6

I turn to see who was talking to me, it was Rio from finance, we hung out a lot during my first year. but we kind of grew apart as time went buy. I use to have a little crush on him until it was just went away as we grew apart.

"Hey there, how you doing" I respond with smile, and walk to him.

He grins and walk to me with his hands open. I roll my eyes at him and allow him to hug me. His familiar scent hit me and i rest my head on his shoulder.

We stay like at for a second and pull away from each other.

"where have you been all this time" I asked him.

" I took a break from college for some time" He responses, he shoves his hands into his pockets and took a deep breath. " personal reason, I was off for a year, but I'm back now, missed me?"

" you wish" I laugh " Well i hope everything is good now?"

"Eh, better" he smiles. " We should hang out one of theses days, what do you think?" he suggests

My smile fades away " i would love to Eli, but my schedule is quite tight right now, oh and my birthday is coming soon, my mom is planning a small party to celebrate it, i have to wrap up so i can make it".

" That's great, I see you're not giving out invites huh?" He smirks.

" ha!, since you insist, you're invited" i laugh "you can come along with us, Me, Elijah and Elle.

"I feel highly honored your highness" he jokes

"It's the least I can do for my favourite peasant" I curtsied and raise my imaginary dress.

We laughed together.

"You heading out?" I ask

"Yeah, have to get to class now " he answers " would love to hangout but your schedule is so tight eh?"

"Yeah, don't get me wrong I just wanna be done with it as soon as I can" I give him a small smile.

"I know" he gives me a charming smile.

"I can give you a ride home if you need one later today if you want?, just like old times" I offer

"Would love that" he beams

We walk all the way to the car park, I was texting to Elle to know about her plans to get home, she's staying longer as she wants to sort other things too, and would be riding with Elijah's planned . I smile to myself, I know he isn't letting her go anytime soon especially after what happened. He still doesn't know about what Liam did. If Elle doesn't tell him sooner, then I surely will, that asshole deserves more haters, well Elijah is one already, but I love giving even more reasons.

I look at Rio who is already looking at me as I'm smiling at myself like a newly turned crazy person.

I brush his weird expression off and tell him to get in the car.

"Same address as before?" I ask

"Yeah, it's my family's" he smiles as he enters the car

"So have you found a guy yet" Rio smiles at me

"Ha!" I laugh

He smiles at me and kept silent.

The ride continues silent and I turn on my car radio to ease the awkwardness.

"Mm Lana fan now" he smiles at me

"Always have been" I smile back at him

" kerosene in my hands

You make me mad

On fire again" I sing along

He looks at me and smiles again

I smile back at him

I stop singing for a while to avoid saying the next words.

I decide not to sing along anymore to avoid any confusion.

I smile at myself at my stupid choice of song at this moment

I look over to him and he's looking at me already

I look back at the road

"You changed since I last saw you"

I keep my eyes on the road "how so?"

"You're even.." he pauses " more beautiful now" he lets out a breathy laugh.

I genuinely smile at his compliment. I feel my face getting hot.

I laugh out

Stupid girl

"Thanks" I say, really? that's the most important I can do?

We're almost approaching his apartment.

I haven't passed through this route since I stopped dropping him off

It's close to my apartment but I would usually take a different route every other day.

"You still live at same apartment as before?" He asks

"Yes, but I'm at my brother's now for some time"

" I thought he finished since first year" he asks.

"Yes but it's his house so I get to use it sometimes" I smile at him.

"Oh yeah, almost forgot you're from a rich family" he lets out a small laugh.

My smile slowly fades away.

"No offense" he responds quickly after.

I look at him with a smile.

He looks a bit concerned about my reaction.

"Pfft, don't panic I'm not upset" I try to park as I'm right outside his apartment already.

The car stops and I look at him.

He's still looking at me, his face lights up when I smile at him.

"Thanks, for the ride" he says

"You're welcome" I respond

He adjusts his sling bag and takes a deep breath like he wants to say something but stops.

He smiles again and opens the door, he steps out and waves at me

I wave back at him with a smile and begin to drive off.

it took only about seven more minutes to get to Kaden's apartment

I get out of my car and grab my things from the back seat.

After I closed the door, I couldn't help but glance at Theo's house

it seemed like he wasn't home, the black car usually parked in front of the house wasn't there. just as I was about to walk to my front door I see the black car pulling up.

my heart skips a beat. I contemplate if I should stand here and wait for him to step out so I can get a glance at him.

I decide to pretend I was still taking my things at the back of my car so I can catch up with him

He makes it in no time as he's basically speeding, he parks his car in front of his driveway and steps out of the car.

I straighten myself out of breath

my body tingling with sensations as I watch him close his door.

First thing he looks at is my apartment and immediately our eyes meet.

I take a deep breath. my stomach drops and erupts with butterflies when he waves at me with a smile.

before I could respond, he turns away and walks inside his house.

My smile drops and a wave of sadness and anger swoops me

arrogant asshole

why am I affected by his micro actions, I don't even know the guy

I would like to tho

I don't know why but I have the urge to want to know him better, I would like to be his friend.

does he have friends, how long ago did he move here, does he have any girlfriend

what's wrong with me?!

In all honesty tho, how do I get to have an actual conversation with him

I frown and finally walk inside.

I should be done with my project today at most, so I can have the whole tomorrow to pack after my lectures.

I walk to my room and change to my comfy clothes.

For the next two and half out, I focus on finishing up my project. which I finally finished.

finally

this is the last thing I have to do here in college,

I'm more or less officially done with college now.

4 years of my life, which I am very much grateful for, 4 years of freedom away from my mom and her problems. And now she's about to ship me off for marriage.

My phone bings, its Rio.

" I'm outside"

What?

I rushed to my front door, and there he is. Rio, standing with a bag

He holds it up and opens it to show me its content. its filled with crunches, ice cream, gummies and drinks.

He still remembers my obsession for gummies, I roll my eyes with a smile and open the door wider for him to come in.

He grins and walks in.

Just as I'm about to close the door I feel someone staring at me, immediately I glance at Theo's house and he's standing just outside his door with his hands folded, his face in a deep frown and he is glaring at me.

My heart drops.