The next morning I woke up at my alarm blaring in full volume.

Unlike most of the people I liked morning schedules. But it was only fun when you're not compelled to wake up early and get to work by others. If that made any sense.

I got all washed up and put on a new pair of blue knee-ripped denim. Paired with a grey sweatshirt of course.

There were no important lectures today except for Creative Writing and British Lit. I could actually bail and doze off for a while but Clarice had been acting like crazy last night. The way she practically threw us three out after her dramatic phone call. Minus the lectures I needed to know what was up with her.

I headed downstairs grabbing my Harley's keys from the drawer of my night table.

Dad was in the kitchen, probably preparing breakfast. I didn't see either of my parents at home when I came back last night.

"Blue! Have something before you leave." He called me after seeing that I was stuffing walnuts in my denim pockets again.

"Mum's not home yet?"

His forehead wrinkled at my interrogation. I knew he didn't like her working extra shifts. And their regular tiff 'cause of that was one of the reasons I spent most of my time with mama in Boston.

"Sometimes you have to stop expecting the best from people and watch what they show you instead," he said handing me a plate of cream buns and orange juice.

~¤~

"Hurry up! Where are you?" Clarice bombarded at me through the phone.

"Can you like let me breathe for a moment the class just got over." I said stressing on 'just'.

"That's what I am saying, if the class has ended why aren't you guys in the cafeteria right now." She threw back at me.

"Wait for a minute, will you? We're getting there right now." Without waiting for her answer I ended the call.

"What's up? What is she hyping about now?" Felix asked as we hurried to the cafe.

"Clarice asked us to join her at the cafe."

"Wait...she's at campus?" He asked obviously confused.

"Seems like it. Did Cherry tell you anything about what's going on?"

"Nope. Not a thing." He pretended to look upset.

"She's acting all weird since yesterday. The way she almost threw us three outside." I complained.

Why was she so dramatic.

"I don't know, there must be something up. I didn't even get to complete the movie," he whined,"did she tell you why she bailed on class today?"

"Nope. Let's get going before she pulls on some other drama."

We both entered the cafe to see that everyone had gathered around our usual table.

Lorenzo had earphones stuck in his ears, most probably trying to cancel out the noises around. Kai and Cherry were probably talking about some clothing line which they recently got interested into. While Clarice was practically bouncing in her seat. The moment we reached the table she jumped out of her seat.

"How much time does it take to get here from class?"

I looked down at my watch, to tell her 15 minutes but she shut me down.

"It was a rhetorical question, you idiot? Now sit your ass down I have got something to tell y'all!"

"I didn't know that." Cherry sarcastically commented.

Clarice flipped her the finger and continued,"So as I was saying.."

"Just get on with it already." Lorenzo interrupted unplugging his earphones.

"Everyone shut up for a minute, babe you go on." Kai eyed at him, taking a stand for his girlfriend as usual.

"Thanks babe," Clarice smiled at him and Kai just winked back,"So as you all know Ryan had gone to India with Dad, for some business shit."

"Ryan, who?"Felix jumped in.

"My brother, dumbass!"

"You say it as though we should know that." Felix muttered.

I mean she did mention him here and there

Clary ignored the comment and continued,"So, he called me last night."

"These days where is that douc-" Lorenzo began.

"Errm...it's been like almost a year he hung out with us." Kai cut him placing his arm across Lorenzo's shoulders.

"Ohh! So you guys know him well then?" Felix asked him.

"Oh yeah! Really well. He was our senior right, Kai?" Lorenzo shot him a mysterious glare.

Kai just nodded with zero emotion across his face.

Before I could open my mouth Clarice sent a deadly glare towards me shutting me up again.

"Guys you won't believe what he told me! You remember Cher, the girl's picture I showed you? The one Ryan introduced me to when I went India last break."

"What was her name again? Oh Sarah, now I recall!" Cherry was her usual excited self.

"What about her?" I asked Clarice finally.

"Ryan has been in a relationship with her since the summer break."

"Yeah, that girl is gorgeous." Cherry chirped.

"Also the deal which they had gone to make was with Sarah's dad himself. So they both came out about their relationship to Dad. The most awesome thing is Dad was really happy with that."

"So, that's what you wanted to tell us. The epic success of your brother's love story." Felix cut in again.

"Zip it, you idiot. The best part is...that they are getting married. Soon. In Hawaii. And we all are going to Hawaii!"

"Aahhhhh! No way! Ryan's getting married?!"
The girls started screeching almost collapsing against one another.

"What do you mean, we all are going?" I asked although I hated interrupting them.

"We all!" Clarice said spreading her hands pointing towards everyone. "Dad has already booked the tickets for us all."

"What? But how come you were so sure we all will agree to join, huh?" I said raising my eyebrow.

"I know you can't resist this beautiful face, can you?" She said cupping her face in a V, making her look like a baby.

"When's the wedding? And why's Ryan rushing up things?" Kai asked still keeping his arm steady across Lorenzo's shoulders.

Why was this guy looking so lost? He seemed distracted as if wanting to say something but not being able to put it into words. And without Kai's support he wouldn't have had the strength to even sit upright.

"That's 'cause he loves her so much and wanted things to be serious asap." Clarice stated brightly looking at him but her aura faded as she saw Lorenzo.

It would only take a blind person to not see his beautiful face suddenly distorted

Felix and I looked at Clarice and Cherry simultaneously. Neither of us having the slightest hint of the reason of the tight atmosphere.

"Clar accompany me to the restroom, will you?" Cherry said packing her laptop in her hand bag.

"Yeah, guys y'all want me to order something in the meantime?" She asked hoping to drain the stiff atmosphere.

"Umm...get me a Cola." Felix said looking between her and Cherry.

"Yeah, same." I told them as they went off leaving us with the older ones.

We sat across from the both of them having no clue as to begin any conversation or just pretend to be invisible.

"You coming with us to British Lit?" Felix asked Lorenzo who seemed to show no emotion whatsoever now. His brown eyes looked rippling like a puddle in monsoon. Not so deep but full of undiscovered answers.

I can't keep up-

He didn't reply but instead looked at Kai. His earlier distorted face coming back but this time his cheeks were going tomato shade. It was anger? Grimace? Or just detest?

We still had one more lecture to go before the day ended. I was thinking that it would be better if Felix and I left the best friends to have their time. Something didn't seem right. But staying there wasn't going to benefit anyway except for the unwelcoming awkwardness.

Suddenly everything went silent as the sound of a chair falling to the ground resonated throughout the cafeteria, Lorenzo had suddenly stood up.

"Je me casse!" He blurted out trying to let go from Kai's hold.

"Where do you think you are, huh? Let go Enzo!" Kai said holding on to his arm. I didn't understand what was happening but one thing I figured out was Kai was his best friend for real. The patience he had for his abrupt bipolar behaviour. If that's what you could call it.

I could see in his eyes, the eyes as they say never lie. Lorenzo was trying his best to mask his emotions, but I could see, he was furious. In his angry stance he rushed out, leaving us all confused.

What is with this guy and his abrupt mood changes.

~¤~

I was sitting in my normal seat besides Neil and Felix as there was quite a while for the lecture to commence.

"You know except for the fact that he's extremely good in looks...I can't keep up." Felix mumbled reading his notes.

"Whom are you talking about?" Neil asked confused.

But Felix said the words out loud what I had always thought-

"Lorenzo. Who else?" He said as though it was obvious.

"I've known him for a year and that's how he was even when we were freshmen." Neil stated dryly.

'Cause maybe that's how he always had been-

"Yesterday..uhh..I didn't tell you about this but he seemed weird while on our back from Pop's." I touched the topic from yesterday, but I wasn't much sure now if I should have.

"Weird how?" Felix and Neil asked almost simultaneously.

"I don't know. Like we came across an accident and-"

"What?!"

"No you idiots! I meant, someone who got in an accident and he panicked." I said frantically.

"What's weird in that? I mean it's quite common to panic seeing something like that." Felix said losing interest as if the climax was over.

I didn't tell them the part that he was hyperventilating. It's not like I wanted to hide or something but I didn't know how to put it into words. It was easy to comment about how he threw a tough appearance throughout. But when I saw him like that yesterday I didn't had a hint, he might have that side of him. The side which he tried to mask. Even today.

10 minutes up in the lecture,
the British lit professor explained about the project we had to do for the semesters.

"Okay, listen up students. Before y'all have your semesters there will be a group project whose grades, let me tell you people before hand, will be included for your finals." She began.

"You're all suppose to film your own scripted or adapted idea in a role play of twos, the rest members can assist with the scripting and shooting," she looked around so that everyone was listening attentively, "I'm going to give y'all a month and a half starting from today to complete the whole thing. Also, most importantly no class time will be allowed for discussion. Good luck!" She smiled as she finished.

"Ma'am, any precise genre?" Neil asked who got so excited that he would be able to flex his knowledge as soon as he heard the professor.

"Nothing precise really. But I think if you choose something coming-of-age with your adaptive skills it would come out good. In the end it's up to y'all. Okay, for now you can decide on the groups. You'll have to group in fours." She replied.

"I can finally put my DSLR to good use." Felix said looking at the both of us.

"Wow, you have a camera? I have always wanted one. But that wicked thing never fit into my budget." Neil said smugly.

"So, Mr. Rivera, who all are part of your group?" The professor asked Neil as she made her way towards our trio.

The whole class was already divided into group of fours, with a combination of juniors and seniors. Everyone had paired up mostly with their friends, leaving our trio one member short.

"You are one member short though." The professor replied when Neil told her that we were just three, in our group.

"It's alright Ma'am the three of us can manage." It was better to work with one member short, with friends, instead of working with a complete stranger.

"But it's unfair to you..." She was abruptly cut off when the door opened with a bang as Lorenzo walked in. The earlier anger faded a little, but his stance was still stiff.

~¤~

(A/N: Hi people!

Hope everyone is doing well and staying safe:)

So, how do y'all like our story so far? Your comments are most welcome.
Also don't forget to vote!

Quick question,
What languages can y'all speak or are learning besides your native?

-umm...well I am a trilingual but English isn't my native. Also I'm learning French, and I really plan to learn Spanish if my small brain can keep up:)

Love, Maads <3)