ONE thing that Kassandra "Kace" Larson learned in life was to never trust her brother in cooking. Seeing the over six-foot tall guy attempt to flip the egg on the pan infront of her triggered something inside her, but she just let him do his thing as she fixed her long dark hair up in a bun.โWe shouldโve just ordered something outside, brother,โ she commented, not even disguising her lack of excitement for the breakfast.โDonโt even try to comment Kace โcause youโre far worse than I am.โ Her older brother, Kristoff would always insist to cook, and yet he never made a decent meal ever.Kace nodded in agreement. โYeah, well youโre not wrong about that. Letโs just grab something to eat while on the way to school, then.โKris heaved a sigh. โFine.โ Even though Kris wasnโt her full-blooded brother, she appreciated the fact that he would always visit her, despite knowing how much hatred their stepdad had for her. She didnโt want Kris to be stuck in the middle between her and his dad. But,
DURING lunch, Kace and Nix sat on their usual table in the cafeteria. Chester showed up together with the other members of the editorial board, Kenneth Davis, Brandon Bailey and Maximilian King for their emergency meeting.โSo, what do we do Chief?โ Brandon laid his tray on the table and sat next to her.โIโฆhonestly donโt know,โ she answered him with a bothered look.The three guys felt that their EIC was definitely feeling a lot of burden now. They knew how much she wanted to keep the publication alive.โHow about we post announcements for applicants on the bulletin boards?โ The round-eyed guy, Kenneth suggested.Max narrowed his eyes at him. โWe already did that and it will just be ignored, Ken.โโThen do you have any better ideas?โ Kenneth turned to the others.They all shook their heads. Just as Kace was about to say something, the door of the cafeteria opened and revealed four guys approaching in a line. Everyone literally stopped and stared as they made their way inside. Starti
CHEM Lab started after the fateful event in the cafeteria. Apparently, everyone in their class saw what happened, which made Kace feel more horrible. She was greatly affected about what happened. Her friends tried to cheer her up, but they didnโt succeed. Chester glanced at Brandon, who looked at Nix who just shrugged her shoulders. โWhat do we do?โ Brandon mouthed his words in silence.Chester lifted his chin and gestured Nix to move towards their friend. โTalk to her,โ he whispered.Nix hesitated at first. But she decided to follow him so she stood up and slowly walked over towards Kaceโs table. Their professor was busy reading something on his desk so he didnโt notice her standing up from her seat.Kace was busy focusing her microscope so she got startled when she heard her bestfriend beside her speak. โKace, are you all right?โShe nodded without looking at her.โAre you sure?โโYeah,โ she answered quietly.โDonโt think about it too much. Jules is a bitc-โ Before she could even
KACE reached her apartment at around seven in the evening. She stopped by the bookstore earlier to buy some supplements she needed and she roamed around the streets just to get her mind off of the embarrassment she was still feeling. Setting her bag on the couch, her stomach suddenly grumbled. She remembered she still hadnโt eaten dinner yet so she proceeded to the kitchen.As she turned the lights on, a cold face of a guy welcomed her on the counter. โWhere have you been, Kassandra? Itโs late.โ Her brother told her off.Sighing, she flicked the lights on and rummaged on the fridge. โHow did you stand sitting here with the lights off?โโThatโs not important. So? Where did you go?โ Kris asked, still waiting for her answer.โI just went in the bookstore dad,โ she emphasized that last part. She always liked to call him that, especially when he was acting like this.Kris chuckled. โFine. Here. I heard your stomach when you entered.โ He pushed the box of pizza on the table.She quickly sn
ANOTHER day meant a chance to redeem herself from the embarrassment that happened to her yesterday. Running towards the main entrance, the guard suddenly stopped Kace, confusing her.โYour identification card miss?โ The guard asked her. โOh, right!โ She dug inside her bag and searched for her ID. Why did I forget to wear it today? Iโll be late again in class for sure. She managed to wake up early and avoid his brotherโs attempt to make breakfast again and yet, this came up. โMiss, where is it?โ the guard demanded her. Kace was positive that her ID was inside her bag but then, she couldnโt find it this time. Damn it!She was starting to get anxious, not because of the guard but because of the time. Come on just show yourself to me now. โIf you donโt have it, then you canโt enter miss. You know the rules.โ The guard reminded her, annoying her even more.โUhmโฆ itโs just here somewhereโฆ please just let me in. Iโll be late for class now, sir.โ She tried to beg but he ignored her instea
KACE walked her way to their office walking past the field. While walking, she suddenly saw Luke watching intently on the side as the soccer players warmed up. She sighed deeply before taking the courage to go up to him. โLuke.โThe guy got startled when he heard his name being called. He turned beside him and saw Kace approaching. He was about to leave but then, she stopped him. โWait!โ He didnโt move and waited for her to speak. โUhโฆ w-were you just watching the players?โโWhy are you asking?โ He asked in monotone.โI just thoughtโฆ maybe you wanted to join their team?โโNo.โ Luke turned his back at her and was determined to march his way out. But then, she spoke again. โIf you want to joinโฆ I can help you.โBut he didnโt respond and just walked away from her. Kace was pissed because of this. How rude! She still owed him for giving back her ID card so she just let that pass this time. Out of nowhere, the soccer ball came flying towards her way, bouncing on top of her head. Kace
โWHAT did I just get myself into?โ Kace mumbled to herself as she walked along the hallways of their building. โHow am I supposed to convince a student to join the pub? Ugh!โ She shook her head.Suddenly, someone blocked her way. When she looked up, she saw Kris infront of her. โK-Kris?โHer brother smirked. โWhy are you reacting like youโve seen a ghost?โโOhโฆ uhโฆ nothing. Itโs just that students may see you talking to me,โ she answered, almost whispering.โDonโt worry about it. They wonโt notice. Why are you bowing your head while walking? What if you bump into a wall?โโI donโt care about the wall right now. I just donโt know where to find someone to join us.โ She sighed.โIโm sure youโll find a way. Youโre Kace the Great, right?โ He tapped her shoulder. She nodded at her brother. โYou should get going now. Someone may see us.โ She reminded him.Kris nodded. โGoodluck!โ He turned his back and started to march his way out of the building. She continued to walk forward still thinki
KACE walked her way towards her apartment after hours of making the flyers. She decided to stop by at a convenience store nearby. She sat by the window and ate her noodles quietly while still in deep thought. Where in the world can I find students to complete the editorial board?She banged her head on the table trying to rack her brain for some answers.Meanwhile, Luke had been following Kace on her way home after Nix gave him her address. He thought it was not right to follow someone but he needed to talk to her about Chemistry. When she entered the convenience store, he secretly hid on one of the aisles inside and watched her eat. He thought that would be the right time to go up to her but he just couldnโt find the courage to move.Suddenly, his phone rang. โLance?โ He answered. โLuke, where are you?โ His brother asked.He scanned the store. โUhโฆ just somewhere near our house.โโReally? Are you sure?โLuke noticed Kace standing up already so he quickly said, โAhโฆ just wait inside
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