"I'll get it" Dani said, hopping off the bed and making her way to the door.

I sat back down on my bed and logged out of everything before setting my alarm for tomorrow morning.

"Um. ..Kaia, it's for you girl" Dani said awkwardly, heading back to her bed.

I looked at her with confusion before turning to the door. I walked over slowly and peered outside, it was the last person I had expected to see right now.

Ash.

"...Hey" I managed to say, standing there frozen on the spot.

"..Hi" He replied, looking down at the ground.

"Wh--"

"Kaia can w--"

"You go first" I said, after realising I should have just kept quiet and let him speak.

"Alright. Well, can we talk please?" Ash asked in a sincere tone.

I glanced over at Dani for a brief second and she gave me a reassuring nod. Okay, I can do this. I can do this.

"Sure" I said, slipping on my shoes and stepping outside the room. I shut the door and followed him to wherever he was taking me to.

We walked across to the benches and sat down. It was quite chilly tonight, good thing I had a hoodie on or I'd freeze my butt off.

I sat there just awkwardly looking around. Why hasn't he said anything yet? This is too damn awkward. Maybe I should say something?

I cleared my throat in the hopes that he would get the hint and start up a conversation, or whatever he dragged me out here for. After a few seconds he decided to speak.

"I wanted to apologize for Sunday night" He said, staring out into nothing. That was new, he usually looks me in the eye or looks down at the ground.

"I'm sorry too. ..for yelling at you like that. Also for telling Alexis to shut up. It was rude of me" I said, feeling a bit embarrassed about how I acted.

"Yeah, well Alexis doesn't matter. She's just a hookup- a distraction. We're not completely together, just to fill the void at night that's all. After that's done we get back to our daily lives" He explained.

"Oh, a distraction from what exactly?" I asked.

Ash shifted abit in his seat and exhaled loudly.

"You really have no clue, do you?" Ash says with half a smile.

"No clue about what?" I asked, more confused than before.

"You! I need a distraction from you Kaia!" He says, hands flying everywhere.

So this was his way of moving on. Mine was moping around all day and his was hooking up with random girls. Okay.

"Well you sure seem pretty distracted so I'm guessing it's working well" I said smartly.

"You could say that. ..or not. Anyway, I'm just here to seek forgiveness and to ask if we could at least be mates" Ash asked and my heart leaped up and then dropped. ..and broke at the word 'mates'.

I didn't know what to say. I glanced over at him and he was looking at me weirdly, probably waiting for me to say something. I should say something. Yeah!

"Sure. I was just about to suggest it" I said, lying through my teeth.

"Really? Um.. okay well, friends?" Ash says, standing up and holding his hand out to shake.

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to keep from making a scene with my tears. This was harder that I thought. I stood up and stretched my arm out, gently shaking his hand.

"Friends" I managed to blurt out, trying not to sound too weak.

"Are you sure?" He asked, staring deeply into my eyes. I had missed this. This feeling of butterflies everytime he looked into my eyes. As my breathing starts to lighten, I stare back at him unsure of what to say.

"I'm. ..err, yeah. I'm sure" I said, swallowing hard as the words fall from my mouth. I instantly regret it but I can't say.

"I have to get back, lots of studying to do" I said, gesturing to the dorms. It's so hard to keep a normal, composed face when I really want to scream.

"Oh, yeah...yeah, you should go. Sorry for disturbing, yeah?" Ash said, walking me back to my room. We were about half a meter apart and I had never felt so lonely walking next to someone. This was torture.

"Goodnight, Ash" I said, opening the door to head back inside.

"Night, love" He said, before heading left down the walkway to his dorm.

I stepped inside and slowly closed the door behind me. I leaned against it and sunk down to the floor, crying hard.

"No, no. ..no! What's happened?" Dani says, rushing towards me.

I quickly wiped few tears away and tried to breathe before replying.

"I can't, Dani. I can't befriend him. No!" I spat, trying to come to terms with my feelings.

"What's wrong then? Why can't you?" Dani said, holding my head up in her hands. "Are you in love with him?"

I nodded multiple times, struggling with the fact that we're just friends now.

"Yes, Dani. Yes!" I half-shouted.

Dani stood on her feet and placed both hands on her hips.

"Get up!" She said firmly.

"Wh-- why?" I asked, slightly confused.

"Get up Kaia! Just do it" she replied.

I slowly stood on my feet and looked at her. She was looking at me with a smile beginning to etch on her face.

"Go tell him, Kaia. Now! Before you lose your chance" she said, giving me a massive hug.

Okay. I can do this.

I rushed out the door and ran as fast as I could over to his dorm. The cold air whipped past me harshly but I didn't let that stop me. I was determined to get back with Ash, at all costs.
I managed to run up the stairs without tripping and falling over. Once I got to the second floor, I walked to his door, exhausted and fully puffed out.
My heart was running a race of its own as I tried to slow it down enough to speak. After a few seconds I held my hand up and knocked on his door.

I turned around and mentally prepared myself for what was about to happen. I had to confirm if he felt the same way I did. My hands were cold and shaky and I was nervous as hell. I had never done anything like this before.

I heard the door being unlocked and then opened. I closed my eyes and silently wished myself good luck.

"Kaia? What are you doing here?!" Ash asked, clearly suprised as to why I look like I just ran a marathon with tear stained cheeks.

"Ash. I. ..I--"

"Oh hey girl! Sorry about the other night, okay?"

"Oh!" I said, taking a step back. "I didn't know you were here".

"Yeah, Ash didn't either. ..I was waiting here for him to get back".

"Oh. Okay well I'll--" I pointed towards the stairs.

"What is it, Kaia?" Ash said to me before I walked away.

"It's nothing. ..it can wait" I said, rushing to the stairs.

"Goodnight!" Alexis called out as I made my way down the stairs. I'm so stupid for attempting to come here. I should have known she would be here. Great!

Once I got to the bottom of the stairs I began walking, I had no energy to run now. Turns out I had just wasted it all. Silly me!

I reached the room and knocked on the door. I heard shuffling from inside and few seconds later, Dani opened it- moving aside to let me in.

"Did you tell him?" She asked.

I plopped down on my bed and took off my hoodie, leaving only my camisole on.

"Nope. Didn't get the chance. Long story short, Alexis was there" I said, wanting to pull out all my hair.

"Oh. I'm sorry. Well, you can always try again when she's not there- if you want?" Dani kindly suggested.

"Yeah. ..I'm not so sure. I'll think about it though" I said, laying back and pulling my blanket over me, not sure if I could fall asleep.