021| "𝐒𝐨, 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐫 𝐍𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥?"

~H A N N I E L~

The last thing I remembered was getting out of Hassan's car and going straight up to my room. It's official; K-pop parties aren't my thing.

And now while trying to fall asleep, I was at school with my head on my desk. This is what happens when you drink too much of coffee, I guess.

Normally I would still be at home by now, sleeping my sense away. But Dad was at home, I didn't want him to drop me off at school.

For a reason, I was transported back to my first day here in Crestview High.

"Ouch," someone dragged a long hiss and I looked up to see who it was. Komisola, with her eyes trained on me had one hand on her backpack and the other holding her feet.

It seemed like she had hit her leg.

"Are you okay?" I blurted before I knew it. Now, she was glaring at me.

"You have androphobia." I stated.

In a game where two people had secrets of the other in their hands, it was only fair to reveal it at the same time.

But then, Komisola looked at me like I had just said the most stupid thing ever.

"What are you talking about? I don't have androphobia." She protested.

"It's none of your business." She replied coolly and walked over to where I was. For a moment, I thought she was coming to meet me.

But I had forgotten that her seat was next to mine.

Silence engulfed the atmosphere after she had taken her seat and hung her backpack. It was obvious she was ignoring me.

But as Ameenah said—even though Komisola had savaged me more than once—I was totally whipped.

"I know it's none of my business," I told her. She turned to me and looked at me like I had grown two heads. I sighed and looked away.

As much as I wanted to have a conversation with the girl I liked, I had other issues to deal with.

Like Mum & Dad.

Honestly, I felt like a pawn in their own game. Remembering the sad moments like how I'd cry my eyes out made anger spread through my body.

One time my school was hosting a Parents-Teachers Meeting, a.k.a PTM, I was just six years old and I had begged Mum & Dad to attend the meeting.

Mum was too busy with her work and Dad was nowhere to be found. The day after, he walked in through the door looking like a complete mess. And he reeked of alcohol.

That was the first time I'd seen my Dad drunk.

I should have sensed the divorced coming, I laughed to myself in pity.

Who would've known, eight years later my parents would sit me down to tell me about their divorce and then be better after?

Seems like a fucking irony to me.

"You never asked me anything about my name." I mused to myself, my statement directed at Komisola but I did not necessarily want an answer.

I just found the irony in that too.

Although she didn't say it, I could see the judgement in her eyes.

Komisola acted like she didn't hear me. But I continued anyway. "Let's make a deal."

I stood up abruptly and went to the seat at her front, the one occupied by Hassan. She raised her brows at me and waited for me to go on.

"What deal?"

"Be my friend and I'll be your therapy."

A smile curved up her lips immediately and she folded her arms. "Okay," she sounded amused. "I can be your friend. But you, my therapy? I don't understand."

"I know everything about you, Komisola." I revealed and watched as her smile dropped. That cold, icy gaze in her lifeless grey eyes was back.

"What do you mean?" She dropped her arms. "How do you know?"

And then I said the least expected thing.

"Use me."

~K O M I S O L A~

Clearly, Hanniel Alonge/Cardin was crazy.

Crazy crazy.

From uttering nonsense like him being my therapy to telling me that he knew everything about me— which almost cost me a panic attack— to him saying I should use him.

"Are you a thing?" My question was heavy with sarcasm. "Why should I use you?"

"I did a little more research. Since you denied having androphobia, who knows? Maybe it's haphephobia. You're haphephobic."

Shit...

Just how dedicated is he to... God.

"How'd you know?" I paled.

"Be my friend and I'll be your therapy."

I stared at a crazy Hanniel repeating that statement from earlier in bewilderment.

"How. Did. You. Know?"

He was going to ignore me again. He was.

It seemed surreal. The Hanniel that seemed scared, paranoid that day in the natatorium was slowly returning.

With that dark look in his eyes that I hardly ever saw.

"I could reveal your phobia to everyone. You know what that means, right?"

I stood up at that while he took a seat, smiling at me.

"You would not," I threatened him. "What's your deal with me anyway?"

"You're making it so hard, that's my deal." He answered almost instantly.

"I don't have haphephobia." I denied. "You're delusional if you think I do."

"Seriously?" Hanniel grinned. "Let me try this."

It happened too fast.

Hanniel standing up, walking to where I was and holding my hand. His legs were pressed mine but thank goodness I was wearing a pair of sweatpants under my school skirts.

My chest felt tight. Very tight.

"Komisola, come now." He stretched his hand to me and I knew I had no choice than to receive it. "Okay, I'm sorry for slapping you. I won't do that again. Just please come, I need you."

I was hesitant about receiving his hand. But that angered him and before I knew it he was dragging me up with my hand pressed in his large one.

Hanniel released my hand from his. For a second, I thought I saw that familiar look of concern in his eyes but instead it was replaced by a smug look and I felt a strong hatred for him at that moment.

And then I remembered my Dad's command-threat: "He seems like a nice guy, Queen. Befriend him okay?"

Even a blind man would know that he wanted me to befriend because of Hanniel's parents. The estate which we lived in was owned by Hanniel's mother, Ethereal Estate. His father was the CEO of InFood Co.

"See," Hanniel stepped back, "it's glaring obvious. This is a win-win situation, Komisola."

"You make it sound like a business deal." I snorted under my breath.

"Maybe it is," Hanniel shrugged. "So, deal or no deal?"

~H A N N I E L~

Of course I wouldn't reveal her phobia.

Why would I when all I wanted to do was help her?

Everything was a facade, under pretence. I was very sure her level of hatred for me was increasing by each second but I couldn't be fazed.

At least I was getting what I wanted.

I became doubtful of my intentions being carried out in the right way when I caused her phobia to appear again.

And God, did I hate myself for it at that moment.

Holding her hand made me crazy, yes. I felt weird things, yes. My stomach stirred up, yes. But what did she feel?

Hatred.

I decided to step back as I said, "See, it's glaring obvious. This is a win-win situation, Komisola."

If I stayed any closer to her, I'd probably feel like punishing myself.

"You make it sound like a business deal." She snorted in reply.

"Maybe it is," I shrugged. I decided to ask the determinant question...

"So, deal or no deal?"

Needless to say, she left me hanging.