It's already past fifteen minutes and the professor is not here yet. Others have begun leaving gradually while some stay for chitchat.

"Shall we go too?" Maize says.

"Let's wait until 09:30."

"Fine, fine." She plays on her phone while I grab a sketchpad to pass time.

A few more minutes and the front door opens. A man in his late thirties enters the room. His slick-back blonde hair matches his dashing suit, giving him an air of elegance and intimidation if not for the wide smile on his face.

"Good morning, students," he greets.

"Good morning, Dean Wright," some students manage to say while the rest —including me— are still trying to process why the dean of our college is here.

"Professor Mason has an emergency and I'll be subbing for today. Let's see..." He flips up the folder he's holding. "He has some activity for you but let's make it more fun, shall we?"

He winks and a shudder runs through my spine. The last time he mentioned 'fun' is the day of the announcement of the buddy system.

"I want everyone to grab a paper, roll it, and pass it to me," he states and we do what he says.

 After I finish mine, I walk up to the table, lumping my paper into the bunch spread on the surface.

"How are you, Remy?" Dean Wright inquires, his teeth flashing while his lips tilt from end to end.

"I am fine, Dean."

"I see. Have you been enjoying the buddy system?"

I stop myself from scowling, compelling myself to nod.

"Wonderfu—"

"Uncle."

I don't even need to look back to see who interrupted the dean.

"It's 'dean', Terrence. We're in the class." So he speaks but his smile never wavers. In fact, it stretches wider.

Sensing that they have something to talk about, I step back and return to my chair.

"They really don't look alike," Maize comments the moment I sit.

"His looks are probably on his mother's side," I reply.

She shrugs with her palms up in the air. "Probably but I bet ya, Dean Wright is also like Terrence who is the popular kid in school when he was younger."

After a while, Dean Wright starts to rearrange the papers on the table, shuffling them together. He picks a piece, declares the name, and then another, pairing the two students together.

By the time he calls my name, my fingers tighten in my pen. 'Please not Terrence.'

"Terrence Wright."

'Dang it.' I want to scream so bad. I'm so good at jinxing myself.

"Wow, girl. You've paired up with Terrence again," Maize remarks.

'Yeah, lucky me.'

I turn back in his direction and his face is as dark as mine. With thinned lips and narrowing eyelids, his whole attention is focused on the dean.

Dean Wright continues until everyone is grouped together before going into more detail about the activity.

It's another report to be submitted after the exams. It's still far ahead but just thinking I have to talk to Terrence again outside the buddy system is already making my head ache.

🎨 🎨 🎨

"Thank god. It's finally the weekend tomorrow. Maize says while she's dumping her art materials inside her bag. "What are your plans, Remybear?"

I raise a brow. "Review? Exam's next week just to remind you."

"Uh, please don't. I'd rather forget it."

"It won't run away if you forget it," I say, a smile easing my lips while her face shifts into a frown.

"You're becoming such a mood killer—"

"Hey, Remy!"

Both of us turn to the source of the voice. Sid enters the room with a chill gait and a grin pasted on his mouth.

"Let's have lunch together?" he says when he reaches our side.

"Oh, I can't. We're having lunch with Uriel." I reply.

"Then, let's go all together?" he suggests.

"Let me ask him first." Sid agrees and I approach Uriel who is still busy writing in his seat.

"Uriel, aren't you going for lunch yet?"

He looks up, confused for a second before checking his watch. "Sure. Just give me a few sec."

"Okay. By the way, Sid is coming with us."

"No problem with me," he responds with his head back to his papers.

"Got it. Will wait for you."

He hums his approval, and I return to where the others are. Maize is busy talking with Sid but I halt on my steps when there is another blonde between them.

'Of course, Terrence is here. Those two are attached in the limbs ever since.'

"So, how is it?" Sid asks when he sees me.

"He has to finish something. You can go ahead to the cafeteria. I'll wait for him."

Sid's smile falters as he glances at Terrence. The sudden silence causes the rise of awkwardness in the air.

"Um. Let's just wait for him together?" Maize proposes.

"I guess not. We're a lot and we need to reserve a seat," I persuade, not knowing why she insist. Normally when Maize, Uriel, and I grab lunch, she's always the first to run for a table.

"No, no, no, it's okay," she says and her lips purse a little towards the guys' direction who are also having a silent conversation with their eyes.

My brows knit with everyone acting weird. Thankfully, a tap on my shoulder pulls me out from overthinking, crumbling the strange tension in the air.

"Hey, you don't have to wait for me," Uriel says and points his thumb at the back. "I still have lots to finish."

The lines on my forehead deepen. "Are you sure? I'll order you lunch if you want—"

He ruffles my hair with a soft chuckle. "No need, Remy. I'll see you later, okay?"

It takes me a few seconds to reply because I don't think I'll ever be undazzled by his smile, to be honest.

"Okay. If that's what you want. See you later."

He pats my head once more before turning his back. The corner of my lips tugs unconsciously but it all disappears when Maize's hand circles my arm.

"Let's go?" she says.

I give a nod and so do the guys before we exit the classroom. But not after sending one last glance to Uriel...

🎨 🎨 🎨

When we reach there, we manage to get a four-seater table. Sid and Terrence have volunteered to order food while Maize and I guard our seats.

"Gosh, girl. I was trying to stop myself from squealing earlier but I swear, you're the luckiest person I know. How come you get the hottest guys?"

My brow instantly arches. "Huh?"

"I mean, I've been acting a third wheel ever since. You and Uriel made my heart flutter so much. You're so cute together!"

"Urgh, please. Don't give me false hopes."

She nudges me and draws closer, mischief twinkling in her irises. "Have you tried confessing?"

A memory immediately flashes in my brain. The first and last time I did it is something I'll rather forget.

But then again, does sending a love letter count as a confession? Even if it is coldly thrown away?

"So?" Maize prompts.

"Maybe I won't. I like what we have now. Besides, we've only known each other for a month."

"Girl, time is of the essence. What if while you wait, someone steals him?" she counters.

"If it's meant to be, it will be. It's easy to get closer and be infatuated with someone but I want to know them longer before trying to date."

Maize gapes. "Wow. You're actually a hopeless romantic. But, it doesn't mean that you won't know each other when you date. I think you'll further learn about each other when you start going out."

"Is that base on experience?" I tease, sensing the earnestness in her tone.

"Uhuh. Dated twice in high school and you never know who's an asshole or not unless you have a relationship."

Heaving a sigh, I speak, "Maybe, but for me, I don't want my relationship to be a trial and error. I want the assurance that I know I made the right decision after carefully deliberating. You know I have a crush on Uriel and the way he's acting makes my feelings sway but... I'm not sure if I'm ready..."

"How about this? What if there is something that can make you change your mind?" she goads.

I contemplate for a while. When it comes to dating, it is true that I like to do things carefully and slowly because of that nightmare in middle school. Imagine knowing a person majority of my life and turns out he's not what he seems to be, that's a deep dive to trust issues right there. I am not even surprised with myself that I only have happy crushes in high school and never dare to do anything stupid.

Nonetheless, what will happen, will happen. But, I just have to remember to lower my expectations knowing that disappointments are much harder to get over.

Cupping my chin with my hand, I face Maize. "Maybe I will?"

Her grin widens. "Now enough with Uriel. How about Terrence? Have you forgotten to tell me something? Are you sure you're not just 'buddies'?"

'Of course, it's not simple as that.' I have an unrequited sentiment I like to keep a secret forever.

"Have you seen how he always watches you? Most of the time, it's not noticeable if you don't focus on him but earlier? Gosh. I'm having goosebumps! He looks so hurt while you were with Uriel. His gaze is so penetrating that I feel like I'm witnessing a melodrama—"

"Wait." I straighten my back as I raise my hand to stop her. "What are you talking about?"

"I just noticed it when we were grouped together with Fleur and Uriel in design class. He's so good at hiding, but his gaze is always on you. I seldom catch him but it's only today that makes me realize that maybe he has a thing for you?"

"Hold up. Stop it. That's impossible. How—" I quickly shut up when I see Sid's figure. "Let's not talk about this," I say with finality.

That's the biggest joke I have heard. 'Him? Liking me? No way.'

It's better to forget about such an idea.

Terrence strides behind Sid. They place the tray and hand us our food.

As I peel the wrapper from my burger, Sid opens up the conversation.

"Do you guys have plans this weekend? I'm planning to invite you two somewhere."

I bop my head while Maize shakes hers.

"Really, Remy? What is it?" Sid prods.

"I'll be doing some review papers."

"Oh." Sulkiness underlies such a single word. "So you really forget about it?"

I pause, putting down my food. "About what?"

"My birthday! You already missed a few years and you actually forget about it? What happened to our friendship?" His voice becomes more dramatic as he goes, making me wince.

"Uh, sorry. Got a lot going on lately."

"Then why don't you come if you're really sorry?" This time, the sides of his mouth rise. "The exam starts on Wednesday and the party will be held tomorrow and we'll be back on Sunday. You'll have enough time, right?"

"I'm really sorry. I already made plans with Uriel—"

"Invite him too. the more the merrier it is," he suggests in an instant. "Come on, Remy. For old time's sake, yeah?"

With all their stares at me, I mentally sigh before speaking. "I'll let him know."

"Nice!"

With a tight smile, I take a bite of my burger and hope that Uriel will refuse so I can have a valid reason not to attend.