Dragged.

My phone slipped.

But thankfully I was flexible enough to reach it before it hit the floor. I put it inside my pocket and packed my stuff needed for war, I mean school today. Then, I zipped my bag to put it on.

Today's Friday and also our Title Defense day. It was just like yesterday when we gathered at a coffee shop to finish our parts and now- boom! We're defending it because our lives do depend on it.

With my laptop on my left arm, I grabbed my wallet. The mirror was standing next to me so I checked myself out, and damn I looked astounding. Models must've been grateful I chose to be a student- not that I have other choices though.

I was about to go out when my eye caught the brown vintage box under my bed. How many years have gone by? I sighed.

It gave me second thoughts for a while, but I have decided to shrug it off. It's not good to open a supposed-to-be healing wound. With that in mind, I fled from my condo unit and waited at the lobby for Ali to come to pick me up.

His house is the farthest but since our units are just along the way, he would always pick us up.

*Beep! Beep!

Speaking of the devil himself.

As I sat in the front seat, I noticed that there were only two people: Simone and Ali, which is already a given.

"Where's August?" I asked scanning the backseat as if he would pop up anytime. I dramatically gasped and held my chest, "You ditched him?!"

They were about to answer before I added, "I mean you did great. Not that I wanted him here." And with that, the two of them laughed.

While we're on our way, Simone spoke, "He miraculously brought a car today and told us to go first." He said that while putting emphasis on the second word.

"Ooh, the world is really changing." I shook my head.

The car went silent not until Ali broke it, "Isn't that your leader in research?" I averted my gaze to where he was looking and nodded to confirm it to him.

"This is where I go guys. See you in the club room later!" I got out of the car and chased Nizha.

"Nizha!"

"Ami!" She waved at me when she saw me running. "Why are you in a rush?"

"Let's go together. I'm scared." I acted one and even shivered. She giggled at what I said and held my arm.

Our group mates were already sitting on the right corner with one word to describe their faces: fear.

"Nizha." They called the lady beside me as soon as they saw her.

"What's with the look guys?" She asked while putting her things down.

"Mr. Martinez announced the order of presenters earlier." he sighed before adding, "We're going first."

The horror in our faces is visible. I never liked this subject.

"I think I'll puke later." Xelo added.

Nizha clapped twice to get our attention. "Guys, you don't have to be scared."

We were about to answer when she added, "You did your parts right?" We nodded in response. "Then did you read the manuscript?" We did it again. "Okay. One last crucial question, have you understood what you read?"

The question repeated like a broken disc in my mind until we nodded to answer her question.

She never had the chance to talk again when one of our groupmate asked, "But what if we can't answer them?"

"I believe you can. Just answer their questions and don't ask yourself. Questions must be answered, not asked by another one." She smiled and we kind of relaxed with what she said.

We reviewed our manuscript once more before Mr. Martinez knocked on the door and called the first lucky group.

"Oh dear!"

"I'm giving you all the permission to carry me once I pass out."

"I think I know nothing."

Nizha chuckled. "Guys, always know that all of their questions are all in our manuscript. We wrote those and all we needed to do is answer it."

We gathered our hands in the middle with one hand on top of the other and quietly screamed, "Let's go!"

"The panels have decided. Your proposal is approved."

We sighed like one heavy thing just got off our chest. But it's not something to be happy about yet, we need to change minor details and move on to the next step.

I was close to reaching the doorknob when Lander dragged me out of nowhere and ran together with him.

"Aya!"

"What?"

"We have to go." he said as he kept on looking at the back. I was about to do the same but he stopped me. "Don't look back!" He screamed. So as if on cue, I just ran together with him.

He stopped near the cafeteria and looked back once more. "Phew! That was close!"

"What was that?" I put my hands on each of my knees, still gasping for air. I arranged myself and faced him again.

"We ran!"

"Yes I know, and why did we have to run?!" I crossed my arms and tapped my shoes on the floor, getting impatient the longer he won't answer.

"Chill, Aya! It's for exercise." He glanced at the back again.

"Really? But why do you keep on looking back, kid?" I put emphasis on the word 'kid' and furrowed my brows.

"I, I, Okay! I give up." He sighed before putting his hands on his waist. "I was being chased by Miguel and his group because they wanted to be friends with me."

"Don't even trick me, youngster. We all know his group hated your whole existence."

He smiled awkwardly and touched the back of his neck.

"Well I guess, busted?" And he laughed.

"But why did I have to run?!"

"I just saw you and thought it would be fun running with someone." He touched his chin and looked up, probably remembering what happened earlier. "You look funny by the way."

"Whatever Lander. I'm out!"

"Wait! I have a new demo, can you listen to it?" He is holding a blue mp3 player and looked at me with his doe eyes.

Oh dear, not his stupid face.

"Is this the same as the first one?" He quickly shook his head. I nodded and snatched the player from his hold.

I safely put it in my bag and went to the club room. I checked my wristwatch and it's still early. I might as well play some instruments?

Opposite to the direction I'm going, Jay walked out holding his bag in one hand and his other hand in his pocket.

"Where are you going, Jay?"

"I still have classes to attend. Don't you have one, Aya?" He raised his left eyebrow.

"Can't you see my attire? Our class doesn't have classes today." I extend my arms showing off my cool outfit.

"Oh, I thought you're trying a new style. Got to go!" And with that, he ran away from me.

I took my keys and opened the room. I quickly changed into my casual attire because I'm not comfortable with wearing slacks plus heels!

The audio room looked homey so I went inside and fished the guitar from its case. I strummed and closed my eyes.

I don't know how long I played it until one song came into my mind. "And I know it's long gone, and that magic's not here no more. And I might be okay but I'm not fine at all." I reached the pre-chorus of Taylor Swift's All Too Well and a lone tear escaped my left eye.

Yes indeed, I remember it all too well.

I put the guitar back. Then, I carried my bag and locked the door of the club. That was a dramatic scene. I coughed and put the keys back.

I turned back only to find out that August is holding my wrist and we're running.

How many times must I get dragged today?