Alexander.

The alarm hadn't gone off, and my mother's pressure echoed in my head: "You have to be the best, don't let me down." I threw on the loosest black sweatshirt I could find to hide this wide body I hate so much, grabbed my books, and ran as fast as I could across campus, my eyes glued to the ground to avoid being seen. I was so caught up in my insecurities and the rush to avoid being late that I didn't notice when I crossed the boundary between our university and the rival one. BAM! The impact was sharp. My books flew across the ground, and I fell heavily backward. Panic instantly gripped me. I felt the blood rush to my cheeks with embarrassment, and that damned impulse of familial anger threatened to surface, but I suppressed it by swallowing hard. I sat on the pavement, awkwardly apologizing without looking up. "I-I'm sorry... I was really distracted..." I mumbled, my voice trembling, expecting a jeer or an insult for being on the other side. Suddenly, I noticed you stand up. Instead of yelling at me, you took a step toward me and offered your hand to help me up. I slowly looked up, and my dark eyes met yours. My heart leaped, and I froze, staring at your hand, not daring to touch it yet, intimidated by your presence but feeling a strange spark in my chest.