You know what's the hardest part about studying-studying alone. Yes, trust me on this one, because I was thinking of studying something for half an hour but I still could not figure out which subject to start first. Also, I've always thought that a big cup of dark coffee in hand and a quiet environment to study is all that's needed in life to actually study, but that clearly wasn't working for me.

I was sitting in a library which was so huge it looked like an institution in itself. The books were everywhere. The beige walls, the ligneous chairs, the tabular tables-everything belonged to the library. I was settled around a large round table which was empty, except, only a boy was sitting at the rear end.

The place was so silent that I was afraid if I coughed, my voice would reverberate around the space. That is why, I did not even want to move an inch because I knew how clumsy I was. If I moved I would scatter everything everywhere. That was too much of a risk for the sanity of this place.

"Hey!" I looked up to the voice and saw Tyler standing before me.

"Hi, hey, what are you doing here?" I asked knowing confusion must be stamped all over my face.

"Well, this is a library, isn't it?" he pretended to look around, "And to my knowledge, it is open to every student, isn't it?"

"Yeah, you are right." I said, dodging my eyes off his mocking grin.

"Anyway, honestly it's not usually my spot. I just came here to meet a friend." His icy blue eyes invaded my privacy as they lingered through my books to my coffee cup to my black and white stripes bodycon top and then back to my eyes. "Um... well, he's an assistant librarian here, so... yeah, that's what. And then, when I saw you, I thought to stop and go by saying 'Hi' to you," he added, smiling slightly.

"Oh, okay," I uttered, not knowing what else I should say next.

"I think I should go now," he said while running his long fingers through his hair.

"Yeah, I also have to study, so see you next time." At this point, I was convinced I was the worst person to ever rely on in terms of extending a good conversation. It was just not in me.

"From study... I remember, do you still need my help in math? I'm sorry the other day I was in rush and then I forgot about you completely," he said in a assertive tone.

"It must have been something urgent I suppose. And yes, I'm still looking for a math tutor for myself," I giggled, making the whole situation more embarrassing as he only stared at me with an unreadable expression on his face.

"Okay, are you free in the evening?" He questioned in a nonchalant voice.

"Yes, I think so."

"Meet me at the football ground at four. We can go to some place where I can teach you atleast the basics of the first unit," he replied before throwing a pursed smile at me and then he walked away.

Tell me that I was hallucinating and he was not as strange as I thought he was.

I checked my phone and it was 12 o'clock. In fifteen minutes, I had a Java lecture to attend which was one of my favorite subjects, apart from Oops. It was my favourite for two reasons. One, it had very less theory and more practicals. Second, I was doing my best so far in this.

I walked out of the library as I messaged Brittany to meet me in the cafetaria after lecture. In response she sent me her selfie with a 'YASSSSSS' under it. She was always a drama. Always. All-fucking-ways.

I attended my Java lecture in no time. It was so engrossing, I felt like it passed too soon. I was sitting alone in the lecture theatre the whole time; I did not know anyone there. And if I tell you honestly, I myself didn't want to know any of them. The reason was, they all behaved like some rich brats who would spit in your face if you dare to speak against them. They wanted sycophants, not friends or companions.

As soon as my class was over, I walked to the cafetaria to meet Brittany who would probably be dying out of hunger at this point.

"Hey, vampire in making yet?" I mocked Brittany as I approached her.

She groaned, "Fuck, yes. I'm as hungry as hell."

I was about to sit on the chair next to her when she snatched it, pulling it away from me. "First, go and grab us two giant cheese burgers, two samosas, garlic bread, one hazelnut frappe and your usual boring, ew, espresso." She furrowed her eyebrows gesturing towards the food station.

"Sure." I huffed my way.

As I walked towards the food station, I remembered that this was the place where that incident took place. The most bizzare, detestable and out of the blue incident of my life that I could never have predicted.

A man was standing behind the food counter smiling at me like the last one. He was not the man who was there that day. I gave my order to him and ran my eyes around to see if Kendrick was near somewhere. If he could do it once, he could also do it a second time. But it was a dare, wasn't it? He made it pretty clear that he wouldn't touch me if it wasn't for a dare. I was glad that I didn't fit into his 'lets-fuck-this-chick' criteria because it meant I was safe.

I walked back and sat next to Brittany who seemed to busy on her phone.

"Ivory, are you joining us for drinks?" Brittany asked, her eyes were still glued on her mobile screen.

"Nope." Her eyes shot up at my reply and before she could shower me with her beautiful curses, I added, "I know you'd be going with your gang and... that also includes him."

After what he told me last time I don't think it was a good idea to be around him. I was better away from him.

"Just because you've had a little verbal spat with him doesn't mean you can't hang out with me or with my other friends."

Good point! But I was still not convinced.

"I know. But maybe some other day. I'll have to meet someone today for-"

"Wait, what do you mean by you have to meet someone today? Have you already made new friends here? Without my consent?" she questioned gaping at me in shock.

"Yeah, um... no. I mean, he is in my Math class, and I've requested him to help me with Math."

"He? Who is he? Is he hot? Do you like him? I bet you do-"

"Brittany." I passed her a long glare.

"Yeah, whatever, sooner or later I'm going to meet him anyway," she said, shrugging off her shoulders and leaning back in her chair, "so you can hide your new friend all you want but you can't hide him forever from me, my dearest."

"He's just a friend, Brittany, for god's sake..." I hit my head lightly on the table several times before looking up at her and again doing the same.

"Here's your order." And there arrived our mouth-watering meal, meaning it was end to our discussion. Thank you, lord.

I was standing right in front of a huge inflatable arena where players were practicising football that involved-jumping, running, push-ups, press-ups and a lot of kicking the ball. They were about fifteen people including the coach who was screaming and shouting at them like a mini version of Hulk.

All the players were shirtless. They had bodies to drool over; pectoral muscles to get the audience screaming in lust whenever their shirts are removed. It is not shocking why football is one of the most viewed sports in the world.

I walked across the stairs and settled down on a clean spot while my eyes were still stuck on them. I don't know why but for some reason I found half-naked guys chasing after a ball, only to kick it to the goal, quite interesting.

Kendrick!

I noticed Kendrick amongst them. He was actually doing better than the rest. His sprint was faster than the others. His push-ups were proper than the others. His goals were accurate than the others. He was a professional, and even if I hated him to my guts, I could not ignore that he was actually far better than the rest of the guys on the field.

My eyes lingered over his body; shamelessly staring at his pecs glistening like diamonds. Sweat coated his exposed chest, and he wiped his brow with his forearm. He stood there, huffing and puffing like he was preparing himself for the next run. His body was carved to perfection even though his mind was far from that.

My mind was still reeling over thoughts of him when suddenly his eyes caught mine. I paused, the unfamiliar sensation a combination of adrenaline that made my blood quicken and electricity that made my skin tingle.

He looked surprised for a tiny second before that usual smugness covered his face. He looked away and started running again, taking the football along with him and dribbling it through the cones.

Behind him, was Tyler. I could tell he was the second best, if not the first. With ruffled dark hair, he was toned and tall, a strong body with an extra layer of muscle. Kendrick was lean in his comparison but both were equally fit.

I waved at Tyler as he noticed me sitting on the stairs. He waved back at me, small smile covered his lips. In the next moment, he was back in his game, again running behind the ball.

The practice session continued for fifteen more minutes before the coach finally decided to release the lot. They all ran inside through the door of a building standing nearby, which seemed to be the backside of it.

In not more than ten minutes, I watched Tyler coming out of the building wearing a black hoodie and a plain grey pants, his hair messy and wet. The bloodshot eyes and scorched skin were a dark sight, the beard was thicker, the nose broad and sharp, the lips coarse, and jaws heavy. Although his scars were less conspicuous now, he looked like he was in some rough spot in life.

"Hey, I hope I didn't make you wait for long," he says, smiling as he walked towards my direction.

One arm tightened around my body in a light hug, and then he released me, looking at me with a smile that barely reflected in his eyes. The aroma of wood and tobacco surrounded him and his breath smelled like he had recently brushed his teeth.

"No, I enjoyed watching you-I mean, watching all of you play, you know, like a team." I smiled coyly, unsure of whether my words made any sense to him.

"Yeah?" A light laugh escaped out of his mouth, "Well, we barely played anything today but there's a match in a couple of weeks. I hope to see you there."

"Of course, I would love to join."

"Shall we?" he said, gesturing me to take the lead and walk ahead.

"Where are we going? Should we go to my place?" Brittany was going out with her friends so I had the whole room to myself.

"Um... would you mind if I take you to my work place, a restaurant, I mean. I also live there so there won't be any problem," he looked hesitant as he spoke.

"Yeah, sure." I replied. I was amazed to hear that a guy like him could also work, because honestly he didn't look like a workholic person. He looked more like a 'Imma-beat-the-shit-outta-you' kind of a person.

"Okay, then you stay here, I'll get my bike from the parking lot," he said as he disappeared in a square parking zone that was mewed around cars and bikes.

He came back while riding a massive Kawasaki Ninja motorbike. Now with that bike, I was double baffled, why did he have to work? Because, brother, that shit was expensive.

He stopped his bike before me, his eyes concealed behind the black glass of the helmet he was wearing. He handed me other helmet and helped me put it over my head. His rough fingers stroked their way through my face and neck.

"Jump in." He accelerated his bike.

Grabbing his shoulders, I hopped on the back seat, managing to settle down in a small spot. The seat was so high, it felt like I was sitting in the air. I towered over him, my legs wrapped around his legs and my chest inches away from his back.

"Hold me tight if you don't want to cause yourself any physical damage," he spoke in a rough voice, accelerating his bike one more time and making a roar come out of it.

I leaned forward, my breasts brushing his chest, making me nervous. I clasped my hands tightly around him. He sighed deeply, his whole chest heaving with every breath he took. He was silent for a while before he forgot he was only riding a bike, and not a bullet train.