Nose in the phone

Erik stretches as he exits the bedroom, swiping his keys off the table, he starts to make his way down the stairs of his dorm building. The elevator is choosing a phenomenal day to need repairs. Erik reaches out wth one hand to guide him down the stairs, he takes his phone out to get some clarity from Vi about where she is going to be, making it easier for him to find her when he gets there, fully expecting the quad on campus to be packed to the rafters.

Erik pushes the door open to exit the stairwell, and his nose still in his phone — he takes a step out, completely blind to the mousey blonde girl that happened to be turning into him towards the stairwell.

A shocked squeal and the clattering of books coming out from her bag as she stumbles backwards, saved by a weight-bearing pillar.

“Shit! Heidi!” Erik exclaims, reaching out to grab her forearms to steady her. “Sorry! I was distracted on my phone.”

“Ohhh.” She moans, rubbing her wrist. “That’s okay… I was on my phone too…” She looks up. “Are you okay Erik?” Her face turns a light shade of pink as she says his name.

“Yeah, I’m completely okay!” Erik assures her, touching her wrist and grimacing. “I’m so sorry, Heidi.”

Her eyes go wide and she drops her head, her eyes burning into Erik’s hand. “It’s okay…” She says softly, her hair falling in front of her face. “I forgive you.” She giggles softly, her voice quivering.

“Are you sure?” Erik asks bending over to try and see her face. “You sound like you’re crying.”

She quickly looks up, her eyes dry but her cheeks burning with red. “No no…” She giggles nervously again. “Just shock.”

Erik lets out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you’re okay.” Erik bends over and starts to pick up some of her dropped belongings, Heidi quickly squats to help.

Heidi takes a moment to stare at Erik, the way his blonde hair bounces only complementing his handsome looks. “Where are you off to?” She asks meekly, gently taking her notebook out of Erik’s hand.

Erik replies. “Oh, just to the uni-hosted fair. Vi — my girlfriend — is there and doing some thrifting. So, I’m going to join for lunch and then just hang out. You going?”

Heidi blushes, brushing her hair behind her ear. “No… I have to study. Sounds fun though.” She speaks softly. “I didn’t know you had a girlfriend…”

Erik grins. “You never asked!” He checks the time. “Shit. It was good to chat! I gotta head off, I’ll see you around?” He asks, already starting to walk away.

“Yeah… See you!” She says, waiting until Erik is turned around to let out a shaky tense breath, rubbing her palm into her face in embarrassment.

Erik walks along the footpath from the dorm room to the main campus. A short 15-minute walk — Erik used to be a real car person but ever since living near campus and a small shopping strip — he’s never had so many steps on record, saving him, SO much money.

The campus soon comes into view, {fn] pulls his phone out, and after pumping up the brightness under the strong mid-summer sun — he texts Vi.

Erik knows, he knows, he does. But his heart still thumps for a moment, tension rocking his body, but that only lasts for a moment.