Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get - only with what you are expecting to give- which is everything.

~ Katharine Hepburn.

......

Akira

Drowsily, I open my eyes and find myself on Alice's couch. I frown. When did I come here? The last thing I remember is sitting on floor after Romero went away with Slade. I shake my head just as aroma of coffee hits me.

"Good morning."

I look up to see Alice holding two cups, steam coming out of them. She is smiling but I can't find it in me to return her smile.

"Morning." I mutter.

"Here." She offers one of the cup to me.

I take it from her hand. "Thank you."

She sits on the other couch facing me. I take a sip from my mug, aware of her intruding eyes on me.

"Where is your roommate?" I haven't seen anyone else here since last night. I was worried before finally coming here, I didn't want to cause her any inconvenience because of me.

"She is away for the weekend." Alice tells me.

I relax but it only lasts for a moment before Alice lets her curiosity to roam around.

"So what are you going to do today?"

I stare at my mug, feigning ignorance, "About what?"

She doesn't beat around bush, "About King. Are you going to talk to him or avoid him?"

I shrug, hoping she'd get that I don't want to talk about it. I really don't.

She presses, "What does that mean?"

"It means I don't know." I snap and immediately regret doing so. She has helped me so much without any complains. I sigh looking at her, "I'm sorry Alice. I really don't know what to do but I know that, for now, I don't want to talk to him or talk about him."

She waving her hand and stands up, "It's your life and your decision but if I were you I wouldn't avoid it longer than necessary. Anyway, I am going to shower and get ready."

I knit my brows in confusion, "Where are you going this early? It is Saturday."

"I'm trying for some clubs. Today is my dance interview. Haven't you joined any?"

What clubs?

I shake my head, "No, I haven't."

"Then why don't you come with me and see yourself which club you want to join. I'm not sure but I've heard about art society as a club, you can check that out too." She suggest.

It doesn't seem bad. I don't have any classes or job on weekends, I could try and see if I fit there.

"Okay, I will go with you." I agree, standing up. It will also keep me engage from thinking about Romero.

"Great, I will see you in thirty minutes, okay?" She raises her brow.

I nod, "Yeah and thank you Alice for letting me stay with you." I am really grateful of her help. I don't know how I'd otherwise have survived last night.

She grins, "You are not getting free by just a 'thank you'. You owe me one."

A small smile forms on my lips, "What do you want?"

"I will tell you later but for now, go and get ready." She orders pointing at the door behind me.

"Fine." I turn around.

Getting out of her room I walk toward mine. Opening the door, I slip inside and quietly close it behind me. I stop when I spot Sydney on the island by kitchen. Surprised, she jump and rushes to me.

"Ira! Oh thank God. Are you okay?" She asks frantically.

"I'm fine." I reply wryly. I feel like she betrayed me by promising Romero.

She frowns, "Where have you been?"

"At a friends." I shrug.

"And you didn't think to inform me of that? Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

Guilt churns my stomach painfully. She looks like she didn't have any sleep whole night. I'm a crappy friend. I made her worry without any remorse.

"I'm sorry Syd. I left my phone at Romero's." Between trying to get away from him I forgot to collect my phone from his place.

"King. Oh God, he was acting like a manic yesterday. I have never seen him like that, he was scary. He kept repeating he had to apologize to you and that you are going to leave him. Slade said he drove around whole night to find you. What the fuck happened between you both?"

"I don't want talk about it." I murmur.

She sighs, "Okay fine but at least tell me if he hurt you?"

I know she is concern for me and wants to know everything but I can't tell her. I don't know why but I just don't want to repeat what I told Alice last night.

"He didn't intentionally hurt me but his action did." This is all I could speak.

She eyes me suspiciously, "Did he raise his hand-"

My eyes widen at the implication of her words. I quickly cut her short, "No! He would never do that."

She looks relieved, "Oh okay but I think you should call him, he was fucking obsessed to find you."

Obsessed.

That word again.

Is he truly obsessed with me? Is it just his obsession that he thinks is love?

Shoving the disturbing thoughts away, I answer her vaguely. "I will but not now. I have to go some where first."

"Okay. I'm going to sleep, see you later."

"I'm sorry again Syd. I didn't mean to worry you."

She smiles slightly, "I know you didn't but I'm your friend and I going to worry."

I don't deserve her friendship. She is too good to me. While I was drowning in self pity, she was worried sick about me.

"Thanks Syd."

"What for?"

"For being my friend."

She smirks, "I know I'm great, right?"

I nod forcing a smile, "Right."

We both part our ways to our respective room.

I make my way to the bathroom for my morning deeds. After having shower, I choose a blue shirt and jeans to wear, and let my hair down.

I exit from the room and pace to kitchen. Pouring milk in glass, I drink it along with Oreo. It has been so long since last time I eat here. For past few weeks I shared my night and morning food with Romero at his home. As much I don't want to admit but today I missed waking up with his eyes on me, our morning kiss and our breakfast together.

Goodness!

I miss him.

I miss his intense stare.

I miss his cockiness.

How I wish that yesterday never happened and we continue to live like before.

A knock on the door snaps me out. It must be Alice. Setting glass on sink I go to the door and open it.

"Are you ready?" She asks rubbing her ear piercing.

"Yeah I am." I step out.

As we walk around my campus I notice there are several people rushing about, even though it's weekend. Are everyone here trying for clubs? I never actually thought about joining one but I have a feeling that it would be a productive thing. Alice has said something about art society I should check that first.

"Ray!"

I freeze.

My legs axiomatically stop moving at the force of his voice behind me. Alice too stills.

As if instinctively I whirl around. My breath catches in my throat and my mouth goes dry at how good he still looks. I missed him. He is wearing same clothes from last night. I have no doubt, that Sydney was right, he indeed was looking for me whole night.

I refuse to feel guilty. It's his decision, not mine. I didn't made him do anything, in fact I told him to give me some. It's his fault that he didn't listen.

He moves forward until we are almost touching each other. I can't tell what he is feeling for both his face and eyes are unreadable.

"Where were you last night?"

"Somewhere away from you." I snap backing away from him.

He fists his palm and smirks, a cruel one, "That's not the answer I was hoping for, baby." He mocks.

People starts gathering around. "I'm not in mood of you." Gritting out, I turn around to walk away.

He grips my elbow tightly and forces me to face him.

"You are not walking away from me, not again. I won't let you." He says darkly. I fight an urge to shiver at his cold tone.

"Rom, let go." I tug my hand but his grasp doesn't waver.

His grey orbs flash with fury, "Not until you answer me. Tell me where were you?"

Oh he is pissing me off.

"None of your business." I spit.

He tsks, his emotionless face is getting under my skin, "It is my business when my girlfriend spends a whole night at some other place without any revelation."

The ways he says it makes me shudder in disgust. He is not being himself. He is staring me in same way he did when we first talked in this very same hallway.

"You are speaking nonsense."

"Am I? Then tell me, did you spend your night with art fucker or with that cafe fucker? Tell me, did you let him touch you? Answer me!" He bellows, his hold on elbow tightening with each words. It's almost unbearable at this point.

"Ouch! You are hurting me." I cry out, whimpering. My eyes burn with tears.

He releases me immediately, as if burned. He growls closing his eyes. They are shining with regret when he next open them. He rakes his hand through his hair, frustratingly.

"I'm sorry baby. I didn't mean to. Fuck! You drive me fucking crazy, Ray and you piss me off like no other. But I love you-"

"No, you don't love me. You love the idea of owning me. You are obsessed with me. It is not love, it's obbession." I interrupt moving away.

He face morphs in rage. He snarls, "You don't tell me what I feel or what not."

"And you don't demand anything from me." I retort back.

"Don't change the subject! I swear to God if you don't tell me where you were, I am going to ki-"

"Fine I'll tell you but only if you answer me. Why did you stood me up for our first date? Where were you that whole week?"

He stiffens and holds my eye passively but doesn't speak. I knew it. He still doesn't trust me enough to share his secrets and love is nothing without trust.

"You won't answer, will you? You are one hypocrite asshole." I shake my head and start to walk for my original destination.

"Yes, you are right." He calls out. His voice cold enough to chill me.

I halt and my heartbeat quickens.

"I'm an asshole. The same asshole, who fucked you. The same asshole, you were moaning for. The same asshole, you were begging for more. Or did you forget already?"

Before I know it I'm once again in front him. I slap him, hard. He doesn't even flinches and keep staring me. Regret is written all over his face but I don't pay it any mind. This time he has crossed the line.

"I don't ever want to see you again."

With that said I make run, far away from him as tears finally break free.