The worst period of my life apart from exams was laundry time. I hated it. These were my clothes and undergarments but what could I do about my sloth-ass.

I am a clean freak but when it comes down to washing, my enzymes work at a pace slower than a snail. 

Mom suggested dry cleaner upon my constant whining but I would rather die. It's too intimate for me. 

I was down to the second round when my phone pinged. I placed the basket of my freshly washed clothes on the counter and grabbed my phone to see the message. 

Skype in two minutes.

I rolled my eyes at mom's antics. She loved to make it sound all business when she just wanted to gossip. I left everything and ran upstairs to my room. If I was a minute late, she was going to flood my phone. I grabbed my laptop from the table and jumped on the bed. Mom called me exactly thirty seconds later.

"You said two minutes. I still had" I glanced at my wristwatch, "twenty seconds left."

"Hi sweetie!" mom waved at me enthusiastically. "How are you? How is life? How are studies? Did something interesting happen? Tell me everything about your week."

Mom was too bubbly to be my mom.

This was her phenomenal idea when I came to New York. To Skype call every weekend and exchange data. I was against this agreement but now I found it fun. It looked like we were trading national secrets. 

Just imagine. 

"I'm good. Studies are fine and except for my hair annoying me, nothing miraculous is happening in life." Mom pouted. "Stop making that face."

"Your life is annoying." She chided. "You are in college but all we receive are praises about you. No complaints or warnings and you are still single. What is this, Zoe?" Her mouth turned down in disapproval. "Get a boyfriend. Have fun, be naughty and tell me everything about it." 

Ladies and gentlemen, this my mother, Rebecca Bradshaw. 

She is a famous art consultant and highly professional. But her worst side came out when she was with me. 

"Don't lead her on, Rebecca" Dad joined the picture. "I don't need any trouble on you." Dad zoomed in on the camera. "Not until I approve of him."

"Stop it, Shawn." Mom reprimanded him. "She is not a baby anymore. She is twenty-one. She can make her decisions."

"Which I don't trust." Dad pointed out.

"Can you stop?" I whined. Parents! "I don't want a boyfriend, okay? I am not looking for a relationship. It's-"

"Why, honey?" Mom interrupted me. "Is everything okay with you?" God! "What is she saying, Shawn? She doesn't want to fall in love."

"Mom!" I groaned. "I don't want a relationship right now." Dad just shook his head. "Look! There are piles of clothes that need my attention."

"I told you to give them in dry cleaners." Mom frowned at me. "At least listen to us in some matters."

"She is too stubborn," Dad muttered under his breath.

"All thanks to your genes," I said defensively. "And please don't say again why couldn't I inherit your intelligence. I am pretty intelligent already."

"Too much intelligent," Mom added. "That's why you are unable to fall in love. See!" Mom turned to dad. "I told you to keep those brain games away from her."

"Not again" I groaned again. "I seriously don't want to have this conversation. Stop or I will disconnect the call."

"Fine!" Mom gave up. "Are you going to the party this year?" I shook my head in negative. "Why, Zoe? Why are you so hell-bent on being so bland?"

"I am not bland" I replied smugly. "I don't like parties."

"Yeah. She used to hide at her birthday parties." Dad added while coming back to mom. 

"Thanks for the reminder, dad. Highly appreciated." He raised his glass of water in fake cheers. "This party is too stuffed and you know how crowds make me dizzy."

"Something is wrong with her brain, Shawn. We need to get her diagnosed." Mom grimaced. "She doesn't want to fall in love. She doesn't want to make friends. She doesn't want to party. Zoe! What do you want?"

"I want you to stop," I whisper yelled. "Ugh! It's so annoying. Mom! Please act your age."

"I am not an old soul like you." Mom pointed at me. "I am still young. I don't know anything." Mom shook her head. "You are going this year and I am giving Oli my special permission to tie you up and drag you out."

"Mom!" I exclaimed loudly. "You are so cruel." She just shrugged. "I-" My doorbell rang. "Hold on a second." I dashed out of my room and to the door. My brows furrowed when I watched through the camera. There was no one outside.

I stepped out and looked around reluctantly. This was a peaceful neighborhood. Who was roguish enough to play such childish pranks? I was about to head back inside when my eyes landed on the gift by the steps. 

Again?

This was not the first time. I have been receiving these random gifts with anonymous notes ever since the new year started. I was avoiding it as some prank but they were becoming more frequent. 

And annoying. 

"Who was it?" Mom asked when I sat back on the bed. I breathed in relief when I noticed dad missing. 

"No one. Just some kids ringing the bell and running off." I didn't want them to worry. They already had their hectic jobs and each other to fret about. 

"Just take care of yourself." Mom said and I nodded. "And please go to that party. Who knows you might fall in love?"

"God!" I buried my face in the pillow. "Can you ever stop? I said I don't want to."

"But why?" Mom almost whined. "You don't even know what you are missing." 

"And I am fine with the missing."

"Promise me you will go" mom pressed. "Just this one time, Zoe. If you didn't have any fun, I promise I will never ask you to do me these favors again."

"Way to twist the ball, mom" She pouted which was too sad to ignore. "Fine. I will go." My ears hurt when she screamed in victory and danced around the kitchen.

"I love you, honey." Mom came back to the camera. "Take good care of yourself and have lots of fun."

"I love you too, mom. Take care and give my love to dad. Bye" She winked and I disconnected the video call. 

My parents were too much sometimes. Mom was too hyperactive and dad was too phlegmatic. It was hard to imagine that they were very much in love even after all these years of their marriage. Love marriage. It made me wonder at times. 

It might sound strange coming from me whose parents were a living example but it was true. I couldn't get it. I always wondered over what they had. Maybe that's why I never had a single relationship in my life. 

I shook my head and got off the bed. My eyes fell on the new package. It gave me an unsettling feeling. I grabbed it and went downstairs to dump it in the bin.

***********

"I should pay my respect to your mom. I have been trying to convince you these past years but on her single pout, the mighty glacier Zoe turned into a puddle. Wow!" Oli whistled and turned back to the mirror.

She was getting ready for the party. She arrived at my place at three and was still not done. 

"Will you tell me now what happened between you and Isaac that day?" Oli asked after a minute. "I am sure your anger has cooled down by now."

"The mere mention is making me angry again, Oli." I snapped. "He was being a thief-faced ass-jerk, that's all." I flipped the page furiously. 

"So! He was just being a thief-faced ass-jerk as you say." Oli asked again. "That's all?" I nodded without looking up. "And you guys didn't meet again?"

"Luckily" I replied in a bored tone.

Oli was too curious and I was too prudent. I didn't want to invite unnecessary trouble at my door by telling her about that stupid coin kiss. It was not even a direct kiss. I was not even going to count it as a kiss. Hence, my first kiss was saved.

Theory of Zoe-tivity could never be wrong.

"Are you going like this?" My brow shot up. "I mean you are looking nice. The dress is really cute." Oli pointed to me whole. "But that's all?"

"I am fine, Oli" I drawled. "I have applied liner and mascara. No more for me." I focused my attention back on my book. 

"What about lip gloss?" I pointed an 'okay' to my lips. "And your hair look nice." I just 'thumbs up' at this. "And shoes?" I dangled my feet in the air. "Zoe!" Oli screamed.

"What?" I screamed back. I was getting annoyed by her continuous interruptions. Oli made me want to murder her at times. She didn't shut up even in her sleep.

"We are going to party," Oli whined. "Show some enthusiasm."

"I am excited," I replied blankly. "Can't you see? I have been waiting patiently for the last five hours. For you to get done so we could leave and live the time of our life because an apocalypse is going to hit earth tomorrow sharp at five."

"Okay, fine. No need to be so dramatic. I am done." Oli stood up and patted her black dress. She was looking hot. But the dress was too revealing, too short, and too tight. That's so Oli. She was going to smoke them all. "Come on!" I placed the book down and got up...unwillingly. 

I swear I would haunt my mom in her sleep if I died of boredom tonight.

I double-checked the locks and followed Oli to her car.

"Come on, apple-pie." Oli grinned when I sat beside her. "Smile, will you? You are not going to die." 

"We will see by the end of the night."

***********

The party was too overrated. A whole club was booked exclusively for one night. And not just any club. It was the most expensive club in New York. No wonder the whole campus was accommodated so easily. Now I got my answer.

Figuratively.

Oli was jumping in joy on the dance floor. With some random guy she met five minutes ago. I loved her free spirit but it annoyed me like hell. She looked at me and I just shook my head before she could even suggest dragging me among everyone.

I was literally glued to a pillar in the corner. I was not going to leave this spot until we were done. 

"Hey!" Oh no! "You look bored." Oh hell, no.

"I look like I'm minding my own business" I looked the other way but he didn't leave. Persistent pest. "What?" I asked in annoyance. "Are they short on places?"

"You are funny but you look bored." He leaned next to me and I moved aside to keep our distance. "Not a party lover?" I just looked at him smugly. "I'm Cole."

"Zoe" I resumed paying attention to every unnecessary detail except him but the idiot still didn't get it.

"What department are you from?" He asked.

Don't talk to me because I hate you department.

I wanted to slam this in his face but I was too lazy to do that.

And too short as well.

"Journalism." Can someone get this rotten brained no-go off my back? I wanted to be left alone and this buffoon was not getting the off vibes.

He was quite good-looking. Blonde-haired, blue-eyed, cute smile and tall muscular body. But that's the creepy part. Good looking guys were never good. They were evil reincarnated. 

"Can I get you something to drink?" I nodded with fake enthusiasm and Cole left. But my relief didn't last long when he reappeared at a speed faster than light. 

"Thanks" I took the soda from him reluctantly and looked around. 

Oli disappeared. 

Where did she disappear? Don't tell me she was making out with that guy? 

I was going to be stranded at this party with no way to go home because we came in her car. Once Oli was a goner, there was no resurrection of her until the next morning. 

"Shit" I cursed.

"What?" Cole asked. I cursed under my breath again. "You want to go somewhere peaceful? It's too noisy in here." And you are too obvious with your intentions.

"Excuse me" I walked away as quickly as my heel clad feet could carry me. I kept throwing wary glances over my shoulder. I had a feeling this Cole guy was not going to leave me alone any time soon. "Sorry" I bumped into someone...hard. 

My arm felt like it would have fallen off its place. I scurried away before the person could turn and thunder at me for walking like a blind woman. 

***********

I couldn't find Oli but I did find a place to sulk. There was no one around. So, I sneaked up here to give my head a rest. I sat by the railings and watched everyone enjoy to their heart's content. 

"Let's try one last time, Zoe. Then we will plan a murder" I opened my hand-bag to get my phone. My eyes landed on a lone coin inside.

The coin that ass-jerk gave me.

"What are you still doing with me?" No wonder nothing good was happening. This coin jinxed everything. "Because of you, I was separated from Oli and stalked by that dead-brain blonde barbie." I threw the coin away. "Now I feel better."

It felt like a curse was lifted off me. I chuckled at the absurdity of my thoughts and hugged the railings. My eyes landed on the soda Cole gave me.

Maybe, later. 

"Did you throw this?" A deep voice disturbed my peace from behind. "Is it a new trend to hit people in the head with coins?" I turned and came face to face with the king of jinx himself. Aka Isaac the ass-jerk King. His surprise lasted only a second. "Why am I not surprised?

"Surprising! Because you don't look surprised either." His deep chuckle forced me to look away. Just go away. Shoo! But no. I was jinxed so I had to suffer his presence.

Isaac sat next to me. At a favorable distance. No words were exchanged and I forgot he was here until his phone made his presence visible again. 

"Yeah. No. Don't look for me. I will see to it myself." I frowned at his manner of speech. It was too crisp and to the point with no greetings and good-byes. 

So, Isaac lacked manners in every department?

"How come you ace your exams?" His brow shot up at my question. "You seriously are a piece of roguish behavior. No courtesy at all. Be honest. Your family bribe the professors, don't they?"

"Shit! You caught on my secret. What am I to do now to save my reputation?" He said it with such lack of emotion that my face scrunched on its own. At his lack of sympathy for sarcasm. "What?"

"Nothing." I looked away and hugged the railings again.

"You looked at me like I murdered someone." His accusation was so on point. He murdered sarcasm. "You are quiet tonight."

"What about you?" I countered. "I have heard mighty Isaac King run away from girls like they are plague and I have also heard he use his fists more than words."

"You have heard a lot about me, haven't you?" I gave no response. "You want me to communicate with you through this?" I was startled when he raised his punch towards me. His eyes twinkled with amusement and a teasing smirk adorned his lips. "I'm just kidding. I don't hit girls."

"I am relieved to know that." I chuckled nervously and he joined me on it with his confident one. Isaac looked normal to me. Except for his endowments. "What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you this." He asked back. "What are you doing up here?"

"Sitting?" I replied. "Is it off-limits?"

"Yes." Isaac nodded. "It's a private part and only owners are allowed here."

"Then how are you here?" He just shrugged. "Wait! Do you...own this?" He shrugged again with zero expressions. "Wow!" I muttered dryly. "I don't even want to ask if you own the oxygen as well. That will make me want to choke on it."

"Was that supposed to be funny?" Isaac asked smugly. I just waved my hands dramatically which forced Isaac to shake his head and mutter something inaudible. A curse maybe. "I never saw you before."

"It's my first time." I sighed. A dark scowl appeared on his face and he grabbed my drink.

Without permission. Again. 

"Who did you come with?" A rustling and hushed giggle beneath us distracted me from his question. My face contorted in disgust when I saw a couple making out passionately beneath us. Hello! Stop polluting the air with your eww-iness. "Hey!" Isaac snapped at me angrily. "What-" 

"Animals are mating," I murmured. "I have heard they should not be disturbed while mating. It could have serious ramifications. Like male could get pregnant instead of female."

"What?" Isaac looked at me like I was an alien. And not from outer space. He bent over to see as well and looked at me like I was some kind of ancient archaeological object he accidentally discovered. "Do they look like animals to you?"

"Well! Duh," I snorted. "They are practically doing the deed in the bush-"

"Under the tree" Isaac corrected me.

"It's the same thing," I argued back.

"So! That makes them animals?" He asked incredulously. "They are couple-"

"That doesn't mean they should litter the environment." I retorted. "There is a reason why there is this phrase 'get a room'."

"You are being judgmental." Isaac reasoned. "It's not like you haven't done anything of the sort-"

"I haven't" he looked skeptical of my answer. "What? It's true. I mean you have to be with someone to do things that exchange germs."

"You mean to say...You are single?" I nodded. "No relationships. No flings. No one night-"

"Stop" I didn't want to hear the rest. "Yes. Nothing. Zero. Whatever other term could explain it." Isaac was looking at me oddly. It was making me feel weird inside. "Why are you looking at me like that?" He just shook his head and grabbed my soda to drink. A dark scowl appeared on his face again. One of anger. "What's wrong?" I asked in confusion when he sniffed the drink. He is a weirdo. 

"Who gave you this?" I flinched at his tone. "Who gave you this drink, Zoe?"

"There you are" Isaac stood up instantly when Cole appeared in the doorway. I could see the sparks flying between them. Uh-oh! Trouble. "What are you doing?" Cole looked at me over Isaac's shoulder. "With my girl?" My jaw dropped at his ludicrous confidence and lie. 

I am so going to kame-hame-ha him. 

"Your girl?" Isaac sneered. My heart dropped when he got in Cole's face. "Who drug their girl, Harris?" Drugged? "If any, you stay away from my girl." 

What the bull! 

What am I? A tennis ball that they are curving me around my girl, my girl? 

I gasped when Isaac dumped the drink on Cole.

Cole got cold by Cola. 

"Come, Zoe," Isaac commanded me. I got up immediately and went by his side. I didn't want to be alone with that infuriating blonde bull who was drilling holes in me. What did I do, dude? "Later, Cole." Isaac grabbed my hand and dragged me away.

"Who did you come with?" Isaac was not stopping and I was having immense displeasure in matching his pace or bearing his hold. 

"I came with my friend but she is not here anymore. Can you stop dragging me like a sack?" Isaac stopped and looked at me. There was no apology in his eyes and I was not expecting any. He was a rotten ass-jerk, alright. "I don't know your problem but everything was unnecessary." I jerked my hand free and glared at him. "I don't deal with free stuff. They only look good in malls and stores."

"Zoe!" Isaac said sternly. "I just saved your life from being ruined."

"It was unnecessary" I implied hardly. "I wasn't even going to drink that. What do you think it is? Some cliche movie or story?"

"That wouldn't have stopped him." His tone became bitter. "You don't know Cole. He is not a good guy."

"That's news to me" I clapped sarcastically. "Thanks for adding to my knowledge but I can tell right from wrong. I am studying journalism if you have forgotten."

"Let me drop you home." Isaac ignored everything I said.

"No" I refused flatly. I tried to walk past him but he held me back. "What?"

"Either come willingly or" Isaac towered over me, "I will carry you like a sack. Your pick." 

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