CARL.

"Are you single?"

"What's your favourite colour?"

"Do you wanna go out on a date with me?"

"Omg, I like your tattoos. They are super hot."

This segment of Q&A started as soon as the bell for break period sounded. Girls flocked Lorenzo with hopes of grabbing his attention. It was like a contest in which the winner gets the guy.

"Ladies, I will answer all your questions one by one." He finally spoke, a smile covering his lips. "First of all, I am single and ready to mingle." His confession elicited excited giggles from the girls.

"Omg. Will you go out on a date with me?" One of the girls shrieked. She was dressed in pink from head to toe. Even her make up was pink.

"The only person he will go on a date with is me. Not you, Barbie." Another added.

"Lorenzo darling, I can show you a good time. I know that you've never had chocolate fondue spread nicely on your balls...I can do that..." The seductress herself described, while running her long red nails along his chest. She was seated on his desk, her short dress raised, exposing her thighs. Her name is Carolina, she's the cheerleader captain and is quite popular with the guys. Stories of her wild sexual adventures are legendary in River bridge high.

"Slut." One of the girls coughed, causing the others to giggle.

"You're all just jealous of my amazing skills. " Carolina declared, not bothered by the slut shaming.

"So handsome, what do you say? Just the two of us...riding off to the sunset." She inquired sensually.

"Actually, you're not my type at all." Lorenzo's declaration triggered laughter among the girls. I wanted to laugh too. I mean she put so much effort into seducing him only for him to tell her that she's not his type. Must have really stung.

That leaves me wondering, what's his type?

"Then, what's your type? Small boobs? Short hair? Brunette? I can make adjustments." Shamelessly, she proposed.

"None of the above." He stated then shifted his gaze to me. " My type is completely different. " He said the words, not breaking eye contact. His eyes were black as night. They drew me in and like an explorer in a jungle, I found myself getting lost in his gaze.

"Well, if you're into role plays I can do that." Carolina's high pitched voice drew us back to reality, forcing us to break the eye contact.

"Or if you're into BDSM. You can choke me anytime, papi." One of the girls moaned, triggering laughter among most of us.

"No. Thank you all for this mind blowing session. Unfortunately, I won't be taking any more questions." He announced causing the girls to lament. They eventually dispersed, giving us space.

"You're already popular on the first day." I teased.

"Just as I expected. Popularity loves me even if I don't like it one bit." He stated. "It's the curse of being hot."

"Aren't you cocky." I observed.

"Not really, just stating facts. I am hot, it's why you couldn't take your eyes off me." He smiled.

And my heart just did the summersault thingy.

"Umm... that's not true. I was just checking out the tattoos. That's all." A blush was roasting my cheeks.

"If you say so, Lito. I hope you don't mind me calling you, Lito."

Not-at-fucking all. He can call me whatever he wants.

"By the way, could I get a tour of the school sometime? " He inquired.

"That's a good idea." A voice which I recognised as Gavin's stated. Was he here the entire time? I thought we were the only ones in the classroom.

"I know just the person to take you on the special school tour. She knows every nook and cranny of this school." His footsteps were drawing in. His cologne was already filling up my nostrils. Suddenly, I felt like throwing up. That's how much his perfume disgusted me.

Lorenzo and I turned our attention to his approaching form.

That morning he was clad in a torso-hugging black t-shirt and a pair of baggy sweats. His hair was unkempt. He looked rough and manly but attractive at the same time.

Nope. I do not find him attractive. He's the enemy. I shouldn't be praising him.

"Where are my manners? My name's Gavin Mileford." He extended his muscled hand for a shake.

"Nice to meet you Gavin. My name's.." Lorenzo commenced.

"Lorena." Gavin interrupted.

"It's Lorenzo." Lorenzo corrected.

"Forgive me. I'm horrible with names." Gavin put on a remorseful smile. Though I knew he wasn't remorseful at all.

"It's okay. My nonna is also horrible with names. Probably because of her old age." Lorenzo's come back had my insides bubbling with laughter.

"Poor nonna. I hope you're taking good care of her. Don't want her forgetting your name." Gavin fired.

"Sure." Was Lorenzo's retort.

"Anyway, I came to officially welcome you to River Bridge High. I have organized a party at my place this weekend. You should come." Gavin proposed.

"I would love to." Lorenzo replied.

"Cool. I promise it's going to be the most memorable party you've ever attended." A mischief laden smile had coated his lips.

He is definitely planning something. Gavin doesn't just become nice to people.

"Clara, care to show our guest around the school?" Gavin addressed his desk mate whose presence I hadn't noticed.

"Yes, Gavin." She submissively retorted.

"Actually, Lito will show me around. Thanks for offering though." Lorenzo suggested.

"Lito? You mean Carlito." Gavin blurted.

"Yes. I want him to show me around. I'm sure he won't mind." Lorenzo's gaze was settled on me as he spoke.

"I don't mind at all." A smile adorned my lips at his request.

"Good. Off we go then." He got up from his seat and I mimicked his actions. "See you around, Gabe." Lorenzo stated on our way out.

"It's Gavin!" Gavin's agitation laced his voice.

"Guess I'm horrible with names too." Lorenzo declared.

A smile made its way to my lips at his agitation. Finally, Gavin had met his match. Someone who wasn't intimidated by him.

****

The tour of the school was fun. I got to show Lorenzo around most of the places. He was fun to talk to and I couldn't stop myself from smiling. I have never smiled this much in my life.

Whoever invented the saying, 'Laughter is the best medicine' is right. I feel so much better after laughing with Lorenzo.

I also learnt that he loves painting and sketching. My heart literally danced in my chest when he started talking about art stuff. I have never met a guy that I like, who shares my enthusiasm for art. Lorenzo is the first.

Connecting with him felt so natural.

"What's the biggest flop you've had as an artist?" I shot a question at him. We were strolling along the hallway.

"I did a nude painting of a client once and painted one of his balls smaller than the other." He confessed.

"What?" Laughter erupted from the pits of my throat at his confession.

"Yes. It was a disaster. " He reminisced.

"I don't doubt it!" I laughingly commented.

"Lorenzo Marino, report to my office immediately. " Suddenly, principal Lucia's announcement echoed through the intercoms.

"That's my cue. See you around, Lito." He winked then strolled off. I stood there, watching him until he was out of sight. Smilingly, I headed to my locker to take out my biology book for the next class.

"You guys are cute together." I didn't need a voice detector to discern the owner of that voice. It was him. The guy who I wanted to stay as far away from as possible. But clearly he didn't wanna stay away.

"It's none of your business, Gavin." I took out a few books then shut the locker door.

"So is there something between you two?" He pried.

"Why are you concerned with my personal life all of a sudden?" My gaze captured his.

"It's nothing. I'm not concerned with your personal life." Nervousness was painted all over his face. He was lying.

"Really? Then why did you ask if something was going on between us?" I wanted to push the truth out of him.

"I was curious." His green eyes bore into mine. And as expected I got entrapped by their magical beauty. It's like every time our eyes lock, I'm a goner. I lose myself in them. What sort of spell is this?

It's torture. Knowing that he brings out all these feelings in me. That he makes me want him so badly each time we're in close proximity. But I can't have him. We can never happen. He already made that very clear when he called last night.

He's straight. That will never change. I should accept that and move on. I should erase him from my mind.

Simple as that.

"Gavin, what happens in my life is none of your business." I declared then walked away.