-ALARM BEEPS-

"Shit. How can it be 5 already? I didn't even get to sleep for a whole hour." Whining, I dragged myself out of the bed tossed one of the socks, and headed to the closet.

I should dress myself good given that Tristan would be there now. I'd show him who's at a loss! That fucker had the audacity to smile at me before.

But why did he look so cute? He's got the finest smile. Fight me, you can't.

FLASHBACK:

"I've never in my life felt like this until I met you, Vera. You've no idea how you're changing me."

"I changed you? Were you some hooligan before you met me?" I pouted.

There he flashes that compassionate, heart-fluttering smile. This is the reason I'm freaking surviving my school this year.

He does it so effortlessly, yet it could melt glaciers!

As much as I love his smile, I love chiding him too.

"Hey! Stop smiling you!"

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FLASHBACK ENDS:

My mother won't be home any sooner so it's no big deal even if I come late. She's always busy. I really wished I had a sibling. Being alone most of the time truly sucks.

Dolling up I made myself to the street and took the subway.

Soon I reached the field and WHOA there were girls and girls and girls. So many of them! It looked as if they were going to throw themselves to the boys anytime.

My eyes frenziedly searched for Tristan but no luck. Just as I was about to go and find Dave to wish him luck for the match,

"Why'd you come here? It can't be because one of the players is your crush now?" In came that usual mocking tone I clearly detest. If looks could kill, Andrew would have been slayed to bits by now.

"I'm surprised you have the energy to insult people, considering your grades are always in the negative polynomials." He must have been taken aback by my comeback, for his eyes widened a bit followed by a gritted curse.

Serves you right!

There's this only thing I hate about Tristan- his homies. Even being a big ass flirt can't surpass being friends with Andrew and Samuel. For some reason they hate me and don't want us together. Bitches.

I was a fool to have considered them my friends, once upon a time.

"Andrew what the fuck are you doing? Molly's here." Just then Samuel came running to him, almost breathless. Hearing him, Andrew turned to me and smirked.

Who's Molly though?

"Enjoy the matc-" he stopped halfway when his gaze fell upon something behind me. I followed Andrew's eyes looking back when,

"Hey, I hope I didn't make you wait for long."

Dave asked me apologetically. I couldn't help but check out his hair. He did a good thing dyeing it pink. It perfectly suits his face.

"No, I just got here Dave. Go and ace the game! I'll be rooting for you!" He smiled and this one was in contrast with the previous one. It was more like he smiled through his eyes alone.

There's this thing about his eyes... You can't look at them for long...for they're igneous... You'll need to lower your eyes, whether you want it or not. It'd come out as a reflex.

There I go again...

I realized Andrew and Samuel were still there, staring at Dave open-mouthed. I swear they look so hideous right now I was merely able to resist my laugh. Dave had been aware of that too by now because I saw him gliding his tongue over his bottom lip.

"Like what you see?" He asked them in a playful tone while raising his eyebrows slightly.

Andrew rolled his eyes and soon both of them receded from our sight.

The match was about to begin. It's a Friday night, and the local high school rivalry match is in full swing.

As far as I can see, Aidan's team is known for its coordinated plays and lightning-fast reflexes.

Dave's team is known for its strategic blocks and tenacious defense. 

It's the third set, tied 24-24. The tension is palpable. The air itself vibrates with anticipation. Aidan receives the serve, his eyes meeting Dave's across the net. Aidan sets high and fast to the left, targeting the open slot beside the opponent's towering middle blocker.

But Dave anticipates the play, leaping sideways. His hand connects with the ball, blocking it with a resounding clap. His teammates roared in triumph.

He plays well!

It was a sweet victory. The cacophony of voices congratulating Dave and his team filled the air. The girls were running amok, to be precise.

I decided I'll see him after the hustle dies down, as everything was totally out of my parameter.

Some minutes passed and I moved to look for him when I spotted a flash of hot pink near the net.

"You were awesome, Dave. I had no idea any one could beat Aidan so effortlessly." I told him as I neared him. He was alone, leaning against the net, sipping water.

He turned to me like he expected that. The breeze was mild and dust flew all around due to the prior hustle.

"It was just luck. Come sit here." He keeps a calm demeanor I see. If only I could do that too..

"Oh stop it. You need not be so humble now." I laughed as I sat beside him. The breeze was now playing with both our hairs locks, making them tousle.

"It's been always like this, Vera... It's because you were watching me," he said in such a serious note that I found it hard to brush it off like he was kidding. I could only put on an awkward smile.

I tried to rationalize and suddenly it clicked me, "I can feel it. I too have got a person who's like an amulet to me."

I recalled how much of a good luck charm Tristan was to me. I did so well back then. Be it exams, be it assignments, be it my friends I excelled in all because he was right next to me.

"You still not over Tristan?" I immediately came out of my trance as I heard that.

"You know him? Really?"

"Who on earth in Kent-wood High doesn't know that womanizer? It's only obvious that you came here to see him in the first place." He said it like he had not a care but I swear I saw him furrowing his eyebrows.

"Ah, it's not the case Dave. I-"

"Oh really?" He raised an eyebrow teasingly and came closer placing his hand on my shoulder and leaning in.

"Then how'd you feel about this?" He whispered in my ear staring at a distance. I followed his gaze which I shouldn't have-

My heart skips a beat. Tristan's smile is dazzling, his eyes sparkling with laughter. I can't help but stare, mesmerized by the way his hand rests casually on the girl's arm...

AND THEN THEY KISS!

Fuck me.

NO FUCK THAT DICKHEAD.

I couldn't look. It's too despairing to look. I closed my eyes and lowered my head. We're over long back and yet why do I feel like someone stabbed a knife to me, a million times?

Whoever is out there, above in the sky, why has he always been a dick to me?

"Vera.... You'll forget him."

As Dave said that I turned and found he hadn't moved from me. Locking his eyes with me he mumbled something under his breath but......What is this?

I couldn't shift my eyes to his lips let alone make out what he muttered..... It's as if luminous eyelets captured both my orbs to only look at him, his ocean blue eyes..... I didn't have the grip to my own body.... What the heck is this?

Is this a dream? Is he doing this?

.

.

A metallic clank was the last thing I heard before everything turned into darkness.....

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AN HOUR LATER:

The ring of a phone woke me up from my slumber. I gulped down the saliva slowly opening the eyelids, my pupils adjusting to the dim amber light. How did I end up in the library? I'm sure I was with Da-

"I see you're a tight sleeper."

I turned to my left from where the voice was coming and there was he resting his head on his shoulder on the table. The same inexplicable smile again playing on his lips.

His face is clear and adroit, skin glowing with a healthy vibrancy, almost as if illuminated from within.

The eyes.

His eyes seem almost otherworldly, as if they belong more to a painting than real life. I wonder how did I not notice him ever before?

Was it because I was always so absorbed with Tristan to care for any other guy?

"Earth to Vera Huang!" He cooed and here I was again.

I quickly rubbed my eyes and was about to ask him what happened but there was a ring again. It was then when I recognized the familiar tune and saw it was my phone on a chair beside me.

My phone...

But I never brought my phone....

I had given it to a repair shop two days back because the motherboard was destroyed. So how come it's here when I don't even remember taking it?

"Everything okay? It's as if you've seen a ghost."

I looked at him questioningly and he only raised his eyebrows.

"Dave."

"Yes?" He grinned. But I felt sick this time.

"You did something to me. Didn't you?"

And his smile dropped, with the expression getting venomous...

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A/N:

Wooohooo Vera's got gutsssss.

What must have our Junnie done to Vera??

Till you find out,

Happy reading! ❤️

@limjuyeon <33