ALMOST an hour passed and still, there was no sign of help. Luke had already stopped trying to break the door open.Meanwhile, Kace was feeling hopeful that her brother might somehow discover that sheโs not coming home and eventually, heโd look for her. She rested her head on the wall and closed her eyes. Who couldโve locked us up here?Luke stared at her as she sat quietly on the corner with her eyes closed. He wanted to do something but he already tried everything just to break the door. If only the windows didnโt have steel bars, they couldโve just broken them and made their way out. He sighed as he walked towards Kace. She didnโt seem to notice it so he just sat on the floor quietly beside her without saying a thing. Just then, she heard her speak, โLuke, do you thinkโฆ someone really wanted to lock me up here?โShe craned her neck on her right to face him. She couldโve gone insane already if she was the only one inside. But she was still fortunate that this guy beside her came ba
โLUKE, I canโt sleep,โ Kace mumbled, as she turned to him beside her. He has found a Rubikโs cube on the shelf which he had spent his time completing it for almost ten times already. She watched as he attempted to complete it again for the nth time. โWow! How are you doing that?โHe stopped moving the cubes and looked at her. โDo you want me to teach you?โShe nodded.He handed her the cube. โAlright. You just have to follow my instructions okay? First, you have to complete this side before proceeding to the remaining layers. Like this.โ He showed her how to complete one side.She tried to follow him but she was too immersed on his attractive face which she never thought would even exist. How could someone like him be friends with me?โKace, did you get it?โ Luke asked her.She just nodded, though she didnโt really get a thing.โOkay, try to finish this layer.โ The guy handed her back the cube.She stared at it for a moment. โIโฆ canโt do it.โโNo. You have to believe you can do it fir
CHANDLER was confused when he saw Sophie suddenly walking out of the scene. He was about to call out to her but then, he noticed Luke already waking up.โChandler?โ The guy asked him, rubbing his eyes.โWhat happened here?โ Chandler asked back. โWhy are you both here?โโSomeone locked us up.โโWhat???โ Chandler exclaimed. โWho?โLuke shrugged. โWe donโt know.โ Then, he noticed him turning to his side while looking at Kace who was still sleeping with her head on his shoulder.Chandler sighed to himself. If Kris finds out about this, heโs sure that heโll get mad. โIโll take her home now then.โThe other guy didnโt respond. Instead, he turned to him with a questioning look. โYou know where she lives?โThatโs when Chandler realized that he wasnโt supposed to take her home. Luke would know that they knew each other. But then, if he wouldnโt, Kris would seriously beat him up. โThenโฆ do you know where she lives?โLuke nodded. Of course, he knew where she lives after walking her home. And th
STEPHEN was waiting for Kace as he watched her talk with Chandler. Since when did they become this close? It was definitely not just a friendly greeting. They looked so serious in their conversation. When Kace turned around, he quickly averted his gaze and pretended that he was walking back to their building.โStephen?โ He heard Kace calling out to him.He turned his back and saw her approaching. โOhโฆ uh Kace.โโWhy are you still here?โ She asked.โUhโฆ JM let me stay for a few minutes.โKace nodded.โHow about you?โโUhโฆโ She paused. โI wasโฆ I meanโฆ I ran into someone.โโSomeone?โShe nodded. โBut it was nothing. Come on letโs just hurry back.โ She was about to run but he stopped her in the arm.โKaceโฆ Iโฆ wanna ask you something?โShe got alarmed. Could it be that he saw me talking with Chandler? But I could just say that it was for the renovation of the office. She shook her head. โWhatโs that?โโItโs about the party on Friday.โ Stephenโs eyes were fixed on her.She got relieved that
LUKE couldnโt help but think about Sophie ever since he saw her on the streets. He came here to Florida to forget about herโฆ everything about her. He has finally started living normally without her and then, she suddenly showed up. Why now? Why here?He closed his eyes as he sat on the couch in their lounge. He hoped it was just an illusionโฆ that it was just someone who happened to look like her. But then, he was so sure that it was really her. He took a deep breath to clear off his mind for a sec. Just then, he heard the front door open. โOh Luke! Youโre home early?โ Lance asked him, as he slumped on the couch next to him.He didnโt answer. Actually, he didnโt go to school that day. He didnโt want to go out fearing he might see her again. He was not ready if ever heโd come face to face with her.Just then, Lanceโs phone rang. He brought it out from his pocket and was surprised to see the caller ID. โHello, Kace?โ He answered. Luke got startled when he heard the person calling his br
THE next day, Kace was expecting Luke to show up already since she needed LuKa for their activity in Chemistry. But to her dismay, he didnโt show up again. She was really starting to get even more worried. So after their classes that day, she decided to go to their house. Fortunately, Chester and Brandon volunteered to accompany her in going to their house since Nix got some errands to do in their shop.โChief, I donโt really know his exact address so I donโt know how will we get there,โ Chester said.โHey! Then why did you volunteer to come?โ Brandon rolled his eyes at him.โWhy did you?โ Chester asked back.โOf course we couldnโt just let Kace go there alone. Who knows what that punk might do?โ Brandon answered. โHeโs still a stranger to us anyway.โKace smiled. โThank you so much for worrying guys.โโOh itโs nothing. By the way Chief, we heard Stephen asked you to the dance.โ Chester teased.She sighed. She has been trying to avoid that subject since then. โHe didnโt really ask me.
KACE noticed that Nix has been quiet ever since she entered her apartment. That afternoon, they planned on shopping for their clothes for the ball which will already be tomorrow. They only have a few more hours left. But then, her bestfriend who has been constantly bugging her about shopping seemed to be not in the mood. โHey, whatโs up?โ She tapped her shoulder.Nix got startled when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She hasnโt told her yet about what she saw yesterday. She was still trying to absorb everything she saw. The guy who has been sending the notes to Kaceโฆ she was right all along. It was Stephen. Why canโt I just tell her that itโs him?Kace was really worried now. She has been ignored by her a few times already that day. She had no idea what she did wrong. โNix, answer me.โโUhโฆ this is nothing.โโCome on Nix. I hate seeing you like this. Tell me whatโs wrong.โ She tried to convince her.Nix sat up straight on the couch. She took a breath and decided to finally tell her. E
MEANWHILE, Luke busied himself on the food on their table and ignored the request of every girl who wanted to dance with him. Honestly, he didnโt even want to be there that night. But he had no choice since his brother dragged him to come. He couldnโt even care less that he had no partner. All he wanted right now was for the party to end.He glanced at the dance floor and saw Lance and Nix both enjoying the music blasting on the hall. Just then, he caught sight of a couple descending the stairs. He noticed how the girl walked with discomfort with those heels on. He realized that it might already be Kace with Stephen on her side, judging the stature of the guy.Then, he saw Nix grabbing Lance in the arm to walk towards the couple who just arrived. I was right. Itโs Kace and Stephen. He watched as they greeted them and invited them to their table. He straightened up on his seat and waited for them to arrive.โAh, Iโm so tired.โ Nix remarked when they reached the table where Luke was sit
Everyone's attention turned to the guy who just walked in from the entrance with two guys holding him on his sides. Meanwhile, Millie's eyes almost popped out when she recognized who it was. "Mr. Stranger Guy?""Mr. Who?" Chandler asked her back, who was still down on his knees."Uh... no one,โ Millie answered back, watching Mr. Stranger Guy make his way towards the table of the Kramer's."That must be the eldest son,โ Millie's dad muttered on their table."Eldest son?" She mumbled back. So, he is a Kramer? Vince and Janeโs brother? Mr. and Mrs. Kramer's son? She shook her head in disbelief. How could their worlds be this small?"You know him, Millie?" Chandler asked her again, now standing up.Millie just shook her head.Then, an emcee from the stage spoke, catching back the attention of the crowd. Chandler groaned from his post. "My proposal is ruined. You haven't even answered me yet."Millie sighed. "I... can just answer you some other time, Chandler."โBut, I want this scene to b
Millie suddenly heard bells ringing inside her head after Chandler said those words. They werenโt even a couple yet. She hasnโt even answered him yet. And now, heโs suddenly saying those things. And worstโฆ infront of his parents. What was he thinking? Itโs not like she didnโt want him back or anything, itโs just that itโs all happening so fast.She hit her head with her hand, as soon as she got back inside their house. She was about to sit on the couch when suddenly, a voice startled her from behind. โMillie, dear, youโre home late.โ It was her dad, sitting on the couch.โDad? When did you get here?โ She asked back, taking a seat next to him.โJust now. Iโm sorry I had to be out of the country most of the time.โ He patted Millieโs head. โBy the way, where have you been?โโAt Chandlerโs, dad.โโYou seem ratherโฆ annoyed or pissed at something. What happened dear?โ Her dad turned to her, waiting for an answer.โUhโฆโ She gulped down before continuing. โChandlerโฆ said to his parents that h
Millie was feet frozen on the ground as soon as she heard Luke saying those words. What is this guy talking about? Why is he saying these things? Her mind just couldnโt handle it any longer.โI know, Millie. You may not remember anything about me, but I will make you remember me again.โ Luke held her hand close to his chest. โI hope you wonโt push me away. Iโm just doing this to protect you because I know better than anyone else here.โMillie couldnโt speak. She wanted to run away from him because the guy was obviously a stranger to her. But something was telling her that she could trust him. Thereโs this weird feeling of comfort and warmth that she couldnโt exactly point out. And the way this guy looked into her eyes seemed so sincere that she wanted to believe everything heโs saying.โSo please, Millie. Just stay here for this time. I promise to bring you back there by tomorrow,โ Luke continued to speak.Millie gulped down and nodded her head.Luke smiled at her. โCome on. Iโll take
โโฆ I love you so much. And I want us to be an official couple from this day onwards.โMillie blinked her eyes a few times, after hearing Chandlerโs words. The guy already confessed and he wanted them to be an official couple. And though Millie was so sure that she felt the same way for him, she still didnโt want to engage herself and commit herself into a relationship.Like what her brother always reminds her, she was in no way going into a relationship and she was too scared to let people enter her life. But at the back of her mind, she was trying to convince herself that she could trust her life to Chandler.She was still in trance and was on the process of formulating an answer, when suddenly, the tall guy let out a sigh. โIโm sorry, Millie. I shouldnโt be pushing you into this.โโOhโฆ uhโฆโ She was still lost for words. He probably felt awkward at the moment and that was the last thing she wanted to happen. โYou donโt have to apologize Chandler.โThe tall guy smiled again, his dimpl
Luke took a step back as soon as he heard the girl saying those words. โI am not Kace!โ His mouth gaped open while trying to process whatโs happening infront of him. Was she just pretending? He stared at her for a moment. Nothing changed from her appearance, except maybe for her long, wavy hair which was now hanging loosely down her chest, as opposed to her neatly tied-up hair years ago.Apart from that, he was still seeing the same Kassandra Larson whom he fell in love with. The bold and witty girl with kick-ass taekwondo skills was standing infront of him, only now, that girl didnโt recognize him. Is she pretending not to know me? He wanted to blurt out, but this was definitely not just some silly joke anymore.โMillie! Millie! Is that you?โ Luke heard a voice coming from a distance. It must be Chandler already, he thought. But, why is he calling her Millie?Luke looked at the girl infront of him again and he could see how scared she was after what he did. He noticed her hands trem
Millie felt exhausted after dancing to almost all of her friends that night. She specifically told them that she didnโt want to dance, but everyone was just so stubborn especially Chandler, who basically spent all his time dancing with her. She sat next to Brandon on their table as soon as she finished dancing with her brother, who was kind enough to reprimand Chandler from asking her to dance again.โMillieโฆ I havenโt danced with you yet.โ Brandon hissed beside her.She turned to face him and saw that the guy was already on high with alcohol. โBrandon, I think you need to rest now.โThe guy shook his head, as he grabbed another glass of alcohol on the table. He was about to drink it up, but Millie was just in time to stop him. โHey! Iโm still drinking, Millie!โ He yelled at her, causing the others to look towards their table.Chandler and Kris quickly ran towards them and stopped Brandon from raging. โBrandon, thatโs enough for now. You need to go to your room.โ Kris said, placing an
โGood morning, sleepyhead!โ Millie heard someone speaking from her subconscious, but she just ignored it. โTime to wake up!โ She was continuously hearing a voice beside her. She rolled on her bed and groped for a pillow to cover her ears. โMil, wake up! We need to go now!We need to go where? She forced her eyes to open upon hearing that last statement. Her brother was frowning and waiting for her to stand up. โW-Where are we going at this hour?โ She asked, yawning.Kris sighed. โChandler called and said that weโre going on a trip.โโAโฆ a what??โ Millie straightened up from her bed and stared at her brother in confusion.โTheyโll be here in a few minutes so better hurry up.โ Kris messed her hair up before stepping out of the room.Meanwhile, Millie still didnโt move from her seat, trying to process what her brother just said. A trip? Why are they suddenly arranging something out of the blue? She shook her head in frustration and dragged her feet out of the bed to fix herself.Few min
Millie couldnโt keep still from her seat even after they already left the Golf Center. She was so sure that she saw that guy looking right at her. He was wearing a black leather jacket with a cap on his head. She wasnโt able to see his face because he was wearing a facemask. The only visible part were his eyes which were boring into hers, making her feel like she was being threatened.She sighed inwardly, trying to remove the anxiety she was feeling inside. Whoever was that person, she just hoped that she wouldnโt ever see him again in the future. Moments later, she decided to just busy herself looking outside the car window and admire the spots outside the city.โWhere do you wanna eat?โ Their dad asked the two who were both quiet the whole ride.โMil, where do you wanna go?โ Kris turned to her.Millie just shrugged. She wasnโt really in the mood to eat at that moment. If only she could just tell them that...โOkay, letโs just go eat somewhere.โ Their dad smiled. Just then, his phone
Millie sat uneasily at the back of the van together with her friends (as what they claimed their selves to be). She was still really feeling anxious meeting them cause in her eyes, they were all still strangers to her no matter how much she tried to convince herself to be comfortable around them.She heaved a deep sigh, watching the other guys bicker at each other inside the van causing a commotion which seemed to be a natural thing for them already. She wasnโt used to any of these. She was happier being alone and quiet. She didnโt realize that sheโd be facing these kinds of people when she got to Florida.โChiefโฆโ Someone called her from behind, startling her a bit.When she turned around, she saw Chester smiling at her. โUhโฆ y-yeah?โ She answered with uncertainty.โYou want one?โ He offered her a yoghurt.โUhโฆ no. Thank you.โ She said to him, causing the guy to crease his brows in discontent.โDid your appetite change as well? You never turn down snacks like this, or any food for th