The next morning was cloudy. Small raindrops seemed to be falling everywhere in sight. Jessica and others were headed to their classes, and most of the students could be seen with big fat books open in their hands, with the exams looming over their heads. Ryan almost had his home setup in the library, while Jessica did not spare a moment for something other than reading and revising her notes. She was much focused on the classes, more than ever. As of Liam, he had to answer a phone call every now and then, which were mostly work related. Out of these three, only Liam had a terrible feeling in his gut. Jessica, was pissed. Ryan, was genuinely studying.

After a night of thoughts coming and going, Liam had finally decided to explain to Jessica. And... and apologize to her as well. He had been an ass to her, and he couldn't bother to make her hate him. It was a reckless decision on his part, that he regretted. So, he decided to see her after class and make things clear. By 5 pm, he headed out of his room, had coffee and waited outside the café for Jessica to show up. He saw her coming from a distance. She looked beautiful. Not once did his eyes move from her as she approached the café. Once she was close enough, he called out to her, in the most gentle voice he had.

"Jessica-"

"Jessica-", it was Ryan.

Jessica did not glance at Liam. She turned back at waved at Ryan, who was with one of his friends. 

"What's up?"

"Nothing really. Just grabbing some coffee." Ryan's friend looked at Jessica in a weird way. And that made her anxious. But she didn't want to face Liam. So Ryan was her best bet.

"Yeah, me too. Wanna go to Starbucks? This place seems shitty now."

"Sure." Jessica smiled at Ryan. And it made someone's heart burn.

"My car's over there. Let's go. I'll see you later." Ryan said to his friend as Jessica and he walked away. 

Liam felt an empty pit form in his stomach. 

"I thought you hated him?"

**************************************************************************************** 

"What kind of trick is this, Ryan?" Jessica looked at Ryan with a questioning look once they reached his car.

"What trick!?"

"Do not play innocent. I don't believe you want to grab some coffee. You hate me Ryan, ain't no way this is as simple."

"Are you dumb? Yeah I forgot you were!-", Ryan leaned towards Jessica,"-but then why did you agree if you knew this was a trick?"

His breath fanned Jessica's face, making adrenaline pump through her veins. Her body and mind had completely taken him or anything far related to him as a threat. 

"That- I wanted to see how far you can go." She looked in his eyes. How am I looking? She thought to herself. 

"Well, believe me or not, I realized I have been too much of dick to you. Although you deserve that. But since you said you wanted to date me, I feel we might as well give this a chance. I might be free from that sick Larry too, maybe."

"I never said I wanted to date you."

"You said I was like a trophy you wanted to win."

"But I don't want to participate anymore."

"Must you be so boring?"

"Yes. Bye"

"Okay. Let's grab a drink tonight. Seriously. The exams have been stressing me out. Just want to chill."

"Take your friends along. I am no fun."

"Used to them. Want to take you for a change." Jessica shut her eyes as she barely held herself from exploding. This guy deserves a punch.  Ryan still had a smug face on.

"I am no substitute. And, I DO NOT drink."

"Then don't. You can dance."

"I DO NOT dance either."

"Then let's simply go to Starbucks." Ryan stated plainly.

Jessica thought for a while. She still believed all of this was a trick. What could go bad at most? Him embarrassing me? That always happens. Maybe give it a try.

"Hello?" Ryan waved in front of Jessica.

"Fine. Let's go to Starbucks. But don't be dick."

"I won't. I promise." A promise Jessica didn't truly believe.

"Then let's go. Its going to rain heavily. Must be back before that." Jessica said as she and Ryan looked up at the sky. It was dark- the kind of dark you see before going to sleep.

"Hmm."

******************************************************************

"It's closed."

"Today's not Christmas day."

"I guess they shifted."

"To where?"

"How would-" Jessica eyed Ryan with annoyance. "See, that's why I didn't wanna come. Things never go right with you. It's so late already. Let's go back."

Ryan rolled his eyes. "Don't talk to me like that. I won't take you back if you do that."

Jessica headed back towards the car as Ryan followed. Ryan felt raindrops falling over his head, and all of a sudden, a heavy downpour just started. It grew colder. 

"Could you turn the ac off?" Jessica asked Ryan. He didn't reply but turned it off. 

It was Jessica who broke the silence between them. 

"Do you think there's something wrong with me? I keep getting attracted to assholes."

"Yeah. Everything's wrong with you. You're a bitch, remember?"

"You said you won't be a dick."

"And you didn't believe that."

Jessica looked out of the car window. The rain was only getting heavier. Street lights shone brighter than ever, and the streets were empty, so Ryan had probably broken the speed limits a while ago. Jessica liked it. No, she loved it. These were the small things that made her happy. She smiled subtly. Only when Ryan's hand brushed against her did she broke out of the beauty around her.

"You like it?"

"Yeah. Don't you?"

"I've never paid attention."

"You should maybe."

"Do you regret liking me?"

Jessica was taken aback by that question. 

"You had asked me that before remember? Where is this coming from?"

"Just want to know, for sure."

"I only regret that you would never like me back. Not for once. I don't like losing. Anything. Just as I said before, my feelings investment went to a waste."

"What if I did?"

"You don't. And I would not think otherwise. My heart's broken enough-" Jessica let out a little laugh,"- and, I believe my no boy policy is better for me. I am happy with my dogs, my family. They make me feel loved. I like that."

Ryan tightened his grip on the steering. He had words. Words that were complicated.

"Maybe... we could try."

"Try what, exactly?", Jessica asked, truly confused.

"This-" Ryan took a deep breath,"- us? Look, I don't know if this is the right thing. But I just, I don't know. I mean it, though. You might want to consider-"

"After all this time when you have been an ass to me? No thanks. I believe this to be one of your pranks too."

"I admit. I do not like you. But I do want to know you better. I have never tried to know anything about you-"

"And why do you suddenly want to?"

"I felt comfortable talking to you, that night on the bleachers. It feels good to have someone to share things with."

"OKay, and?"

"And?"

"If you want to get to know me better, as you say, we could very much be friends. Although I doubt its only that."

"It is not only that. It's-"

"About Larry too."

"Look, I do want to get to know you. But there are also these aspects of Larry and I am guessing, Liam, in the picture. We could both benefit from it." Ryan, for the first time since Jessica had known him, seemed visibly nervous. 

"We're here."

Ryan unlocked the door as he gestured Jessica to get off. 

"Maybe, we could try."

********************************************************************

Thoughts?