5

SUMMER'S POV

This must be a dream, and I need to wake up from it now.

"George, can you tap me?" I asked, still fixing my eyes on the pasted list.

"You've found you name?" He asked instead and check it out again. "Congratulations, girl! You are singing. That like everyone music student's dreams." He squealed.

"I'm fucking paired with Kingsley Roberts." I screamed. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at me.

"Sorry!" George apologized and dragged me into the class.

"Is being paired with someone a bad thing for you?" He asked me, as we both sat down. "It is meant to ease your workload. You know most of the Orientation showcase are solo. You should be happy." He scolded me.

"I would be happy if it was someone else. But it is the guy from the club." I whispered.

"What?!" He screamed. "You mean the one who saved you from those psychos in the club?" He whispered.

"He sure did save me and now wants to ruin me." I slowly said.

"This is bad. Really bad!" George sighed.

I was so deeply trapped in my own spiraling thoughts that I completely missed the sound of the classroom door clicking open.

"I heard we're opening the Orientation showcase together," a voice murmured.

I jumped. It was a rich, attractive baritone. Kingsley stood there, looking entirely casual and innocent, like I hadn't just lashed out at him some minutes ago.

"Yeah. Looks like we are," I replied, forcing my voice to sound completely cold and nonchalant.

A flicker of genuine frustration crossed his face, replacing his easygoing demeanor. "Why do you hate me so much? The last time I checked, I’m not your enemy."

"Think about it," I snapped. I grabbed George’s hand, cutting right past Kingsley, and stormed out into the corridor.

"That's was him, right?" George asked as he glanced back into the class.

"Yes, that's him." I said. "I will have to go the professor office. I can't sing with him." I stormed away going directly to the professor's office.

"Girl! Wait up!" George screamed from my behind and ran after me. I finally arrived at the Professor's office. George was panting like a dog from the race. "Girl! That wasn't funny." He held my shoulders, catching his breathe. I knocked gently and I heard a hoarse voice, "Come in!"

We entered the office. On the table had the professor's name; Professor Finerty. He was the one in charge of the Orientation program.

"Summer, it been a long while?" He said surprised to see me.

"Good afternoon sir," I greeted him politely.

"How may I help you?" He asked glancing through the files on his desk.

"It is about the Orientation showcase list." I said.

"What happened to it?" He finally looked at me.

"I am to open the Orientation showcase. But not only me. I am paired with someone. I would like to suggest a new partner, someone like George." I pushed him forward. He stared at me, like I was some maniac. But at the point I cared less. Anything for my quiet college year, I'll go for it.

"Is there a problem with the person paired with you?" My Professor asked me.

"Ehm.. Not at all, sir."

"Then meet with your partner and practice together. You are dismissed."  He said and went back to checking out the files.

I just froze. George grabbed my hands and was about to drag out.

"Do you know who the person is?" My Professor asked me again.

"Not at all!" I lied.

"Call me Kinsley Roberts." He said into the intercom. Few minutes later, Kingsley arrived with his friend.

"You called for me, sir." He said as he entered office.

"Yes Kingsley. Have you met your partner. She says she hasn't met you." The Professor said.

Kingsley slowly turned to me and stared at me. The stare was so intense. "We've met today, during our first lecture." He said.

What the actual heck? Is he high on something?

"Perfect! Since you've met each other. I don't see a reason for a new partner, right Summer?" My Professor stared at me too.

"She wants a new partner.?" Kingsley asked, finally losing his gaze from me.

"Yes! Do you consent to it?" Professor Finerty asked.

"I don't mind being her partner." He smiled at the Professor and smirked at me.

"Great! That settles it. Both of you are to prepare for the showcase. Choose a song between each other." He said. "And also, since Kingsley is a new student, Summer you will help him out till he gets settled. No more excuses." He immediately shut me up, before I could even speak.

"George and Felix, too you are to help out. The Orientation is in 2 weeks. Know that. You are all dismissed." He concluded.

"Thank you sir." I slowly dragged myself out of the office. The rest followed behind.

"Once we were out, George caught up to me. "Summer, look, I know this is stressful for you. But just give it a shot. Who knows? He might actually turn out to be your knight in shining armor." He offered a encouraging smile, then turned to Kingsley, extending a hand. "I'm George, by the way."

"Kingsley," he replied, shaking it.

"Take care of my friend," George said, giving Kingsley a knowing look. "I’ll leave you two to talk things out." Without another word, he grabbed Felix by the jacket and started hauling him away.

"Why am I being dragged?!" Felix yelled, stumbling over his own feet.

"I'm Felix. This nuthead friend. You looking so stunning, girl!" I heard his friend scream.

I stood entirely still, the silence stretching between Kingsley and me. "This isn't over," I said bitterly, spinning around to walk away.

"Summer, wait." His hand caught my wrist again, stopping me in my tracks. I slowly turned back to face him, my chest heaving.

"I seriously don't get it," he said, his voice laced with genuine confusion. "Why do you hate me so much?"

"You really want to know why I hate you?" I demanded, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "I hate you because you know me. I hate you because you’ve seen me at my absolute lowest. I hate you because you hold the secrets I am trying so desperately to bury. I hate you because I'm terrified you're going to expose me. And I hate you because you are so frickin' handsome! Why does someone like you have to know someone like me?"

I was completely out of breath. Kingsley just stood there, completely stunned by my outburst.

"Summer, I would never do that to you," he said softly, stepping closer. The tension in his shoulders seemed to melt away. "I would never expose your secrets. And for the record, you are frickin' beautiful. Forget about whatever happened at the club. I was only there for a stupid reason anyway. Your secret is my secret."

Before I could process his words, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a warm, protective hug. "I really I want things to work out between us."

Holy shit! My heart raced a million times. Maybe I  could trust him. My thoughts were divided; one wanted to be the iron lady and push him away from my business, and one also wanted to stay in his arms forever. Remembering how he saved me, I couldn't help but blush.

Till I heard that voice, "Dark Bird!" It was cold and it brought chills down my spine. I just froze.