Liam and Noah went to the guestrooms and silence once again filled the penthouse, Cloud looked at me and said "Should we continue the study?"

I nodded silently as I eye the doors of the guest bedrooms where Noah and Liam will be crashing in for the night, Cloud went to the library and started gathering the books we needed. It almost became a ritual now that we study before or after dinner

I opened the book where I placed the cute flower bookmark that I bought specifically for the study session that we would always have

"How were your scores by the way?" Cloud asked me as his eyes skimmed through the pages of a History book, I gave him my biggest grin "It was great, the teachers are starting to notice how my grades are slowly rising"

I was thrilled and excited, the results are showing slowly and it made me jump in my seat. The scores I was getting are not honor worthy yet so I have to keep studying hard, I can imagine the face of Danny once I get a merit card of honor and a medal after graduation then I will rub it in her prideful face

It may be childish but I won't graduate Senior High again so...

I could hear Cloud snicker that he was covering with his hand "What's so funny?" I asked him

He shook his head "Nothing, I just suddenly remembered Miss Valencia's face once she saw your score in Trigonometry last week. It was priceless" he laughed

"Could you tell me what happened in detail?"

"So I was in the faculty and Miss Valencia was at her cubicle looking at all of your scores and when she saw your paper her eyes went wide that she has to rub it hard, she then went to Mr. Felix and show him your score and he went 'That's impossible she could never get a score higher than a 12' the entire faculty was discussing if you were cheating"

I was embarrassed that he has to quote what Mr. Felix said, my score of 12 was the lowest in the entire grade and I have to live with seeing it in my record "Do you really have to say my old score out loud!?" I whisper yell to Cloud, Noah and Liam were here and I don't plan on spreading to everyone that I am stupid like a red sign on top of my head

Cloud wasn't even hiding his intention because he proudly said "Yes" to me like it was a form of hobby to tell people of my low IQ

I crumpled a piece of paper and threw it at him, I didn't stop at the crumpled paper though because I threw a pencil at him too along with the pencil case. He dodge it all and acted like it didn't happen as he tries to tease me again

"I'm not going to sleep with you if you keep that up" I threatened him, he scoffed at me "It seems you have forgotten I still have your T-shirt so I can gladly accept your threat"

Oh boo hoo

I made a fake sad face "Then I guess I'll pack up and leave this place tomorrow, you already have my t-shirt so problem-solve about your sleeping right?" I stood up and pretended to go pack my belongings, Cloud tailed me like a puppy all the way to the walk-in closet

"You don't mean that" he assured himself as he crosses his arms and lean on the door frame, I grabbed my luggage and started to put everything that I actually need for the 2-week reunion and not leave from the penthouse. Cloud thought I was actually leaving for real because he grabbed my forearm to stop me from getting my clothes in "I still need you"

His words made my heart skip a beat for a moment and my ears along with my cheeks warm

What is he implying? Me being his personal chef or being his pillow buddy?

He didn't say anything else right after and his eyes were deadly serious, his grip on my forearm was not tight but I can't move it. We were sitting side by side on his carpeted floor and I was looking at his face with a puzzled look, the atmosphere was so foreign to me it's like I have never felt this kind of situation in my life

He was not letting go, the more I try to move he would just tighten his grip a little. I waited for a few minutes to gain my strength then all at once I put all of my might into pulling my arm away but he was stronger so I was pulled closer to him with his strength

His pull was so strong that I was only a few centimeters from his lips, I was so not familiar with this type of setting in real life but I know these in all of the novels I've read and I know where this is going. Without missing a beat I pulled myself away from him while he was distracted in gazing at me warmly

I rubbed my forearm and stared at him "You were holding on to it too tight" I lied, the truth is I'm scared we might kiss and I might make a mistake. Ever since I've started to live and sleep with him, my feelings are a mess and it was slowly starting to show

He apologized and checked my arm to see if there is any bruises

If I happen to fall for him I would only hurt myself, he wouldn't like a dumb girl like me. He should be with someone who has the brains and hobbies that is similar to his

He wouldn't like me even for one bit

I should erase this weird feeling within 2 weeks of me being separated from him, there is also something inside of me that maybe I can sit this reunion out and stay with him because I was worried for him. Cloud was never the first person I should be worrying about before but now it is a different story

I have witnessed his panic attacks, the night where he couldn't sleep at all, and even where he almost did it to himself. I couldn't forgive myself if anything were to happen to Cloud in the duration of the 2 weeks I will be gone

I must have grown attached to him

"There is no bruise so I guess it is okay, does it hurt when I touch it?" He touched some arts in my forearm to see if it hurts anywhere

I should not be attached to him

I pulled my arm away from his hand "Nothing is wrong or hurting, I'm fine"

Am I?

He tried to reach out for me but I stood up and went to get my clothes from the top shelf, I was only distancing myself from him. I would imagine what would happen to me if I ever did fall for him, he would laugh and mock me

I lightly slap myself

Get a grip, Penelope, you just need to graduate with honors and you could leave this place

Just get the honors and leave

Leave...

Why does that word be so hard to come out of my mind right now? Even saying the word is hard. I peeked a little to see what is Cloud doing and he was fixing his wardrobe, his tall and broad back is in full display even though he is wearing a t-shirt to cover it was still obvious

After I finished putting my things inside my luggage I shoved it in the corner so when the day comes I'll just get ready and leave for the reunion, Cloud looked a bit sullen while he is watching me put it in the corner, I just assume he is sullen cause his eyes was conveying sadness. I giggled quietly "I'm not going to leave you idiot, I haven't even achieved my goal yet"

The shine went back to his eyes instantly "You are?" He asked eagerly, he looks like a dog and I could imagine a wagging tail behind him