"Hello, hello? Are you there?" Maize's waving hand enters my view, quickly pulling me from my stupor.

I don't know how long I've been stuck in this haze. My mind has been filled with Terrence's confession. How can he say he likes me? Doesn't it mean it has been mutual all along?

'But...'

"Earth to Remy?" Maize's voice comes again. "Are you going home in that state?"

"Uh, yeah?"

"Are you sure? You haven't even finished packing." She gestures at my open luggage and my belongings cluttering the floor.

"It's okay." I dump everything at once, not bothering to fix it neatly. I can't even organize my thoughts at the moment so I don't think I can do this too.

"Are you really okay? You still look out of it, girl."

I snap my head in her direction. Sometimes, it makes me wonder how can there be someone as observant as Maize.

"Yes, I'm okay, really." I zip my bag and pull it up.

Walking by the mirror, I check anything amiss in my outfit today. Make-up's perfect and hair is in check. In my peripheral, I catch the empty canvass. I haven't started anything and yet here I am getting distracted again.

'I'll do it next week.' I promise myself before I swivel toward Maize who is still in her bed, her eyes back on her phone.

"I'll go first. See you on Monday," I say.

"Wait. I'll go down with you. I'm gonna buy some snacks." She jumps out of bed, grabbing her hoodie and keys.

"Aren't you worried about getting fat? You're always eating in your free time."

She giggles. "The only thing I lucked out is having a fast metabolism."

"That's really lucky." If I'm not too conscious, I won't mind eating what I want to. Nonetheless, I can always indulge in some coffee and brownies.

We exit, heading straight to the elevator. The two of us are alone until it pings on the third floor.

The person I'd been avoiding yesterday struts inside with his friends. The small space becomes smaller with all these guys crowding on us.

Maize and I are pushed back. But when his back draws closer, I catch my breath. It's as if all oxygen is stuck in my lungs. 'Why is he freaking close?'

Maize is nudging my waist but I am too hyperfocused on the man in front of me. The elevator slides open to the second floor again, and now more people are inside.

'But why did he have to turn?' Why does it feel like his chin is resting on my head? Why is his breath prickling my scalp?

It's been years so why am I still acting like a fumbling idiot as if I'm still infatuated with him? I badly want to scold myself but my mouth is shut close.

Luckily, we're already on the ground floor.

"What is that?" Maize says the moment we are out of the elevator and far from anyone's hearing distance.

"What?"

"I'm not blind. He's practically hugging you with no hands."

I let out a laugh, although it comes off more nervous from the slight tremble. "He's not."

"I was pulling you to my side then he faced you and does he really have to lean on you? Isn't he moving too fast? OMG!"

"It's not that. Anyway, I'll see you next week. My driver's already at the parking."

"Girl! You have so much to tell me! I'll call you, okay?" she says, her eyes glimmering, probably with the idea of gossip.

Nodding my head, I push her in the opposite direction of the parking area. Dragging my trolley, I search for our family car.

The plate number is hard to identify with the numerous vehicles but after a minute, I'm able to find it. But then, I quickly stop in my tracks.

'What's he doing here?'

He has his hands in his pocket as our eyes lock. I ignore his penetrating black gaze as the elder drives take my bag to the trunk.

The old man doesn't seem to notice something amiss. He's been with our family since I am a child and he knows Terrence.

I open the door, ignoring him but to my utter shock, he steps inside too.

"What are you doing?" My eyes become saucers wondering what he's up to now.

"You're avoiding me," he states.

I hear the closing of the door and the engine turn on.

"Wait, Mister. He's not going with us," I say, panic lacing my voice.

"I am. Uncle invited me," he replies, almost too smugly for my liking. "You can go ahead, Mister."

"He's not your driver," I remind, glaring at his behavior.

What happened to the guy from Thursday? Why is he back being a pompous jerk?

Without answering, he pushes the button that slides the partition from the passenger seat. I take his hand away and push it back to lower the panel.

He press the button again and so I did. It takes a few rounds before someone clears their throat.

"Ma'am, Sir, please be careful with the partition," the driver says.

With Terrence having the last touch, the partition closes between the front and the back seat.

I cross my arms, anger rises over the awkwardness that I've been feeling these days.

"What do you want now?"

"We have a report on Monday and we haven't done anything since you're busy avoiding me," he says like it's my fault.

"I—"

"Don't worry, I understand. I was too hasty that day but I know you don't want this to be a setback in your grades. So if you don't mind, we can work it out today. I'll finish the rest so you can spend time with your family. I'll just need some of your input so we both have an idea about our reports," he explains.

This time, my mouth flaps a few times before I nod. 'When did he become so sensitive?'

I look away as the car leaves the school premises but maybe fate is playing on me. I quickly see Uriel walking on the sidewalk and the memories that have overlapped from Terrence's confession resurface.

It seems like it's been forever after the rollercoaster Terrence has made me feel. There's a slight twinge but I do my best to ignore it. Honestly, despite that, I still want to be his friend.

"Do you still like him?" comes the voice beside me.

Of course, I do. No matter how short we have known each other, Uriel's been my first crush since this stupid guy in front of me. It's not like it'll disappear right away when all those memories between us have been sweet with all his kindness and attentiveness.

"What do you care?" I snap before clamping my mouth shut the whole ride.

🎨 🎨 🎨

The ride home becomes twice longer with the suffocating air between us.

I instantly step out of the car when we arrive. I turn to my uninvited guest. "Once we're done, you're out."

There's a tilt on his lips as he bops his head. We walk back inside and Mom is already walking toward me.

She hugs me right away before her attention focuses on Terrence.

"My, it's been a long time since you've come here, Terrence. Are you two back together?"

"Mom!"

Why does she sound like Terrence is some ex-boyfriend?

She chuckles and takes Terrence's arm on her other side, guiding us to the living room. "You two have grown already. It suddenly brings back memories. Are you staying here until dinner?"

"No—"

"I'll gla—"

We answer simultaneously. He clearly has said he'll leave after we're done.

While I'm busy glaring at him, he finishes his sentence. "I'll gladly take the offer, Aunt. Your food has always been another level."

"Still a slick tongue, I see," Mom says but obviously beaming from the compliment.

He can always charm others if he wants to but when it comes to people our age, that ability just doesn't apply the majority of the time.

"How about lunch? Have you eaten yet?" Mom inquires.

This time, we are in agreement as we both shake our heads.

"Alright, you two eat first." Mom calls for helpers while we're left alone.

"You said you'll be leaving after? Why are you staying until the evening," I say while he plops himself on the sofa so comfortably as if it's his house.

"I don't think we can finish it in just one afternoon."

My eyes squint at his words. "Liar. You're the smarter one. You can do things faster. I'm also sure you lied about Dad inviting you."

"But it's a group project, Remy. If it's only me working alone, why should it be called a group project? As for the other one, he did invite me. Only it was months ago."

I want to pull my hair in frustration. The sight of him inside my home just brings back the countless days we spent together. This level of cockiness is just like the one I am more familiar with, not the wretched guy in his studio and certainly not the same person who said he likes me.

"Besides, this is a presentation report, we have to take notes of our slides."

"Fine." I surrender. "It'll be too bad when I drag the one and only prodigy to a failure just with a report, right?"

Something flickers on those irises, making his smile sink.

"Right. I'm a prodigy, after all."

There's no hint of smugness in his sentence that now, I want to take back what I said. Sid's words flash at the back of my brain. Terrence just have his first loss. It can't be that he's really affected by that.

"Hey..." I don't know how many breaths I heaved before I finally complete my question. "Are you really sad about the loss from the school competition?"

His brows wrinkle. That dark gaze always manages to hide his real emotions, making me guess what really runs on his mind.

"It's your first loss, so what? Do you know about the rest of us who lost to you? We lost, we grow. It's not like the end of the world when we are defeated. Just get back up and show that there's even a better version of you."

Words just flow from my mouth. Words I can easily say to him but can never apply to myself. Terrence's eyes remain on me until those phoenix lids curve like crescents.

"Thanks, Remy. You're right. You always are."

A smile also mirrors my lips, seeing his mood lifted but I quickly freeze. 'Don't be such a softie, self.'

But when thinking about it, what did he do wrong? His conceited nature has always been there since we were children. I have come to accept it when I fell for him. Because if I were in his shoes, I'll also be proud of all my achievements.

What happened during the graduation is just a misunderstanding on my part. It's me who has brought myself into a situation drowning in wariness when all this time the water has been surface level. It has been me all along.

While I'm busy rectifying how stupid I am, footsteps come closer.

"Remy, Terrence. Lunch is ready," Mom says.

I turn to him, and this time my voice becomes softer. "Let's go."

🎨 🎨 🎨

Who can believe that Terrence and I can be able to talk peacefully for a few hours? Definitely not my high school self, hell-bent on despising him.

"Do you think we should download more videos?" I say while we go downstairs.

We had been staying at the study to complete our report when the helper called us for dinner.

"It's alright. We're already done and I assure you, our presentation is great."

We go to the garden since Mom mentioned earlier that she'll be having a barbecue tonight. We just step out when the other door to the garden opens as well.

"Remy!" Vincent rushes to me with a big hug.

Following him are Leo and Dad, who must have gotten back to work.

"Well, I'll be damned. Isn't this Terrence?" Leo says, a smirk forming on his face.

"Indeed. It's been a long time since you visit us," Dad adds.

"Good evening, Uncle, Leo. We have some urgent class report with Remy so I drop by to finish it."

"Really?" Leo certainly looks like he doesn't believe it but does not probe further.

"Isn't he Natalia's cousin, Remy?" Vincent says as I carry him.

"He is. Didn't he introduce himself last time? You can call him Terrence."

"But you don't like him, right?"

"Huh?"

"You told me last time he's a jer—"

I smother his lips with my hand in a blink of an eye. "Come on, baby. Aren't you hungry?"

"Yes! Mom's food smells so good."

Luckily, my brother gets easily distracted. I put him down and he dashes to the dinner table.

"So I'm a jerk?" he says.

"Aren't you always?" I snap back without thinking.

"To others, maybe but you? Never... Unless we're talking about art."

"Shut up, art nerd." I walk out, only for him to trail behind me with a hearty laugh.

🎨 🎨 🎨

Dinner has ended and it's time for Terrence to go home. Leo can't say no again and becomes the designated driver.

"Come with us, Remy."

"No way, it's only a short drive. You can do it alone," I argue with Leo while Terrence is still talking with Dad.

"Don't you want to know a secret?" he baits.

"What secret?"

"Not telling until you come with us."

"How will I know if it's worth it?"

"It's something to do with your little bastard admirer," he replies, pursing his lips in Terrence's direction.

My eyebrows raise. "Huh? What admirer?"

"Don't bother denying, little sister. I'll bet all my savings that he has already confessed to you. Or else, he won't be stepping foot in here with how you wanted to evade him before."

I roll my eyes, my lips thinning. Not denying or confirming anything and just diverting back to the topic. "So what about that secret?"

His grin grows wider. "Don't you want to know who helped me investigate the forum matter before? Let's say, he offered a big help."

"What?"

"Ask him if you want."

"Wh—"

"Are we leaving?" Terrence's voice cuts me off.

I spin on my heels. "Not yet. Explain something for me."

"I'll head out to the garage first. You two settle things. Communication is always the key, got it?" I ignore Leo's teasing note while facing Terrence.

"What does Leo mean you helped during the forum incident?" I open up.

"That... I just provided some evidence and ask my uncle to help me."

"Why?"

"You never liked to be the center of attention, especially not in a bad light that may affect your family."

I always thought he never understands me but am I wrong? Did I really spend years hating him in vain?

"Is that why they're expelled because of Dean Wright's intervention?"

"Part of it. We only did the right thing since there are certainly some corrupt board members he needs to clean up. For him, it's just hitting two birds with one stone."

"What else are you not telling me?"

He looks away, and I know there is still something.

"The buddy system." His voice is so low that I won't even hear it properly if not for our distance.

"What about it?"

"Uncle set us up and it's not a coincidence that he partnered us."

My eyes pop out. "What?"

"He's a dean, after all. He knows that I like you. I thought we can have a fresh start but I didn't know you have a grudge so deep. If I have known, I won't agree to it and approach you sincerely for your forgiveness," he continues to explain and blunders here and there.

And for some reason, my defenses crumble. 'Maybe... it's high time to start anew?'