Keychain

I busted out of the lab as soon as professor dismissed us. I knew Kevin followed, I waited for him in Parking. 

"Are you the reason behind those stupid rumors?!" I  barked angrily standing in the parking lot, as soon as he came. He was still few feet far from me. Few people turned to look at us. 

He paused at his position for few moments then slowly walked towards me. 

"First of all......" Breathing heavily... " how can you walk so fast?" Catching up his breath. " You busted out of the lab so fast. I had to literally run" he said 

I stared angrily at him tapping my leg. 

"NO. What rumors?"- he said after somewhat calming down. 

" Oh come on. You know what I am talking about, spit it out"  

He pursed his lips into a single line. 

"Kavya, I am innocent stop glaring at me like this. "  Its scaring me, I remained silent.  

"Then how come they are asking me about our 'so called date', I made that very clear yesterday that it was a casual hang out and don't assume anything else". I shouted- " who the hell gave you the right to call me your date?" 

" I didn't Kavya, trust me" He said lifting his hands in air as a sign or surrender. 

"Then how come everyone knows, you dumb" ---- I started again but immediately got interrupted. 

"They saw us leaving the college together yesterday. The lounge had seen through glass wall, one of them might have seen us." He said calmly. 

Regret. Regret. Regret. I shouted at him in the parking lot. I buried my face in my palms. Anger was replaced by ' I am so sorry' face. 

"Yeah, this face is better." He said winking at me.  

"I am so sorry" I said with puppy eyes. 

" Don't be, you are new here, get used to it." He said innocently. We looked at each other in silence. 

 "But why did you turned down Ricky? He can be a good friend"  He finally broke the ice. I rolled my eyes. 

"Brooooooooo. I didn't turned anyone down. Ricky and I never talked." I barked again And started walking towards my vehicle. I didn't have any more energy to waste on explaining this.  

I have argued with everyone this whole day, I am not arguing with him. 

He followed. " So, you are saying Ricky didn't asked you out?" 

"No."  I said bluntly. 

I looked at him from the corner of my eyes, his lips curled into a wide smile, ear to ear. He was looking at me intently. 

I struggled finding my vehicle in the huge parking lot.  

"Oye, wait" he said placing his bag on one of the vehicle. 

I turned around and saw him holding a small package. I walked towards him.  

"Crumpled paper?" I said raising my eyebrows. 

" Open it, stupid" he gave me joyful smile. He was excited.  

I looked at his face then to his hand for few times and took  the paper from his hand. Wait a second, why is this paper heavy? 

I scratched the few layers of plain papers.  

A keychain. 

"Welcome to XAVIER'S Kavya" ,he clapped his hands as I observed the keychain. 

"Is this really necessary?" I said placing the keychain in paper. 

 How am I supposed to accept this? I mean we just met once. And I am new here. I don't know what kind of person he really is. May be all this is just stupid boys bet. Or may be he really is kind person. But why would he gift me?  

"Obviously" he said making a puppy face.  

I looked at him than to keychain. I can't accept this but its so cuteeeeeee. I looked at him again. He stood there observing me, he had the knowing look as if he knew what I was thinking.  

"Its just a small little gift from a friend to a friend Kavya. Don't think too much." He assured me. I smiled. 

"Now go on, aren't you already late?" He said 

I was already late for classes. I looked around looking for my vehicle still holding the keychain. 

"This is really pretty, Kevin" I smiled  

"Please pick your bag up, this is my vehicle." I said pointing towards the bag. 

He pick up his bag and started walking out of the parking towards the lab. 

"Aren't you going home?" I asked wearing my helmet. 

"No. I have some business left here" he smiled. 

Is this really a boys bet? I thought again. 

I left. I reached the classes on time.  

At night, I laid on my bed holding the keychain. 

It was really beautiful, a brown puppy placed on a small fluffy ball. I never actually thanked him, I should. 

Knock. knock. 

"Why are you still awake?" Walked in my dad. 

Placing the keychain under my pillow. I looked at him. He was holding a tray. 

"No, stop being bossy. I AM AN ADULT NOW".I spoke raising my chin high .We both laughed. 

He handed me the glass of milkshake. He sat beside me on the bed. 

"Are you enjoying your new college beta? "  

"Yeah. What about your shares, you seemed little tensed yesterday?" 

"Did you made new friends? Be wise this time."  

"Best way to avoid question is to throw another question, right?" I glanced at him. 

We shared a strong bond. I shared most of things with him. Not about the boys. Otherwise everything. 

We talked for an hour about my college , his shares, the new trouble at the court ( he is not a criminal. Advocate he is).After that he left.