Her Crescent Ascent

    "Iced raspberry white chocolate mocha for Kassidy." The barista shouted over the large crowds waiting for their morning coffees. I walked up to the counter, smiled at her, and grabbed my drink. I unwrapped my straw and plunged it into the only thing that would keep me awake during Dr. Bowen's 8am monotone lecture about contract law. I honestly wouldn't have minded the course material if it wasn't in the most monotone voice it could possibly be in. This man could win an award for his lack of enthusiasm.     After taking a few sips of the cool liquid, I stepped out into the warm spring breeze and made my way across campus to the law building. Something felt differently about today but I wasn't sure what that meant just yet. The flowers were starting to bloom and the birds were singing as I trudged up the steps. The door swung open and almost smacked me right in the face. "I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" I looked up to see a pair of the most beautiful green eyes staring into my soul.     I stared at him for a few seconds until I realized I hadn't answered. "I think I'll be okay, thanks." He smiled at me and ran his hands through his hair.     "Are you sure? I feel like a jerk for not seeing someone on the other side of the glass. I'm Derek," He smiled, and I felt my heart melt. What had gotten into me? I wasn't normally this giddy over a boy, let alone a boy that I just met.     I pushed my hair to one side and adjusted my bag. "I should have seen through the door too. No harm, no foul. I'm Kassidy but most people just call me Kass." My face felt flushed, and I half smiled at him.     "Well Kass, I should get going. It looks like we both have some place to be, but just in case some i***t doesn't look through the glass again, text me." He pulled out a pen and reached for my hand, writing his number on my palm. Derek disappeared into the crowd as I opened the door, walking inside. Gwen was waiting for me in the very first row of the lecture hall.     "Kass, what in the heck took you so long?" She scowled at me as I took my iPad and binder out of my bag.     "I stopped for coffee and then this massively handsome guy almost hit me with the door out front. God, Gwen, I wish you could have seen how freakin' good he looked." I giggled and sat down. I flashed her my palm and her eyes got wide.     "He gave you his number? Seriously, you get all the good ones. What do I get? Jerks and boys who only care about themselves. I want whatever magic you seem to have that all the boys want." She rolled her eyes as Dr. Bowen cleared his throat.     "Good morning, class. Please be aware that the mock trial is going to begin soon so please plan accordingly so that you can keep up with all of your coursework as well as participate. With that out of the way, let’s dive in." That monotone was getting really old and thank god the semester was almost over. "Let's go ahead and open up to chapter four and we'll pick up right where we left off."     After sitting through four lectures today I was mentally dead. I grabbed takeout from a cute café on my way back home. I contemplated if I was going to text Derek sometime tonight or not. It wasn't the greatest idea considering my track record with ending up in crappy relationships. I got home, tossed my bags on the counter, and sat on the couch with my food. I turned on some crappy romance movie that was on Netflix and ate in my version of peace.     You haven't let me out in months. I'm so tired of you trying to be normal. I shrugged the annoying voice in my head to the side. My attention turned to my phone buzzing. Caller ID told me that Callen was calling again for the fiftieth time this week. I didn't like thinking about home. What was the point? To wallow in guilt for leaving my family to do what I wanted and not what was 'destined' for me to do? I shook my head and mentally chastised myself for even letting it get me down.     I didn't fit the mold that my whole family had made for me. I was different from them. I had hopes and dreams that extended beyond my small and tiny hometown. Which is exactly the reason why I hardly talked to them. They were always trying to find some reason for me to come home. I didn't even go back for holidays because they would never let me leave if I did. I always made some excuse to skip out and they never forced it. Maybe you should go home. I miss running. I miss freedom. "Shut up! And get out of my head!" I didn't realize that I'd thrown my glass until I heard it shatter against the wall.     If you wouldn't try to force me out, then you wouldn't be so angry about me trying to tell you that you're wrong. You're going to kill me soon enough. I cut my hands on the glass as I tried to quickly pick it up. "Goddess, you are the most annoying and dreadful creature ever. I want to be normal. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be normal, Crescinda. I just want a normal life with normal people. I don't want my life tied to another life without my consent. I want normal love on my own timeline!" I felt her leave my head without a fight and in her place stood silence and peace. She put up a wall between us and I knew that she was closing me off and wouldn't be back for a long time.     I decided to text Derek after all. It was time to practice what I preached. I was going to fall in love on my own timeline and cast away every inkling of my former life. I deserved happiness and light even if I was different and full of darkness. I finally finished picking up the shards of glass and tossed them into the garbage. I washed and bandaged up my hands where the glass had cut just deep enough. I didn't need stitches, but it would take a while to heal. I picked up my phone and shot a quick text to Derek. Me: Hi, it's Kass.  Derek: Oh, hey! I was wondering if you were going to text me or not. Haha. Me: Sorry! I got busy between trying to eat a decent meal and work on a few papers.  Derek: Ah, I totally get it. It's my last semester and as you witnessed my head is clearly not on my shoulders. ;) Me: Well, then maybe you need to go out and have fun. Your head might have room on your shoulders if you relaxed a bit. Derek: That sounds like you might be asking me on a date, Kass.     I paused for a minute after realizing that my heart was racing and my palms were starting to sweat. A date? Why in the hell would I go on a date after what happened last time? I honestly don't know if I'm ready for this.... Derek: I was only kidding. Don't freak out, Kass.  Me: How could you tell? Was I that obvious? Derek: Obvious about asking me on a date or obvious that you were freaking out? Me: Both? Maybe? Derek: Don't worry about it. It was only a tiny bit obvious, but it was cute. Me: Okay, well in that case. Yes, I am asking you out on a date. Maybe drinks? You do owe me after almost smashing a door into my face. Haha. Derek: It's a date then ;) Just let me know when and where.     I internally squealed in excitement. I hadn't even interacted romantically with anyone since... well since Aiden.