â Q U I N NÂ â
Jewelry has never held much allure for me, aside from a simple necklace and ring that I often pair with my outfits, preferring the simplicity of understated elegance. Most girls at school, however, seem to drape themselves in a dazzling array of jewelsâgold chains that glint under the lights, lustrous pearls that catch the eye, and sparkling diamonds that twinkle like stars. They wear them layered, adorning themselves from head to toe. Yet, despite my indifference to the rest, there's one particular gemstone that captivates meâEmeralds.
The most abundant hue in nature, the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum as it has throughout history, multifaceted emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation.
"There are only two kinds of people in the world that really count. One kind's wheat and the other kind's emeralds."
The quote implies that both kinds of people are essential in their own right. While some contribute through their simplicity and support (the wheat), others add flair and inspiration (the emeralds). It highlights the idea that society needs both types of individuals to thrive, emphasizing a balance between the everyday and the extraordinary. The underlying message also serves as a gentle reminder that everyone has their own unique role to play in this world, whether they are quietly existing in the background or shining brilliantly at the forefront.
The cafeteria buzzed with life, students from various departments mingling and chattering over their lunches, even though it was already 2 PM. I scanned the room, searching for a place to sit, when my eyes landed on herâChloe. She had set her bag and books on a nearby table and was now making her way to the counter, her attention absorbed by her phone.
Without a second thought, I quickened my pace, falling into line behind her. She didn't notice me at first, too engrossed in her screen as she read through her emails.
"I don't usually see Pre-Meds lurking around this cafeteria," I teased, my voice breaking through the noise. She startled at the sound, spinning around to face me, her eyes widening in surprise.
"There's no food left at the cafeteria near our building," she replied, her tone casual as she turned back to her phone, her attention shifting away from me. I nodded in response, letting a low hum escape my lips.
I couldn't tear my gaze away from her napeâher neck was pale and smooth, glowing under the cafeteria lights. An electric tension coursed through me as I felt my jaws tighten, my breath quickening, and I realized I was unconsciously gritting my teeth. My fingers fidgeted restlessly as I struggled to rein in my desire, captivated by the temptation to reach out, to let my fingertips graze the soft surface of her skin. The urge to touch her was almost overwhelming, but I fought to maintain my composure.
As soon as I settled my bill at the counter, I glanced around the bustling cafeteria until my eyes landed on Chloe. She was seated alone, still absorbed in her phone. I took a steady breath and walked towards her, and when I reached her table, I placed my food tray down with a soft clatter, a small declaration of my presence. "Mind if I join you?" I asked, a hint of playful challenge in my voice. Chloe barely looked up, still glued to the screen, but her head lifted just enough to acknowledge my presence. She lifted her gaze, still seemingly tethered to her phone, and replied without missing a beat, "I have company."
My curiosity piqued, I noticed the small mountain of sandwiches piled on her tray, an unusual feast for one. "Is that how you usually refuse people from sharing a table with you? By buying a mountain of food and claiming you have company?" I shot back, my tone teasing.
Chloe raised her hand, displaying a text message from a friend that read they were running a bit late and had asked her to order food for them. I couldn't help but chuckle at her predicament, but despite the message, I made my move, pulling out the chair across from her and settling in.
"I'll keep you company for a while then. It seems there are no vacant tables left anyway," I said, leaning back slightly as if to establish my right to stay. She studied me for a moment, her brow slightly furrowed as if contemplating her options. Finally, with a resigned shrug of her shoulders, she relented. "Alright then," she replied, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.
I couldn't tear my gaze away from Chloe as she shifted her attention from her phone to the thick medical book sprawled in front of her. With a casual motion, I reached for the bag of chips, my fingers grazing the crinkly packaging while my eyes remained fixed on her. Suddenly, her gaze caught mine. "Is there something you'd like to say?" she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly, clearly aware of my lingering stare.
"You intrigue me," I replied, a smirk dancing on my lips as I spoke the words.
"What intrigues you?" she asked, her eyebrow arching in curiosity, a flicker of interest igniting in her expression.
"Your eyes."
Yes, her eyesâthose mesmerizing emerald green gems that seemed to hold entire worlds within them. As I continued to gaze into their depths, I felt a growing fascination, as if they were whispering secrets just waiting to be uncovered.
Her eyes widened slightly at my unexpected answer. "I'm not the only green-eyed student at this university, I bet," she said, keeping her gaze locked onto mine. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table, one arm stretched flat while the other propped my chin, my index finger brushing lightly against my lips. "That's true," I replied, nodding slowly without breaking our eye contact.
I heard her hum thoughtfully at my response. "That's it? That's what intrigues you? You're weird," she said, shaking her head with a soft chuckle.
"Yeah, your eyes... and your neck," I admitted, letting my gaze drift from her striking emerald eyes to the delicate curve of her neck. I waited for her response, but she remained silent, so I shifted my eyes back to her face. She was still staring at me, her gaze searching for answers in mine, a hint of confusion etching itself onto her features. It was as if she were trying to decipher the riddle I had unwittingly posed with my words.
"My neck?!" She looked at me, still puzzled, trying to make sense of my unexpected answer. I just hummed in response, my gaze shifting back and forth between her eyes and the slender curve of her neck. Chloe let out a snort, both amused and a little bewildered. "There's nothing special about my neck. If anything, it's sore and tired from all the late nights spent reading these textbooks."
She reached up to massage her neck, stretching it slowly from side to side. I stopped absentmindedly brushing my lips with my index finger, feeling my jaw tighten as I watched her. Her eyes closed, her head tilted back slightly, exposing the smooth line of her neck. My hand clenched into a fist, and I exhaled slowly, trying to steady my breathing. There was something so mesmerizing about her simple, unconscious movements, something that stirred an unexpected tension in me as I watched her stretch, oblivious to the effect she had on me.
As she slowly opened her eyes, they met mine once more and I saw the faint squint of suspicion as she caught me still staring. "You're really weird. And, honestly, a little creepy right now," she said with a soft chuckle.
"Creepy how?" I asked, tilting my head and feigning innocence.
She shook her head, an amused smirk forming. "You just admitted to being fascinated by my neck, and you've been staring since... I don't think I've even seen you blink. Maybe there's something wrong with your eyes?"
I couldn't help but grin, leaning in a little. "I'm glad you find my fascination with your neck amusing. And you're probably rightâMaybe there is something wrong with my eyes. I can't seem to take them off you."
Her mouth fell open slightly, surprise flashing across her face as her eyes widened. I caught the faintest hint of pink dusting her cheeks, betraying her surprise. As I let a small smile play across my lips and rolled my tongue inside my cheek, I saw her attempt to compose herself, but she was rendered speechless, her gaze locked with mine.
The silence hung thick between us, her gaze locked onto mine, but she hadn't said a word. The spell was only broken by the sudden ring of her phone, jolting her back to reality. She blinked and glanced down before answering, "Hey, Scar!" Her voice was lively as she spoke, her eyes flicking back to me as she continued, "Yeah, I got you guys some sandwiches. Okay, I guess I'll see you in a bit, then." With that, she ended the call, placing her phone back on the table.
I took a breath, realizing it was time to go. "Well, thanks for letting me share your table." I stood, giving her a small smile. "I'm off now, gorgeous." She only nodded, but her eyes followed me as I gathered my tray and walked to the bin to throw away my trash.
As I reached the door, I couldn't resist one last glance back at her. Our eyes met again, and despite the distance, those emeralds of hers still gleamed, capturing me one final time. Her expression still held a trace of surprise, as if she was still processing everything that had just happened. Finally, I broke the gaze, turned, and stepped out of the cafeteria, feeling her presence linger with me as I went.
As I stepped out of the cafeteria, my body began to steady, though the pulse of tension still thrummed beneath my skin. Those emerald eyes had done something to me, their intensity stirring a rush that bordered on obsession. Watching her tilt her head, stretching her neck in that casual, almost careless way, had nearly unraveled me. I had fought hard against the urgeâto reach out, to grip that delicate line where skin met sinew, to trace it, feel its warmth under my fingers.
My heart had pounded wildly, fists clenched tight as I struggled to keep my breathing steady. That curiosity, that fleeting intrigue from the party, had shifted into something else, something darker and deeper. It was no longer just interest; it was desire. A need to explore that smooth surface, to slide a sheet of paper against that delicate skin, to see how it would feel against the pulse in her neck, flickered through my mind with a strange thrill. I imagined the edge, so sharp and unassuming, grazing along that line where her vulnerability lay bare. There was something dangerously enticing in the thought of cutting just beneath the surface, of watching her as realization flickered in her emerald eyes.
And as I walked away, I knew it was only a matter of time. I would feel that neck under my hands, see how she'd react as I traced the line from jaw to collarbone. And I would watch her, every step of the way, until there was nothing left to discover.