Blindside

Slow Down

Cleo

Grabbing my timetable from my bag, I took off toward the school’s west entrance to the art and photography wing. As I jogged, I looked down to double check the room number. Clearly in a rush and off in my own world, I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings. Before I knew it, I was colliding with the back of a rather tall human being, dropping my timetable, keys and phone to the ground. 

“Ouff!” I said as air rushed out of me on impact.

“Whoah there spitfire, slow down” Came the voice of the brick wall. Hands reached out and grasped my shoulders to steady me.

“Crap, sorry! I wasn’t watching where I was going. Just trying to not be tardy on my first day” I replied as I knelt down to retrieve my things. 

“No problem. You have a different world down there” they joked.

“ Ha ha, very —“ I paused, as I stood up and finally looked up at who I just crashed into. 

Holy. Mack. That’s all I could think at that moment. After that, mind blank as I looked directly into the most crystal clear mismatched eyes I’d ever seen; one ice blue and the other jade green. Standing tall, a little taller than Cairo, maybe 6’2 or 6’3, and definitely ate his momma’s food. The guy was big, not fat big, but just big.

Shaking my head, I cleared my throat “Sorry, that was rude. This may also be awkward, but —“

“It’s the eyes, I know” He replied, chuckling. “Names Oliver by the way. Oliver Ward” he said as he stuck out his hand for me to shake.

“Hi Oliver, I’m Cleo. Yes, your eyes are unique, the colours just suck you in” I said as shook his offered hand and introduced myself. 

“Thank you, I’ll take that as a compliment” he said. “You said you were running late? I could help you find your way to class if you’d like” he offered.

“Really? I would actually appreciate that” I replied, giving him a small smile.

Before I could register the sudden shift in Oliver’s attention, I was being scooped up off my feet and spun around in a circle.

“CLEO! You crazy woman, don’t you check your phone? I’ve been trying to reach you so that you wouldn’t get lost this morning you dork” Corbin said as he set me back on my feet.

Turning around, I gave my cousin a quick hug and then stepped back. “Sorry, I was in a rush and my phone must be on silent. Of course, in my rushed state, I wasn’t watching where I was going and ran right into the back of him and dropped my phone” I replied while throwing my thumb over my shoulder pointing at Oliver.

“Hey Ollie, I see you’ve finally met my crazy little fire cracker” Corbin said to Oliver, using the preferred nick name that the family liked to call me. 

“Oh. OH! THIS is the Cleo?” Oliver exclaimed. “Well then miss Cleo, I have heard many stories about you. You will get no problems from me, I’d like to keep all my limbs and my favourite appendage intact” he joked.

“Great. I hope you heard more good things than bad” I said dryly. “This must then mean that you are the famous Ollie that helps clears paths for this asshat to score all those great touchdowns” I added wile smirking, using air quotations when saying ‘great’. Remembering that time was of the essence “Hey! Enough chit-chat, we can get to that later. The bell is going to ring any minute, let’s hustle boys!” I ordered.

“Okay fire cracker, where are you headed?” Corbin asked.

“Hmm… Room 112A for Visual Arts” I answered

“I actually have the same class, follow me” Oliver said, waving me to follow him.

“Perfect! Onward my new friend.” I replied. “See you at lunch?” I asked Corbin as I started after Oliver.

“Sure thing Cleo. See you then, now get moving” Corbin said as he shooed me off.

“Bye” I replied. Waving goodbye to Corbin, I turned and hurried to follow Oliver.