Eddie vs. rock, chapter 1

[Eddie Nahajah]

In the gardens, a lanky fellow in a coarse tunic, shorts, sandals and a wooden, gnarled walking stick was engaged in concentration, observing a rock that had been kicked off the walking path.

[Eddie Nahajah]

(Open thread)

[Haley Crusek]

Staring with equal intensity at her phone and wearing earbuds, a diminutive blonde promptly walked directly into Eddie.

[Eddie Nahajah]

Somehow, Eddie was able to squirm and rotate, pivoting behind her and pulling Haley upright, keeping her from hitting the pavement.

"I hope the song was good, at least." He said, after popping an earbud out.

[Haley Crusek]

Haley yelped as she was swiftly moved around to keep her from falling flat on her ass.

"OMG, I am such a klutz. I'm so sorry!"

...well hello, gorgeous...sweep me off my feet any time you like she thought way too loudly.

[Eddie Nahajah]

He blinked and smiled.

"I'm flattered,"

[Haley Crusek]

Haley turned several shades of red. "Oh god....you heard that didn't you?"

[Eddie Nahajah]

"I am afraid so.. But again, I'm flattered."

He smiled, not offended, or even really shocked.

[Haley Crusek]

"...Jesus, I suck at this..." she said, her blush not really fading as she stared down at a very interesting spot on the ground

" 'm Haley," she said, brushing her hair out of her face bashfully as she finally looked back up at Eddie.

[Eddie Nahajah]

"And you may call me Eddie, Haley. It's a genuine e pleasure to meet you."

He held her hand, kissing it lightly.

[Haley Crusek]

"Likewise," she said, blush not diminishing with the kiss. "Sorry about that..."

[Eddie Nahajah]

"The day after I was first blessed, I accidentally destroyed my dad's heirloom desk he had shipped up from Sudan. Making mistakes is one of the ways we will learn here, yes?"

[Haley Crusek]

"Blessed?"

[Eddie Nahajah]

"Blessed. With gifts. Abilities, if you prefer?"

[Haley Crusek]

"Ah...yeah I dunno if I'd always call 'em a blessing."

"So you're like....from....Sudan's in Africa, right?"

[Eddie Nahajah]

He smiled.

"I'm from Webber Row, south London. My parents, now they are from Sudan."

[Haley Crusek]

"Oh, cool. So, like, not that far from here."

[Eddie Nahajah]

"Pretty far,by foot, though."

[Haley Crusek]

"...you walked here?"

[Eddie Nahajah]

"From London, yes."

He slid the rock back into its proper place, gently, with his foot.

"I take it a few people drove instead?"

[Haley Crusek]

"Holy crap, yes, we did," she said, jaw agape. "That car ride from Heathrow was bad enough. It must have taken you like three days to walk it."

[Eddie Nahajah]

"Well, I didn't want to be late on my first day of class!" He said, smiling.

"I gave myself a week and a bit to make the journey. You need to travel light."

[Haley Crusek]

"I don't care how light you travel, that's far!" She laughed.