Hey my beautiful readers!! Hope you're all going well. Since everyone is still quarantined, I decided to update two chapters.

Remember to stay safe. 💕💕💕

Happy reading! God bless you guys and have a wonderful day ahead 🙏

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AJ's POV

"You wanna pack a cupcake?" I asked him.

"Aah, no not really. I wanted to but I'm too full now." He shook his head and quickly spoke. What's up with him?

Once he finished his treat he called me over, messed up my hair really badly and left with a wink. I couldn't touch him because I was wearing a new, clean pair of baking gloves. He knew that of course. I yelled at his retrieving form but only got odd looks from a few customers.

"Retarded poop ball, fucking douce. How do you even have friends?! How did you become one of the sorority sisters? I know! Because you're just as much stupid as they are. Eerrgghh. Can't even have one peaceful day-"

"AJ." I quickly turned around and saw Winnie the Pooh grinning at me.

"Who was that?" She wiggled her eyebrows.

Oh gosh.

"No one!"

"Okay, okay." I waited for her to leave and quickly took out the letter.

Why do you never come out? Why do you stay cooped up? I do that too but I think you're worse than me. That's something.

Anyways, I saw your picture on the on the huge board at the entrance of the science building. Congratulations on winning. I'm sure it wasn't easy but the fight must have been worth it. Why else would anyone work so hard to accomplish anything? You really deserve that number one spot. Take this amazing cupcake as a small gift from me. As always, I hope you like it.

Once I rolled the note and placed it inside the cake, I proceeded to add the frosting on top.

Ten minutes later I was done. Ms.Winnie told me that she would take care of the cleaning and sent me away before I could object.

I leisurely walked to my dorm room. All the way, I enjoyed the cool evening breeze nature had to provide. It was getting dark but I took my time. I loved watching the pinkish orange sky. My relaxing stroll was cut short the moment the dorms came into view.

My shoulders slumped as I begrudgingly walked towards the elevators.

~~~~~~

"Hey AJ. You're later than usual." Cora stated while she twisted the hem of her T-shirt nervously.

"More work than usual." I muttered.

"AJ listen, about this afternoon-"

"No, I get it. I shouldn't get too involved. You're right. Maybe I have become too overprotective over you or something and I gotta stop." I shrugged and looked at her with a tight smile.

"I'm glad you understand. I didn't mean to hurt you-"

"Relax Cora, you didn't." I cut her off before she could start apologizing again. She didn't need to. I will just have to respect her needs for now.

"Okay," she replied softly. "You up for old TV shows? Wanna continue watching Sabrina the Teenage Witch?"

"How about in a couple of hours? Let me bathe and do some reading for tomorrow's class." I looked at her. Her face brightened up as she nodded.

A bath, some studying and three episodes later, I was back lying on my bed, thinking about Eli. The notes weren't enough. Something else needed to happen.

~~~~~~~

"What do your parents work as?" I gazed up at Eli.

"My dad's a mechanic and my mom owns a small coffee shop. I have two younger sisters age thirteen and eleven and we also have a pet frog. How about you?"

"My parents are both business people and I am an only child. When I was younger I always wanted a puppy but my mom wouldn't let me have one. Then later on, I lost interest in keeping pets. But if my interest ever comes back, I wanna three legged dog that has only one eye. A right eye. That would be cool." I mumbled. Eli looked startled for a second. Why do I blurt stuff out?

"Wow. Um, you can always visit the rescue centre for animals. Maybe you can adopt a dog. Maybe they have what you're looking for?" He looked at me and shrugged. "When you get your own place of course."

"Yeah, maybe they do and maybe I will." That made him laugh.

"You never fail to surprise me AJ. This is why I love talking to you." He laughed again. Cuteness overload!!

"So, Eli, are you dating anyone?"

Why AJ?!!

His cheeks turned into a light shade of pink and he was avoiding eye contact. Eli was a nervous wreck.

"Um, n..no. Why?" He stammered.

"I was just asking that's all. Why are you so nervous? Do you like someone here?"

I will end them, whoever they were.

"Nah, dating is not for me. At least not right now. I want to concentrate on my studies first. Plus, you ask as if girls throw themselves at me." He scratched the back of his neck, looking tense.

Has he not seen his own reflection?!

"I just thought you might have a special someone. You're smart, funny-"

"Are you dating anyone?" He cut me off.

Yes. You.

At least in my head.

"Nope."

"Why not?" He countered back.

"Well, I haven't found anyone I really like..........until quite recently." I mumbled. This made his eyes widen.

"Who?" He stressed the word out. He sounded like he was demanding an answer.

"Just someone. It's more of a crush and I'm not even sure if it would work out." I sighed. Why am I telling him this? Maybe I was tired of writing notes. Maybe I wanted him to know I liked him. Maybe I was ready to date someone.

Damn, Eli really makes me blurt out a lot of stuff.

"I don't understand how someone like you could even doubt it." He spoke sternly.

"What do you mean? In case you haven't been paying attention, guys don't throw themselves at me Eli." I snickered.

He simply waved a hand dismissively. "That's because you don't let them. You weren't ready for anyone and they must be intimidated by your personality."

"It's not that I don't let them....."

"Did you ever like anyone before this mystery guy?"

"No."

"See," he chuckled. "So who is he? Tell me."

"He's...I can't." My shoulders slumped. I couldn't do it. I couldn't tell him. It was too embarrassing.

"At least tell me about him. Is he one of the popular ones?"

"No, not at all." Eli tilted his head at me, obviously not expecting that.

"This one is more of a wallflower. He likes blending in with the background. He isn't much of an outgoing person and he prefers books over many things. He thinks he's not that special. He thinks he's invisible but he's not because he's the only person I can actually see. The more he hides away from everyone, the more he stands out to me. Like a fucking oreo in a sea of cornflakes." I spoke softly staring at my cup. I smiled as I ended.

A moment later I looked up at Eli to find him staring intently at me.

"You really like this guy huh?"

"I do."

"He's not just a crush. You really like him." I didn't like the way he said it. I didn't like the tone of his voice. Why was he so sad?

"Why haven't you told him about how you feel?" Eli swallowed. He looked a little uncomfortable.

"I'm afraid. I've never felt anything like this. Ever. And I'm afraid of what he might say. I would hate myself if he didn't like me back and that's a messed up thought I know. I just-"

"He would like you too AJ. I don't doubt it. If by any bizarre chance he doesn't, means he's a mindless asshole and you should forget about him. The prick wouldn't be able to imagine what he missed anyway." I gaped at the cute nerd seated before me. I've never heard him curse. I've never seen him this intense before. He looked......hot.

My cheeks flushed and felt giddy all over.

I giggled and agreed with whatever he said. That day, I made up my mind. I'm going to give myself a few days and I'm going to tell him how I feel.

Alright, who was I kidding?

I need a week or two before I could muster up the courage to tell him. I have to tell him.

"So what are your plans for today?" He suddenly asked.

"Nothing really. I'll have to study for some tests."

"Nerd," he chuckled.

"Me? You're the one who barely ever does anything besides studying." I crossed my arms and retorted.

"Hey I do!"

"You don't even come out of your block and I rarely see you around campus. Why is that, nerd?" His look changed a little as he cocked his head to the side. He then looked at me quizzically.

"How do you know? It's not like we share the same time table." Pffttt didn't you know?! I'm a creepy stalker.

"I know that but I'm just saying. No matter what time our classes end, I rarely see you." He still looked at me oddly before giving me his reply.

"Yeah I guess we're both nerds huh?" He said more to himself. His voice was soft and I could bet he was still thinking about what I said. About him not coming out much.

"Hey AJ. I like going out too you know. Man I have to prove that I do go out. So um here's me trying to prove it. You free this weekend?"

Wait what?

Am I free?

No. I have to help Mr and Mrs Quincy in the bakery. Plus, I asked Cora if we could go out. Fuck it.

"Yes, I'm free. Why? Do you want me to accompany you to a competition?"

"No of course not. I just thought maybe we could do something fun? Hangout? That is if you're not too busy and if you don't want to, it's totally fine. I mean who knows, you might wanna stalk your crush or something so I don't want to be a bother but I would be glad if can come this week-"

"Whoaa, whoa. Stop it already. I would like to go with you. Hanging out could be fun." I put on my signature AJ look and made it seem cool but on the inside my heart was hammering against my chest and my rib cage was cracking. I hope I wouldn't puke out my organs.

Eli on the other hand blushed to the color of a tomato. He was all smiles after I gave him my answer.

"Okay Eli I have to go. Where are you headed after this?"

"Oh, I have to meet up with my advisor before my next class starts. Thermodynamics starts half an hour."

Of course I already knew that but confirming was always good. Since I met up with Eli right after my morning class, I didn't have time to place his cupcake under his desk. I thought I wouldn't be able to do the job today but alas! He needs to see a damn advisor so green card for AJ!

"Okay, so see you this weekend?"

"Yeah. Sure. I'm looking forward to it."

As I turned around to leave, I caught Lizzie glaring daggers at Eli from across the cafe. Was she watching the two of us the entire time? Was she waiting for me to leave? My steps slowed down as she made her way towrds Eli's table. The loud sound of her heels bounced across the cafe, making her gain a lot of attention.

I wanted to go to Eli but I didn't want to appear to be always fighting. He has already seen me do it once and making it a regular occurrence is not a good thing. I shouldn't be defined by my aggression. As I was contemplating, Eli sent me a tight smile with a thumbs up. His expression said 'I got this.'

I smiled at him and chuckled as he made a face at Lizzie.

Just before I walked out the door, I could hear her demanding Eli for unimportant answers.

"I met him yesterday. I'm sure he couldn't get me out of his mind. Which is why he wants-"

"Elizabeth that is none of my concern."

"Oh, you made it your concern after trying to ruin the both of us!! You know what I'm asking you now. I would have asked Gabby but she has classes-"

Ooooohhh, that's a lie.

I snorted before closing the door. It was a sunny day outside. Just what I needed to drown all thoughts of Lizzie. I wonder what she'd do when she realizes Gabby is probably somewhere sucking faces with the alpha queen bee.

I shook my head and strode in the direction of his block. I was on a mission and I didn't have much time.

~~~~~~~~

The moment I put the silver box under Eli's table, I bolted out of the class.

Success again!! Oh yeah!

I happily bounced towards the entrance but something made me stop.

That horrible perfume.

Oh no.

How did she get here so fast?! How much time did I spend inside the lecture hall?! Why now?!

Then it happened.

The deafening sound of high heels. I slowly backed away to the corner, waiting for my expectations to come true. Unfortunately, I wasn't wrong.

Lizzie walked from the direction of the elevators. She suddenly grumbled about someone not being there. Her eyes scanned entire area and then she peeked into Eli's class.

I have to get the hell out of here.

She can't see me.

Oh gosh. No.

I tiptoed and shrank further into the corner. I could hear her aimlessly walk around and so without thinking much, I turned around and saw the janitors room to my right. I pulled open the door and threw myself in.

Shutting the door closed, I sighed to myself.

"Damn it please leave." I looked downwards and whispered to myself.

The second the words got out of my mouth, I felt something go around my waist and at the same time my mouth was covered.

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