I silently grumbled as I walked across campus. Anyone who tried to maintain eye contact with me was met with my signature icy, cold glare. My expression softened as I thought about Nicola. I can't believe I screwed up and told her that I love her. Ugh! Why?! Curse her dreamy chocolaty eyes. I could get lost in them for hours. I felt a smile come up on my face. No! I quickly shook my head and regained my RBF. First off, who told her how much I spent on her? She's not the type to look up the price, so someone must've told her. And she was so uncomfortable with it. That's why I made the bet that she'd accept whatever I gave her. I knew that if I told her I wanted to give her a gift, she'd have immediately rejected it. She would've rejected my gift unlike KJ's. I saw him give her a bracelet and that just made my blood boil. He gave MY girl a gift! He obviously likes her. Either she's oblivious to his advances or she likes the attention. Uhhhh! I'm just being jealous again. She's not like that. She probably knows he likes her, but doesn't know how to reject him. My feelings are sooooo out of whack. When I told her I loved her, I panicked. I left her and retreated to my friends. They were obviously confused since I worked with Nic last time, but I'm pretty sure they just thought I didn't want to work with the "poor girl" again. I stole subtle glances at her during the class and saw that she worked with KJ and Michael. She was laughing with them and clearly enjoying their company. I couldn't help but scowl as I observed them, but then again I didn't have the right to be so upset. It was my fault. She didn't even wait for me after class to walk her to the lunch room. She left with the boys instead. I felt my body shake from a mixture of anger and jealousy.

I walked all the way into the Chi Omega sorority house. I memorized this place like the back of my hand. It was a massive three story mansion with many hidden tunnels. I didn't even have to look as I made many twists and turns inside the house. I stopped when I stood outside the familiar door. I didn't bother knock as I pushed the door open. Astrid jumped since I accidentally slammed her door open.

"Sorry." I muttered before flopping onto her bed. Astrid closed her textbook and stood up from her desk.

"What's wrong?" She lied next to me.

"Girlttroublessinceimacomlleteidiot." I mumbled into the pillow.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you." Tridi laughed before yanking the pillow away from my face. My face collided with the bed when she did that. Astrid laughed even louder and rolled on top of me. "Tell me again, please." She whispered in my ear.

"No." I defiantly told her. Astrid refused to get off my back. "Fine. I'm an idiot." I sighed out. "I messed up with Nic."

"Uh oh. Relationship troubles or more specifically girl troubles. Shall I get Yaz to join us?" She grinned.

"NO!" I hit her with a pillow.

"Why not? Are you guys fighting?"

"Sort of. She doesn't approve of my relationship with Nic, so I don't need her to know that I'm having problems with Nic. Oh and she also mentioned that you don't approve of my relationship with Nic." I narrowed my eyes.

"Umm... I don't recall saying that." Astrid rolled next to me. "I believe that I said I'm worried about how socioeconomics will affect your relationship. She may feel like you're buying her love whereas the amount you spend on her is pocket change for you. She can't afford to take you places or even give you a fraction of the life you're used to. Plus, if your fam found out that you were dating someone from her background, they wouldn't exactly be pleased. Besides that, I have no problem with her." Tridi turned on her side to look me in the eye.

"Unfortunately, I think you're right. I bought her a necklace and bracelet. She somehow found out about the price and freaked. She stated that she couldn't just keep it when her parents could use the money to offset the bills. I told her that I'd help out, but she immediately shot that down. Then, one thing led to another and I told her I loved her." I rolled over so that I was facing Astrid.

"You did?!" She squealed.

"Ya and I blew it." Astrid's shoulders sagged. "I panicked and ignored her for the rest of class. I even moved to work with other people." Astrid opened her mouth to rebuke me, but I quickly spoke. "I know. I know. I messed up and I don't know how to fix it." I sulked.

"Come here." Astrid pulled me into a hug. She stroked my hair as she comforted me. "This is the first time I've ever seen you like this. You must really really love her. So cuuuuute."

"Astrid." I groaned.

"Sorry. Cuteness overload." She acted as if she was wiping tears away. "Well, clearly you two need to talk. You can explain to her that you got scared since you've never felt this way before about anyone. I'm sure she'll understand. She's cool like that." Astrid smiled as she looked down at me. I looked up to meet her eyes before nuzzling deeper into her neck. "And then you and Yaz need to talk." I groaned at that. "I'll go with you to that boring dinner event today. And you know how much I hate those things." I smiled up at Astrid.

X

I was fixing my hair for the charity dinner tonight when I heard a knock on my door. I groaned as I opened the door to see Yaz. She sheepishly looked down as I stepped aside and motioned for her to enter my room.

"I'm sorry." She apologized as she sat down on my sofa. "I just want to say my peace. You can kick me out after if you want." I nodded for her to continue. "Yes, I'm apprehensive about you dating someone outside your pedigree. I don't want her to use you and I don't want people to gossip about you. I know your family will not be receptive to her. You'll break them down about your sexuality, but they'll never accept her as your partner. I wanted to avoid you going through that heartbreak. I realized that I was out of line the other day and I do want to apologize. I just want to see you happy and if she makes you happy, then so be it. Who cares what anyone else says." I walked over to Yaz and pulled her into a hug. We sobbed while clutching onto each other.

"I hate fighting with you." I choked out.

"Me too. I missed my bestie." She clung to me tighter. "So..." she released me and dabbed at her eyes. "Tell me more about her. Tell me about the date you guys went on." She smiled whereas I frowned. "What?"

"Well..." I sighed out before divulging everything.

"You idiot." Yaz punched my arm. "I understand why you're scared, but really?! At least she has the weekend to cool off. And that means don't bother her. Actually, your punishment will be to attend the function alone. Astrid is so not going with you anymore."

"That's not fair. She promised." I retorted.

"And you need to be punished." Yaz finished texting. "Now, get ready to attend the event with your lovely family." She kissed my cheek before leaving. Ugh! I finished getting ready and checked myself out in the mirror. I wore a light blue ball gown with silver accessories. My parents had left a half hour ago leaving Zara and me. Chico had picked up Gemma and Tamsin had left with Laurens. The driver opened the door to the Rolls Royce SUV for me and Zara. We thanked him and that was the extent of the conversation we had. It was a bit of a drive because the traffic was horrendous. An hour later, we pulled up to a red carpet. The valet personnel opened our doors and escorted us inside. Once inside, Zara and I had to do the standard performance of greeting our parents first. After that, father, as usual, would introduce us to potential suitors. The one thing Z and I had in common was that we would internally barf when speaking to them. I made a lame excuse about how I had to greet a client leaving Z glaring at me in utter hatred.

I went out to the hallway and started crafting an apology to Lala on my phone. I would write something only to delete it shortly after. I'm struggling because I don't know what to say. Am I supposed to be like sorry for telling you that I love you? I really don't? This is so confusing. Why are relationships so hard?!

"I thought I smelt pretentiousness." I glanced up to see KJ. "Your family's scent is wafting all over the place."

"And the value of the property diminished the moment you stepped foot on it... Kiernan."

"Alicia." We exchanged pleasantries to keep up the guise of professionalism. "I have so many questions for you."

"And I have no interest in answering anything coming FROM you." I smiled and turned away.

"What about Nic? Why did you desert her like that the other day. Is it because of her status?" He wondered. The annoying thing about KJ is that he actually has Lala's best interest at heart. "So she ignores you at lunch, so you hatch a plan to be her 'fake friend' only to leave her all alone. Were you trying to embarrass her or something? Because you almost succeeded, if I didn't see her sitting alone."

"Why does it even matter to you?" I breathed out.

"Because I care about her and you're a despicable person. Your whole family is. You guys don't like the fact that she goes here considering that she practically has nothing. I think it'd be ironic if your family is sponsoring her." He laughed. Oh, he has no idea. "Ya we are blessed to be in the financial situation we are in. But that doesn't mean we are better than everyone else."

"Are you trying to give me a moral lesson, Kiernan? Because I've had a long day."

"I'm just telling you to back off and leave her alone. I won't tolerate you making her life miserable for your pathetic entertainment."

"Is this a platonic protectiveness?" I mocked him resulting in his face becoming flush from rage. "Because if it's not, then I have news for you." I sauntered towards him. Since there were people around, I placed my hands around his neck as I leant closer to his ear. "She's gay." I whispered. I then backed up to witness his perplexed expression. "So good luck." I blew him a kiss and walked away.