Here's a new chapter. God bless you guys and have a great day ahead.

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AJ's POV

"AJ." He whispered softly.

"Yeah." My voice was quiet too. I didn't know what to say to him.

"You're here?" He spoke as if he was in a daze. He didn't seem to be himself. I didn't know what it was, but something was off about him. Also, he oddly wore sunglasses inside the cafe. What the hell?

"Yeah." I said again. "My class starts in fifteen minutes though so I have to get going." I explained and walked towards the exit.

"AJ, wait!" I stopped and slowly turned around.

"Yeah?"

"Can we talk? After your class?" If I knew any better, I would say his voice sounded weak and desperate. Without giving it a second thought, I nodded.

That day I couldn't hear a single thing in  biochemistry. The lecturer went on and on about immunology and I was pacing out, thinking about alpha queen bee who looked like a wreck.

"Ms. Alistair."

Oh crap.

"Please answer the question since no one here can."

Double crap! It's a pop quiz. And it actually popped on my face.

Out of all the days! The nerve of him!

"Could you please repeat the question sir?" I finally said. A few girls giggled but they stopped the moment I glared at them.

"Name and elaborate at least 3 classes of immunoglobulins."

Phewww. Easy.

"IgA, IgG and IgM. Immunoglobulin A is the major antibody found in the membranes of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. The second most common immunoglobulin in the human body, IgA can also be found in tears, saliva, mucus, and colostrums. IgA is one of the most important immonoglobulins in local immunity.

Next is IgG. These immunoglobulins makes up around 75 percent of all human immunoglobulins and this is the only class that can cross the placenta to protect newborns against infections. Immunogloblin G is the most versatile of all the antibodies because it can carry out functions of the other types of antibodies as well.  These immunoglobulins fight blood infections and help to trigger additional production of immunoglobulin G. Like IgD, these antibodies are present on lymphocyte cells. Of all immunoglobulins 10 percent are IgM.

Then we have Immunoglobulin M which is the first antibody made by the fetus. These immunoglobulins are well-suited for clumping microorganisms and helping them to be removed from the body."

"Very good. Thanks for setting an example today by remembering the basics." He sneered at a particular boy named Edgar. He gave a sheepish smile at the lecturer and when Mr.Marlon turned around, Edgar looked behind and gave me the death glare. I simply raised a brow before sticking my tongue out.

Not my fault he decided to be an airhead.

After that I didn't think about Rylen until the lecture ended. Until I was putting all stuff inside my bag. I stopped realising that he didn't actually tell me where he wanted to meet.

I slowly walked out of the lecture hall and down the hallway. I looked around trying to find the sorority mother. I couldn't even find anyone of his sorority children.

Looking towards the field, I saw a bunch of students playing football but that was it. Still no sign of them. On any other day his group of guys would really stand out among them rest of the students. Apparently not today. Nevertheless, I continued to scan around.

"I'm here."

Shit!

I placed a hand over my chest and took a deep breath. Where the fuck did he come from? Did he float through air?!

"Sorry. I didn't know you were so zoomed out."

"I wasn't, okay! Don't ever do that again." I took a deep breath and calmed myself.

"Hello Rylen. Good day to you." I said in a calm, collected tone. I bet he was filled with confusion but this was how I spoke once I calmed myself and started over. When he didn't answer, I shrugged.

"Will this take long?" I awkwardly asked him. I didn't know how to start the conversation or if even I wanted to. I was already embarrassed that he read the letters.

"I have some explaining to do. So can we sit somewhere?"

I quickly glaced at my phone. "Well, it's after lunch. The cafe outside of campus won't be so-"

"Great let's go. I'll give us a ride there." Rude much.

"U huh." I muttered instead. Then we started walking towards the entrance to our campus. Rylen took a turn towards the parking lot.

"Hop on." Alpha queen bee gestured to his bike.

I couldn't help the smile that widened across my face. I've always loved traveling on a bike. Sadly, I don't own one.

Yet.

I knew it was a four minute distance to the cafe but I was still excited.

Rylen misunderstood my excitement and maybe took it as hesitation. "AJ if you prefer walking then-"

"No. Not at all. Let's go. Now." I grabbed the helmet from his hands. He gave me a tight smile before he sat on his bike. He looked so stiff today and I didn't know why. Did he think that I was still pissed at him.

He shouldn't beat himself up this badly.

I quite enjoyed our short trip to the cafe. I enjoyed it a hundred times more than the conversation we were about to have.

Rylen locked his bike outside the cafe and we both walked in together. After ordering a chocolate doughnut and a cup of coffee, we found a quiet spot at the corner of the cafe.

"You're not gonna order anything?" I turned to him. He was so quiet today. No insults, no witty remarks, no ego.

"I'm not hungry. It's fine." Was all he said.

"Okay then."

"So, I tried to talk to you on Friday and Saturday." Rylen scratched the back of his head and looked everywhere else but me. "But you were.....what are you doing?" Instead of giving him an answer I reached forward and took out his sunglasses. He was starting to look funny wearing that thing inside the dimly lit cafe.

His eyes widened in shock. As if I did something unthinkable.

Judging by the looks of his current state, maybe I did.

"Wow. The eyebags." I muttered, almost regretting taking off his shades. There were also dark circles around his eyes and not to mention his eyes themselves were reddish.

Moreover, he was glaring at me. He looked as if he wanted to hit me.

"I'm sorry okay but you looked dumber than usual."

"Why the hell did you have to do that?!" He snapped and wearily rubbed his face.

"Could you please calm down?"

"Could you not be so damn annoying for one day?!"

"Okay. You clearly need some beauty sleep. Why don't you call me after you get some." I stood up to leave but he caught my wrist in a tight grip.

"Rylen let go. Now." I gritted while I glared at him.

"I came here to talk alright. Just sit. Please."

"One more outburst and I'm out."

"Fine." He grumbled and snatched his sunglasses from my hand. Then, not knowing how to start, he just stared at the table for a few fleeting moments.

"You can start by telling why you wanted to see me on Friday. I took a small trip with my friends over the weekend. That's why I wasn't here." I shrugged and ate my doughnut. He nodded in understanding.

"I guess I wanted to apologize. I should have been honest about those notes. I should have told Eli about them. I found out a few days before he left." He slumped in his seat. Rylen looked beyond exhausted and something was troubling him. The disturbing thing was, I know it had nothing to do with me, Eli, the cupcakes or the notes.

"I....I just assumed they were for me and I cherished them." He continued.

What? I almost gapped at him.

He wasn't able to maintain eye contact too long. Rylen was nervous.

"They were meaningful and sweet. Although I didn't know who wrote them at first, I felt a bond with the writer. I was so sure each and every word was meant for me." His voice was soft and anyone could see that he was serious.

"You know, I was always used to extroverted, unreserved girls who knew exactly what they wanted. I preferred girls like that. They express what they want and we hook up. That's it. I never had a real connection with anyone. Sounds stupid doesn't it? Not being able to connect with actual people but I could somehow connect to the words on the paper and the person behind it.

AJ, I'm sorry for what I did but I will never be sorry for keeping those notes with me. Those cupcakes were the best thing that's ever happened to me in this university. It made me smile every time I opened the box. I loved eating them and reading your words. I would always do it privately in my room. Those times were special and personal. I don't care how I sound to you right now." He muttered the last part.

"I am sorry that you got hurt. I'm sorry that you felt exposed. But I promise you this, your written words are confidential. They will always be something special and extremely personal to me as it was to you. I just hope that you would forgive me for hiding this truth from you. I really do. Because believe it or not, I like your company. Yes the screaming and the arguments included." He spoke quietly.

I was dumbfounded. I didn't know what to say or what to feel. How could I yell at him after everything he just said? While he was talking, I couldn't help but feel as if....maybe, just maybe he deserved those letters. He meant every word he said. His apology was real. He was being authentic with me. 

"I was angry." I mumbled. He closed his eyes for a moment before looking directly at me. "I was embarrassed too." I said awkwardly. I didn't know why I felt so awkward all of a sudden.

"Please don't be. You don't have to be embarrassed."

"How could I not Rylen? Those letters were meant for Eli. He was my biggest crush. To think all my heartfelt notes went to someone else....how could I not feel embarrassed?"

Rylen sighed and looked away from me sardonically. His eyes were so worn out, he looked defeated.

"Rylen I'm not mad at you anymore. I felt a little better after talking to Eli."

"You did?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, that must have been fun." He murmured.

"It was interesting. I couldn't stay mad at both of you after talking to him. You guys are idiots. The biggest idiots I've ever met. Maybe that's why I couldn't stay mad."

"Perks of being an idiot then." Rylen weakly smiled.

"Rylen. What's wrong with you?"

"Wow. Did you call me Rylen? Politely? No insulting names?"

"I'll save them for tomorrow now answer the question. I know this," I gestured between the two of us. "Isn't the cause for your current state."

"I didn't get enough sleep."

"No shit. Why?"

"Who are you? My mom?"

"Why didn't you get enough sleep?" I ignored his snide remark.

"I had a fight late night so yeah."

"Like in a video game?" I cocked my head to the side. Apparently, my question amused him.

"No. Not in a video game. A real fight with a real opponent."

"You fight?" I asked curiously. "Like illegal, underground fights?" He did street fighting? He sure looked the part.

"Not entirely illegal nerd."

"There it is again. Asshole." He chuckled for the first time that day.

"Okay, okay. I'll call you AJ today."

"Oh joy." I replied flatly. "Soooooo, about the fight. It isn't fully legal as well huh?"

"The local authorities are aware of the place. That's all I'm telling you."

"Are you any good?"

"Excuse me?"

"Are you a good fighter?"

"One of the fucking best." He pretended to sound hurt by my question.

"Okay then."

"So we're good? Do you accept my apology?"

"Yes I do." I gave him a small smile. I saw his shoulders slump again. He was relieved but there was still something bothering him.

"Okay that's it. I don't know why this is even bothering me so much." I grumbled at myself before looking him in the eye. "Normally I wouldn't give a shit about you but today is different. Today you're different. You're not only tired. I can see the hurt in your eyes. What's happening? No I don't care if I'm prying. This is worth prying."

He looked at me with a raised brow. Taken aback by my forwardness.

"I...." He stopped himself as quickly as he started. Like he almost made a mistake by talking.

"It's alright if you really can't say anything. You just.....you look like you're in pain."

He swallowed hard and he couldn't sit still anymore.

"We should go."

"Okay let me drink my coffee."

He stiffly nodded. I took my time because my coffee was still hot. The longer we sat there, the more Rylen shifted on his seat. He became agitated for some reason. He took out his key and played with it. To hide his discomfort of course. But he couldn't hide the slight tremble in his fingers. I guess I pushed a button by observing him a little too closely.

"Rylen?" I whispered his name carefully. I was afraid I would set him off. This situation was too peculiar.

"AJ I'm sorry but I have to go. I can't thank you enough for forgiving me. That alone made my day." He abruptly stood up and walked over to my side. "I have to go now."

"O...okay. Is there anything-"

"No. And I have to go. For some time."

"W...what?" I couldn't understand anything.

"It's nothing really. I just need some time for myself. I have a big fight coming up soon. I'll see you soon okay."

Lie. That was a lie.

"I won't be seeing you for a long time huh?" I whispered to him.

"Hopefully not too long." He gave me a lopsided grin.

"Just one question. Are you in any danger?" I know it was such a dramatic thing to ask but I watched too many movies throughout my life. I just had to ask. When I observed Rylen's reaction, my question didn't seem so dumb. That's when I got worried.

"I hope I'm not." He quickly moved forward and gave me a hug. Rylen hugged me.

"Okay you're scaring me."

"Don't be scared nerd. I'm just going away for a while. I will come back so don't worry. I just need to focus on training and stuff. So I'll see you when I see you. Thanks again for everything." He said softly and rushed out of the cafe, leaving me more worried and confused.

~~~~~~~~~~~

As soon as he left, I grabbed my bag and rushed over to my dorm room. I guess I can't be worrying too much. He did say he'll come back.

By the time stepped into my room, it was already five thirty. I placed my bag on the chair and glaced over at Cora's side of the room. She was peacefully sleeping under her thick comforter. I could barely see half her face. She looked worn out. She would never really take very long naps. The longest nap she would ever take is an hour. So this was new. Thinking it was due to the trip, I shrugged and entered the bathroom to take a shower.

I took my time changing my clothes. Just then my phone started ringing. Elvis Presley's Burning Love blared across the room. Not wanting to wake Cora up, I quickly ran after my phone that was on my bed. I don't know how it happened but it just happened, I tripped over my bag that had fallen off the chair and fell on the floor with a loud thud.

So much noise. Why do we make this amount of noise when we're not supposed to? Only when we're not supposed to.

I scrambled to get up and quickly reached for my phone.

It was Willow.

"Yeah?" I whispered as if I didn't create a huge crash seconds ago.

"Cora skipped today. Noah is on his way to see her. Those two are soooo adorable." Willow was yelling over loud music.

"Willow you're at a party? Alone?" I whispered harshly.

"No you dumb nerd. I have Kian with me. We were just makin' out." She slurred.

"Give him the phone. Now." She didn't want to but she did it anyway. Her drunk self could recognise my serious tone.

"Hey AJ. What's up?" Kian greeted.

"Bring her back safely. Do not drink. Take care of her or else." I hung up right after and looked at Cora's sleeping form.

"You skipped?" I spoke to her as she stayed in her deep slumber.

She skipped. I wondered why she was sleeping until now. It was almost six in the evening. Thinking she might not be feeling well, I checked her table for any medication. I didn't see anything but an empty bottle with no description.

How odd. I had a strange feeling about this. I made so much noise and she didn't ever stir. She didn't move a muscle. Walking up to her, I lightly tapped her shoulder.

No answer.

Getting worried, I peeled away her comforter and chucked it at her feet.

"Cora? Wake up." I shook her shoulders. I furrowed my brows and stared at her. Her shoulders were cold. I then touched her cheeks.

Cold as well.

It was at that moment that I knew something was horribly wrong.

Not knowing what to do, I gripped both her shoulders and tried shaking her awake. Her body went limp as she fell on the bed again.

I panicked. More than I've ever panicked in all my life. Quickly grabbing my phone, I dialed 911. I also called the dorm's main office and explained to them Cora's condition. I couldn't talk properly because my throat clogged up as tears blurred my vision.

I knew exactly what was wrong but I didn't want to admit it to myself. It wasn't possible. It couldn't be. This couldn't be happening. Everything was okay. My best friend is okay. She was alright.

Shakily walking towards her, I lifted her right hand and touched her wrist, feeling for her pulse.

There was none.

I took two fingers and held against her neck, just under her jaw. Still, nothing.

She wasn't breathing and slowly I couldn't think. I gripped my hair with both my hands and whimpered in pain. I couldn't control my sobs.

Someone help me. Someone help her.

"Help....help me. Please help." My voice cracked and I couldn't scream. I tried to scream but my voice got caught in my throat.

I have to do something. I have to save her.

Gently pulling her down, I placed her on the floor. After that, I started to give her CPR while doing the chest compressions. I breathe into her while imagining that she would wake up. I kept breathing and pressing against her chest with everything I had.

"Someone help me!!! Please someone help me!!" I was slowly losing my mind. "Help!! Anyone please help me!!" I screamed as loudly as I could and started crying.

Everything was blur except for Cora.

"AJ?! AJ what's wrong?! I knew that was you." I looked up at Noah with wide eyes. He took a step forward and I could see that he was freaking out as well.

Not being able to answer him, I looked over at Cora and sobbed.

"Is she okay?" He whispered. "AJ answer me." All I could do was shake my head and cry. I then continued to breathe into her mouth like my life depended on it.

"Help her Noah." I sobbed uncontrollably. From my peripheral view, I noticed Noah's unmoving form. He was frozen. I began to sob harder.

"I said help her!!! Why are you standing there?!!" I screamed at his stunned expression. "Noah help her!!" I continued to scream to Noah and try to wake Cora up at the same time.

In the midst of all that chaos, the paramedics rushed into the room and started to check on Cora. They were giving me orders too but I couldn't hear a thing. I hazily saw Noah's unmoving form again. He didn't say anything. He didn't do anything. He only stared at Cora's sleeping form.

Yes she was only sleeping.

She was only sleeping.

And she was going to wake up.

I kept chanting it in my head

Over and over again.

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