"Which one?"

"The one beside Kyla." Bundles of files were stacked in racks. How in the hell was I supposed to know which file to pick up?

"Just say which file, Senior Chase; otherwise, feel free to get it on your own." I glared at him, deadpanned.

He smirked, a devious look on his face, "My apologies, Hazel Eyes! Just the one near Bro's desk, I recall... see there... red one..." He motioned to Senior Poker Face's desk, where he was typing on his laptop. His eyes were firmly set on his laptop screen, and his fingers continued to type at a breakneck pace. I had to gulp harder as his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, exposing popping veins. The overwhelming sensation I felt was nothing new to me, and my sublime desires were once again submerged on the shores. Hues of the tattoo peeked out from under his sleeves. Why was it so damn challenging to keep my composure in front of him?

"Fresher?" His voice startled me out of my reverie. As blood surged to my cheeks, I realized my grave sin. His eyes lingered on the screen for a few moments before resting on me. With a tinge of tease in his devilish gesture, he cocked his brow at me.

"Ah, Hazel Eyes, I know the view is tantalizing and all, but just hand me the file, and he'll be yours for all I care..." Senior Chase's voice was not so quiet, and it turned a few heads our way, embarrassing me all over again. Fortunately, there were only a few seniors in the office. Instead of blushing and making a fool of myself, I shot back with a sassy retort, "Ah, Senior Chase, my apologies! And, if I recall correctly, you possess two hands, so why not use them occasionally?" After saying that, I went back to work.

"Aw, is my junior Hazel Eyes angry?" He teased me yet again.

"Work! There's something called work. Sometimes, do it. " Not wanting to satisfy him, I didn't give him any kind of reaction.

"Cool down, woman! I was just pulling your legs."

"Yeah, you've pulled a lot. Now, want to break them?" He chuckled and eventually walked away, leaving me alone.

The weight of work was dragging me down like a colossal mountain. Time passed, and events drew nearer, and by events I meant... every darn event. The university event was slated for the next month, necessitating a mountain of work. Following that, we had our semester break, followed by the Seniors' graduation ceremony. It seemed as though they were all queued up in a line, one after the other.

"Kyla?" Senior Kyla spun her chair to face Senior Aylwin. Not intending to eavesdrop in on their conversation, I kept my focus glued to my task.

"Any news from event managers?"

"Yeah, they have confirmed the arrangements. Deans has to approve them. "

"Very well. Performances?"

"The records are all ready. All the clubs are through their last selection.... and I guess, after that... everything will be ready."

"Financial records?"

"Ah, Daisy already submitted it to the executives. Let's see what they say?"

"The covers and theme have been approved. What about funds?"

"Ah, Chase got me the report. One minute... "

Senior Chase came, and the discussion resumed. Everyone departed for break time after an hour of discussion about anything and everything, leaving the two of us alone. All thanks to Senior Chase! He was supposed to carry out the task, but instead he handed it on to me, claiming, "Wouldn't want my bro working alone, now, would I?" Bro, my ass! I kept cursing him in my head for throwing me in such a pickle.

The silence got denser, and nervousness sank inside me like a snowbank. Ticking time didn't stop, and its sound resonated across the room, piercing the veil of solitude. For a short spell, I felt compelled to break the gigantic wall clock to bits as it persisted to stab the flesh of stillness. I was desperate to shatter the torturous quietness, but Mr. Courage had other plans for me. I sighed, not willing to bother Mr. Golden Silence by shattering it and thus, allowed it to flow through us, carrying us to shores we'd never dared to visit.

"Are you done?" He spoke out for the first time in thirty-eight minutes. I focused my attention on him, who appeared to be a bit weary. He ran his fingers over his unruly hairs. The sight of his top few buttons undone was somewhat alluring. I repressed such sinful thoughts and focused solely on the not-so-stranger who seemed to be in terrible need of a cup of coffee. I was carrying a can of coke that I had purchased on my way to the council office. I offered him, "Have it... will help you. "

He grabbed it with a courteous nod. "Yours?"

I lifted my gaze only to be hooked by his probing ones. I just shrugged, smiling, "I had one on my way here." He gave a slight nod.

"You're addicted to it."

"Umm... sorta." I hesitated for a moment before adding, "From childhood, I guess."

"Water? Please, give me water. My throat is burning... ah, it's dry... a drop of water, please...." The little girl shrieked out in agony and suffering. Her throat felt parched, and water had suddenly become a luxury item for her. She struggled to moisten her throat for a while by gulping down her own saliva, but it felt that even her saliva was running dangerously low. Faintness became a regular visitor, and she was his favorite hostess.

"What to give her?" One of the gruff guy said, watching the fragile unconscious girl.

"She'll die."

"Boss won't let her die." Others nodded, aware that she was the treasure and that they couldn't let her die.

"Here, give this." A short, fat man approached them, holding a can of coke. He took it from them and delivered it to them. His attention was glued on the girl, who was writhing in agony and occasionally letting out shrill cries. Nightmares.

"Are you sure?"

"She'll gain some energy. Furthermore, we have no other options for our slaves."

My stupor was shattered by the snap of a finger in front of my face. "Huh?"

"You zoned out."

"Ah, sorry! So, where were we?" I asked, a smile on my lips. Instead of replying, he just peered at me, his dark oceanic orbs searing my flesh and devouring me whole. Warmth swept through me as the intensity tripled.

"It's harmful for you knowing you're anemic." How did he figure that out? Not that I was flabbergasted or anything, considering he was the vigilant one. But, at least at the time, certainly he didn't need to know the entire tale. So, I figured that switching the topic was the best alternative for me.

I gave a soft chuckle, "Leave that! By the way, how's the preparation coming along?" No reaction. He stayed silent. No words flowed through his lips. All he did was remain neutral. Gaze intermingled. Warring intensity.

"Running away?" I wasn't running away, or... was I?

Was I really going to have that conversation with him? No, not at all! Not until I was thoroughly prepared. It was daunting, far more complicated than I had anticipated, but that was the end of it.

"No, just escaping the worst." With a touch of certainty in my voice, I replied with a smile.

"Really? How? By allowing yourself to perish away?" Calmness. Power. Depth. Viciousness. His words rocked me to my core. I was becoming agitated, miffed at him, and by his words. He could seamlessly get a grip of me without even trying, which scared the living daylights out of me. Perish away? I wasn't going to perish away. No, not anytime soon. Not when I had just started to experience a whole new definition of life... with him.

"Never got the one to look out for me." A half-truth, a half-lie. There were many whose backs I got, but none were him. There were many who showed me happiness, but none showed me a mirror. There were many who alleviated my pain, but none shattered my façade. There were many who loved me by heart, but none captured my heart. And who knew, perhaps one day he, too, might embrace the tunes of my heart. And as for my heart... it already knew the way to its owner, who was cloaked in darkness and embellished with the pearl of sin.

For some things know its path better than you yourself would ever realize,

And so was for us...

As we abided

Till our hearts collide...

"Are you done?"

"Yeah, all set. The files are ready. Forms are signed. Print outs on your table. Stacks on Senior Kyla's desk. Club papers have already been sent to Dean's office. " I explained it to him as I packed my belongings and prepared to leave the office.

"Um... are you not going?" He had not stopped working. It had been a hell of a long time for him, five hours or so. With his sights set on the files in front of him, he shook his head in denial.

I let out a long sigh, "Alright, I guess I'll just leave. B-bye." I turned on my heels and took a couple of steady steps ahead.

"Fresher?" I stalled and turned around. "Hmm?" His gaze switched from the papers to me, leaving me wobbly-bobbly.

"Remember Race Track?" Race track? How could I forget that! I nodded.

"The race's in two days." The new race track was scheduled to open two or three weeks ago, but according to what I heard from the fellas, there was a rival gang making things problematic. Things became tense, and officers and the authorities were called in to intervene. Since the Merciless were the Kings of the Racing Field, they were able to get away with it thanks to some sort of deal. Finally, the race track was rescheduled to open under entirely legal terms and conditions, which I really doubted.

"Oh.. okay!" I didn't know what to say or how to react, so I chose the lame option.

He got up and started strolling towards me. "Fresher?" I felt like prey under those predatory gazes.

"Hmm?" I felt a very familiar cocoon of tenderness coat around me. In essence, as the days unfolded, it became inexorably cozier and warmer.

"Tonight, the guys are planning some sort of ice cream party. Wanna join?"

"Am I getting it for free?" I asked, beaming and interweaving my fingers under my chin, my eyes gleaming with mischief.

His gaze fell on my lips for a fraction of a second, a flash of amusement in his orbs, "As long as I get my taste."

"So, ready for orders?"

"Sure."

"Um... excuse me, waiter...." Senior Ash handed us our orders as we waited for our ice creams to come. We kept ourselves occupied by chit-chatting with one another. By "we," I meant Senior Ash, Senior Chase, and, of course, Senior Poker Face. Senior Diana, Ivy, and, of course, your very own lovely Sophronia were among the ladies in the group. I was seated in front of Senior Chase, between Senior Aylwin and Ivy. The rest of them were seated just across from me.

Senior Diana and Ivy excused themselves to use the restroom. "I'm sure bro told you about the race, Hazel Eyes." I was about to reply when I was interrupted by a loud screeching scream.

"Dolphin?"

You've got to be kidding me right now, huh?

I shifted my gaze to the one and only girl on the planet who had weird obsessions with fish and aquatic animals. I couldn't tell if she was human or mermaid at times. She marched towards us, trailed by her twin.

"Angelfish? I mean, Angel?" I stood up, slightly irritated and baffled by her appearance. You never know, Angel might be a real pain in the ass at times. She flashed me a wide, brilliant smile before lunging over me in a bear hug. I did an awkward back pat as she stepped back.

"Oh, my God, look who I've just met?"

"Angel, haven't we just met like— a day ago?" I rolled my eyes at her.

She made a small pout before waving her hand in the air. "Whatever, but it feels like an eternity." We were reminded of our surroundings by a clearing of the throat.

My gaze fell on her twin brother, who was smirking and staring at me avidly. Mind you, he was the playboy of his college, as per the things I'd heard about him.

"Pretty girl, long time, no see?" Angelo, Angel's twin brother, approached me slyly.

"How will you when you're too busy inside the janitor's closet?" My sassy retort earned a string of chuckles. But his smirk widened, "Stalking, now are we?"

"That's your job, petty boy! Your sister has a big mouth. "

"Tell me something new, pretty girl," he spoke it with his suave Mexican accent, which always made any girl fawn over him. He was in luck, since I wasn't one of them. I was aware that he had been trying to hit on me for quite some time, but all he got in return were snarky retorts and a string of profanity.

"Hello, Hazel Eyes... We're all here, hopefully alive... Uh-huh?" Holy fudge-shit!

"Ah, sorry... Just got carried on...." I spoke up cautiously, my eyes flitting to Senior Aylwin, who didn't seem to be in the best of spirits. His gaze was set on Angelo, and his demeanor had a flair of absolute calmness that petrified the living crap out of me.

"Yeah, we witnessed... but Hazel Eyes... dear, we don't want to bear the consequences for your deeds, do we?" I knew exactly what they meant and it made me go beetroot all over again.

"Umm... mind if we guys join in?" Angel came in chirping.

"Of course, not! But first... find a seat." Senior Diana's peeved voice boomed over the table as she sat next to Senior Ash, and Ivy settled next to me. Conclusion: the table was full. Angel took a look around before dragging a chair over and joined us.

"Problem solved." She flashed a triumphant smile. Angelo stayed there, watching the scene unfold, before approaching me and offering, "Mind if you sit on my lap?"

I had my retort ready, but Senior Diana beat me to it: "Mind if I fry you on the pan?"

"Hey, this is a lot better: 'No, I don't mind if you celebrate your death day.'" Senior Ash mumbled sluggishly, garnering a roll of the eyes from Senior Diana. "Always the childish!"

"Geez, sit on your sister's lap." Ivy remarked flatly. Angel smacked his twin in the arms, prompting him to imitate the same act. He finally sat quietly in another chair.

"Dramatic twins!" I grumbled under my breath.

Why am I suddenly feeling that coming here was the worst decision I'd ever made?

"Who're these not-so-invited intruders?"

"Who is this walking form of Taenia?"

Ivy and Senior Diana both inquired in chorus.

I began, coughing a little, "I, well... teach a little girl named Lily. Angel and Angelo live next door to her."

"Ah-ha! So, Mr. Taenia is actually the jerk boy next door." There went Senior Diana's comments. The guys, including Ivy, began to chuckle. And I had a feeling it was going to be a disaster. Even then, I took the initiative of introducing them to everyone.

"And this is my roommate, Ivy."

"And best friend." Ivy added. "Yes, definitely!" I smiled, sensing her possessiveness in her tone.

"So, goldfish's the best friend of dolphin? Not bad!" Goldfish and Ivy? Cringeworthy.

She shot Angel a death glare, "Correction there, missy. I'm a shark in a goldfish's clothing."

"Woah!" The guys whistled at her sassy retort. Even I! Dang, her retort completely took me off. We were talking about Ivy, after all.

"Anyway, why the fucking hell would you call me a goldfish?"

"Perhaps because you look like a gold-digger." Angel shrugged. Angelo laughed hysterically as Senior Chase nearly choked on his drink and Ivy's jaw dropped.

"Says the one who looks like an ostrich egg. No, wait... even its egg is far better! D'oh!" Sassily, Ivy retorted.

"Shut up! Just shut up both of you before I kill you." I yelled at them, effectively silencing them.

"By the way, who's this hot whale, dolphin?" Angel's question incited me to shoot her a stern look. Seriously, hot whale? Senior Aylwin was like a tempting piece of meat in her eyes. Not that it was uncalled for, but there is such a thing as shame. Only Senior Aylwin was left to be introduced.

"Well honey, that hot whale is your dolphin's better half, aka boyfriend." Ivy replied, her face plastered with a faux sweet smile. Angel's face contorted before she smiled again "Oh, my God, dolphin, why in the f-uck-reezing hell did you keep this from me? Dolphin, and hot whale.... not bad, not bad! Anyway, he's taken. Period. "

"What's the deal with her and aquatic creatures? Don't tell me she's one of those aquamarine bimbos that lives on both land and water?" Senior Diana's forthrightness amused us all.

"What can I say? I'm just obsessed with aquatic life... solely enthralled by the world of the sea. I'm doing a great deal of research on marine life and other stuff. And yeah... it's 'mermaid,' by the way. " Angel clarified.

"What mermaid?"

"The aquamarine bimbos you referred to... are actually mermaids." She again explained, sighing.

"They can be mermaid, housemaid, Soph's braid, Ash's razor's blade for all I care. Amphibiotic bitch!" Senior Diana's words made Senior Ash literally choke on his drink. What an outspoken young lady she was! If Ivy was a loudmouth, then Senior Diana was a million steps ahead.

"How's this, 'Diana— The Marlin'?"

"What the fucking hell is this marlin?"

"Marlins are fish having a spear-like snout or bill that is five times longer than woodpecker beaks." Angel went on to explain as if she hadn't just offended her.

"Does my nose resemble a fucking woodpecker, or that crappy goblin... marlin, or whatever that fuck is?" Senior Diana was irritated to the point of screaming.

"No, it doesn't! However, your habit of poking your nose into other people's affairs does." I was on the brink of choking myself and concluding everything. They acted as though they'd been enemies for a long time. Why the bloody hell couldn't Angel keep her mouth her shut?

"Watch your tongue, unborn fetus of Aurelia."

"Wait a jiffy!! Are you also somehow-anyhow related to animals?"

"Sorta! I'm in zoology sector."

"Oh, my good heavens.... why didn't you tell me sooner?..." There, they both started talking about I-didn't-know-anything topic. Wasn't it just a moment ago that they were fighting?

"Dude, are we here for ice cream and chilling or biology study and research?" Senior Ash glanced between both the animal-love-stricken-gals, who were babbling as if they had so much to catch up on, and whispered to us.

"Seems the latter one, man!" Senior Chase commented, bored and sulky.

"You look like a single spirit, but anyway, you're in a relationship." Angelo's words caused me to squint my eyes at him.

"Oh, holy cow! Even you look like a frog, but anyway, you're a human." Ivy shot back, snorting. It was indeed my turn to smirk at him. Angelo wasn't unappealing. With those striking obsidian eyes and platinum blond hair, he might easily be mistaken for the dashing bad boy next door. Not that I'd ever accept it in his face. Why inflate his ego further when he already had one the size of the Milky Way galaxy?

I winced as I felt a nudge on my side. I turned to Ivy, bewildered. "Stop ogling or you're going to get us killed."

"Countdown begins... 3...." Senior Chase began counting in hushed whispers.

I switched my gaze to Angelo, who was smirking at me, amused, "Tantalizing one, isn't it? Not your fault, pretty girl." Holy criminals of Death Notes, he caught me checking him out.

Way to embarrass yourself Soph, way to embarrass!

"2...."

"In your dreams, petty boy!"

"1... BOOM!"