We first met in high school,13 years ago. I can still recall how it rained that first day, and how nervous I felt. As a pilot's daughter,I have grown accustomed to being the "Nomad"' new girl. At some point, you had to start getting used to the feeling. I never fit in easily, and this was a truth I lived with for as long as I can l remember. Witnesses then would have probably described my persona as a lost deer and would have been right to, had they judged by the look in my eyes, and the insecure nature of my movements. Swimming in a sea of faces could only elevate the levels of worry and insecurity in the heart of a high school freshman.

Will I fit in? It was never an option in any scenario?

Would at least some of these faces, accept me?

Was this just another school, on a long list of transfers at the end of the day? Nothing more nor less than the common questions, I grew up asking myself. As he began his welcoming speech, one couldn't help but notice how much our new headmaster resembled the main character from the popular 90s computer game " Super Mario ".

"Some of you youngsters will most probably meet the love of your life, over the following five years. You will grow up with them and discover yourself along the way." I heard him say, on the stage.

Drifting away in a daydream, every now and then, I wandered into the sea of faces, looking class that I had not seen in hundreds of heads and figures. I was transferred directly into, the second year as if the

high school in itself was not enough of a challenge. Coming from four years in Dubai and Sharjah in the United States, returning home, I had no idea whatsoever of the subtleties of the system and language, even though I was born here. That was just another year, of

living with my family. I had studied the last years and my primary education in the East and felt like an alumnus of another culture living a

completely different worldview, and on top of it all shy in nature. I could not determine if all these factors were going to end up as a recipe for a fairytale or a disaster. My transport papers were not ready, it would not be a few more months, which only implemented the fact, that they had stamped me with the status of "Listener," whatever that meant. All these thoughts consumed me, with such predatory nature to them, that suddenly my uniform white shirt and blue lady scarf, were suffocating me. I felt the entire scene, flash before my eyes, tried at the same time to focus on nothing and everything, and struggled to regain control over my feet when I crashed into a tall strong masculine body.

Typical me! I thought to myself.

"I wasn't looking where I was going! I am sorry! Excuse me! I am new around here, I apologize! I am sorry!"

"'Don't apologize, please. Ladies are never to blame, especially not in such a reckless, chaotic crowd!" There was a softness to his voice, a specific blend between masculine confidence and sugar sweetness to his tone. My thoughts were interrupted, by the electricity, running through my wrist and waist, where his fingers met my skin. No matter how hard I tried, nothing could shake the feeling, my heart knew him. It was almost as if we met in another life. Suddenly cynical me was starting to believe the headmaster's words. Lifting my head, I felt the heat of flames arise in my body as our four blue eyes met.

"I am William. " He leaned towards me. Was I dreaming, or was that guy, waiting for me, to take his offered hand? No, you are not dreaming, and you are not in a Jane Austen novel, this time! Answered my intuition. He was for real.

"Clara! Nice to meet you!"' I mumbled nervously, realizing my cheeks were still burning, and to my disbelief, his were too.

"French or German?" William's face showed no emotion, but those eyes, these two blue oceans, were smiling at me.

"Excuse me?"

"Your major? French or German?"

"'Oh!An English lady at the flesh, so to speak." I giggled.

"I am a beginner German gentleman, but it would be lovely to see you around Miss. It is an honor meeting you. My homeroom is 106, and which is yours? I could escort you there if you don't, mind?"

"'103. "'

For yet another moment, I reconsidered the possibility of him being a dream. After all, weren't such manners and figures of speech, typical only for the historical novels I loved to read nowadays?! Yet, William was real, and patiently waiting for me to take his hand, so he could escort me, and so I did.

This was how, in 2009, I met my... Twin Flame. Or at least, that was my favorite deception, before everything else unraveled and came crashing down, only to come back together. Yet not with him!

Blindless.

Lack of tact.

Lack of consideration.

Devious, revengeful nature.

All these layers rested beneath the seemingly charming face.

"I've gotta go, or I will lose my chance to make any kind of first impression!"

"No thank you, I don't want to keep you! You have somewhere to be." With that, I stormed away.

                                                                              *  *  *

The first semester, passed me by as if it was some kind of an alternate universe existing alongside me. I saw him, yet never took a single step to cut the .distance.I preferred, so. The calm before the storm was closing in on me, and the last thing I ever wanted was to let anyone, anywhere near my chaos. The universal truth was, that whenever things seemed to be going smoothly, the balance is bound to be destroyed.

I had observed him for long enough, to know at the very least he was a classic lone wolf. A nomad, like myself. Somewhere between arrogant and misunderstood. His unbiased intelligence made up for most.

The status "listener ", which I had stamped next to my name, in this high school gave me freedom and cost me security.

I was about to meet with the committee, and learn my faith in this school, and frankly- I was gathering the courage to say my goodbyes!

I knew the committee's final verdict when my head teacher, pulled me out of class to talk privately.

"Who was, the final vote against me?" I spared her the discomfort.

"Your German teacher..." ' despised me from day one and never, bothered to hide it.

"What happens next? Where are my parents? Am I suspended?!" This was a new low even for me, a mere semester...

"We're not suspending you dearly. You managed to make enough lasting impressions, for us not to allow your suspension, but... You will have to graduate a year behind your peers, nonetheless."

"What if I switch majors, and still graduate with them? I can keep up with the Germans, even if it means summer school, I promise! Just let me stay!" 

 I was sobbing at that point, so whatever she replied, I couldn't hear. The rest was a blur. Of my thoughts could manifest, they certainly manifested with the speed of light, because the next thing I remember was crashing into William, landing on top of him, on the floor in front of the headmaster's office!
"We've got to stop meeting like this!" His eye instantly focused on the mess in mine. He froze. "What the hell is going on?! Are you ok?!"

"They are getting rid of me! "

"What in the world, do you mean?! Are you suspended?!"

"The committee is kicking me out of my class! I have to graduate a year later than planned, I have to graduate .... with you and not my peers!"

"So.... Transfer to my class!"

"I can't, my papers don't allow me to switch majors!"

"So which class are they transferring you to?"

I don't know! I didn't stick around, to find out..."

"Clara, tell me what to do!"

"Don't walk away..."

He smoked, raising an eyebrow. Almost like he was laughing at a joke in his head.

"You don't have to worry about that!" I remember, learning to read his eyes. Only his eyes.Never his expression, and rarely his actions. These eyes were what disguised the red flags further along the line.