Blue. All I could see was blue. Blue surrounded me, clinging to every inch of my skin, submerging me to a never ending depth of ice-cold fire made of…blue.

Those blue orbs pierced through me sharply, making me feel so exposed. And if there's one thing I hated most, it would be feeling exposed. In that moment, I felt that he could see right through my soul and that the walls I've built up so meticulously over the past few years were for naught.

I panicked. No one could see me like this. No one. Not now, not ever. If anyone were to ever chance a glimpse of my true uncovered self, I was certain my fears would come true and I would be truly alone. No, no, no.

Because I had a filthy soul. A filthy heart filled with germs and vermin and all that's black. I like to imagine my life as a masquerade ball except that there is no revelation and everyone remains masked till the ends of time.

So I ran. I ran away from the blue as fast as my pale, scrawny legs could carry me. My poor heart was thudding like a sledgehammer but I paid it no heed. Only utmost fear and panic coursed through my veins and all the voices in my head ceased only to form one word – run.

Yet, the blue had been so intriguing. It was every shade of blue all melded into one. It was a blue so clear like the sky yet so deep and rich like all the oceans in the world combined. It was beyond the usual realms of fascinating. And it was yanking at my soul and urging my heart to turn back.

In my moment of weakness, I did.

I saw the blue orbs framed by thick and long, ash black eyelashes like those of a spider's legs. Those orbs belonged to a face of which I could not make out from afar. I could tell his features were striking even though it was blurred. I could not recognize the person. He seemed like a stranger and yet I knew him because he was a part of my soul. As I was running away, I felt like I had left my heart and senses behind, captive to those stunning blue orbs.

I ran because I was scared. He scared me.

I was jolted awake by a distant cry.

"Ah! Elle! Has Luke returned my book on Ionic Interactions in Natural and Synthetic Macromolecules to you? I really need it", Ethan demanded as he charged into my room. Even in my groggy semi-conscious state, I could tell his voice was laced with panic. And Ethan was rarely panicked. The moment my hands came up to my eyes to rub them awake, I felt the tears that had recently stained my cheeks which were still falling unceremoniously onto my pillow. As I opened my eyes slowly, I realized Ethan noticed my tears too. Oh, shit.