Around mid noon we were on our way back home. Roads were occasionally blocked that made us take a reroute. The space inside the car was silent, like spine chilling silence. I kept my eyes out the window and he didn't strike any conversation.  The sound his fingers made when he was tapping the wheel was louder without the radio.

I thanked him and ran to my apartment as soon as he parked. I saw him exit the elevator when I was opening the door. Our eyes met and he winked with a sly smirk. Blood rushed to my cheeks as I ran to my room. Damn, my heart.

"Are you still virgin?", I jumped on Abby's voice.

"Yes", I scoffed and put my phone on charge.

I peeled off my dress and set the water temperature high. The warm water instantly relaxed my muscles washing away the dirt. I spent around 40 minutes in the shower going through the events that happened in the barn house. I still couldn't believe he actually would say something like that. What would I do if he wasn't lying? Could I bring myself to like him and what's the chance of him playing with me, not to mention the stakes were high.

"Are you sure?", Abby asked again. 

"Yes Abby. Nothing happened. We stayed in different rooms", I cut the events to minimal knowing every new detail wanted an hour of explanation to her. My introverted self wanted its recharge time.

Nick saved me from Abby by calling her. Girl dashed like an Usain Bolt. My bed coddled me to a deep slumber. 

I was in the middle of programming revision when my phone pinged. I looked around to see Matt working on his laptop with his headphones. 

Devil: Hey Sweetie

What the?

Me: What?

Devil: Rude much

Me: Depends on person

Devil: If its exclusive to me then I am honored.

Me: Don't flatter yourself. What do you want?

Devil: Are you busy?

Me: Yes. Don't disturb me. If you have anything to say, spit it. Otherwise don't bother me

Devil: I want talk to you.

Me: I only have  energy to talk to you once and already did. Forget it

Devil: But I miss you

Me: Don't make me cringe. I don't miss you and I am happy with that

Devil: What is my favorite lips doing?

Me: Aching to kiss Connor. 

Devil: What the fuck? Where are you? 

Devil: Emily!!

I shut my phone and kept it in silent. I never knew I could feel so proud of myself, but then I did. He was calling me and he brought up on himself. Taunting me was a wrong move. My mind exercises sarcasm and I was friends with Abby, who had a comeback for everything. My proud smile turned to a frown when I saw the words jump in my computer screen.  

Oh, I love programming.

As we parked the car in the college, I immediately noticed our neighbors in the distance. We all maintained a decent space for them to walk ahead. It was when Luke was about to go towards his department I made eye contact with Ryder. His eyes widened but quickly hid it with a smirk.

I pooh- poohed his expression and walked towards the class. Same routine followed except we were given more free time for finals. Chadd was next to me ranting about the finals and Matt was sitting as if it didn't matter. He was the 'scan the book and ace the exam' type guy. Lucky him, I had to pray for the words to remain in my brain. It was like they were staying on the edge of cliff and every time I take eyes off my book and some went missing.

The hair on my neck stood still. It was as if the ground shifted. The familiar cologne hit me before I turned to confirm the person. He made his way to our table and settled on the chair next to me. He pulled out a book and turned towards me.

I didn't realize we were gawking at him with an open mouth until he laughed shaking his head. Way to start the day. I decided to go with the usual reaction, ignore him. Can't he just disappear or atleast sit on another table? 

I could feel his gaze on my right and Matt already drilled a whole in my forehead. He was between kill by gaze or punch in the face. Chadd, let's say he was strangely awestruck by Ryder.

"What are you doing?", I whisper yelled at him.

"Studying", he replied in a duh tone. I rolled my eyes. Thanks genius, I was thinking you were cooking.

I picked my books and moved the next table only to be followed by him. 

"What are you doing, Ryder?", I asked utterly irritated by his sudden clingy side. 

"Following you"

"Why?"

"I am bored"

"Am I your plaything?". I thudded the books on the table, folded my hands in front of my chest and gave me an accusing look with a raised eyebrow. Btw, I can raise only one eyebrow. Was it the case for everyone?

"Don't get cocky. I just wanted to talk to you"

"What do you wanna talk?", I barely kept my anger on bay. Damn, my period was messing with me already.

"About what happened yesterday?"

"I am already traumatized with sausage. Don't poke it", I said ignoring the obvious as I pulled my phone as it dinged.

My eyes widened by the message, as I looked around I found Matt with the same expression.

I took my bag and ran out of the library as Ryder was saying some thing like "do it for real".

We dashed across people to the finance department. Luke was looking through his phone with a scowl, leaning against the wall.

"Where is he?", Luke looked up at the Matt's question.

"I don't think he is the right one", Luke hesitated as we walked across the class rooms.

"We are not taking any risk. One more time I feel anxious about this we are going to cops", Matt fumed as we stood in front of the classroom

Luke pointed to the guy, sitting thankfully alone at the back. He had a brunette hair with pointed nose.

"Okay, this is the plan", Matt explained the plan. I was quite skeptical yet decided to trust him. This was going to be awkward for me because it involves me talking to him and going through his phone was tough.

We nodded as Matt finished talking.

"Let's get Thomas", Luke said as he pushed me into the classroom.