" Where you going? Don't you have a lecture at this time?"Lisa questioned me that morning. I had booked my ticket the night before and I was leaving that morning."I'm going out, Lisa. I'll be back in one or two days. Can you help me with the attendance please?"She arched her brows. I didn't want to be absent, yet I'm going to be absent. I only needed her to help fill my name on the attendance register while I was gone, so Jude wouldn't know I had left the school. He's always watching."Where are you heading to this early?""I have something important to deal with at home. Will you help? Please?"She thought for a while. "Since this is your first time asking for this kind of help. I'll do it. Two days max, alright?""Yeah sure, thanks." I hugged her and stormed out. I didn't use my car, scared of being monitored. I was dressed in a black hoodie, black jeans and a slip on... not my usual style. As soon as I got on the plane, I knew how fulfilled I would be, getting hold of that guitar

"Hi."I'd stared too much. He had to repeat himself."Hi"I replied coldly."I'm Henry." He said. "I love your song.""Thanks."I forced a smile. He smiled back and I finally made a decision to keep my sanity. I looked the other way."Do you sing in a band?""No.""Ehm."His eyes darted around for a while. "The concert at Queen Mary's tonight, will you be there?""No."He gave me that "what the hell is she staring at?" kind of look.Unfortunately, bro, I stare at nothing but nothing."What if I invite you?"He said. "Please be there."I had to face him again. "Are you asking me to go with you? Or what?"I felt like I'd said too much. But why am I seeing Damien, not Henry?"Kind of. I'd like you to play for us. Sorry, I didn't mention I'm a member of the school's band."Big turn off. I really do not want to be involved in anything in that school."I'm sorry, but I can't.""Okay. What about you just come and watch the band? Chill off and have fun?"He pastered."You really want me to be there

There was no breathing space for me in my room. My roommates, well, they don't believe me. And I do not care. I found a coffee shop nearby to stay in and probably practice. Since the school field and my room were a no go. It was my first time at the coffee shop that early and it was quite empty. I braced myself and walked in. "Hi pretty. Morning."The young lady at the counter said to me, eyeing my guitar bag. Her brown hair was packed in a dough and she was quite pale. She had an apron on and a strange tag on, with the inscription "I love you, I mean you." Why has she put that on her dress?!"Hi. Black coffee please." I said."Wow."She smiled, picked up a cup and got the coffee. "Still at college?""Yeah.""You play..."She dropped the cup of coffee on the counter. "Let me guess. It looks like a viola or a guitar. Yes, guitar, right?"She has this infectious smile, I had to smile."Yes. Thanks.""Oh wait."She stopped me. "Can you play?""Sure. Will I be allowed to practice here?""Sure

"I hope you haven't been waiting for too long. " I joined Ria and Kim at the table reserved for us. They asked that we have dinner together that night and I was pretty late."Not long enough."Ria said. She called on the waiter to serve us a meal."Champagne? Or beer?"Ria teased."You should get those for yourself. We aren't here to get high, are we?" Kim attacked."Cappuccinos would do. I love them at night." I said."Okay then." She asked the waiter to get us just that."You know, I crack jokes a lot but Kim, she's always serious...""I'm not."Kim chipped."You are,"Ria said. "I've prayed a lot that God, send another partner or I might die under your fierce eyes."That was an exaggeration. I glanced at Kim, she wasn't that much of a "frown" person, or maybe she just hated jokes."You girl, must be high on something. What are you even saying?!"Kim said."Well, I think Kim is not fierce at all."They both glared at me, Kim, with a smile, and Ria, with a "you just met her" look."I have

"Hey Kim," I said. She was at the door at seven in the morning for the housewarming. Her knock had woken us up. "Oh my, let me guess."She walked in, with her usual sense of euphoria. "You guys are just waking up.""Exactly."I laughed. "Damn, you're too early, Ria rushed into the bathroom just now.""Beautiful house!" She exclaimed as she slumped onto the couch. "Hope you have something in your kitchen? I'll make breakfast. It's my off day at work.""A little, yes. Can you make a meal? I don't know."She followed me to the kitchen and searched each cupboard."Go freshen up. I'll make a meal."She smiled while I left. Best girlfriends!*"This is good!" Ria exclaimed after taking a bit of her food. Kim made noodles and egg sauce. I was especially marvelled at how she was able to manage the resources in the kitchen to do that. I loved the food immediately."Majored in culinary after high school."She blushed. "I'm glad you like it.""I do too. You should teach me how to cook one of these d