I couldn't sleep all night. Without my phone to set my alarm I was anxious that I wouldn't get up in time and would end up late in class, again. That, and the fact I couldn't get Lukas out of my head. His lips and the way he smirked at my uniform. His fingers trailing over my skin to the extend it made my entire body shiver with content. His confession showing me he's not evil, just broken. I got up and rubbed the back of my head which still hurt like hell. I hate those damn skates all they do is cause me problems... Painful ankles and drunk college guys showing up at my bar. I said to myself when I saw my skates in the corner of my room.

I managed to barely sleep, have plenty of time to get ready and still run late for class. I was lost in thoughts so everything I did, I did ten times slower than usual. Being late, I didn't have time to put together a decent outfit. I threw on some jeans, my converse and a grey hoodie hoping not to stand out in the crowd. I grabbed my books and walked to school which made me think I should either buy a bike or a car. It would safe me so much time. I ran into a packed auditorium, people staring at my late appearance while the professor had already started explaining foreign politics by the looks of his slides. God, I hate this class... I sat down quietly trying not to make any noise and draw even more attention to the unsubtle mess I am. I had to concentrate but that was easier said than done... I had to find a way to get my phone back without swooning at Lukas's feet. The entire class, which was filled with nonsense anyway, I tried to come up with a plan. All of them ending with me kissing Lukas. Come one Isabella, are you really that weak? Falling for a boy? Two boys actually. Drew, or did one 'almost' make out session with mister pretty eyes make you forget about him already?? Of course I didn't forget about him but I hadn't talked to him since our date. Mind the fact I didn't have my phone which was frustrating. At that moment I realized it was a good thing I put a password on my phone. I imagined protective Lukas smashing my phone against a wall and submerging it in the toilet if he saw any messages coming from Drew. I needed to think of a better plan that didn't end with cuddling the person I needed to keep my distance from. I also needed to study so I decided to go to the coffeehouse to get a warm cup of happiness and reluctantly learn more about foreign politics.

I found a table and spread out my books next to my cappuccino. I took a seat with my back towards the door so the constant stream of college students wouldn't distract me from studying Putin's political negotiations. After a couple of sips from my cup of coffee and a few pages of political nonsense I decided to improve my plan to get my phone back. I could ask Mia to get it for me but then I had to explain why and how my phone ended up in the jacket of her brother. I could go to their apartment, wait until Mia goes to the bathroom so I can sneak into Lukas's bedroom and grab my phone. I could ask Lukas myself or I could pull him against me, wrap my arms around him so I can take my phone from his...

"Thinking about me..." A husky voice whispered in my ear, ripping me out of my thoughts and startling me so much I almost knocked over my table like a ninja. I know that voice... It was Lukas's, whose hands were on my shoulders trying to keep me seated, unable to turn around and meet his face. I could feel the presence of his face next to mine from behind.

"I... I wasn't... N-not ab-about you..." I lied and stuttered terribly trying to find words to deny my mind was imagining my arms around him. "Putin. I was studying Putin." I digged the hole even deeper, burying myself underneath a big pile of obvious lies.

"Good girls don't lie Isabella." He whispered near my ear, his voice raspy but playful. He was on to me and I could feel every student trying to get their hands on a cup of coffee disappear. My mind had only room for the sensation of Lukas whispering words in my ear with his minty breath brushing along my cheek. I had to pull myself together if I was going to leave the café in one piece instead of Lukas walking out and taking my heart with him. Keep your distance Isabella.

"What do you want?" I said coldly, biting my lip and trying not to think about our moment yesterday.

"Oh, it's not what I want, it's what you want..." He whispered closer to my ear and his lips brushed against my earlobe when he leaned forward for a second. I could feel the pressure on my shoulders, that his hands were causing, being relived as lifted them off my shoulders to walk around the table. I couldn't keep my eyes of his black jeans, the same one he wore the day before, and his forest green sweater hugging his upper body. The black mess on his head looked like he took his hand trough it too many times but it suited him. He scraped the chair over the hardwood floor before taking a seat in front of me. "I think you want this?" He said waving my phone in front of me with a smirk on his face. "I found it in my jacket this morning and it has several unread messages. I thought you might want it back?" He questioned me while putting the phone between us on my textbook with one finger on the screen.

"I do want it back, thanks." I rushed while I put my hand out to get my phone but he pulled it away before I could get it. His lips wearing a mischievous smile and his eyes, I noticed, were looking more green than grey thanks to the color of his sweater.

"Not so fast snowflake. You can get your phone back on one condition." He grinned, playfully tapping my phone with his fingers and leaning in as if he was going to tell me a secret.

"What? It's my phone, you cant do that!" I raised my voice but he kept the playful look on his face.

"You can get your phone back if you promise me to keep your distance from someone." He whispered leaning in, his shoulders hovering over the table. I couldn't help but to feel like we were dealing drug or something, all the secretive hassle...

"Let me guess, from Drew... Lukas not again. I told you, you can't tell me what to do... Why should I stay away from him if you're not even acknowledging what almost happened yesterday." I said, frustrated crossing my arms in front of me. I want to kick the hell out of his chins right now...

"Do you want your phone back or not...?" He questioned me while shaking his head and rolling his grey/green-ish eyes at me. I guess he thought his negotiation was going to go a bit more smoothly. Guess what... I just read all about Putin's negotiation techniques. Suck that!

"Yes." I said sternly staring him down with wide eyes.

"Come one, it's easy Isabella... say goodbye to Drew and say hello to you phone." I knew very certain not even Putin's arguments were resisted against Lukas's perseverance. I had to give in but if there's one thing Russian politicians are good at, it's lying and a little lie never killed nobody.

"Fine... I'll stay out if his way... Now give me my phone!" I kicked his chin, enough for him to react and hand me over the phone. Before letting go of my phone he held on to it a little longer and I couldn't help but notices our fingertips were almost touching at the side of my phone. I look up, my eyes bright and my voice serious... "On one condition, you acknowledge what almost happened last night..." I won but victory wasn't mine, yet. I was curious about what he was going to answer... so curious something fluttered in my stomach.

"We almost kissed. There you have it... Happy. Is that what you wanted to hear?" He rolled his eyes and sighed frustrated. Was he regretting it? Should I?

"That's it?" I said before I knew the words touched my vocal cords.

"What? Nothing happened, it didn't mean anything." He said while getting up and walking past me. Asshole, what do you mean... it didn't mean anything? You aren't broken, you are irreparable... I wanted to go after him and get the truth out of him but I would only hurt myself more if I tried to pursue something or someone that wasn't worth it. Instead, I unlocked my phone to take a look at the new messages. My face lit up when I read the cutest messages from Drew. Staying away from him? Not going to happen...

: Thanks for the cutest date I've ever been on! You looked amazing

: PS: I would like to take you on a second date if you would like that?

: Btw, how was work?

: Is everything okay?

: Did something happen?

: Did I do something wrong? 😔

: I really hope you're okay? You can tell me if I said something wrong...

His concern made up for Lukas's indifferent and cold reaction and made me smile again.

I'm fine, I lost my phone but I have it back now. I enjoyed it as much as you did and would really like a second date. I'll let you know when.

PS: don't worry our date couldn't have been more perfect.

He must have had his phone with him because before I could put it away Drew replied.

: I'm so happy nothing happened to you... I'll be waiting until you decide when and where 😃Enjoy your day gorgeous!

Before putting away my phone I also noticed Mia tried to message me. So, I opened her dialogue.

: Hi girl! How did your date go? I'm dying to know how it went.

: Talk to me Bella :p Don't leave out any details

: Are you okay? You always answer your phone. It's late.

: Omg Bella, just answer... I'm worried.

: Did Drew do something to you? Do I need to kill him for you... 🐅

: Because I will...

: It's the day after...I swear if he kidnapped you he's going to wish he wasn't born with a dick... 🍆

: Isabella? Do I need to prepare my speech for your funeral????

: OMG that wasn't even funny, I'm sorry... I'm just freaking out. I care about you! Whatever happened, you can tell me!

Her texts made me chuckled and wanting to kill her brother for stealing my phone at the same time.

: I'm fine. I lost my phone. Girl, if you're writing a speech for my funeral it better be good!

: You're alive!? You really got me worried! Come over for dinner? We can watch a movie after? 🍿🍿

She also responded immediately like she held her phone stand by. It made me realize I was lucky to have friends that cared about me.

: sure, I'd love too. It be there it six!

Just seconds after I hit send on that text I realized I said yes to diner and a movie at her apartment. The apartment she shared with her brother. Her asshole brother who denied nothing happened when for me it did... Her brother who I was attracted to like a magnet but needed to stay away from like the plague so I wouldn't get hurt. This is going to be awkward...