Adrian

"I'm letting you go now, but not for long. Remember that Lee."

My voice reeks of anger and I send one last piercing glare at him before I'm escorted out of the arcade by my friends.

Neha hooks her arm around mine and looks at me with softness in her eyes and a touch of concern.

And I melt. My façade of rage fading away to indecisiveness.

Was I too harsh? Did I overreact?

As if sensing my thoughts, she squeezes my arm and gives me a reassuring smile, her glossy pink lips thinning to reveal a row of bright shiny teeth.

For others, that smile may be just like any other but for me, it lifts my spirits and fills me with a pleasant warmth that I can't quite describe.

I smile back at her. And she laughs. Shaking her head as she looks down at the ground.

"Monsieur! Monsieur! Taxi! Urgh! Why is it so hard to get a freakin' taxi!"

June's agitated voice pierces the ambience that was previously established between us.

I had almost forgot she was there.

"It's okay, June. Calm down. I'm sure we'll get one soon." Neha's mellifluous voice rings out. "Ah see! There you go."

"Yeah. Sorry. I'm just a little... a little..."

"Don't worry June. We understand." I tell her in a lame attempt to comfort her. It's the least I could do after causing that scene and letting my emotions get the better of me.

God knows I embarrassed her real bad in front of her boss. In front of Lee. In front of her 'role model/celebrity crush'. And as much as I hate him, I didn't need him to think down upon her. But I reckon he already did before our encounter.

No wonder she looks so hurt. So lost. So sad.

She violently strides over to the passenger side, practically ripping open the door and takes a seat next to the startled driver (she's a taxi driver's worst nightmare at this point) leaving Neha and I the backseat.

And as if it was second nature to me, I hold the door open for Neha and wink at her, at which she blushes profusely, her cheeks resembling a beautiful lotus during a sunrise.

Woah there. When did become a poet?

I feel my face heat up and swiftly follow her and take a seat.

Unfortunately lucky for me, the velocity with which I entered said taxi added to my not that small mass and created a large momentum that resulted in a head-on collision with a really cute Indian girl as I land on top of her, pinning her down to the leather seat with my weight, chest to chest and our legs getting tangled up.

This is why we need more practical physics at school. We need to know how stuff works in the real world. We need t- Scratch that. She's smiling at me. My heart's doing that thing where it beats faster. Our faces are so close. I can smell her sweet, addicting scent.

She smells like jasmines and coconuts. An unlikely combo. But it was made for her.

It's like we're in our own world. Her elegant hands clutching onto my biceps, our breaths mingling and her laugh ringing through my ears. I could stay like this forever.

"Oh my God you guys look like you're in some cheesy rom-com. At least wait till you're in your own room. I don't really want to burn my eyes this early on in my life."

I lift my head to throw a deadly glare at June's annoyingly amused face. But from the looks of it, I probably look like I'm constipated. Her nose scrunches up in an attempt to hold her laughter in. But like usual, she fails. Her mouth falls open in unhindered guffaws. The mischievous twinkle is back in her blue eyes.

At least she feels a bit better now.

"Oi you retarded walrus stop laughing your fat arse off and tell the driver our address. You guys have uni tomorrow and preferably, I'd like to sleep in a warm bed and not in a stuffy car." I snap at her, cutting off the unattractive sounds coming out of her mouth.

"Oh please I'm sure sleeping is the last thing you're thinking about right now. And for the last time, my arse isn't fat."

"Juniper Enola Holmes, you shut that mouth of yours," Neha scolds her, voice stern as she gently pushes me off and rights herself, cheeks still profusely pink.

June promptly turns around, and gives the directions to the now amused driver before meeting Neha's eyes through the rear view mirror and winking.

"Yes mother." She drawls, every syllable laced with attitude.

Neha just rolls her eyes, a hint of a smile playing on the edge of her lips. "You better be grateful I'm not telling your mom."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Oh but I would."

And then silence. The only sounds heard are the gentle whirring of the car engine as the driver makes a harsh right turn.

According to Newton's First Law of Motion, a body tends to remain in its state of uniform motion unless and until an external force is acted upon it. Inertia and all that jazz.

Which is why, Neha practically ends up falling on my lap with a big 'oof!' before she realises the compromising position we're in and gathers herself and her embarrassment and scoots a bit further away, hair a fine mess and face extremely flustered as she looks out the window and basically anywhere but me.

Thank you inertia.

But no thanks inertia. Now the atmosphere is so awkward you could hear a pin drop.

As I revel in how unfortunately lucky I am, the walrus returns.

I make sure I mention it to her again before I join in.

And we're back to normal thanks to that silly red-haired walrus.

"Stop insulting walruses by comparing them to her, Adrian." Neha chirps in. Eyes gleaming and smile glowing, embarrassment long forgotten.

~ ~ ~

The next morning found me sitting at the kitchen counter stuffing a plate of blueberry pancakes down my mouth and chugging down a bottle of maple syrup from June's secret stash which I confiscated eons ago but ssshh don't tell her.

It was my day off from uni. Neha and June had already dressed and gone to their respective universities. When I questioned why she wasn't going to Ubisoft, she averted her eyes, mumbled something I couldn't quite catch and made her way out the door, grabbing her own jacket.

Great. She's mad at you now Eros.

I would be lying if I said it didn't hurt me.

Neha smiled at me sweetly and hugged me before she left, her fragrance still lingering around my senses.

And so I slouch, in my Flash pyjamas, drowning my sorrows in a bottle of maple syrup.

At this rate all that working out is gonna go down the drain.

I'm knocked out of my depressed stupor by a literal knock on the door.

I try to make myself look as presentable as possible, smoothing down my hair which thankfully keeps its shape even after hours of sleep.

I open the door to be met with the gorgeous face of... Neha?

"Hey Adrian! Turns out I get a day off as well! 'Cause you know, I finished all my projects." She shrugs nonchalantly, letting herself in.

"I still don't get how you say that so casually," I retort as I trudge back to my seat reminded of my own project that took actual blood, sweat and tears to finish. "I was put through hell and back for mine."

"Who asked you to study Chemistry then you dork?" She teases, eyebrows raised and smirk in place as she helps me clean up the horrid mess on the counter.

"Oh shut up Damara," I reply, playfully sticking my tongue out at her.

"Haha you're so adorable!" She giggles at my antics.

I can't help but smile at the sight.

And then I'm reminded of the predicament I'm in with June and it turns upside down.

Unfortunately lucky for me, Neha and I can read each other like a book, something we can't quite do as well with June.

"Adrian what's wrong?" She rubs soothing circles on my back as she takes a seat next to me.

"It's just... I just... June. She probably hates me now, doesn't she?"

"No I don't think so. A bit irritated and moody? Yes. But she could never hate you. She loves you very much. We both do."

"Still..."

"I got it!" She shrieks suddenly, startling me out of my seat.

"Ah Neha!" I yell as I unceremoniously land on the floor.

"You can make it up to June by planning the best 20th birthday party ever!" She says as helps me up showing an uncanny amount of strength while doing so. "It'll be perfect and foolproof. And I'll help you of course! She's my sister too."

I can practically see the gears turning in her head, eyes shining with excitement.

"Quick! Get dressed! Try and wear something at least a little fashionable please? We're going out in public."

"Neha Damara, if I didn't know any better I'd think you're embarrassed to be seen with me." I tease, grinning at her as she tries to rectify her previous statement.

"No I-"

"Chill. I live to please your highness." I cut her off and she blushes at the pet name.

"Shut up," she mumbles without any venom, fighting off a smile and pushes me in the general direction of my bedroom.

I emerge to meet Neha's eyes scouring my figure appreciatively.

When our eyes meet, I smirk at her and she quickly averts her attention, clearing her throat despite nothing blocking it.

Ha. Funny.

I'm wearing a chestnut brown jacket on top of a shirt of the same colour coupled with my favourite pair of blue jeans and timberlands.

Not too much. But just enough.

"Not bad Eros." She remarks noncommittally, but her body language tells a whole other story.

"Thanks," I wink at her when she makes the right mistake of looking at me and turning another 50 shades of pink.

We grab our wallets and leave a note for June on the fridge, in case we come back later than her.

Neha is the queen of parties. It's basically in her blood. She's been doing it for years. What could possibly go wrong?

But why does it feel like we've forgotten something?

~ ~ ~

As the refreshing scent of petrichor attacks our noses, I realise what we've left behind.

The umbrellas.

Shit.

It seems as if the weather has changed to suit June's mood. Well it is her month after all. Even the temperature isn't as hot as it usually is. Is that a sign for June to start exercising? Probably. But then again, she's the kind of person who won't go within a five mile radius of anything to do with exercise. Even if Mother Nature tells her to.

"Adrian... I..."

I'm broken out of my unusual thoughts by Neha's meek timbre. Without thinking twice, I take off my jacket and put it on top of her head.

Wouldn't want her immaculate hair getting ruined now, would we?

She tries to refuse, but I have none of it.

"But Adrian, you'll get sick."

"So? I don't want you to get sick either. Let's head to the train station quickly before this rain picks up."

We soon reach the station and board the RER, Neha taking concerned glances at me every once in a while.

The gesture is adorably sweet, but I don't say that out loud.

We're heading to the massive business district just west of the city limits called "La Defense". Neha told me about "Les Quatres-Temps", a huge mall that has dozens of stores, one of which is bound to have party supplies.

"Okay, so I've prepared a list of all the things we need to buy for June's birthday party. Of course, I've already sent all the invitations and booked the venue. Oh! I almost forgot to tell you. The theme is..."

Her eyes dart back and forth to make sure nobody we knew was nearby (which is pointless really, but she's a cutie like that) and balances herself on her tippy toes as she whispers in my ear, warm puffs of air ghosting over it.

It feels so- Hold up Adrian Eros! Get your head out of the gutter.

cough Back to the matter at hand.

"So, do you like my choice in theme?"

"It's brilliant! You're a genius Neha!"

She blushes, "Oh shut up Eros." But I can see her fighting off a smile.

"Hey, I'm just stating facts." I grin, hands raised up in surrender.

She loops her arm around my elbow and drags me off to the nearest party store.

We- I mean she strides in with purpose and approaches the nearest store employee.

Hand on hip, crumpled list in hand, and rosy lips pursed with determination, she says in fluent French that never fails to surprise me, "Excusez-moi. Pourriez-vous s'il vous plaît dites-moi où les ballons turquoise sont?"

~ ~ ~

"YAAAAYYYY! We got all the party decorations!" Neha shrieks in the middle of the mall while we're boarding the escalators making quite a few heads turn.

"Who are you and what have you done to Neha Damara?"

"I'm sorry," she says sheepishly. "I'm just a bit excited that this party's actually coming together. It makes me really happy!" She beams.

I can't help but smile at her bubbly attitude.

"Why wouldn't it? Anything else left or are we done for the day because my stomach really needs to be fed, like ASAP," I whine, not caring about how childish I sound.

"Who are you and what have you done to Adrian Eros?"

"Ha ha. Very funny. But seriously Damara. I'm famished," I say drily.

She laughs and pats my shoulder lightly. "Not to worry. We can do the last thing on my list while grabbing a bite. Bakery, here we come!"

We step into a quaint little bakery located at the very corner of the mall, hidden away in its own recluse.

My stomach chooses that moment to make an inhumane sound. A grumble so loud it awakens the slumbering senior on the sofa, who starts mumbling about inconsiderate youngsters.

I shoot him an apologetic smile and Neha tries to conceal her laughter behind her palm as she walks to the counter and places an order for 'deux pain du chocolat et deux café'.

She soon ushers me over so we can decide on the cake together.

As we browse through the catalog, automatically knocking out all the black currant and exotic fruit cakes, our fingers accidentally brush while reaching for the page and I hear a breathy gasp. From who? Hell if I know.

Have I always been this sensitive?

My fingers still have a tingly sensation when Neha snaps me out of my stupor with a rough shake.

"Ow! What'd you do that for?"

"You looked like you were in the middle of a daydream and I really can't have you slacking on the job Eros. This is June's big day."

"You make it sound like she's getting married."

"Oh trust me, the day she's getting married, you're gonna finally know what hell feels like with all the work I'm going to make you do."

I narrow my eyes at her, but my smile completely ruins the menacing effect.

"All the more reason to protect her from assholes like Lee."

She clicks her tongue. "Oh drop it will you?"

"Okay fine. Change of subject. What about when you're getting married mademoiselle Damara? Am I going to experience hell as well?"

Her eyes suddenly stray from mine as she puts a bit more distance between us. My ears must be playing tricks on me because a mumbled "No, heaven," is heard.

Odd.

The next moments of silence are excruciating. It feels like years when it's just been barely a minute.

"Aha! Red Velvet is the one. They're meant to be Adrian. They even match colours." Neha's voice wavers.

"Hmmm? Oh. Yeah. Let's go with that." I reply in a daze. Thoughts wandering.

Our eyes meet for a millisecond before we both break the contact and look in opposite directions, cheeks flushed.

Awkwardness. Yay.

I'm left alone with my preoccupied mind. Neha is currently instructing the baker on how to write 'HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY JUNE' in intricate icing calligraphy. But I have no time to feel sympathy for the poor guy because I'm in a situation myself.

After berating the baker, she signals for me to come over and help her with the food.

"I'm carrying the cake box. Just because I trust you with my life doesn't mean I trust you with this."

Balancing an array of delicacies, I manage to utter, "I don't know whether to be touched or insulted."

She was right. As she always is. My legs seem to have a mind of their own as I topple over and spill the coffee all over my jeans.

"Ugh! These were my favourite pair!"

Neha bursts into laughter as she makes her way to the table, but she looks back and that beautiful sparkle is back in her eyes when she says,

"A bit of both Eros. A bit of both."

And I can't help but think,

how unfortunately lucky for me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N:  offers you maple syrup That's right guys! I'm back. After a two month hiatus. Oops sorry <3 Please forgive me. If you're gonna throw something red at me, instead of tomatoes, I suggest red velvet cupcakes. They're much more delicious.

I really hope you like this chapter. It's for all those Nehadrian/Dameros shippers out there. Honestly they are so cute. I know this chapter is short but I'll make it up to you with the next one okay?

Unfortunately (and not lucky) for me, my exams are starting pretty soon so I won't be able to update as quickly as I should. But not to worry, I'll be sure to publish the next chapter once it gets over. In the meantime, try and guess what the next chapter will be about in the comments. I'd love to read your opinions.

I'm keeping this author's note short because I'm super busy and I need to stop procrastinating and get back to work :D

Once again, sorry for the hiatus. I missed you guys. You're the best readers ever!

Vote, comment, add it to your reading list, library etc. You can also follow me if you want :)

Whether you follow me or not, I love you for just reading this <3