It's been a week we visited  and it felt coming here was new all over. We were prepping for the semesters while Luke was still secretly seeing his gym mate. 

I mean, anyone could figure out Luke. He's an one plus two math puzzle. Not to mentioning that he was very bad at covering up those dark patches around his neck. I knew he wanted to flout the rated things he did yet deny it.

Abby put her whole line with Dustin and not mention that she was restraining herself to his house until the exams were over. As friendly and supportive her father was, studies came first to him. Any independence she'd been enjoying would be ripped off her is she failed her part.

Matt was being Matt. 

We split ourselves into our rooms while I occasionally sneak into Matt's room for help. Chadd joined us later in the evening. We all ate pizza and relaxed while Chadd was rambling about how living along with friends was cool.

Only if I had known engineering was difficult.

The first question was bull's eye for my over confidence. I somehow managed to complete the paper and run out before the hall became unbearable. I saw the text from Luke asking me to wait in front of his building.

Hit me that I totally forgot why whole neighborhood will be there in that building. 

I straightly crashed into Connor. Of all people Connor, who had been avoiding at all cost. He might know but I knew when he stopped himself from entering the elevator I was already on.

That was totally cool with me though. For some reason he was doing that and I didn't want to bother him about it. I let him his way.

His eyes reflected his surprise and happiness with his lips spread in a smile. "Hey Emily, What are you doing here?" 

"Luke asked me to meet me here", I said looking for my way out. As much I want to talk with Connor I always felt nervous around him. I couldn't stand there with him, looking at me like that. I knew his gaze, the one that I was terrified of.

Luke graced us with his presence after a good 15 minutes of awkwardness. Connor didn't leave me until Luke came. He was persistent on staying with me as if someone would kidnap me in the campus.

I dragged Luke alone only to him admit that he actually liked Laura. Out of nowhere, at college and to me. I didn't know what tell him. I was happy that he found someone but it wasn't the time to confess that to me. Right after the examination.

Luke asked me to keep it a secret and that he only told me because he felt overwhelmed. 

"First one I have migraine", Abby groaned sipping the second cup of coffee. Her phone pinged and immediately her smile bloomed. An instance switch from a gloomy college girl to happy puppy. 

I pushed open the doors of the library only to find Ryder sitting in the front desk. He saw me enter and continued looking at his phone. What would I do with those tarts?

"Where's Ralph?", I asked keeping bags down and pulling out the paper bag. 

"He isn't feeling well. So I sent him home", he said in a monotone. I felt bad for Ralph.

After a long minute I placed the tart infront of him. He pried the eyes of the phone and looked me in the eye. Why was he making me anxious?

"Well, I bought those for Ralph. You can have it". For some reason his expression turned cold. I could tell he was judging me. I wanted to take back the words. My heart stopped when he stood up grabbing the pack and dumped the pack with such force that my mouth hung open. Tell me never feed a egoistic bastard. 

My anger was raising and he knew. He gave a gothic grin.

I didn't, no I couldn't tell anything to him as I trudge back inside. I pulled out a random book and cussed all way through the reading. 

Half through the shift Ryder decided to play with me by blocking me against a wall. All I did was checking the books when he had grabbed my elbow and pushed me against a wall.

He was burning me with his and I stood my ground to look at him straight in the eye. Under any normal circumstances I would've cringed but Ryder brought this side of me.

His low thick voice sent shivers through my body. "Stay away from Connor". I pushed him back with much strength he released me yet too close. "That is none of your business". Okay, I was intentionally provoking him.

If he came any closer he could easy kiss my nose. "You won't like the consequences of it". My legs almost buckled. That was the first time that someone had threatened me. And I learned it wasn't exciting, at all.

Thankfully my shift ended and I sprinted out of the library without sparing a look at the front desk.

You know the things happen when something bad happens and you think that was all and later realize that was just a trailer.

I was about to finish my shift at cafe when Connor came. He wasn't himself. The smile he gave me while ordering was fake. He didn't speak a word apart from his order.

I was contemplating whether to talk to him or not when Abby nudged my shoulder. She pointed towards Connor leaning on the table with his face buried in his palms. Something was seriously off.

"You should talk to him", I really thought about what Abby said. I remembered Ryder's warning about not talking to Connor. 

I pulled my apron off. Ordered a coffee and walked towards Connor. Because fuck Ryder, I don't throw shits for him. My friend was in need and I definitely walking in.

I placed the coffee infront of Connor and settled across him. He slowly looked up and a sad smile spreading across his face.

"Hey Emily", his voice sounded weak. For the months I'd known him this was the one time I saw like that.

"Something's troubling you", I said as a statement and he nodded his head.

"You okay?", again he nodded.

"Is there something I can help you with?", again shook his head.

I leaned on the table, leaning down to catch his eyes. "Can you talk to me?", I said softly this time. He smiled looking at me, the little like the usual one. 

We were walking down the road in silence. Connor said that he met someone from past and it made him very much upset, until I came and sat in front of him. I was the one talking to him about some jokes and assuring him that it would be okay until my door step.

I was about to say my good byes and head in when Connor held my hand and was looking at the ground. 

"Hey, are you okay?. It's fine you can talk to me", I said placing my hands on his.

He shook his head lifting his head looking at me. "At times I feel like why wasn't it you"

I was about to ask what he meant when he suddenly pulled me into a rib crushing hug, placing his head on my shoulder. My heart was beating fast and I could hear his too. It was very awkward hugging him. He mumbled a 'thank you' before pulling out of the hug.

At the same moment I saw Ryder looking at us from inside the open elevator.

Uh hoh.