waiting for? Move and get inside now.

Stellan turned his head to the boy who just shouted his name and, at the same time, quickly scanned behind him to check if she was there. Upset that it was not the case, he turned his gaze to his friend but he did not answer.

- Well, I’m glad to see you too, Stellan. What’s up? You’re not skipping, right? Or were you waiting for me? 

And with that his friend laughed, happy with his joke. With a moan, Stellan studied his friend’s face, uncertain about how to answer. Diego was as tall as he was, but that was the only thing they had in common. He had bronze skin, green eyes and a boastful personality that worked wonders with the girls. Stellan was blonde, blue-eyed and shy. He was a walking stereotype for his home country, Norway. Still, he felt glad that they were friends, even if they only met a month ago. They both had a student room in the same house. It had helped, especially Stellan who had felt a bit lost when he first arrived at the university. It was not easy to leave your family, friends and a secure environment even if it was only for 6 months. He noticed that his friend was still waiting for his answer and blushed.

- No, I am just waiting, hum…you know,…I…well…hum..

Diego’s smile grew bigger and bigger as he saw his friend struggle to find a good reason to be still standing in the hallway instead of inside the auditorium.

- Oh, you mean you really were waiting for me, buddy?

And with that, he laughed at Stellan’s reddish face. This was so embarrassing, especially now that he noticed from the corner of his eyes that her friends stood at the entrance of the hall. He gestured to Diego to be quiet and he tried to cool down a bit, but his heart was beating faster every second or so it seemed. Undisturbed by the turmoil of his friend, Diego put his arm on his shoulder.

- Keep cool, Stellan. I am sure she will be here any moment now. Breathe, it will help if you are planning to talk to her.

And with these wise words, Diego turned his attention to the girls entering the auditorium and followed them inside waving his thumb to his friend.

Eyes shut and blowing air slowly, Stellan tried his best to look poised but his shaky hands did not agree. It was totally not happening as he had planned it. He thought hard about how he had imagined this first chat with her. He was supposed to play it cool, even natural while talking to her. It was to be a casual meeting and then he would finally have her name, an invitation to sit next to her on the bench and, his hopes were high, a coffee after the lecture. It was not that difficult. He had witnessed Diego and other guys play it cool and get a first “Rendez-Vous”. So, why was he so scared?

He raised his head focusing on his plan when he heard people laughing close to him. Not people, no, he realised with horror that it was girls laughing and giggling on his left. His heart stopped as he opened his eyes and saw her standing there among her friends. She was so utterly perfect and she was walking towards him or was it towards the door, he did not know for sure. 

His eyes grew larger every step she took and he stood mouth open as she stopped in front of him and raised her head to meet his eyes. His brain was sending orders out: breath, speak, now! Do it Stellan, do it. But nothing came. He was frozen and mesmerised by her opal eyes. He then realised with horror that her lips were moving but he only heard his heartbeats as his heart starting galloping again in his chest. What did she just say? 

Oh, gods of Valhalla, please help me, was all he thought. She looked him up waiting for an answer, but he just managed to smile. Very good Stellan, she will think you’re an idiot now.

He sensed a warm spot on his arm and realised she had placed her hand in a reassuring gesture. And he blurred in a go.

- I am the new guy. I am from Norway. We have a few classes together. My name is Stellan and you are beautiful.

She smiled and looked right in his eyes as she took a deep breath and answered.

- I know.

Stellan blinked once, twice and smiled as he grasped what she just said. He saw her face blushing as she continued talking.

- I saw you before and wondered if I could sit with you. You seem to be stronger than me at taking down notes. We could maybe team-up. What do you think?

Her face was now so red and her eyes pleading for an answer. Stellan nodded and gestured for her to follow him inside. He silently shouted out to himself. Easy, that was so easy. I told you so man!