WARNING! This is not really a serious warning, lol. Just wanna give you a heads up that the first part of this chapter will include some intentional typos since it's a chat/text conversation and my boys have different typing styles.

So on to the chapter. Enjoy reading!

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Gaele: Just let it go. They're not worth it.

Ten2: I dunno I've been trying.but evrytime I see his face it pisses me off for no reason

Gaele: Heh, why though, I wonder. Does their face look that punchable?

Ten2: well...the truth is he is not ugly

Gaele: Oh, what's this? So you say you hate them and you always feel annoyed just seeing their face but you can't even bring yourself to call them ugly. I'd say, aren't you just crushing on them, li'l Ten-Ten?

Ten2: what the hell!!! No way!!! i was just being honest!!! I mean everyone who knows that guy would definitely disagree with me if I say anyting negative about his face but thats the only thing he's got goinh for him

Gaele: Wow, you're so defensive, haha.

Ten2: am not!!!!!! nononono stop giving me goosebumps bro. I told you I hate that prick plus he is a guy

Gaele: Oh c'mon, there's a fine line between love and hate. And it's the 21st century, bro. It doesn't matter anymore if the person you're in like with is a guy or a girl. Only ignorant people and assholes have something negative to say about it nowadays.

Ten2: I know. I dont judge. still a no is a no if its that guy. I wont like him. over my dead body

Gaele: Famous last words, Ten-Ten.

Ten2: ughh, not gonna happen. But seriously, gaele, dont you have anyone like that? like someone you hate whatever they do or even if they don't do anything at all

Gaele: Nah, not at all.

Ten2: what are you? a saint? don't you get annoyed with anyone at all

Gaele: Well, if it's getting annoyed, there is in fact one person who always gets on my nerves. But to say I hate them is an overstatement. It's them who obviously hates me, I think.

Ten2: and what did you even do to them for you to be hated?

Gaele: Aside from being very handsome? I don't know. They're the one who always start it and I just can't help but retaliate. I mean, not gonna lie, I do take in the pleasure of seeing them so worked up so I may or may not have provoked them sometimes.

Ten2: maybe they hate you because you're egoistic. and you sound so mature when we talk to each other but youre actually childish aren't you?

Gaele: Hahaha, I was just kidding, I am not that full of myself. But I am a calm and sensible person, to be honest, or so I've been told so many times. It's just that when it comes to that person, I always forget to keep my patience in check. I don't know. Maybe their childishness has rubbed off on me.

Ten2: well I understand. there's really that one person you can't stand no matter what

Poll stares at the last message he has sent to his online friend. It was sent during lunch break and it has been hours but Gaele has not replied yet.

Locking his phone, he looks at the time on the screen. It's 6:12 p.m. Usually, he and Gaele would be chatting during this time unless either or both of them are busy after school. Maybe today is one of those days.

He puts his phone on the table with its screen facing down. As he unconsciously scrutinizes his anime phone case, he wonders what kind of person Gaele is in real life. He sounds like an even-tempered person like what he claimed. At the same time, he is so good-natured that Poll finds it easy to joke around with him without the fear of making him upset. And even during the few times when he was dismayed, all he did was gently chide Poll about it. Another thing about him is that he gives the impression that he likes to take care of others. No doubt he likes to act like a big brother to Ten-Ten.

"Money for your thoughts?"

Poll stops daydreaming and turns to look at the person who snatched him back to reality, only to be met by the curious eyes of the strawberry blonde lad beside him.

"Just some idea for my art portfolio," he lies. He has not told anyone about Gaele, no plan of doing so. "How about you, Nick, have you thought about what you're gonna do next for our homework?"

His friend shrugs. "Got an idea, yeah, but I still don't know how to start it. I feel like I'm out of creative juices these past few days."

"Yeah?" He nods half-heartedly and doesn't say more. Truth be told, even he is having a hard time with his artistic muse and it has affected his mood lately.

He sighs and looks out through the transparent glass wall, watching as different lights flicker on the street.

They are currently in a newly opened grill restaurant which started operating last week. Since it is near their University, Poll's friends decided to check it out today.

"So where are the others?" Poll asks, giving Nick a side glance.

"Hmm?" Nick is typing away on his phone. Looking up, he answers, "Oh. Our Business Ad friends just sent me a message, saying they're on their way. Cloud is probably with them. You know, waiting for Tem."

"Hey, I didn't notice it earlier but did you dye your hair too, Poll?"

Poll looks up the newcomer and sees Lia smiling at him. "Oh." He holds a few strands of his hair in between his thumb and forefinger. "I thought it didn't work. It still seemed black to me when I looked at it in the mirror this morning."

He doesn't need to ask about the other person whom Lia was referring to. He knows exactly who it is. And it is not only because he saw the change in that person's hair color this morning. The thing is, yesterday, Poll and that guy bumped into each other in the hair product aisle of their town's supermarket.

That was the reason why Poll was peeved yesterday. Of all the people whom he could have run into, why did it have to be that jerk?

"The blue color shows when the light reflects off it," Lia answers as she sits across her two friends.

"Pretty sure it will be more obvious if it's under the sunlight," Nick adds, staring at Poll's hair, "And your hair is very dark. I think that's the reason why the color is not noticeable. You need to bleach your hair first so you can get the full effect."

"Is that so? Well, it was the first time I did it myself so I didn't know much about it and I didn't wanna carelessly apply anything. I was afraid it would ruin my hair."

Nick opens his mouth as if to say something but immediately closes it again.

Noticing this, Poll inquires, "What is it? Say it."

"I'd say it," Nick replies, "But I don't think it's something you wanna hear."

"Just spill it, Nick."

For a brief moment, Nick appears like he is contemplating. He takes a quick look at Lia who also seems as though she is waiting for what he has to say, and then turns back to Poll before he speaks, "Well, I was going to say, 'Why don't you ask Eujae to help you on it?' He's the one who's an expert on that stuff."

Nick's statement gains different reactions from his two friends. Lia giggles while Poll grimaces.

"Did you just seriously tell me to ask a favor from that jerk?" Poll asks incredulously.

In response, Nick grins. "I told you, you won't wanna hear it." He must have caught on to Poll's mood so it doesn't take long for him to sober up. "But honestly, I don't understand why you two are still hell-bent on hating each other. Can't you just get along already?"

"Who would want to get along with that arrogant prick?"

"Pretty much a lot of people actually." This time, the answer comes from Lia. When Poll's disbelieving expression is diverted to her, she shrugs. "I mean, it is not like I am saying this because he is my cousin. Eujae is a lot of things but being an arrogant prick is not one of them. People know he's a nice and patient guy so I also don't understand why he treats you differently."

Poll scowls. He understands that Lia didn't mean any harm with what she said. She is the last person who will do that to anyone. Still, why did it come off like he was being blamed?

He doesn't get the chance to ask his friend to explain further when someone cuts in.

"Why not? Because who would not run out of patience with this immature asshole?"

Great, Poll thinks, groaning, of course, he would be here too.

Why are they friends with the same people again?

Taking a deep breath, Poll remembers what Gaele told him. Just let it go. And it must have been because of frustration for having an art block for the whole day that Poll is not in the mood to argue with anyone this time. Not even to Eujae.

He acknowledges Tem, Cloud and Risa, and then pretends not to see the jerk. Determined not to do anything that will upset him more, Poll decides he will ignore Eujae the entire time.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

He wasn't able to ignore him. It wasn't his fault really. It wasn't his fault that the jerk seemed to have a different idea and chose to sit right in front of him. Currently, said jerk is chatting to his cousin.

Poll watches as Lia whispers to Eujae. It must be a joke or something funny because it made Eujae laugh.

Can't believe a jerk like him has this nice smile. He manages to catch himself before his thoughts totally betray him. Shut up, mind.

Eujae must have sensed him staring because he suddenly glances at Poll. Raising an inquisitive brow, he asks, "Like what you see?"

A scoff. Just what part of this jerk is not arrogant and what part of him is nice?

"Like? Yeah sure," Poll snarls, "I'd like to break that pretty face of yours."

"Why, Apollo, I had no idea that you find me pretty. I'm flattered," Eujae says but his look of scorn is telling otherwise.

Well, Eujae has a pretty face, unfairly so. Not that it changes the way Poll sees him. The face is wasted on that kind of personality anyway.

Just as Poll is about to talk back, he hears Risa mutter, "So... Are they fighting or are they flirting?"

As if the insult isn't enough, Tem and Nick answer with sniggers. Even Cloud shakes his head while smirking.

Do they think it's funny? Poll doesn't think so and he will let them know that.

He pointed his chopsticks at Eujae. "Why would I be flirting with this piece-of-shit?"

"Stop pointing your chopsticks at me, asshole. I had low expectations from your manners to begin with, but still, this is damn rude of you."

"And I told you to stop telling me what to do. Stop talking me down, you dipshit." Poll glowers.

"Your creativity with coming up with insults is so impressive. Is that the same creativity you use with your art? Must be filled with profanities too."

That's the last straw that makes Poll's hackles rise. Without considering where they are and the consequence of his actions, he stands up abruptly and throws the wooden chopsticks he's holding at Eujae. "What do you even know about my art?"

Surprised doesn't even begin to describe Eujae's reaction as the chopsticks hit his face. For a moment, he looks confused at what happened; his eyes are wide while staring quizzically at Poll, but the expression is short-lived as it immediately turns dark. He grits his teeth, jaw tightening as he does, and narrows his eyes at the man in front of him.

A hush comes over their table but the tension is evident. Everyone is dumbfounded by what happened, including Poll. He honestly didn't mean to overreact like that but his anger got the best of him. It was too late when he realized that what he did was uncalled-for.

On his right, Poll feels Nick stand too. His friend gently grabs his shoulder as he whispers to him, "Calm down, buddy." He urges him to sit down.

Poll complies and sits back. He grips his shaking left fist with his right hand as he wills himself to cool out. All the time, he has not taken his glare off Eujae.

Within almost three years of them having squabbles with each other, Poll has seen most of Eujae's reactions. More often than not, the guy is the one who can stay collected in spite of their fights. He usually strikes back with either that infuriating composure of his or the occasional jeers. But he never reacted as he does at the moment.

This is the first time that Poll has seen him like this. It's not a simple irritation anymore. Eujae is mad. He looks like he wants to hit something or hurt someone at the moment. With Poll as his first and only choice.

"Seriously, Apollo, just how old do you think you are that you're still acting like a child?" Eujae hisses, eyes flashing dangerously, voice shaking with ire.

No one dares to speak. It seems like even their friends are not used to this side of Eujae. More than shocked, they all look intimidated now that they see their usually calm friend look dead serious.

Lia, who is sitting beside Eujae, holds her cousin's arm as if to stop him lest he's really thinking to deliver a blow to Poll. She turns to the male Torres twin and sends him a reluctant smile. It is hard to tell if the smile is out of compassion or disappointment, but Poll would not be surprised if it's the latter.

Standing up, Cloud goes behind Eujae. He too taps his friend's shoulder and reminds him, "You too, man. You have to cool down."

Like a stubborn little boy who is being scolded, Poll looks down. He is still mad too but he can't even defend himself this time. He is aware that he went overboard. Be that as it may, he can't bring himself to apologize to his enemy.

He hears rustling in front of him, followed by Eujae's voice.

"I'm sorry, I need to excuse myself first." The restraint in his tone is unmistakable.

Poll flinches when a pair of chopsticks fall on the side of the table in front of him. He blinks. Those are the same ones that he'd chucked at Eujae.

Biting his lower lip, Poll thinks it would have been better if Eujae had tossed it at his face too. That would have made them equally horrible.

The corner of his mouth lifts into a bitter smile. Of course, Eujae had to make it seem like Poll is the only immature person here.

He keeps his head down even when he hears Lia say, "I'll go after him so I have to leave too."

Another dead silence. And Poll can feel his friends giving him a look. Great, they must be also thinking how childish he is.

Ah, he feels like shit right now. He wants to go home too. He wants to stay in his room and do something that will make him feel better.

He wants to sit in front of his computer and play games.

Or maybe he would just grab his sketchbook and pencils, and he would let out his frustrations through them.

Or Gaele. That's right. Gaele. He badly wants to talk to him right now.