Green Hearts

I'd seen those eyes before. It wasn't possible to mistake them, not in the sea of normal greens, occasional blues, and ordinary browns that filled the city. The moment you walked into the classroom, everything shifted. It wasn't just your presence; it was the undeniable magnetism that drew every eye to you, including mine. You moved with an effortless grace as if stepping into the room full of people with their attention on you was the most natural thing in the world. Maybe it was. Maybe I was the one stumbling over my own thoughts. If someone had warned me then that meeting you would tilt my world off its axis, I might have laughed it off. But as you stood there, those familiar sea-green eyes scanning the room with a calculated gaze, I could not seem to shake the feeling that our paths had crossed before. Then it hit me - the beach. I remembered your striking combination of rich chocolate skin and those rare, mesmerizing eyes. It had intrigued me then, wondering about your heritage, the beauty that crafted such a masterpiece. A group of girlfriends were upon you, trying to decipher which of them you were interested in. And you, you were playing the courteous local celebrity. Their chattering that flitted around you like butterflies had distracted me from a habit I had just learned I had. My mother’s face sits, frozen in time, on the screen of my phone and I have been staring long and hard at it. Muna had pointed it out to me. My memory of her was starting to fade. I had been so young when the accident happened, and Dad cleared out everything that had her touch when he found himself again. I know there are some things he is keeping from telling me. Their squeals had brought me out of my reverie and I found myself admiring you from afar. You looked so kindly at them and replied as neutrally as you could to their batting lashes. Your smile was starting to falter ever so slightly when I saw my mother walk past behind you. I didn’t stop to ask how, my feet were moving before I could tell. I nearly tripped over the group of girls, muttering a hurried apology as I chased after the apparition. Rounding the corner of a fruit juice stand, I saw her. A kid. A mess of dirt blonde hair just like mine. She could have been me at 13. Her feet through the sand as she moved, rolling through deep mounds and hopping, oblivious to everyone else around her. I watched her walk on and wondered how I had ever thought my mother would casually walk past on the beach. It was a while before I turned to walk back to my spot on a ridge. I wanted to spot Muna when she was ready to leave before she caused a scene by yelling my name. I almost walked into you. You took hold of my flailing hand and didn’t let go even after I steadied on my feet again. I didn’t notice, I was so distracted by your eyes and the beautiful smile you looked down at me with. You apologized and ushered me towards the juice stand to sit. There was an English accent. I spoke way fewer words than you and the cheeky grin you had on. I wanted to drink you up. I was grateful when Muna started yelling my name from somewhere close by. I needed to go. You tugged on my hand that you still hadn’t let go of and next your lips brushed so lightly by my ear, “I’ll see you later then?” I rolled my eyes at your smugness and walked off. Tha facade masked the fluttering in my stomach. Now, I burrowed deeper into my seat, hiding from your gaze behind my book. Throughout the class, while others stole glances and whispered, you remained unfazed. Your footsteps echoed as you eventually settled into a seat at the back. Soon after, the room fell quieter as the lecturer arrived. I silently hoped for a free period. No introductions were offered by anyone, and as the class ended, I plugged in my earphones to drown out the gossip. My book needed finishing. Just as the music began to fill my ears, I caught your voice in reply to someone: "Jace." It held a surprising gentleness that contrasted with your confident demeanor, unfazed by the attention you garnered. When my playlist ended, I noticed most of the class had cleared out. With nothing else pressing, I remained to for the last page of my novel until your voice unexpectedly pierced the silence. Startled, I turned to find you still there, regarding me with those captivating eyes that seemed to see more than they let on. "Are you going to keep observing from afar, or shall we have a proper conversation?" Your question caught me off guard, and I struggled to maintain my composure. Your smile, calm and inviting, melted my defenses. "I didn't realize we needed to converse," I replied, trying to sound disinterested, though failing miserably. "We don't need to, but it's nice to know someone here," you said casually, as if making friends was as simple as breathing. Your response was warm, hinting at layers beneath your relaxed exterior. "You're exceptionally casual," I retorted, trying to match your cool, though secretly intrigued by your confidence. "Doesn't change the fact that we're now acquaintances," you declared with finality, leaving little room for argument. "I wouldn't say we know each other," I murmured, unsure where this unexpected conversation was leading. We stared for a minute. "You're distractingly beautiful and a bit curious." I paused, momentarily flustered by your straightforwardness. You noticed. "It's a habit," you shrugged, a faint smile playing on your lips, one that I found myself stealing glances at. "What's your name?" you asked, bringing us back to the present moment. "Autumn." "Hi, Autumn. I'm Jace." "I know."