Nick chuckled and stopped doing what he had been doing since he and Nea came into the restroom of the library. Nea sucked in a breath as she came to her senses. She blinked twice and puckered up her lips.

"Why'd you stop?" She asked, a small frown forming on her face.

Nicholas stared in her beautiful dark green eyes. The former lust was evident in her dilated pupils. He smiled a little. Teasing Linnea was enjoyable as much as a child playing a merry go round. Nicholas knew his boundaries, or at least he knew not to have sex twice in a day with someone as unpredictable as Linnea. He never knew Nea's next move for his action, whether it could be a sarcastic response or a delicious slap.

"We should get going for our next lecture." He said.

Nea groaned. "Sure," she climbed down from the counter over the sink and straightened her cream coloured knee-length skirt. Nea smelled of ironed clothes and musk perfume. A smell that forced Nicholas to kiss the hell out of her.

"Walk out exactly four point five nine minutes after me if you don't want anyone to know what we just did." Nea warned. Nicholas narrowed his eyes at Nea's back and mocked her dialogues.

"But can't we just–"

"No."

Nick rolled his eyes and looked down at the black Pinion watch on his hand, one minute was over.

~~

Nea bit on her lip as she clicked her pen in frustration. Something was wrong in her notes she couldn't pick out. Her brown hair were a mess on her head even though she didn't care about them. Notes were more important now.

"Woah, look at that! Kale's ex, bright and early into the classroom." She heard a bubbly voice and rolled her eyes. What a way to get introduced, she thought.

"Hi, James' ex and Simon's new girlfriend." Nea replied. She felt a hand giving a pat on her back as a girl scooted closer besides her. Her blonde hair were tied up in a high ponytail, her white t-shirt read unicorn with a picture of corn standing alone. Linnea smiled slightly. Ella gave a tight side hug to Linnea.

"Why don't you join us these days Nea? Is it because you don't want to see that fucker?"

"No, it's just because I'm focusing on studies." Nea lied. It definitely wasn't the reason she wasn't back together with her previous group.

"Yeah, keep lying." Ella rolled her eyes. "I know it's awkward between you two, but you shouldn't leave us because you left him, Nea. We all miss you."

"I'll think about it, Ella. Thanks." Ella nodded at Nea's response and peaked under her notes.

"Oh it's not mutualism which benefits just one species, it's commensalism." She said. Nea examined the notes again as she found out the only mistake she had written.

"Yes, right. Thank you so much Ella."

"My pleasure." Ella smiled.

"I guess I'll join you at lunch."

~~

Nea had texted Pearl about her plans about lunch, Pearl hadn't refused because she had the chance to sit with her crush all alone. As Linnea reached towards cafeteria, she visibly relaxed as she realised Kale was nowhere to be seen. Lunch wasn't horrible til he arrived. Kale looked much worse than Linnea. He had dark circles around his eyes, his lips were reached a colour which was almost similar to white. His clothes were hanging loose on his shoulders. His eyes sparkled dully as his eyes met Nea's. But the fact that surprised Linnea was that he had a girl clinging to his arms, flashing the brightest smile Nea ever saw on a college girl.

"Hey." Kale spoke out. His voice was hoarse as if he never drank water. He slid besides Nea and the girl followed him.

"Hey." Nea tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She felt like a teenage girl talking to her first crush.

"You look good." Said Kale. Nea wanted to laugh at his sarcasm. Classic Kale, she thought.

"Not more than you, Kale. You look ravishing."

"I guess the break up's rubbing off on me." Nea's eyes went wide at the mention of that topic. The piece of sandwich she just ate threatened to come out as she coughed. Nea hadn't thought Kale would bring it up that casually. She laughed awkwardly.

"It's a pleasure that you joined us for lunch, Linnea." The new girl spoke and Kale focused his attention on her. Nea's chest felt heavy as if someone had put hundred kilogrammes on it. She swallowed her bike and smiled.

"Oh I forgot to introduce you to Leilani. Silly me," Kale retorted,"Nea, this is Leilani. Lily for short, she's new here."

Lily pushed her hand forward to shake it with Linnea. If Linnea had paid attention she had immediately shook it with hers, but she clearly wasn't into lunch at the time. Lily's hand was suddenly shook with a large one.

"Hello Liliani. I'm Nicholas– Nick for short, " Nick blurted and sat in between Kale and Nea. Kale's mouth had parted open in surprise as Nicholas put a protective hand behind Nea's back, Kale suddenly seemed older than his age. His other friends had started looking at their toes like the ground was a newfound structure. Somehow Ella smiled a bright smile and started talking to Nicholas.

Lunch didn't seem so bad anymore.