A light tap on my shoulder stops me from mouthing the rest of the song. Taking off my earphones, I turn and look behind me. A short woman around her 40's stares at me irritated.

''Excuse me, can you please move from the door, I need to go down.''

I immediately step back mumbling a quite ''sorry'' for blocking her way. She doesn't give me a second glance, getting off the bus clearly annoyed.

''She was just being rude. Don't think about it.'' A boy with light brown hair and bangs says, after seeing me pouting with her behavior.

I give him a weak smile, which he returns back, only his is much bigger and full of warmth. It's not a forced or fake one and that makes me smile again instantly. He seems like a genuine happy person and I can only imagine how nice it would be to have someone like that in your life. I mean it only took one smile and I already feel much better.

The doors open again and I look outside. Shit. I lost my stop.

Panicking I hurriedly get off the bus, pushing some people on my way out. I think about the boy inside and turn to look back, but it's too late. The doors are already closed making hard to find him inside the crowd.

That's disappointing. I would like to wave him or say a thank you before I go.

Well too bad Daphne. You already lost your stop because of his pretty smile. Now walk two blocks and stop being a crybaby.

Putting on my earphones, I push play and let Alex Turner's voice to fill my ears once again.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.

Ten minutes late. Shit.

Mr. Cook is the only professor who actually cares, about his students being late.

Great job Daphne.

I stand outside the class trying to catch my breath. I'm a sweaty mess from all the running, while my heart pounds like crazy. I grab the doorknob with trembling hands, before I gently knock.

Silence.

I hesitantly open finding all kinds of eyes looking at me. Fuck.

Closing the door behind me I'm waiting for Mr. Cook's judging remarks, although they never come.

Searching for his petite bald form, it takes me by surprise when I find a young man sitting on top of his desk. He has dark blonde hair, brown eyes and plump lips. He is also really tall, I can tell by the way his feet touch the ground, even if he is not standing. Who is he?

''Yes?'' he says, raising an eyebrow.

''Um... I'm s-sorry for being late.'' I mumble looking down.

''And you are...?''

''Stark. Daphne Stark.''

He stands up slowly, giving the class a sight of his back. Yes, he is tall. 1,85 maybe?

Putting a pair of round glasses, he checks the students list.

I can see people whispering around me. Some of them are looking at me, while others stare at the young man. Mostly girls. They are drooling over him and I can tell why.

''Stark. Here you are!'' he exclaims. ''Welcome. Please have a seat.'' He continues with a smile and I feel my cheeks heating up.

What's going on with everyone smiling at me today?

I run faster than Flash and sit down beside Mikaela at the back. I thank God for spotting her quickly, I couldn't take any more embarrassment looking for a place to sit.

Taking off my things as quite as possible, I whisper to her. ''Who is he?''

Before she has the time to answer, the young man starts talking again.

''So, as I was saying. My name is Christopher Evans and I'll be replacing Mr. Cook for the rest of the semester. He has some urgent issues that need to be solved and he won't be able to continue the lectures for now. I hope you all understand.''

''What kind of issues?'' Someone asks.

''I'm not allowed to speak on the matter.'' He responds calmly.

''Now. I've already seen everything Mr. Cook taught you and we are going to continue from there. Just with a slightly different approach. I hope you give me a chance.'' He adds with a smile.

''Oh, I'm going to give you any chance you want.'' A girl behind me whispers.

I see Mikaela rolling her eyes, before she nods across the area.

I follow her gaze finding Zoey sitting alone beside two guys. She looks at the professor in the eyes, biting her lips.

Oh no. I guess we found her new ''favorite'' subject.

Snapping from her daze our eyes find each other and she warmly smiles at me.

I smile back.

Ιf I have to smile one more time...

''Thank God she didn't see me when she came, because I would literally throw her off the chair.'' Mikaela says.

''Mmm... how civilized'' I respond with irony.

''Can you tell us some things about yourself sir? Since we are going to be together from now on.'' A girl asks blinking her eyelashes.

Τhe way she expresses her question sounds so wrong, but I brush it off since I really want to know more about the man in front of me.

''Well... I guess I can tell you a little bit.''

Standing up, he walks around the desk rolling up his sleeves.

I hear exhales from the girls around me. They are all drooling over him. And I can't disagree. He is handsome.

''I was a former student of Mr. Cook. That's how I'm so familiar with his lesson. He was my mentor. I mean he still is. He is also the reason I'm here today. Which I'll be internally grateful.''

I can see he has so much respect for him. It's not something you see every day.

''After I graduated, I studied at Sicily for about 2 years. Then I went to France.

Wow... Sicily and France. I always wanted to travel there.

''Sir excuse me, but how old are you?'' A boy asks.

''It's eating you alive people, right?'' he chuckles before answering.

''I'm 28.''

Whispers start filling the room as soon as he reveals his age.

''I hope you don't find me too old to talk too.'' He laughs again.

''Is he for real? I don't think we ever had such a young teacher. Everybody is past their 40s.'' Mikaela says.

I nod in agreement not taking my eyes off him. Although my gaze has nothing to do with his looks, like every other girl. I'm simply impressed about his achievements in such a young age. I wish I could travel and study like him.

''That means since we don't have such a huge age gap, we can call you Christopher?'' Someone asks. A fangirl I suppose.

''Sure, you can.'' He replies.

''What about Chris? Like the actor. You have the same last name too.'' Another one giggles and I mentally puke myself. Jesus we are not in high school.

''Mmm my friends call me Chris. But since we are not friends, I think Christopher will be just fine.''

''Yet.'' A voice sounds from the front rows.

He raises an eyebrow looking at the source.

''We are not friends yet.'' The voice continues and I immediately recognize the sweet and high tone of it.

Zoey.

He simply stares at her not saying a word, before he returns to his seat. And even though he plays it well, I manage to see the smirk across his face.

Shit.

''Mikaela can you please slow down?''

I ask, after having her dragging me outside the class as soon as, the lesson finished.

''I will. When we put a safe distance between ourselves and her.''

I roll my eyes at her response.

''Are you seriously avoiding her?''

''I mean yes, or I'll punch her across the face. Which one do you think is the best option?''

''Talk to her? She probably has no idea about what happened yesterday.''

''Well that pisses me off even more.''

''I get it. But she is our friend. And it's not like you can avoid her forever.''

''Watch me.'' She says with a cynical smile on her face.

''I have. Plenty of times actually.''

These two are honestly like The Muppet Show grandpas. I've seen them fight for the most stupid thinks, but they still stick together. It's a love and hate relationship. What can I say?

''It's ok to be pissed. And it's ok to yell at her. I mean you above all...She left you behind. Just talk to her. You know eventually you are going to forgive her. She is your wifey.'' I add with a playful smile.

''Ewww no!'' Mikaela responds making a disgusted face, before she turns on her heels and walk past me.

We find Khloe sitting in the corner table, of our favorite coffee shop, scrolling through her phone.

''Hey there''

''Oh, hi guys.''

''I'm dying for caffeine right now.'' Mikaela exhales, taking off her jacket.

''Have you ordered?''

''No, I was waiting for you.'' She signals Brandon, and he quickly comes to our way.

''Hi girls. How you're doing today?'' He asks with a big smile on his face.

We are coming here since our first year at the university and it became like a haunt for the four of us. Especially as freshmen we used to spent, every break drinking coffee and playing games. As a result, we became really close with the stuff and Brandon is one of them. He knows us pretty well by now, which means we are comfortable with each other.

''Great'' I answer. ''How about you? I don't see a lot of customers.''

''Yeah and I can't complain. We had a hell lot of work since the party yesterday. All the drunk idiots came here to sober up.''

''I see.''

''So, the usual?''

''Yes please.'' I say.

''Should I bring Zoey's too? Is she coming?''

He asks full of hope and I immediately feel bad for him. Brandon has such a crush on her since day one. But she is always busy flirting with all the douchebags to acknowledge it.

''Um...no I don't think so.''

''Oh ok.'' He says clearly disappointed, but he covers it up, gently smiling at us.

I watch him walk away, before I turn to the girls.

''He likes her too much.''

''Duh. Everybody sees it.'' Khloe says, rolling her eyes.

''Everyone but her.'' I respond.

''Ok enough. Let's talk about something else.'' Mikaela suggests.

''How was your lesson? I heard there's a new professor.'' Khloe asks.

''Yesssss''

I look at Mikaela chuckling.

''And I thought you didn't care about him.''

''I don't. But I can't refuse he made my day... such a pretty face.'' She says with a daydreaming look.

''Oh, so rumors are true. Is he really that hot Daphne?'' Khloe teases.

She knows I'm awkward talking about these things.

''I mean...h-he is ok?''

''What ok are you kidding? He looks like a model. I mean imagine if Ryan Reynolds and Ryan Gosling had a kid, it would be him.'' Mikaela exclaims.

''Ok now I wanna join your class too.''

I laugh at Khloe before Brandon makes his appearance.

''Ok, girls one iced americano and two irish coffee.''

''Thanks Brandon.''

''Your welcome.'' He replies with a smile.

''There you are!''

We hear a familiar voice and even if I couldn't recognize it, the look on Brandon's face gives it away.

''I was looking for you. Hey Brand. Can you bring me my chocolate?'' She asks kindly, and I can see his face light up. He looks like the heart eye emoji.

''Sure Zoey. A-anything you want.''

Did he just stutter? Cute.

Smiling she turns to us. ''What's up?''

We all look at each other mentally asking for someone to reply.

''Um...ok.'' I say. Great try Daphne.

''Why did you leave so fast? I couldn't catch up with you.''

''That was the point.'' Mikaela mumbles and I glare at her.

''We thought you would like to talk to the new professor. You seemed quite interested.'' I say teasing her.

''Nah I was just making a funny comment. I'm not into him.'' She says shaking her head.

I furrow my eyebrows. Not into him? That's weird. Most of the times she is pretty straightforward when she likes someone. I don't understand why she refuses it. I saw the way she was looking at him. She is definitely interested.

''Sure, you are.'' Mikaela says and this time Zoey catches her comment.

''What's up with you today? You didn't even say hi to me when I got into the class. Is something wrong?''

''I don't know is it?'' Mikaela replies clearly annoyed and I hold my breath.

Here we go.

''Ok I get it. You are mad because I left with that guy yesterday.''

''Owww... Well done Einstein.'' Mikaela claps her hands mocking her.

''I know I was wrong. But it's not like you were alone. There were plenty of people we knew.''

Mikaela snaps looking at her frustrated. ''Are you really that stupid or you pretend to be one?''

We all stay silent. Fuck. I've never seen her so mad in my life.

Zoey stares at her blankly. ''What did you say?'' she asks.

I wanna interfere and put an end before things get worse, but Mikaela speaks before me.

''You heard me.''

Both me and Khloe look between the two of them waiting for the next punch, but Brandon's voice takes us off guard.

''Your chocolate.'' He says smiling at Zoey.

Although, she doesn't see him. Locking her gaze with Mikaela she keeps staring at her, clearly hurt from her words. As long as she keeps silent, Zoey grabs her things and storms out of the shop.

I quickly follow her. ''Zoey wait.''

''Wait for what? Insult me again?'' she shouts holding her tears.

''I'm sorry. You know she doesn't mean it. She is just angry.'' I say, trying to calm her down.

''And that's enough reason to treat me like shit?'' She waves at the shop. ''I don't need her to judge me. I can do it myself. Believe me I'm not stupid.'' She adds the last phrase while tears slipping down her cheeks.

''I know. I'm sorry. Please come inside. We can talk about it.''

''I don't have anything to talk about. Not until she apologizes.''

''Look there are things you don't know.''

''What kind of things?''

''Come inside and we are going to explain.'' I touch her hand, but she flinches away.

''I'm not coming inside. Tell me here.'' She responds stubbornly.

I exhale annoyed. ''I can' talk about it here Zoey. Stop being a baby.''

Shaking her head, she starts walking away.

''Ok fine, Wait here. I'll grab my things and walk with you.''

Turning on my heels, I go inside the shop.

''And after that we met each other at the police station.'' I finish the story while Zoey looks at me with big eyes.

''I can't believe it. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry.'' She says hugging me.

I give her a weak smile. ''It's ok.''

''No, it's not. She is right to be mad at me. I put you in so much trouble. I deserved the insults. Fuck I deserve a slap across the face.''

''You don't'' I laugh at her.

''I'm not joking. Go on. Slap me.'' She says wiping her tears.

''Zoey I'm not going to hit you'' I roll my eyes.

''Why are you not mad at me?''

''Because... it was a misunderstanding.'' Because I met him again.

''I'm sorry. I'm going to apologize to the girls too. If I hadn't left with him...''

''Well I'm happy he didn't hurt you.'' I say honestly.

''I'm sure he would like too. I mean the moment he tried to give me drugs I kicked his balls and run away. I wish I didn't leave behind my bag. We could have avoided all this. Why are you laughing?''

''I-m sorry'' I say between chuckles. ''It's just... I hit him too.''

She looks at me surprised before she starts laughing. ''You did?''

I nod. ''I'm sure he is not going to use his junior for quite some time.''

We both laugh louder.

''What's this? It's the first time I see you wearing it'' She says looking at my necklace.

I automatically touch it. Closing my fingers around it.

''It's a gift.''

''Oh, I like it. Really classy.'' She says.

I look at the silver chain, holding a black round stone. It has three silver lines, two in the middle and one on the top. I trace my fingers in the engraved back of it. I smile.

''Ow...what's with that look? Is it someone's special?'' she teases me.

My face drops and I feel my cheeks heating up.

''It is!'' She exclaims.

''N-no...''

''Come on tell me!'' she pleads and I shake my head.

''It's not.''

''Yeah right. I'll let it go for now since I owe you. But, just know that you can trust me. I won't judge. I'm the last person on earth who can judge.''

''Thanks'' I say.

My ringtone interrupts us and I look at my screen. ''Dad''

I exhale before picking it up. ''Hey dad''

''Hi sweetheart. How you're doing?''

''Good. What about you? Everything alright with the meeting?''

''Yes, everything went well. I think we got the deal and hopefully I'll be back by the end of the week.''

I smile hearing that. I missed him so much.

''That's great dad. How is London?''

''Cloudy and rainy like always. But I enjoyed my fish and chips anyway.''

''You are not supposed to eat that.'' I say chuckling.

''Well I won't tell your mom if you don't either.''

''Deal''

''Should I ask about yesterday's incident or you are going to tell me by yourself?''

And here it goes. Of course, my mom would bring him into this. That's her thing. Every time I make a mistake or something unacceptable in her opinion, she calls and wait for him to scold me like a little kid.

I'm sick of this.

''I guess she already told you what happened. There is no need for me to repeat it again.''

''Your mom told me her side. I want to hear yours too honey.''

That's why him and I are so close. He always listens to me. He lets me express myself and doesn't make assumptions by what other people say. I really wish for him to come home.

''I'm going to explain when you're back. I promise. Just know I'm safe.''

''Ok sweetheart. I believe you. Please take care and also, don't hate your mom, she's just worried for you.''

''I know. And I don't hate her.'' I breath deeply. It's true.

''Ok I'm going to see you soon. I love you.'' He speaks again and I can tell he is smiling.

''Bye dad. I miss you.'' I mumble the last sentence, before hanging up the phone.

I really do.