F O U R

[Lance Gabriel Lawson's Point-of-View]

Breathe Lance. Inhale, Exhale. Just like that. Just repeat the process. Just repeat until this day ends. Just remain calm.

"Please go away." I really can't stay calm. Why? Because of the girl beside me.

"Hm? But I know that we should always be together. Just like other couples do." She said as she smiled sweetly at me. Gosh! I hate this girl already.

"You found your match."

"What?" I glared at Tom and Andrew. They just shrugged.

"Will this day get any better?" I sarcastically asked. I took a seat at the cafeteria. I heard Andrew and his girl friend along with Tom chuckling. And the girl beside me? Well… she seems to be busy filming her own lollipop commercial. And I just noticed it today; her hair color is vibrant red.

Why is it like this? I can't help but compliment how red hair suits her figure. And yes, I won't deny the fact that she's beautiful – like a goddess. And another yes, she's quite tall (but I'm still taller than her). But duh, the hell I care. But not to the girl beside me – but to the people surrounding us.

Though they aren't speaking or talking at all – it's really OBVIOUS that they are attracted to the red-haired girl beside me and also Andrew's girl friend. Fine, they're HELLA good looking goddesses.

"Can you stop that?" I asked the red-haired girl.

"What that?" oh? Is she in a bad mood right now? She seems to be fine and sweet a while ago. She popped out the lollipop and licked her lips. And I swear I heard reactions from the people surrounding us.

"Making a lollipop commercial?" I gave her a poker face.

What's actually interesting is that she's too oblivious of what's happening around us. Like, she doesn't care. It's as if she's used to this kind of situation. I can't blame her though. Basing from her 'job' – this type of situation is pretty normal, being surrounded by her fan boys while she's filming her own commercial.

"Is Candice your real name?" I asked out of the blue.

"Pft!"

I looked at Andrew's girl friend. She almost bursted laughing while drinking her juice. I took a glance at Candice and oh?! She glared at Nikki. So, she knows how to glare? I thought she's a typical woman who seems to be sweet all the time.

"Ah! So your name isn't really Candice?"

"Didn't you read the contract?" she gave a cold answer and my jaw dropped. She rolled her eyes at me!

"Pft!" I went to look at Andrew and Tom. Seriously?

"Sorry bro. But she's a great match for you. Ha ha!" But I won't deny, she still looked awfully… hot? Despite the attitude – damn! I wish everyone could be like that; being able to look great despite the attitude.

"Well no. Should I?" I'm not even interested at her as a GIRLFRIEND so hell I care about the contract. I just ignored her. I also rolled my eyes – heavenward. "People now days. Tch."

Suddenly, a nick name bobbed inside my head. Candy? It seems to be a good nick name for her.

"Anyways, Candy – why are you here?" I asked her only to receive a glare. What?

I saw Nikki laughing at Candy and Candy seems to be angry. Ah – is it the nick name?

"They're going to study here – with us." I stopped midway.

"How and why?" I know it's really obvious how but why? My brain can't seem to process anything right now. I know we'll be dating – ugh – just imagining it makes me sick – but they're going study here because of us?

"Have you read the contract?" Tom asked. I shook my head. I heard Candy scoff.

"There are qualifications, specifications, limits – what you like and don't and some of that stuff." Candy cuts in as she easily rolls the lollipop in her mouth. Okay?

"Here take a look." Andrew gave his copy of what seems to be application forms.

I wrinkle my forehead. The papers states Nikki's personal, inborn, physical and mental characteristics. *'No other adjustments or changes can be made. But you can make some additional qualities you expect for your girl friend to be applied throughout your relationship.'* In bold face.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes – again, very UNBELIEVABLE. I scanned my eyes around the documents I'm holding. There are 'Services Offered' like – if you want simple or a fashionable type, sports or musically inclined, smart or just average and – WHAT? Even sex?

"You're not virgin anymore?" I blurted out unexpectedly. I glanced at the people surrounding us with the same shock expression like mine. Hey! I was shocked! Jeez.

"As if it matters." Candice said like it's nothing. Virgin or not? Does it matter? As if I'll let her eat me – never mind. (I should probably shut up.) But it bugs me! So if they have such services offered then, there's a possibility that they're hired because of sexual intercourse? Dang it! ERASE. DELETE. Why do I even think of such thing?

"We can decline the offer." I heard Nikki say. "And besides, it's up to us if we accept it or not. Like me, if you see a check mark of what you are referring to, you already know what it means. *winks*"

I looked at Candy. She's just playing with the stick of the lollipop. Thank goodness, the lollipop was gone. I can now fully concentrate. It's really disturbing, you know? I continued reading the contract. I saw what Nikki meant. There's a note saying that if the chosen girl friend can back-out or decline the offer. The customer can also decline and will not continue its transaction if the chosen girl friend declines or if insisting, the customer can choose another from the list.

Hmmm… sounds fair enough.

I also saw the answer about my question earlier. There are conditions given by the company in terms of school. The girl friend can adjust if the customer wants her to be in the same school or not. The company will handle the expenses or the customer will if willing and etc.

"Wait – you accept, you know – Homo relationships?" Ouch! I got kicked by Tom under the table. Nikki laughed. "Yes, we accept."

"How? Have you been in a relationship with a lesbian?" I asked Nikki. I suddenly looked at Candy. She chuckled. So, she finds my question funny?

"Like I said, we can decline the offer." I nodded. "So no, never been."

"Oh, how 'bout you?" I asked Candy this time. Our eyes met. She's serious and so am I. I saw her lips curve. A smirk appeared. "Why do you have so many questions?"

"Why? Is it bad?" I raised a brow. "Look Candy – the question is answerable by 'yes or no'." she shook her head. "No, I always back-out. Even the bid is high – never would I. Happy now?"

"Like I said, yes or no." she rolled her eyes and I did too. This girl really knows how to make me angry. At first, she's all smiles and sweet (like her name) but now she's cold. I wondered what Tom has written in the application form? And why did he choose this girl? But in the matter of fact – she's really a scene stealer. Her red hair is the number one reason.

She suddenly stood up and to my surprise, she grabbed my bag. "What?" I looked at her with my bag being carried away.

"Come on, you still have classes." She said before scurrying away with my bag. I bid good bye to Tom and Andrew along with Nikki. But wait – isn't that supposes to be me? The one bringing Candy's bag? Never mind.

"Give me my bag and go to your class as well." I said but she continued to walk ahead. Stubborn.

Tom and Andrew have their own schedule and so does Nikki. Speaking of schedule – "Wait, how you knew my schedule?"

"I have a copy." Oh? Is she still angry?

Almost everyone that passed by us stopped and stare at Candy. I know she's beautiful but they're so obvious. But again, the hell I care. I shrugged and let my thoughts flow. I don't like her and for sure she doesn't too. I don't need to know her either. Should I just go with the flow? My best friend paid for this and Candy's just doing her job as my well… girl friend. How about Casual treatment? I could go with that!

But suddenly, I was startled. I immediately looked at her. I was just thinking of doing a casual treatment but this? I looked down and there's the reason why I'm startled;

Our hands are intertwined.