Dara's POV

WHY WON'T YOU KISS ME?! Somebody please tell me I was just dreaming! Did I really say that? Argh! The shame!

I groaned exasperatedly and planted my face on my palms. I just woke up with the mother of all headaches threatening to split my skull open and when I recalled what I did last night, I seriously want to disappear. How can I face Jiro again?! No no no. I will NEVER appear in front of him again. To hell with my promise about not running away! I will avoid him until he forgets my existence.

As I got off the bed, I caught sight of my reflection on the mirror and gasped. Oh my God, who are you?! I shrieked like a wounded animal and stared at myself on the mirror again – messy hair, puffy eyes, and red blotches on my skin. I acted like that last night while looking like this?! GAHH!

Something is seriously wrong with this week, I can feel it. I hastily prepared for school, ignoring the pounding in my head. As I went to the kitchen, I saw a bowl of soup and a medicine on the dining table with a note.

'Don't go to school. I'll ask your noisy friend to tell your professors that you're sick. – Jiro'

I read the note multiple times, a smile slipping on my lips. Just thinking that I'm the only one whom Jiro treats this way, my heart flutters a bit. But when my mind replayed what happened last night, the humiliation crept in my system again. UGH!!

I thought nothing would top the embarrassment I had after I kissed him on the cheek when he prepared me a packed lunch but last night's events won by a landslide. I can now vividly recall how I rubbed my cheeks on his chest and purred like a cat, asking him why he wouldn't kiss me! GAH! I don't know what to do anymore!

I shook my head in frustration and hastily ate what Jiro prepared. Even though my body felt like it weighs a metric ton, I had to drag myself to school since we have a scheduled group presentation today. I don't want to be a burden to my classmates just because of last night's stupidity.

"Munch...kin?" Bullet roamed his eyes on my face in astonishment when I came across him in the hallway. It was quite obvious he has not seen a walking zombie before. I knew I looked like someone who freshly crawled out of hell so I should be expecting such mortified looks from other people.

"What happened to you?" He asked.

"Got drunk", I grunted.

"Is that because of me? I told you I'm willing to be your man!"

"Arden Lee", I stated in a threatening tone. "I'm seriously not in the mood and I feel like strangling just about anyone and your neck is within my reach, so please..."

"Whoah", Bullet draped his arm around me and I'm too weak to even protest. I can't even bring myself to care about his 'fan girls' gawking at us. He tilted his head to hold my gaze and chuckled. "You really are in a bad shape."

"I am. I feel terrible", I complained.

Bullet's smile faded and he looked at me intently. I almost want to apologize for looking like crap.

"Should I accompany you to the nurse's office?"

"No. I'll be fine. I already drank medicine."

"You should go home."

"I can't. We have a group presentation."

Bullet fell silent and he stared at me while pondering. I had to avert my gaze because I swear, I felt like my vagina is folding itself in fear with the intensity of his gaze. He can be quite intimidating when he's not smiling.

"Should I go get Jiro for you?"

"What? No! He'll be pissed if he sees me", I exclaimed in alarm and roamed my eyes to make sure he's not around.

"Then, can I accompany you to your classes? I'll just sit in some of the lessons during my vacant hours."

"I'll be fine, Bullet", I said. That was a lie. My head still hurts and I feel like vomiting right now. If we continue standing like this in the hallway, he will be dragging an unconscious woman to the infirmary very soon. I want to sit now and rest for a while.

"You look pale, munchkin", he noted. I sighed and rubbed my forehead. "Come on. I promise I won't bother you", he insisted.

"Alright."

***

Namee blinked multiple times while staring at the tall guy with a penetrating gaze and deep voice in front of her. She was on her way to one of her classes when the guy blocked her path. Even though the two has not been formally introduced yet, she already knew who he is. Of course, she knew him. She has been observing him from afar ever since she entered InterSAT.

Picaro – the sturdy pillar of the Black Dragons and Jiro's most trusted member. He may be weird at times but all the gang members listen to him well. He's the one who keeps them in check, especially the small guy named Bonsai.

"Hello", Namee's lips curved in a smile, her cheeks puffing up and her eyes forming a crescent moon shape.

Picaro has absolutely no idea why Dara's noisy friend looks so ecstatic to see him. Does she know him? Well, most of the InterSAT students know him because he's part of the Black Dragons. Or maybe Bonsai told her something. Bonsai DID tell her something! Otherwise, she won't be smiling like she knew his soul. BONSAI. He will kill that little shrimp later.

"A request from Jiro", Picaro started. "Please tell Dara's professors that she will not be coming to school because she's not feeling well."

"Oh. But she went to school."

"She did?"

"Yes", Namee's grin widened while Picaro's eyebrows furrowed deeply. Her creepy smile is making him curious. But then again, almost anything makes him curious – like the whispers of the students around them, the ticking of the clock, the birds flying freely in the sky, the air he breathes... Why is the sky so blue?

Namee's giggles pulled him out of his trance. He cocked his eyebrows in wonder as he stared at her. Most of the students in InterSAT get scared whenever he becomes unusually quiet – thinking that they made him mad so it's time for them to die.

It must be his eyebrows; or the way his lips form a thin line when he's in deep thought; or the creases in his forehe-... Anyway. The truth is, he just tends to think a lot, which is the reason for the awkward pauses and attention lapses. Picaro is actually the most stiff, or rather awkward, member of the Black Dragon gang. Not many people know this that's why the students are scared of him. It works for him though; he can't deal with idiots anyway. Except for idiot Bonsai.

But the girl in front of him is not deterred by his imposing presence. Oddly, she really looks...happy? Or probably, she's laughing at him. But why? Did he say something funny? Nope. Does he look funny? Does he smell funny? What the heck is a funny smell?

"Hey", Namee waved her hand in front of his face, startling him.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" He asked.

"I said, my name is Namee Cheng", she beamed at him.

"I know. Is there anything else?" Long conversation is really not his cup of tea. There are so many things he can do with his precious time, like finding out how long he could hold his breath for example.

"Uhm...Nothing", Namee replied.

"Okay. Thanks. Bye", Picaro strode away and headed towards the stairs. He was already at the top of the stair but his steps halted when Namee suddenly came rushing towards him and gripped his sleeve.

"I forgot to tell you-.." Namee panted, trying to catch her breath. Picaro furrowed his eyebrows in bewilderment. Anything that starts with 'I forgot to tell you' is surely going to suck.

"...my number", she finished. Picaro's eyes widened in surprise. He wasn't able to react when Namee rapidly scribbled her mobile number in his palm and ran away while squealing merrily.

***

Dara's POV

After my morning classes and when it was finally my vacant hour, I was already feeling slightly better. Bullet has been constantly sitting in my class during his free time to make sure that I'm alright. I'm sure his harem of fan girls is already plotting a hundred different ways to kill me. Fortunately, since they knew Jiro is going to raise hell if something happens to me, I can still see the light of day again.

"Munchkin!" I winced a little when I heard Bullet shouting that stupid nickname as he approached me.

"Stop calling me munchkin", I snarled at him.

"But it's cute. And you're cute", he said in a dejected voice. I can almost swear I saw him pout a little. I sighed and decided to drop the topic. Arguing with Bullet is like arguing with a super adorable kid, you just know you have to let him win.

"Isn't that Cheng?" He asked and pointed at the school ground. Since we're at the third floor and we have a good view of the entire school ground, I was able to easily spot Namee.

"Yes, that's her. Wait, where is she going? We still have one class together scheduled in the afternoon", I said. I suddenly recalled Riko's words. Try to follow her if she sneaks out of school. I have to admit, I really am curious. But, is it okay to follow her?

"Let's follow her", Bullet nudged me by the elbow while smiling mischievously.

I darted my eyes again towards where Namee is and breathed deeply. Is this okay? This should be fine, right? We just wanted to know why she's cutting class and if she's doing something moronic, I'll drag her back to school. Besides, whatever we'll find out can't be that bad.

Little did I know that it was THAT bad. After agreeing to Bullet and after tailing Namee, we found ourselves at the red light district in the faraway corner of Little China Town. Both Bullet and I were staring wide-eyed at the sign of the establishment where Namee entered and at the line of girls in skimpy outfits standing outside.

"Isn't this a-..."

"Yes", I answered weakly without letting him finish.

"Is Namee a -...uhm...nevermind."

I swallowed hard and frowned while looking at the establishment again. I shut my eyes firmly and turned around. "Let's go", I mumbled as I glued my eyes on the ground. "And Bullet, please-..."

"Don't say a word about this?" He asked and I nodded in response. "That's what I plan to do", he said.

We made our way to our school while my brain tried to process what we just saw. It can't be possible, can it? But, Namee has been shifting her class schedule so she can leave early for her part-time job. So, that is her part-time job? Is that the reason why, as Riko said, she has no friends in InterSAT? Are the students purposely avoiding her because...she's a hooker?

***

Dara arrived at the classroom quite early, her mind preoccupied with thoughts about her friend. She sat at her usual seat, still mulling over what happened. There are too many things pummeling her down recently. Her day started out horrible which turned into a complete nightmare. Plus, her head is pounding again, her throat felt dry and her body hurts like hell. The medicine she took in the morning probably wore off.*Groans*

She shut her eyes and massaged her forehead, ignoring the steady noise inside the classroom. When an excited murmur filled the air, her eyes snapped open upon remembering something – it was the subject where Jiro is her classmate! Oh shit.

"Ramirez", Jiro's voice entered her ears. No wonder the students are huddled up and buzzing like bees at the corner; Jiro has entered the classroom. He spun the chair in front of her and sat on it, facing Dara.

"You..." He paused and sighed, his eyes conveying his disapproval, "I told you not to go to school."

Dara tucked her hair behind her ear and darted her eyes on the wall, on the board, on the floor – anywhere else but him. Why won't you kiss me? God, why does she have to face him the after she said that embarrassing, humiliating, can-you-just-kill-me-now statement?

"Ramirez."

She flinched, her gaze still focused on the ground. "I'm fine", she mumbled.

"You're not."

"I took the medicine."

There was a momentary pause. A short gasp escaped her lips when Jiro tilted her chin and made her look at him. Her heart hammered erratically and the mini-chaos that her classmates are causing with their steady murmurs was drowned when she met Jiro's gaze.

"You're pale. I'll take you home", he said and placed his hand on her forehead to feel her temperature. Dara can see the other students at the corner of her eyes staring at them. Even people who are supposed to be having class at the next room are openly gawking and watching the spectacle.

"Let's go", Jiro gathered her things and slung her bag on his shoulder while Dara remained seated, unable to react or say a word. To be very honest, she is dreading the moment of being alone with him because of what she did last night. If Jiro opens up that topic and asks her what the hell was she thinking last night, she will probably melt in a puddle of shame because seriously, what the hell was she thinking last night?! Damn it, damn it, damn it.

Dara pushed the troubling thoughts aside and stood up. She swayed a little when she felt a sharp pain on her head, making her grimace. Jiro immediately wrapped one arm around her to steady her footing. "Are you alright?" He asked in alarm.

"Just a little dizzy."

"Will you be able to walk?"

Dara nodded in response, hyper aware that Jiro's arm is securely wrapped around her. As they started heading towards the door, the students parted while eyeing them. Dara bit her lips and casted her gaze downwards. Her being the center of InterSAT gossip will surely not die anytime soon.

***

"Bullet is hitting on you." That was not a question and somehow, it gave Dara a fuzzy feeling. But then again, he is partially hugging her and she has been melting for a while now.

"No, he's not. He's my friend."

"That bastard", she heard him mutter under his breath. Dara glanced at him and upon seeing his grim expression, she smiled inwardly and gently leaned her head against him as they continued walking. His muscled chest and his comforting warmth... Hmmm, papi.

"Don't hang out with him."

"Why not?"

"Ramirez, he is hitting on you."

"I don't mind." She felt him tense a bit and it brought her a tremendous feeling of satisfaction what with the Riko-Jiro 'friendship' flying on the air recently.

"He is a gang leader who has a long line of women behind him. He will flirt at just about anything that moves", he said firmly.

"You told me I'm a kid. Maybe he doesn't see me as a woman... Just like you." Dara saw how his jaws clenched as he breathed deeply, his annoyance clearly mounting.

"You are a kid. That's why he's taking advantage of you."

"He's not taking advantage of me."

"Then why is he hanging around you every fucking time?" Jiro frowned at her as he slowed down his walking pace. "You were with him almost the entire day and he even sits in your class. What the hell does he want?"

"He's just worried because I'm not feeling well."

"And he thinks he could make you feel better?" Jiro retorted sharply. "If you need anything, I told you to call me."

"I told you, he's a friend", Dara replied. "And besides, I don't want to bother you."

"What did you and this friend of yours did earlier when you sneaked out of school during your vacant hour?"

Dara gnawed her lips and shifted her gaze elsewhere. He knew! How did he know that they sneak out? She then pondered if she should tell him that they followed Namee but in the end, she decided against it. "We just went out for a walk. He accompanied me because...uhm...I accompanied him last Sunday so he just returned the fav-..."

"You even met him during the weekend?" Jiro is clearly not letting go of the tiniest detail between her and Bullet.

"Jiro..." Dara sighed.

"What the hell are his gang mates for? Can't they accompany him during weekend?"

"You're being unreasonable."

"If he does something to you, what I'm saying now will not sound unreasonable at all", he hissed.

"Why do you hate him so much?"

"Why are you defending him?"

"I'm just-... wait. Are you perhaps jealous?"

"You have got to be kidding me, Ramirez", he growled. "I'm just concerned for your well-being."

"My well-being?" Dara repeated incredulously. "Arden and I just went out for a walk and you're making it sound like we did something bad."

"I care about who you're with."

"He is a nice guy."

"What exactly is your definition of nice? Bonsai is nice and he can nicely snap anyone's neck."

"Bullet saved me before, remember?" Dara countered.

"He would have helped any InterSAT student, Ramirez. I would have done the same."

"Jiro, you're being unfair to him. He's my friend and he's not taking advantage of me. I would know if he does. I'm old enough to know the difference. "

"Says someone who got drunk last night."

Kaboom. There it is; the magic phrase. She got tongue-tied when she heard the words 'last night'. Can 'last night' cease to exist, please?

She felt like there's a humongous sweat forming on her forehead. Dara fell silent and kept her gaze down, unable to say anything. As the silence stretched, she stole a glance at Jiro and noticed he is in deep thought.

"About last night..." She started and swallowed hard.

"Let's not talk about it", Jiro said flatly.

"O-Okay." Somehow, Dara felt like he's purposely avoiding anything that will insinuate any possibility of her liking him. Even though she did things that will give him an idea of her growing affection for him (she has tried to kiss him on the lips TWICE for Pete's sake), he intentionally brushes it off and acts like he didn't notice. It's frustrating...

"You're still going to hang out with the Fire 39 leader, aren't you?" Jiro asked.

"He's my friend, Jiro. I assure you, he meant no harm so you don't need to be worried."

"He should not dare cause you any pain", Jiro mumbled, his gaze focused forward. "Making sure you're out of harm's way is up to me", his arm around her tightened a bit, his eyes narrowing into slits. "But not falling for him is up to you."

Writer's Note:

Dam di dam di dam!! MGP role players will be on twitter after I posted Chapter 12! ^_^ They will hold another #MGP Fan Chat again so you guys can ask them questions after I posted the next chap.

Thanks to DemiGodXXIII for the chap banner! And than you to all the banner fairies who are giving me beautiful image manips! I will use them on the future chaps!

Cheers!

huntress ^_^