Owen opens the door for Morgan and the two of them walk to their seats. He picks a spot on the far right next to a window and sits on the inside to Morgan's right, that way she can see out the window. This is also great for her so that if she needs to make a hasty exit, she's close to the aisle. Once they take their seats, Owen takes out his notebook and fuzzy green ink pen and caresses Morgan's hand with it.
"Oh, that's an interesting texture, where'd you get that?" She asks, pulling out one of her earbuds.
"Oh, this old thing? I've had this since senior year of high school, I was finally able to find a refill for it." He wags it in the air like he's casting a spell. He waves it over Morgan in a circular motion.
"This semester, you are going to uncover a new power, and you're going to achieve all your goals." He smiled as he tapped Morgan's nose. "And, maybe finally have a romantic connection? Hmm?" He fluttered his long brown lashes over his hazel eyes as she giggled.
"Very funny, Owen, you know I'm not the least bit interested in extracurriculars right now, I've got a competition I'm trying to win." She wagged her finger at him and he stifled. "That scholarship award is mine this time, and I'm going to ensure I get it."
"Well I would hope so, especially since they've doubled the money"
Though Morgan had tried two previous times, and each time her dishes never made it past preliminary selections. Then, last semester, she was on trajectory to participate, but had to drop out of the running because of her mother. Since then, Morgan's been working two jobs, and an additional weekend gig just to ensure the house, and everyone within it, doesn't go belly up.
"Well, I know you're gonna snag it and bag it. You've got everything you need this time round yeah?" Owen holds her hand to assure her and she exhales with a cautious nod, she doesn't dare jinx herself.
Once the class concludes, Owen and Morgan make their way to the hallway and chat for a bit.
"Could that have been any more grueling?" Owen groans
"That wasn't so bad for a business law class, see?" Morgan proudly shows off her pristinely written, color-coded, and neatly organized notes.
"If you want, you can come over tonight, and we can study together. You can use my notes as a reference, and I'll make us snacks?" She leaned closer slowly waiting for him to answer. Owen playfully waits for her to sweeten the deal, and Morgan happily plays along.
"Come on, I'll make us gourmet finger sandwiches and hummus." she sang exaggeratedly, hoping to entice him more into agreeing.
"O'fine, you always know the way to my heart. I'll bring drinks, as always. Tahiti fruit punch!"
He gives his friend an adoring hug and signs off with their cute little handshake, a secret handshake of course.
As Morgan palmed her phone, retrieving it from her pocket, she underestimated her grip and the device tumbled onto the floor, face side down, sliding across the hall and ending at the feet of some very spiffy-looking cognac brown dress shoes.
Standing across the hall in a Dress shirt, tailored black pinstriped trousers, and snazzy dress socks, The phone's impact against his shoe distracts him from looking into his bag. He leans over to pick it up, scanning the hallway for its owner, judging from her reaction assumes she's the owner.
He carefully approached and nudged his hand toward her. Her hair was pulled back into a bun, Her black sun-pleated skirt brushed the top of her Docs. She was poised and though embarrassed, confident enough to at least wave in his direction once he spotted her. Her skin was complemented by her baby pink button-up blouse, and accenting black and silver bangles. She adjusted her glasses and waited for the crowd to disperse a bit before approaching.
"You really shouldn't throw this around, they're pretty expensive to replace nowadays." Nikolai hands the phone back but not before looking it over for damages. He flips it over again and chuckles at the collage of Polaroid photos on the back of the case.
"Nice phone case."
She keeps her eyes on the floor and nods respectfully as he hands over her phone.
"It was a gift, my friends made for me."
"BoA, 2NE1, T-Ara, and" he glanced again at the case, she desperately tried to put it away, but he reached over with his index finger, slowly raised the phone, and looked back at her in a pleasant amusement.
"Is that Solar?"
Morgan happily nods.
"Yes, it is, I love to listen to music while I'm doing my cooking" She quickly places one of her hands in her pocket and tries not to show her nerves. She stuns herself for a moment trying to understand what in the hell her body has just defaulted to.
He chuckles and continues. "Cooking huh? Let me guess, your favorite song is Honey right?"
She smirked, looking him up and down. From his shoes to his belt, to his shirt, then to his eyes, and back to his shoes.
"If you must know, I'm more of a Spit It Out kind of girl."
Her response makes him laugh. The answer fitting to her demeanor, he felt as though her response was playing on words, inferring that she wanted him to speak up. Morgan tucked a loose lock of her hair behind her ear and tapped her foot in an anxious rhythm. She could just walk away, and the encounter would be over, but it's not like she has somewhere to be, and it's not like she meant to throw her phone at him.
"Yeah?" He folds his arms and takes a step back, leaning his shoulder against the wall.
"Yes." She looked back at him, this time keeping focus. "There aren't many Moomoos around here so, I'm both perplexed and humored to have met you, this is quite the encounter."
"I like that." He started "I'm biased, as a Moonie personally so, In The Mood is where I find my peace." Know any songs from her main group?"
"Main group? Of course I do, have you not just seen my phone?" She smiles and responds without a hint of hesitation, but with a generous amount of sass, and pride.
"I'll do you one better and name five! DingaDinga, Gogobebe, Egotistic WindFlower, and Starry Night."
"Overachiever. I see." He gives a subtle nod, he wanted to applaud but he felt it would come off as condescending. "All very good choices."
"Well, what about you? You seem to be pretty well versed."
She adjusts her position by moving further to the side of the hallway and stands in front of him.
"What are your picks?" She asks both out of curiosity and to keep the conversation going.
"Ahhh let's see," he tilts his head toward the door then he raises his eyebrows as if he was reminded of something special, "I'm more of a Mr.Ambiguous guy myself and I do enjoy my coffee with Aya. "
"Oh, Aya! That's a great one, I'm impressed." She took her phone out again and tried her best not to stumble over herself. She's not as shy as she used to be, but she's trying her best not to fangirl over what others must figure, on the outside, to sound like a casual conversation.
"Well, Mr. Ambiguous, I think you're the highlight of my day."
Nikolai nods his head and accepts the compliment.
"Thanks, though it was my sister who was a big fan, I took her to a concert a few years back, guess I became a MooMoo that day." Nikolai shrugged
"Though I must admit, you seem to have been pretty well saturated in their discography."
"I could say the same for you. Though, I'm sensing you know more than what you're letting on."
"What do you mean?" He raised an eyebrow, surely she wasn't going to grill him on his knowledge right now.
"Do you find it hard to see even with your eyes wide open?" Morgan asked, in hopes he would catch on to her words.
He smirks, intrigued by the remark, and is quick to decipher that she's talking about a particular album. A response is quickly worked up in his mind, and he responds.
"Not in the slightest, dear wallflower. I expect you to want me to cry for you. Give me something harder, paint me a masterpiece."
"That's cheating, that's MiSaMo, which is the J-line from Twice, but I guess I'll allow it."
He shrugs
"Ah..." She taps her chin and a thought comes to mind "TrinityAce."
He scoffed at her, both with determination and newfound confidence. Obscure bands were something of a secret indulgence for him.
"Game bands, an entire Pandora of talent there. And also, since you refreshed my memory, do you prefer AlterCrown or MegaCake?"
"AlterCrown. " she smiles brightly "Red Velvet or Aespa"
"How dare you make me choose between two powerhouse groups... RV of course." He shifted away from the door to allow the students lined up along the wall to enter the classroom and take their seats. Morgan was impressed, but she also wanted to grill him a bit more. She was having fun challenging his knowledge of music groups. She decides to see if she can sneak past him.
"I'm quite the mysterious lady," she says as she looks toward the ceiling.
His head swivels in a humored praise, as he deciphers her words "Mysterious lady wasn't that U-Kiss? They aren't even in the same circuit-" He glances at his watch.
"It still counts." Morgan softly whispered
"I'm gonna have to disagree there madam, and say, No it doesn't-'' He was interrupted by the bell and He and Morgan were the only two in the hallway. He glances inside his classroom notices he's got a full house, and then addresses Morgan. He holds his hand out for her to shake it.
"This was quite a delight, I hope the conversation isn't completely over miss... uhh?" He puts his hand back as Morgan hasn't reached for him, so his hand is just floating there.
"Akaini. Morgan Akaini," She responded with a curtsy "Future Director Of Confections and Fine Dining"
"Well, Miss Akaini, I hope I have the pleasure of seeing you around campus again. Be Free, Frisbee." He bows in response. He felt it was only right since she gave him quite the formal greeting. Moreover, the Director of Confections looked about as young as the other interns, maybe a bit older but judging from her attire, Maybe she was shadowing a new professor looking to get a job on campus in the Culinary department.
"Eh, it depends on my schedule. But if you talk that talk, I'll entertain you again." Morgan shrugged as she walked away, looking back at him only after she made it to the exterior door leading to the courtyard.
They waved to one another once more, and Morgan was out the door