( I don't think love happens through planning or does it? It just happens right? We have no control over who to love, when to love and how to love. If love could be preplanned then it would be business not an overwhelming emotions. Love does not understand the meaning of appropriation, it only knows how to blow us off. I am telling all this because I want to show as much reality I can in this book and it does not really contains flowers and gifts. It shows a reality that is in my head. You all are welcome to object where you don't feel like realism in it. Anyway enough of my rumblings. Enjoy the chapter. Love you all:-) )

Monday rolls around quickly and I find myself between chaos of the college. Since Sydney doesn't have any class with me, I left early alone in morning after eating a sandwich, not wanting to face her. I like her, really but she is always​ happy, so damn happy that it hurts to look at her. It's not that I don't want her happy. I love the fact she is.

I envy her.

Her love and non love life is almost perfect.

I want that for me too.

When would I have that?

Get your butt inside your class and focus!

I groan at the sudden pounding in my head. It's like someone is bashing my head to a wall. I am having this since I woke up. It must be oversleeping. I have a quirk that whenever I am sad or distressed, I'd become sleeping machine and it's kind of frustrating. I have this disease since my family died in that disastrous accident and not even shrink could help me.

"Akira!" Comes a cheerful voice of Dav.

Ugh!

I don't need more brightness to mock my overly dark life.

I turn around with a bright smile I could muster up, "Hey, Dev. Good morning."

He looks adorable with flushed cheeks and ruffled hair falling on his forehead making him look a lot younger.

"Hey. How was your weekend?" He asks casually falling on the steps beside me.

Weekend?

Like crap!

I can't decide whether it was awful or awesome but I'll go with eventful.

I shrug, "It was okay, I guess." My voice comes out little clipped unconsciously.

He must have heard it for he gives me a sideway glance but doesn't say anything and it's for better, I think.

"How was your weekend?" I ask instead.

"Nothing much, just some time with my Ma and sis. My sister is real devil, she painted my whole face with makeup, giving me her puppy dog face." He tells me but there is smile on his face. He clearly adore his sister.

Just like I adored my Jake.

Don't go there!

Shaking my head, I give him a curious look, seeing he look overly happy as though he can't even contain it, "What got you so happy?"

He blushes, "Oh I..I actually I have date today and I'm not 'so happy' I'm just nervous." He is actually twisting his finger, I suppose in nervousness but face tells otherwise.

I decide to egg him, "You mean you are not happy for date but you are nervous?"

He scowls looking around other people we pass our way before speaking forcibly, "Of course I'm happy but I'm nervous too."

"You don't look nervous to me." I tease him and his turns more flustered. He is so easy to rile up.

"I am but from inside."

And outside too.

I giggle at his words, "Sure you are."

We enter inside class, and instantly I feel a change in surrounding. There is buzz of excitement, it's certainly more chargeable today and from the expression of Dev he feels it too.

We quietly make our way toward second row where we take our seat. I look around and observe there is more students than last classes and they all seem excited.

I frown, "Are we missing something?" I ask Dev who looks as clueless as me.

Copying my expression he speaks, "I have no idea but it better not be important."

Just I turn to ask other girl on the front of me, professor Vidal arrives with his ever so confident stride.

"Good morning class. You must have seen notice on the board." He starts smoothly.

What notice?

Some hustle sound simmers around class and I realise I'm not the only one who is oblivious to this notice. I peer at Dev who is looking back at me with a confused look, I shrug turning to front.

Mr. Vidal continues, "And I'm informing those who don't know about it. Art department is holding an art gallery for our students. There is going to be exhibition of painting of few selected students. There will also be some auditor who could choose your painting if they like it." Stopping he gaze around with a stern but buoyant face, "So guys this is an golden opportunity for all of you. Those who are interested can give their painting by next Monday from which community will select talented students. Selected students will have their painting on the wall of gallery. If you have further more quarries, you can ask me after class."

Holy moly!

This is just wow.

Class fills with whispering and rippling. Every student starts speaking within themselves with happiness on their face. It is really a wonderful thing to give us chance and I'm also excited about it.

"Wow. It's awesome!" Dev breathes beside me.

"Yeah it totally is." I reply with content smile.

It has made my day. My body hums with happiness all of sudden. I'm delighted and I can't wait start my painting.

Now you have something else to focus on other than him.

Uh uh.

Professor clasps his hand in order to get our attention, he mildly looks amused at our enthusiasm, "Settle down class. Enough about this. Now lets start with our topic."

Without missing a beat he starts telling us about medieval art and its origin.

Class ends swiftly but like always professor takes few more minutes to stop before wishing us 'good luck' , he gets out.

I slump in my seat feeling sleepy, once again.

Oh how I hate this tiredness.

"You good?"

I snap my eyes open, catching his concern filled brown eyes.

I smile sleepy, standing up, "Yeah. C'mon lets go."

Getting out of the room we both part our ways saying quick bye.

I stop on my step before turning around, remembering something.

I call after him, smiling , "Oh hey Dav, good luck for your date. Try not be so nervous."

I laugh at his red face, continuing my way.

• • •

Damn this lockers can't even get cleaned properly.

Gah!

Hugging I click it close and turn around. A shocked breath rushes out when I see Romero in front of me.

And Close!

Oh yeah, so close.

On instinct I take a step back to create some space between us.

But it is not enough because I can still feel the sharp intensity in air between us.

Unable to stop myself, my eyes itself roams throughout him and I take in his appearance which is not different from other days but he look fresh, handsome and as hot as ever. His beautiful face bare of any emotions but if looked carefully there is hint of anxiety. The way grey orbs are roaming around my face, he looks nervous.

Nervous?

I almost snort at the thought.

I'm sure I'm most likely imagining things, just like I seem to do lot recently and every time it's with him.

He takes a step close, filling my nose with manly musky scent, making my mind fizzy.

Go away, I want to shout at him but like always my throat goes dry.

My heart starts beating faster than usual and unwillingly I'm reminded of the eventful events that happened yesterday. Our kiss, his touch and his words everything bursts my brain open.

But then I also remember him leaving me on cold without so much of thank you or any other exchange. He just disappeared like a wave of wind between storms withdrawing my every source of oxygen.

I remember.

Oh do I remember everything!

"Yes King?" I offer breathless, it doesn't matter how much I try to keep my words unwavering but it doesn't help though, not with him.

Narrowing his eyes in slit he snaps, "Romero. I told you to call me Romero, didn't I?"

So he does remembers?