I dragged myself out of bed and got ready for classes. I had four classes today. Four. I was tempted to just keep my pajamas on and go. But I changed into some joggers and blindly reached for a shirt. And what do you know, it's his.

I groaned and put it away. I grabbed a black tank top and pulled that on. I put my hair back in a low ponytail because I didn't have the effort to do anything else with it, I'm surprised I could even brush it. I pulled on my converse, grabbed my bag, phone, keys, and then I left.

"Indie!" Chloe called out from behind me. I turned around from the front door and looked at her. "Take something to eat."

I shook my head. She gave me a stern look and I sighed. "I'll get some tea from Candy's on the way."

"Fine," she agreed.

"Why are you awake already? You don't have a class for another two hours," I frowned in confusion.

"Um, I haven't slept yet."

"What the hell were you doing? Was it the project?"

"No," she mumbled.

I watched her carefully until it clicked in my head. "Were you on the phone with someone?" My eyes widened.

She didn't answer me.

"Was it Caleb? It was, wasn't it?"

"Bye, Indie," she sang, pushing me out the door.

I chuckled and walked to the elevator. It was Caleb, wasn't it? Good, I'm happy for her. It's painfully obvious that he likes her, she likes him too. It's a perfect match.

I stepped out of the elevator when I reached the lobby and then I left, heading to Candy's. I got there and pushed the door open, feeling glad that Reece was nowhere in sight. I stood in line and opened my bag to take out my wallet. I sighed in frustration when I came up empty-handed. I forgot my wallet, are you fucking kidding me? I clicked my tongue and thought it would be best if I just left.

"Next!"

I looked up, blinking in surprise when I saw Callum.

"Hi, what can I get you?" he grinned.

"Uh, nothing."

He frowned.

"I forgot my wallet," I chuckled awkwardly. "Maybe next time." How many times will I have to see him in this awkward situation where he gives me his number and I don't call? I just hope he doesn't ask me about it.

"On the house, don't worry," he smiled.

"Huh?" I blinked twice.

"Shh," he smirked. "What can I get you?" he asked.

I hesitated, looking around the place. I feel kind of bad.

"You can pay for it later."

"Oh, that's fine then."

"With a date," he smiled.

"A date," I said slowly.

"If you want. I'll prepare your drink until then, hmm?" He didn't wait for my answer and started making my drink himself. He came back to me with it, grabbing a straw and handing the cup to me. "Here you go. How about that date?"

"I'll call you. How about that?" I chuckled.

"I hope you actually call me this time then."

"I saved your number, I swear," I smiled sheepishly, stepping out of line.

"Then call it," he smirked, turning to the next customer.

I turned to leave, seeing the next customer was Reece. I stood still, staring at him.

He placed his order and didn't even spare me a glance. When Callum handed him the receipt, he reached into his pocket and took out another bill. He handed it to Callum. "For her drink," he said, nodding towards me. I blinked, watching him. He took a straw and then turned to me. "Don't worry. You should still go on the date. Enjoy," he said, his voice cold and void of any emotion. But he sounded bitter. He turned around and left.

I glanced at Callum who seemed just as confused as I was. "Did something happen with you two?"

I shook my head. "Nothing. I'll talk to you later." I walked out of the cafe. I started jogging to catch up with Reece but then I stopped myself. Talking to him will only lead to arguments and that will only make everything worse. It's better if we just keep our distance. But I'll have to pay him back later. I looked through my bag for a five-dollar bill while walking to campus. At the bottom of my bag, I found a crumpled bill. If only I found this earlier, I would have been able to pay for my own drink. I swiped my ID and walked into campus a few feet behind Reece.

The crowd of our class was also around us and everybody waited outside for the classroom doors to be opened and the earlier class to file out. Reece was standing there, sipping his drink.

I took a shaky breath and walked over, standing beside him but he didn't even look at me. I grabbed his wrist and held his hand out, shoving the five-dollar bill into it. "There. Now we're even."

"Why bother? You have a date to pay Callum with," he said almost instantly.

I gritted my teeth, glaring at him. "You're right. I do have a date to pay with. But that's for Callum. The five dollars you just spent on my drink are different. And that bill is for you." The doors opened at such convenient timing and I was able to walk in without letting him say anything. I sat down and was grateful that he found a different seat instead of taking his usual next to me or in front of me.

➵ ➵ ➵ ➵ ➵

I was finally done with all the classes for today. I sighed in relief and stood up, following the students to the doors. Reece was standing right in front of me so I slowed down and created more distance while the students all around us chatted and laughed.

I could hear the girls behind me talking about plans for tonight until one of them huffed. "Why are we moving so slow? Come on."

Next thing I know I'm being pushed forward. "Oi!" I squeaked, putting my hands forward to steady myself as I crashed right into him. I grabbed onto his shirt and steadied myself. I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth. I hate girls like this. I let go of him and pulled my lips into a thin line, staring at the back of his head. I heard him sigh before he held out his hand behind his back. I blinked in confusion.

His fingers danced, asking me to grab it.

I hesitantly grabbed it and he pulled me forward until I stood in front of him. I stumbled and he dropped my hand immediately.

He grabbed my shirt and pulled me back, keeping me closer to him and further away from the guy in front of me. "You can't even walk right on your own," he mumbled.

I turned to glance at him over my shoulder. "They pushed—"

He gave me a slight push too. "Keep walking and don't talk to me."

I huffed, "It's not like I did it on purpose."

"It's not like you crashed into me and grabbed my shirt on purpose, no," he scoffed.

I rolled my eyes and kept walking. I just had to bump into him right now. Those girls just had to push me right now. As soon as we were out, I picked up my pace and got away from him as fast as I could. I swiped my ID and walked out, heading to the apartment. I thought to stop by Candy's but I still didn't have any money, so I kept walking. I glanced at the window of Candy's while walking past it and saw Reece walking behind me in the reflection. I pulled out my phone then in a spiteful moment and called Callum, not knowing if he was still inside or not.

He answered after a couple of rings and I kept walking. "Hello?"

"Hey, it's Indie."

"Hey, what's up?" he asked, chuckling softly. "Didn't you just walk past?"

"I did. But I'm calling to ask you something else," I laughed, stopping to tie my shoelace on a bench. Reece walked past me and I kept up behind him.

"What can I do for you?" Callum asked.

"I think I would like to take you up on that offer," I said. I could see Reece slowing down to match my pace so he could listen.

"What offer?"

"That date."

Reece's shoulders tensed completely and he tightened his grip on his bag. Thanks to his full-sleeve, fitted, black v-neck, I could see the way his muscles tightened under his shirt. He was angry, no doubt. But he had no right to be. Not after he slapped me in the face with rejection. Which makes no sense because it was so obvious that he wanted me just as bad as I wanted him. But he still said no.

"Sure thing. When are you free?"

"I'm free tomorrow. I haven't got any classes during the day and I'll be free tomorrow night too."

"All right. How about tomorrow at eight? Does ice skating sound good?"

I slowed down while snapshots from the time I went ice skating with Reece played in my head. I swallowed, still watching Reece. "Um, I'm not very good at ice skating," I lied, chuckling awkwardly.

Reece stopped abruptly. I think we both considered ice skating our first date. Even though there were barely any feelings involved if any. He spun around and walked over to me, standing mere inches away. He looked down at me and he was angry. So angry.

I stared at him, completely ignoring everything that Callum was saying.

"Go ice skating, I dare you," Reece whispered.

I swallowed, still staring at him but I started listening to what Callum was saying. He was still talking about ice skating and going to dinner after that.

"Callum," I cut him off. "Let's not do ice skating, please." That's reserved for Reece.

"Um, okay then. How about we just go out to dinner? Tomorrow at eight?"

"Yeah. Dinner's great. I'll see you then."

"See you. Bye." He hung up and I let my arm drop to my side while I clutched the phone.

He shook his head slowly. "I hate you, Indie."

"I hate you more," I replied.

He shrugged nonchalantly and then turned around, continuing to walk. I heard him let out a shaky breath before he turned though. And I knew he didn't hate me, just how I don't hate him.

Let's see how long we can pretend then.

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