CHAPTER 11

"Notice me, Pat," Alvin implored, his voice laced with a mix of frustration and longing as they walked back to their next class. The bustling corridors of the university were alive with chatter and laughter, but Alvin's voice seemed to cut through the noise, reaching Patricia with a sense of urgency.

"Why are you so annoying? You can see I'm reading," Patricia replied, throwing him an irritated glance that could cut through steel. She could feel her patience wearing thin, her grip tightening on the paperback novel she held. The vibrant cover of the romance novel stood out against her pale hands, a stark contrast to the mundane textbooks they carried.

Alvin sighed softly, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Who else can I ask for help?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of desperation. His round brown eyes, framed by long, thick eyelashes, pleaded with her, creating a stark contrast against the fluorescent lights of the hallway.

"There's a time for that, Alvin. We can talk about it