**

She arrives first; sped-walk most of the way, really, and fidgeted for the seven minutes she had to wait for him.

She took a hold of a nearby newspaper to keep her hands from shaking, reminding herself to be cool be cool and forcing herself to take several deep, calming breaths, continuously looking up the moment anyone walked through the door. The anxiety kept building and it was beginning to make her fret again. Peering out the window for the first time since picking up the paper, she saw him on his bike; his camel-coloured satchel at his side, his white helmet bouncing the sun's rays like a ping-pong ball, the white of his shirt momentarily blinding her.

Fearing she'd be caught gaping, she turned her back to the door, choosing to feign indifference when he walked through the door. Still, despite her best effort, she blew her cover the moment she heard the door open and she caught herself looking at his worn KEDs shoes.

And when their eyes met (hers shy and eager, his friendly and open), she put away the paper and made her way to him. And when their bodies touched in a warm hug, she stood on her tippy-toes and put her arms around his back.

He always knew how to break the ice.