Ryan was on the bleachers with his friends after that day's soccer match. He had just gulped down some cool water down his throat when his eyes fell on someone. No one else had noticed this person as they were all busy bickering about their own accomplishments in life. They all wanted to be the 'cool one' in the group. Ryan excused himself for washroom, and left sneakily. The person walked in front of him and he followed, stopping only when they reached the quietest area close by. 

"I already told Larry-"

"Did I say you could speak?"

"Aaron, look, I really mean it when I say I did not do it."

"Explain that to Larry. Anyways, I am not here for that."

"Then.."

"Wanna come to the party tonight? Mind you, no girls. And make sure you're a good drinker."

There was a pause. In a moment Ryan seemed to have analyzed whatever he could. He knew what would happen if he went. But he also knew what would happen if he didn't. And it was much worse.

"Larry would be there too, right?"

"You bet. See you tonight."

Ryan had always been the star. An all rounder in school, the teacher's favorite pet and the one with who had the ways to get things done his way. His family had connections. But here in the university, he made a mistake. And he dares not confess that to anyone, after all, it is about years of his reputation. You cannot escape Larry. He tells himself.

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Larry and Liam's dorm, next day

"Larry you-"

"What? I was just playing with him! It's not like he's badly hurt or anything."

"YOU LEFT HIM TRAUMATIZED FOR LIFE!"

"I... No! He was the one who initiated it. All my boys can testify."

Larry told Liam while he munching potato chips and binge watching Netflix, very calmly. 

Liam took a deep breath. He was barely holding himself from punching the lad straight in his face.

"Look, you cannot keep bullying those freshers. EVERY DAMN WEEK YOU FIND A NEW SOMEONE LIKE THEY ARE A FUCKING PIECE OF MEAT AND-"

"God Liam. Do not shout on my head. Besides, it isn't someone new. It's that Ryan guy."

Larry and Liam shared a look. All of a sudden, Liam's anger subdued. Rather, he now held a look of pleasure.

"Ryan. Don't go too far though."

Larry was surprised at how quickly Liam's temperament changed. He sure has something against Ryan. Liam was the kind of guy that hardly had any rivalries. But when he does, he is not someone to let go easily. There is kindness in him. And he knows when to take revenge, and where the limits are. 

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The lecture hall

"Mr. Anderson, can I hand you this week's assignment together with the next week's?" Kiana asked Liam after the lecture was over. It had been two weeks since she was discharged, but she still wasn't feeling the same as before. Liam and all the professors except Mr. Smith, have been understanding enough for her.

"Yes, you can do that. Make sure to not exert yourself too much."

Kiana thanked Liam as she and Jessica headed out of the Lecture hall. Liam keenly observed Jessica in a sisterly way. It was too late before he could stop himself from blurting out-

"Ms. Adams, please stay."

Jessica looked at Kiana and gestured her to go while she stayed behind. 

"What is it, Mr. Anderson?"

"You know this is the university, right?"

Liam held a stern expression on his face. He was angry. Probably. Jessica wasn't the best at reading expressions. It was just her gut feeling telling her this was bad.

"I know."

"And you know you're not in school anymore?"

"Yes-"

"That you will have to stand up for yourself when you're in trouble? That no one else will save you?"

"Mr. Anderson, what have I done?" Jessica was genuinely confused.

"That day in the cafeteria, they were talking about you, weren't they?"

Jessica's face went pale. He was there. He didn't appear out of nowhere. Calculating what to say, so that she does not end up embarrassing herself, she finally came up with something she thought was very smart.

"Who are you talking about?" Jessica asked with the calmest face she could make, which was difficult as her heart thumped in her chest like a gigantic hammer. And that only seemed to annoy Liam. He stepped closer to her, leaving at most an inch's gap between their faces. Jessica tried to step back but failed as Liam gripped her arm roughly. 

"You know very well. I do not like people who are gullible and weak. Like you. They were slandering you and you said not a word to them."

"THEY DID NOT TAKE ANY NAMES!" Jessica regretted that she raised her voice, not because it was her crush, but because- he marked the assignments! Now she was failing this course!

Liam released her arm and left the hall, leaving a confused Jessica behind. What does he have to do with it? 

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Jessica's dorm

"Why DIDN'T YOU TELL ME BEFORE!" She let out a squeak which also caused her to hiss in pain as she hadn't fully recovered from the surgery.

Jessica narrated all of the events to Kiana, who did was holding her breath until the story was over. Her reaction made Jessica smile, it didn't feel as overwhelming as before.

"I don't know, it was just a crush like I told you-"

"NO! LIKE YOU HAD THIS DAMN HUGE MOMENT WITH HIM!"

"It felt weird. I have never been that close to a guy before, leave alone a guy I like." Jessica said recalling those short-lived moments with him. It felt so beautiful, so serene that she wanted them to last forever. It was probably the highs people feel when they find someone they like. Love seemed a distant possibility, if it all, but even these moments were something she could make do with. They were special to her.

"You know, it is time already. You need to get your single ass an absolutely devilishly handsome boyfriend who would make folks swoon. And Liam is just that." A sheepish grin was all over Kiana's face as she blurted out all the possibilities between Jessica and Liam. 

"You're really positive. I do not think Liam would have anything for me. AND, it feels so wrong. He is my teacher as a matter of fact." She hoped she could convince herself as well, by these words.

"But he is just a few years older. He's fucking handsome, has tonnes  of money, who knows? Might be a Christian Gray or one of those Wattpad billionaires?" Jessica rolled her eyes at that. "Look, I am just saying, confess it. Just tell him how you feel-"

"So I could be out of university without my degree! No, thank you."

"Jess... can you please not be so paranoid? I am hella sure this dude must receive a lots of love letter each day! And failing a course once does not throw one out of college, now, does it?"

"HA! You too doubt I could fail the course! See, that's what I mean!"

"You! Okay! Fine, do whatever. I am gonna get some coffee. Put yourself to sleep and keep dreaming of Liam!"

Kiana left swaying her ass in the air intentionally and Jessica could not help but laugh. One genuine laugh. In a long time.

It was ten o' clock at night, mostly students were busy doing assignments, or studying, as this was the exam season, and not a minute could be wasted. But Jessica's mind kept going back to what Kiana had said. Confess.

"What is wrong in confessing? The worst he could say no. Not like you haven't faced that already!"

"But he called you a little sister, weak? Remember? That was today miss! How could you forget that so easily? You do not stand a chance! He might already have a girlfriend!"

The inner conflict in Jessica's mind didn't let her do anything. She was so tempted to confess to Liam. Perhaps she had gone crazy? I should soon visit an asylum. 

Just then her phone buzzed breaking her out of her thoughts. Jessica's eyes widened in horror as she looked at the message.

"Jessica Adams, the fresher, and Liam Anderson, the soon to be graduate, the devilishly handsome heartthrob, are now officially DATING!"

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Thanks for reading :)