I've lost count of how many times I've sighed during today's lecture. The professor's voice echoes loudly in the classroom, but all I can think about is my first kiss with Aiden.

Since I entered this classroom, I've been doing nothing but gazing at nothing in particular. My heart is full of something that I can't explain.

Whatever this feeling is, it feels good, so damn good that it's torturing too.

With my elbows on the desk, I rest my chin on my hands, replaying the scene in my head again. My God, I can't stop thinking about how protective Aiden held me in his arms when we danced, about his intense gaze when he asked for permission to kiss me, about how passionate our kiss was. That time, everything about Aiden spoke of his unmistakable desire for me.

I'd never expected that my first kiss would turn out like that.

I'm starting to think that it was more than a kiss because we were practically making out.

I feel the heat crawling on my face, remembering what Aiden did to me. He'd pushed me against the wall--

"Nevaeh." Ash's voice snaps me out of my thought.

I snap my head, only to find that Ash and Maya are already standing beside my desk with their bags around their shoulders. I look around with mouth agape, noticing that the lecture has ended and that all my classmates are preparing to leave.

Holy shit. I didn't even realize what was happening around me.

"You were daydreaming," Ash says with amusement.

"Your face is red," Maya adds, and the genuine concern in her voice makes me clear my throat.

"I didn't get enough sleep," I say. "I couldn't focus on the lecture."

It's the truth. I haven't been able to get enough sleep after the kiss. I've been wondering whether I'm in reality or a dream because everything still seems unbelievable.

Aiden and me. It feels surreal.

I hear footsteps approaching us and watch as three girls walk toward my table.

"We saw your paper about the business survey," the red-haired one speaks to us with a smile on her face. "Our project is kinda similar. I think it will be perfect if we can team up for the assignment."

Everyone seems to understand what's happening except me, the only one with a clueless expression. Ash and Maya look delighted after hearing the girl's offer.

"Of course. I think it will be great if we work together," Ash says. "I'm interested to learn more about your project as well."

Ash introduces the three of us, followed by the girl introducing herself and her friends. This class is attended by many students from other faculties, so it's normal that we don't always know each other.

The red-haired girl's name is Leah. Her friends, Charlotte and Nicole, are on the same team.

"So how about we grab lunch together?" Leah asks in a cheerful tone. "I don't want to jump into work right away, but we can talk about it first." She chuckles, and so does Ash.

"That's a great idea. Let's go."

Ash and Leah keep talking when we exit the classroom.

While the rest of us are following them, I whisper to Maya, "What are they talking about? What assignment?"

Earlier, I didn't pay any attention at all to the class. Now, I feel stupid.

"The professor asked us to pair up with another team so that we can review each other's project. Something like that," Maya whispers.

I nod in understanding, traveling my eyes around the cafeteria we just stepped into. Just like any other day, it's quite packed during lunchtime. Luckily, we manage to secure an empty table for all of us.

When Ash asks me about ordering the food, I quickly say, "Please go ahead. I'm still not sure what to eat."

I'm not hungry. I haven't been so for hours. These butterflies in my stomach are affecting my appetite.

Gosh, I can feel my cheeks heat up as soon as Aiden crosses my mind again. Why can't I stop thinking about our kiss?

I still remember how his lips tasted on mine and how warm his body was. His hands are big and strong and made me burn under his fingertips. I also remember his masculine scent of sandalwood, musk, and leather.

Again, a small smile curves on my lips. I've never felt this kind of happiness.

Mom once said that someday I will find a man who will make me happy. I'd never understood what kind of happiness she meant, but now I think I do.

Mom, I've been kissed by an amazing man, and I can't even explain this wonderful feeling inside me. He's really special to me.

Ash and Maya return with two bowls of chicken noodles. Leah has come back too, with a tray of pasta. She's putting the tray on the table when someone suddenly wraps his arms around her from behind.

The guy kisses Leah's cheek. "I wish I didn't have a lecture now, but I'm glad that I can steal one kiss."

Leah giggles and looks up at him before giving him a peck on the lips. I'm guessing that he's her boyfriend.

"I don't want you to be late again for your class, Trouble." She gives him another peck, then raises her eyebrows.

They look so much in love, it melts my heart.

The guy chuckles. "I'll see you in an hour, Mi Amor." He pulls her for another quick kiss before rushing to the hallway.

Leah shakes her head, smiling as she sinks back into the chair.

"Lovebirds." Charlotte smirks, putting her tray on the table as she sits beside Leah. "But really, he calls you Mi Amor and you call him Trouble?"

Leah shrugs. "Trouble suits him perfectly. He always makes me think of bad things whenever he's around."

Charlotte whistles. "Typical bad boy, huh?"

Leah chuckles. "Shut up. Diego is a sweet boy. Good boy."

I notice the blush appearing on Leah's cheeks and the happiness shining in her eyes. I watch what's happening in awe. I've heard couples calling each other nicknames, but this is the first time for me to hear someone spilling out the meaning of it.

"What about you? Do you still call Dan your Big Mac?" Lean asks Charlotte with a mischievous smile.

"Come on, my relationship with him has me saying 'I'm lovin' it," Charlotte grins. "Of course, I would call him Big Mac."

We all laugh about that.

"Imagine having to put up with these two and feeling like the fifth wheel all the time." Nicole huffs cutely, rolling her eyes. It makes us laugh again.

"I love nicknames for our loved ones. I think it's cute," Ash blurts out, and when our new friends look at her with a questioning look, she quickly says, "No, I'm not in a relationship. I just...I've always thought that it feels special." She shifts her gaze to Maya and me.

Maya quickly says with a nervous laugh, "I don't know anything about it. I don't have anyone either."

That focuses the attention on me, and all I can say is, "I don't have..." My sentence stops short as I notice the way Ash and Maya are staring at me. The curiosity in their expression is very visible.

Silence creeps for a while before Leah breaks it, "Well, I don't think that Nevaeh is single?" She eyes me with a knowing smile.

I can see the excitement on Ash's and Maya's faces, as though they expect me to spill about Aiden. God, there's no way that I would be able to escape this.

"It's complicated," I say, feeling heat crawling to my face. "He's not my boyfriend, but..."

Everyone at the table is watching me with anticipation, and I have no choice but to continue talking.

"But he's someone I adore so much," I say. "I...like him."

I know that my face is red even though I can't look at myself. I shift my gaze to my lap.

"Who's this lucky guy?"

The question makes me look up. I find Charlotte smiling at me.

"I'm sure that he likes you too?"

I feel butterflies going crazy inside my tummy when I nod shyly. "I think...so."

My cheeks heat up even more. Being reminded that Aiden likes me makes me feel so many emotions I can't bear.

"Aw that's sweet," Leah exclaims giddily. "So do you give each other nicknames like what we were talking about?"

Maybe Leah has sensed how I was listening intently as they were talking about the nicknames. Sometimes, I hate myself for being too easy to read.

I clear my throat before bracing myself to admit, "He...he does call me differently sometimes..."

I swallow, watching as Ash and Maya stare at me in disbelief because I haven't told them about this. They're waiting for me.

"Heaven," I finally say, feeling another blush attacking my cheeks.

This time, the girls let out a loud 'Aw'.

"It's my name spelled backward," I add weakly.

"That's adorable." Nicole giggles. "What do you call him then?" Curiosity is laced in her voice.

I bite my bottom lip, staring at them as I wonder about the next sentence I'm going to utter.

"Uh-- I don't have a sweet nickname for him," I say truthfully.

Their shoulders sag in disappointment, but then I add, "I do call him something else, but it's more like a joke." I chuckle.

I don't know whether the magic word can be considered a nickname or not.

Leah claps her hand. "Well, that still counts as a nickname."

I shake my head, biting my smile. "I don't think so. It's more like me teasing him."

"Come on, tell us," Charlotte urges with so much excitement.

They're waiting for me to spill it with so much curiosity on their faces that I can't help but chuckle again.

"Daddy. That's what I call him sometimes." I almost laugh, thinking how silly it is.

To my surprise, that one word makes everyone at the table gawk at me. They all stare at me in shock while their mouths drop open into an O shape.

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