02

OLIVIA

"What does he smell like? What does his touch feel like? " Ashley's high-pitched voice echoes in my ear. "You guys were standing so close, what on earth did you see in his eyes?"

I let out a sharp breath, covering my ears with my hands. I am already tired of the questions she was asking.

Aiden's scent? The feel of his touch? Why the hell should I know all that? And, why do I have such a crazy friend? I am not even crazy. How do I end up with a friend like that, and the only friend I have in school at that?

Ashley's eyes widened. "Aiden said something to you. His voice made you wet, right? I wish it was me," She mumbled, picking her words one after the other.

I shake my head, giving her a deadly glare. I somehow find myself thinking about his voice. His voice is husky, but when he spoke to me, his voice was low and gentle. His voice is enticing too.

I want to hear him whisper in my ear, or read my favorite books in my ear while his hand is between my thighs.

What the hell am I thinking? Fuck Ashley! Fuck her for planting those silly thoughts in my head.

Ashley leans against me, resting her head on my shoulder. "I have never wanted to be you so badly," She pauses.

"I mean you have such a boring life, just reading books all the time. But when I saw you this morning, I wanted to be you. I was jealous of you," Ashley adds.

I lift my shoulder in a half shrug, making her lift her head from my shoulder. "You know the person you are talking about is my sister's best friend," I point out.

Ashley rolls her eyes at me."You don't have to pretend you don't have fantasies about your sister's best friend," She shoots back.

"I don't," I lie.

I would never dare to tell anyone about the thoughts I had about Aiden just now.

He's off limits. It would be wrong. Forbidden. Taboo.

I should not be having those thoughts about him. I have to shake them off, and forget about them.

"You don't dream of having a hot makeout session with your sister's best friend," Ashley whispers in my ear.

My eyes dart around the lecture hall. I heave a sigh of relief. No one is paying us any attention.

Thank goodness, I don't want anyone to overhear this conversation, especially not the part about Aiden.

"Just stop talking, okay?" I snap at my friend.

I don't even know why I suddenly become irritated. Is it because of her teasing or because of the forbidden thoughts her teasing stirred up?

"So, you don't dream of Aiden going down on you," Ashley says.

I close my eyes for a few seconds, trying to maintain my composure.

"I am warning you, if you don't stop talking about this, I am going to get up and leave this seat," I threaten, my voice shaking slightly.

Ashley laughs. "Chill. I am just kidding around,"

My brows furrow. "You keep saying shits. You're crazy," I comment.

"You stay friends with me even though you know how crazy I can be,"

"That is because I don't have the energy to make new friends,"

"Plus you are madly in love with me," Ashley adds, smiling from ear to ear.

Ashley is my only friend at Elite University, and perhaps the only true friend I've ever had in my life. When I was new to the school, Ashley was a lifesaver. She helped me with the registration process and showed me around the campus even though she was a freshman too. My sister who's a sophomore would not help me.

I lean back in my chair as the lecturer enters the lecture hall, finally bringing the start of the day.

****

My lectures are over, and I should head home, but Ashley has other plans. My stomach has been growling all morning long, and she insists we grab some lunch. I have not eaten anything since breakfast, so I'm happy to join her. We walk to the popular restaurant on campus.

"Don't you think there are hotter guys than girls in this school," Ashley whispers to me, peering around the cafeteria like a detective.

I sigh. Here we go again with the talks about boys. She won't let me have my lunch in peace now.

"I don't spend my time rating the hotness of the people in this school like you do," I mumble, taking a bite of my pancake.

"It is more fun to watch hot people than to crush on anime characters," She shoots back.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night," I retort, pouting slightly.

Ashley clears her throat and starts. "Anyway, there is a party – "

"Don't bother telling me. You know I am not interested in attending any boring parties," I cut her off.

She scowls. "You are attending this party whether you like it or not,"

"You can't make me," I reply, lifting my shoulder in a half shrug.

"Perhaps, Nathan could," Ashley blurts out, looking away from me.

I turn to the back, and see a familiar figure walking towards us. I feel butterflies in my stomach as our eyes meet, and he smiles, exposing his dimples.

Nathan. He's a freshman, just like us. I have been crushing on him since the beginning of the semester.

What's there not to crush on about him? He's handsome, he likes books and he is nice to me.

Nathan walks over to our table with a smile still plastered on his face.

"Just finished lunch. I was about to leave when I spotted your hair, Olivia," He says.

I can't help but smile back at him.

"I know far more than you think," Aiden's words flash in my memory.

What else does he know about me, and how does he know it?

Ashley taps on my shoulder, jolting me out of my thoughts.

"Nathan's asking you a question," She says.

I blink, then turn to Nathan mumbling. "Yes?"

"I just wanted to know if you would like a ride home," Nathan mutters. "Ashley mentioned your car broke down."

I feel my cheeks go warm, and I avert my gaze from his gaze. Why does my heart race at the thought of being alone with Nathan in his car?

This should be a dream come true. We can talk about our favorite books. We can even be silent, while I steal glances at his ocean blue eyes.

"I already have a ride," I hear myself saying.