1 Chapter 1

"Shit!" that is all I can say after dropping my keys. I am fumbling like forever trying to find the right key to fit in my dorm room. I'm now regretting the early effects of being drunk. Why did I ever lost count with the shots? That must be the fault of the DJ for I lost count after dancing.

It is an hour past midnight and it's good that I was able to sneak past the guard of the dormitory. It's my last year in school and I'm more than stupid if I ever get kicked because of the curfew. Who would have thought we'd be out this late? I only planned to take a shot or two and go home before ten. It really must be the DJ's fault. Haha!

I wake up with this reeling headache and the memories of the night. It was awesome and I really had so much fun. Thing is, I got to get rid of this headache soon or I'm sure to be very grumpy in class.

I look at the clock on my bedside table and "Fuck I'm late!" I don't know if I already have my notes in my bag but I have to be in class. We have a recitation and I haven't read anything yet!

It was a consolation that the grounds are fairly relaxed. I walk-run-walk and smile, trying to look okay at a few people I know. It's a five-minute walk before I reach the building and my class is still in the fourth floor. I really hope I'm still not out of breath by the time I reach Literature.

It is sunny and breezy, all in all, it is a very nice day and I'm the only thing stopping the day from being perfect. I haven't combed my hair and just grabbed a cap hanging behind my dorm room to look decent. I still have my jeans and my hanging blouse on from last night, but I hope no one will notice. I can almost see the entrance of the building swarming with students so I run and jog to it. I know I'm a little late when BAM! My cap is flying and I am falling to the grass.

"Sorry! Oh!" I hear somebody say when I try to stand and see this girl running to get my cap. What an asshole. Did she not see me? Ouch my butt hurts! I am able to stand slowly and painfully. It's a matter of how fast I can run the stairs when my butt really hurts like hell.

"I'm sorry, I was looking the other way. Here's your cap." This girl says to me while handing me my cap. She turns around and leaves.

That's it? Just sorry? Argh!!! "Now I'm late!" I whine and get her attention.

She turns back to me, all smirks mouthing "Sorry" again. Then she walks away again. I am left hurt and annoyed. I try to stand and whine with the effort.

Another concerned student comes up to pull me up. I thank her after and try to walk, hoping there are no broken bones or what. Now I can have an excuse from being late.

I peek through the glass on the door of Ms. Holton's class and knock. Ms. Holton opens immediately with a reprimanding look. Here we go again.

"And what is your excuse today young lady?" she says with a tone like she's asking a nine-year-old kid instead of a twenty-one-year-old lady.

"I'm really sorry but some girl ran into me and I fell on my back. I had a hard time climbing the stairs because my back is really hurting." I pause and croak trying to sound convincing for my back still hurts a lot. I even try to look convincing which is also not that hard for it feels like my hip bone was dislocated. Good thing she opens the door widely so I can walk in. I limp to my seat and before I can even sit, she asks me.

"What can you say about modern literature Ms. Valentine?" Great. I'm just in time for the recitation.

"Lana!" I hear Tia calls me when I'm about to turn into the cafeteria. I go in and sit by the table beside the glass window overlooking the grounds. As expected, she sits across from me. She is a red haired wildling. She's very much like the character from the animation 'Brave'. That is, if she will come to life. Apart from her, I am a brunette. My not so managed hair falls flat and plain to my back the same length as hers. Hers always looks like it's on fire and embers are flying everywhere, but I'm not complaining. It's a wonder how can somebody be so prefect while I'm just standard? She has all the volume in the world while mine is just limp as a dried vegetable. It's really unfair. Oh well, not complaining.

"Jake has invited me to dinner! Can you believe it? After he broke up with me, he's asking me again. Why do you think so? Do you think he has come to his senses?" I stare at her like an idiot as she rants. She was asking me and assuming at the same time.

Jake, alright, I understand why she's attracted to the guy. He's your typical popular guy in school who is full of himself and surrounds himself with all the pretty girls he can get. Aside from physically, I wonder what else she sees in him. Yeah, he must be handsome, but is that all you ask for in a guy? I am asking again questions I have no right asking being somebody who hasn't been into any romantic relationship.

I look her over and shake my head. I don't think there's hope in her after all. "Why do you think so?" I ask her back in a not so subtle way. It's time for me to start being honest if that means I have to be snarky about 'Jake issues' with her. "Haven't you heard that Lea dumped him? He's now completely looking for a trophy replacement. All arrows are pointing your way but you are still unaware. I am asking myself why you are so excited to take him back and be that temporary replacement." I say sarcastically. This Jake thing has gone too far. Tia had been constantly drinking every night because she's still mending over the fact that Jake dumped him when Lea offered him some company. I dragged myself into clubs nowadays since I can't let Tia go alone, drowning in misery over this guy who thinks himself as God.

Tia looks at me perplexed and dumb-founded, not expecting those words from my mouth. "Why wouldn't I be? We had been together for some months and we had not been together for a week now. I'm sure he changed his mind and saw me for the woman that I am! Don't you think?" she reasons, fluffing her curly hair. She might pass the look for an angel but nobody knows that she's wilder than her hair.

"I beg to disagree Tia. That guy has been cheating on you behind your back and you won't ever listen. He can't accept the fact that he's been dumped by Lea and he's left with nothing. Can't you see he needs to have that somebody, so he looks for the most eager and the most willing and that's nobody else but you! I don't know how many times I have to tell you this. You are beautiful. There are a lot of guys out there who's waiting for their chance to be with you. Give them some time. You are better than this." She is not happy that I am reprimanding her but I give her credit since she seems to be weighing the facts I laid out for her. I'm tired of giving her false hopes. Since Jake broke up with her, I tried to be the honest best friend and make her see reason. I'm not letting her fall for that creep again. Her face turns from angry, to disappointed, to sad and then sullen.

"I know it's hard." I reach for her hand over the table and gave it a squeeze. "but I think it's time to let go, find someone new who would appreciate you and not just use you like a trophy. You are pretty and you deserve much better than him. I'm here. We are sisters, remember? I won't leave till you find that somebody. Trust me." I convince her and after some time, she agrees and is nodding brokenly.

"Thank you. I'm really confused right now. I can't promise you that I won't be speaking with him anymore but I will really try. I really hope I'm still likeable like what you're saying." She says ruefully as if Jake is the only guy left in the planet. I don't disagree but I am relieved somehow that she will be trying.

I then turn to the students having lunch in the cafeteria, awkward that we might be catching some attention with all the drama. I don't like the limelight especially when I'm with Tia. I don't want them to compare too much the contrast between us. Or maybe I don't like being compared to her and end up looking like shit because of my plainness. I then catch a set of eyes two tables away. That girl. And automatically, I felt like my back is breaking again remembering my fall earlier because of her. She has ice cream on her hand while she looks this way. I'm not sure if she's looking at me or Tia. She has her glasses on which is tinted silver that makes it's unclear who she's looking at. She has a smirk on her lips though, while enjoying her dessert. Her silky hair falls carelessly beyond her shoulders. She then licks on her dessert while her attention's on us. I suddenly feel conscious and averted my gaze. Tia suddenly stands and leaves her bag on the table, catching me off guard in the process.

"I'm really hungry, aren't we getting something to eat? I smell corn. Hmm." I squirm as she walks away aiming for the food. I am left alone on the table and I can't help but steal a glance at the girl and she is still looking here. If she's looking outside or if she's looking at me, I am not sure. I try to slump back and pretend to rummage inside my bag and steal more glances. She shakes her head, her brunette head and smirks again into her food. How can somebody smirk for so many times and not get tired of it? What is she even smirking at? I look outside to see what can be worth some attention and find nothing. It's just plain grass and some trees out there. Is she laughing at me? Huh!

"Why haven't you gotten some food? They have nice pasta today. You ought to eat." Tia says over mouthfuls of buttered corn, startling me. My stomach growls at the suggestion so I clumsily stand and walk over to the line of students getting some food.

I quickly peek at her and grab the nearest option for food without letting the girl out of my sight. I see that she gets her bag, stands and turns to me. I pretend to choose other fruits to put on my tray. I am supposed to get some bananas when I hear somebody whisper near me.

"Why not try some peanuts instead baby?" I am stunned that I turn and see her smirking again like she knows something that I don't. Then she turns and leaves. Not knowing why, but I feel my face warm up and redden. My heart drums faster as I hold my breath. I inhale and try to shake away the tingling in my veins.

What did she just say to me? Is that even proper? Is she teasing me? What the? I finish scooping some corn and walk back to our table. Tia is done eating and is just leafing through her notes. Typically, we study in the cafeteria while we eat but I assure you that we are not nerds. I am not a nerd. Maybe she is a little bookish, but we are not nerds definitely. People may have a different impression on us for reading so much. We even got bullied in our junior years but eventually, they got tired and grew up.

I still have the confusion on what just happened in the line. Did she flirt with me? Is that how it goes? I realize my brows are tangled together and Tia is eyeing me curiously.

"What's the matter Lana?" she asks. I shrug. I don't know how to ask or what to ask when you thought if somebody flirted with you. Maybe another time. Maybe I misinterpreted her. Maybe peanuts are good for body ache? I'm not even sure. Tia goes back to reading. I am back to thinking about that girl. I haven't seen her around in my years of existence in college. I wonder what she does and if she's part of the student body.