Chapter 4

Instead of backing away, I kept my eyes on him and observe his features. A blade nose and burrowed cheekbones, his appearance only to die for. His curls were midnight black. I couldn't help to notice leathery black strands flopping over his face which to my distaste was veiling some of his enticing features.

Over all, he’s a perfect description of an angel.

"He might melt." I heard someone clear their throat.

I blinked and looked down at my open textbook. Ave’s chuckles made my lips twitched. I bit my lower lip and resumed reading. What’s wrong with me?! I haven’t been this interested to a guy! I gripped my book trying to calm myself.

"Have you finished your plates?"

I refrained from looking in front of me and put my attention on what I’m reading.

"Half of it," the man’s baritone reply to Neveah.

My grip on the textbook page tightened. The pages crumpled. I winced and ran my hand over it before fixing its tangled part.

"I haven't started the second type of construction drawings yet," I heard Sadie mutter. "I have four more to do!"

The man laughed softly making my chest pounded.

"Just the finishing drawing for me."

I bit my tongue and forced myself to focus my attention on what I was reading. The archi guy was making me feel uneasy and an unfamiliar feeling that I couldn't understand.

"You’re so serious there our dear Rory!"

I sighed and turned to Ave.

"Shut up." I rolled my eyes and accidentally looked straight ahead.

I simply calmed myself down and immediately avoided looking at the man. What's wrong with me?!

"Are you on period, Dr. Hermosa?" Rebel teasingly uttered which made me roll my eyes.

"Do you want me to slap you with this book?" I threateningly gestured my right hand holding a book to him, "so, shut up, will you?"

The asshole just laughed. His eyes playfully side glance at the archi guy's direction with a grin on his lips. I closed my eyes tightly, getting irritated.

"Distracted." Ave whistled then turned to Neveah, "introduce us to the newcomer." She laughs as she gave me a glance.

I groaned in annoyance but she just chuckled in response. I frowned and put aside the textbook as well as the highlighters I had used.

I stood up and turned to her. "I’ll be in the library."

"Neveah has someone to introduce." She pouted her lips in front, “just stay put there, okay?"

I sighed heavily before sitting. I folded my arms while looking at the book I was reading earlier.

"So, Chai..."

My head turned to Neveah's direction when she spoke.

Kai? Like the main dancer of EXO?

I pouted as my shook my head. Ave's a fan of them. She always tells me about how she wanted them to comeback since some of the members were in military. It's a tradition or more like a law in South Korea to enter military when you turned twenty-eight years old. It's a mandatory too.

"This is our med friends," Neveah laugh a bit. "The most outstanding med students here in our university, though..."

"Hey! Don't ruin our images Nevi!"

"It's just you!"

And here they go again; bickering like an elementary student.

"Fine! I won’t!" Neveah laughed then turned to me. "She's our smart friend with an inborn photographic memory!"

I grimaced when she clapped her hands along with Amira. I shake my head. They look like fools.

"I'll introduce myself," Ave laughed softly. "I'm Astraea Venus Rojas, your future psychologist!"

I sneered because of her introduction.

"Why did you put ‘your’?" his cousin laughed at her. "Rory's seem unpleased with that."

I just rolled my eyes. "Shut it."

Ave nudge me and point the archi guy. "Introduce yourself."

"You already mentioned my name," my eyebrows furrowed. "It's no use."

She just raised an eyebrow at me. I sighed and looked ahead. The archi guy were still looking at me. I swallowed. This is awkward!

"Rue Mallory Hermosa."

I immediately looked down at the books on the table. I caught a glimpse of him, smiling a bit when I introduce myself.

"Chayim Neo Fontanilla."

I was stunned and unconsciously lifted my head to him. His smiling face welcomed my sight. My chest throbbed because of his stare.

"Nice to meet you, Rue Mallory."

And that's when I forgot how ugly my name is from the way he spoke with his soft and soothing voice.

"So, what can you say about..."

"He's nice."

"Nice? What else?"

Ave nudged me. I sighed heavily. Why is she so curious about my reaction on that guy, anyway?

"Can you just accept my answer?" I arched an eyebrow.

She pouted her lips while holding my arm. I rolled my eyes and continue searching for a book. I ran my fingers through the rows of the books on the shelves before picking up ‘The Psychology of Perception by Vernon, M. D’ then placing it on the table.

"Are you going to read again?" Amira sighed as she looked at the book, "can't you at least rest?"

"This is my rest," I mutter as I started flipping the pages of the book.

We are in the Bobst library. I actually dragged her here with me. I wasn't comfortable of staying there with that archi guy. He's giving me feels that I shouldn't be.

"This is boring," Ave said in a sing song voice while resting her chin on her palm.

"You can leave me here," I said.

"I'll stay." She pouted her lips. "I’ll just take a nap."

I just shook my head and continue reading.

I'm at the half page of the book when I heard the bell rang. I pouted my lips. I looked at the book that I was holding and returned it back to the shelves with a heavy heart. If I could just bring it with me.

"You can just borrow it."

I looked at Ave who was standing with her bag. I turned to her and pointed to the books that I have; lying on the table. It’ll just be hard for me to carry if I’ll I borrow another book.

"Let's go," I said then closed the bag and took the books.

We went to the Hemmerdinger hall where the symposium will be held. But I invited Ave first to come with me to our room to put our bags.

"We already have seats," Ave told me while we're walking towards the hall.

"Rebel reserved for us?" she nodded.

We arrived in the gym at the exact time. We immediately headed to Rebel's place. I hide my disappointment when I didn't see the transferee in Architecture department.

"Chai’s not here." Neveah welcomed me as I sat down and then laughed, "he’s busy doing something in our room."

"Who cares?" I tsk-ed but she just laughed.

I snickered and focused my attention in front. They really should stop teasing me to that archi student. I’m here to study not to find a boyfriend or someone to be called as mine. Besides I’m already contended with my books. They’re my love life.

"Is this seat already taken?"

My breathing hitched. I slowly lifted my head which I regretted. In front of me was the transferee of Architecture department. I groaned in frustration. Oh great.

"Chai!"

I bit my tongue and focus my attention in front of me. I put all my attention to the person who’s talking in the stage as I tried not to look beside me. In my peripheral vison, I could see him staring at me.

“And since when did you got interested in symposium?” Ave nudged me.

I snorted. “Along ago.”

She chuckles. Ave knows that this is boring for me. But what else should I do to divert my attention? Knowing that someone was looking at me and making my chest thumps loudly as if it will be going to burst in no time.

“I heard Amethyst from our department has an eye on you.”

“I’m not interested on her.”

“Not just Amethyst but also Danica from Education and Haley from Law.”

Neveah mentioned those famous girls in different departments. They’re all elites and beauties. He’s really popular.

I gripped the hem of my skirt when I heard the guy beside me chuckle deeply. I bit my lip as I felt something in my chest. Why am I feeling this? This is not right! I just met him for goodness sake!

“I already have someone.” He said taking all my hopes away.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re really pale.”

I bit my lower lip. “Well, I’m fair.”

I mentally faced palm from my lame excuse. Rebel’s eyebrows quirked up. I shake my head, gesturing him that I’m really okay.

“Your paleness wasn’t normal at all, Rue.” He looked at me, eyes were serious. “Did he hurt you again?”

I shake my head. “He didn’t.”

“Then why do you look like you’re in pain?”

My lips crooked up. He’s deducing me like I’m a case. This will turnout into a long conversation. I shake my head and smiled broadly, indicating that I’m okay and there was nothing wrong with me.

“That’s creepy,” he commented; his eyebrows furrowed.

“Your face somehow.” I chuckled.

He made a face and pinch my nose. “You’re being secretive again.”

I just bit my lower lip and give him a shrug. Rebel’s good at deducing people and make them admit or confess what they’re hiding. After all, he’s a law student so I’m not surprise from that.

“I’m craving for milk tea!” Neveah groaned.

“Let’s buy then,” his boyfriend Rebel said.

“You’re always spoiling me!”

“I love you, that’s why.”

I fought my urge to react at the couple and jut sigh. Ironic how I manage to be with these two. Ave’s not with us due to a family emergency. I heard her parents got home from the Philippines.

“I’m going home,” I said.

Rebel looked at me. “We’ll take you home.”

I shook my head, dismissing his offer. I can handle myself besides I know they have a date. I don’t want to be a ‘third-wheel’ that’s the least thing I could involve myself with.

“Are you sure, Rue?” he raised a brow.

“Yes Dad.” I roll my eyes.

He chuckles and mess my hair. I groaned as I shot him a glare. I always wonder why boys loves to mess our hair? Do they benefit by doing that?

As soon as I arrived home, I immediately headed upstairs. My dad was nowhere to be found. Probably spending his time with his fiancée. Tiredness engulf my being as I drag my body on the bed. I took a deep sigh and stare at the beige ceiling. I shut my eyes tightly feeling exhausted and weary. Slowly, I rose up and look outside the window.

The city lights met my sight. Our house may seem the place where my nightmares began, but it’s also the place where I could see the lights laid in front of me. It’s a three-storey house and located at one of the most beloved and desirable neighborhoods in New York.

I heaved a sigh as I look up on the dark sky. Even in the velvet dark there is the light of the stars, perhaps a promise that even when we yearn for the light of the sun there will be those stars to bring hope of the dawn.

It is always the light we crave, for without it what is our world?

I closed my eyes and let the wind caressed my skin. I didn’t know why his face appear. Those deep ocean-blue eyes that will take your soul away. He keeps lurking in my mind up until now.

And I’m afraid of what it can cause me.

I suddenly remember those quotes and lines on the romance books that I had read out of boredom.

They say the world around you stops when you met the person that is destined to you. It was like your invisible red thread connects to the person your destined to meet regardless of time and place or circumstance; the thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break.

I bit my lip and shake my head. Fuck destiny we are all going to die, anyway.