"Really! I do not believe that."

"She doesn't look like someone who would do it, though."

"She's so quiet usually."

Ryan's roommates were all ears to his story about this girl, you know her- Jessica. They were in the the cafeteria, but hardly for some food. The real purpose was to listen to the gossip Ryan had about Jessica and him. 

"But she did. Even the most extroverted people do not have the courage to confess, but that bitch did! She told me her family issues... like what I am I supposed to do with that stuff? And I had already clearly told her I do not like her. Not one bit. And I didn't give a fuck if she liked me or not either. So when I said I wouldn't talk to her anymore, you guess what she said!"

Ryan took a sip of his usual smoothie and left the other guys to wonder. 

"She said fuck you and bye!", Jeremy, a blonde guy from the group yelled in the most fake British accent he could do. Ryan kicked him lightly and the rest of the boys laughed.

"My man, she said, 'Please Ryan, I can't live without you. If you don't talk to me, I'll die!', like, do I give a fuck about it?"

"Did she actually think that would work? She's a maniac isn't she?"

"Hold on guys, there's more to it."

"Yeah, go on."

"So this other time we-"

Ryan stopped speaking when he saw Jessica walk in alone. He observed her for a while, and then continued speaking. Only this time, it was even louder. Loud enough for people inside the cafeteria to listen every word of his, very carefully.

"This other time, we had a fight. She told me I was an arrogant asshole and that she never wanted to see me again. And then, like in an hour or so, she calls me to tell me that she was sorry about what she said."

"That is some real fucked up shit right there."

And then a laughter echoed from this very occupied area of Ryan and his friends. Jessica had heard it all, and she knew it was about her. Embarrassment and guilt filled her heart as she rushed out of the place as soon as she got her order. Just that, now she wasn't hungry anymore.

It was a traumatizing memory of her past days in school. And she hoped she could get over it completely. It was her childish wish of being in the same university as Ryan, and now there was nothing more than that she regretted. She really never wanted to see him again. 

"Jessica"

"Ki, what's the matter?"

Jessica watched as Kiana walked towards her, sweating from head to toe, she looked- in pain.

"I.. I had my pain killers for my periods... I don't know how they turned out this way. "

"Come on, sit down." Jessica made her sit down on a bench close by. "Do you want me to take you to the hospital?"

"N..NO I am fine..."

"You're NOT. Let me call-"

"What happened to her?"

It was Liam, who showed up out of no where and after a few seconds of inspecting Kiana rushed towards the parking lot.

"Don't go Anywhere!" He instructed Jessica. By now a few more students had gathered around them, making both of the girls feel suffocated. Kiana was in pain, and Jessica did not appreciate the attention from the people. It wasn't like they were helping.

"Have you called an ambulance?" Asked one of the boys from the crowd.

Before Jessica could answer, Liam showed up in his black colored Lamborghini. Although right now, the two girls could hardly care, the folks behind could not help but adore the beast in complete awe. Liam and Jessica helped Kiana sit in the car, and they were on their way to the hospital.

"Why didn't we go to the infirmary?" Jessica asked while caressing Kiana's back in an attempt to relieve her pain.

"It is much serious that that. Probably her appendix burst."

Liam pulled in at the nearest hospital, where they took Kiana to the ER immediately. Liam was right, it was appendicitis. She required a surgery to get her appendix removed. 

"Thank you so much, Mr. Anderson. It was so chaotic right now, I couldn't even thank you properly."

"It is not a problem. One of my family members had to go through the same, so I knew what it probably was about. And, I prefer Liam. Mr. Anderson makes me feel like an old man. I am just twenty-two, Jessica."

Jessica's cheeks burned as realization finally set in. She had been in her crush's car, and now he was standing next to her. Calling her name. She found all of it to be wrong. It was her friend who was in the hospital. And she could not help but want to stay and talk with Liam. It felt good to be with him. Liam looked at her face, all red like a tomato.

"Are you fine? Your face is all red." He placed the palm of his hand on Jessica's head, feeling her temperature, making Jessica blush even harder.

"You're hot."

Jessica's eyes widened as she had a hard time accessing what she just heard. She was so close to passing out. It was one of those moments where one actually wants to pinch them hard to check if it's a dream. She looked up slightly, to look into Liam's eyes. Time halted for Jessica. How long has it been? She asked herself. An eternity perhaps. But it had hardly been a few seconds because Liam still had his fingers on Jessica's forehead. He smiled in the friendliest way possible.

"Not in that way I mean, just your body temperature seems high. Maybe because all the rush right now."

That broke Jessica completely out of her trance. What was I thinking!? 

"I'll go get some water." Liam said as he gently messed up Jessica's hair and patted on her head.

"You're like a cute tomato, just like my little sister."

And just like that, he left.

He left, and Jessica could not help but feel disheartened. Once again. Perhaps love isn't made for me. 

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

Anyone knows what we call the hospitals in university? Like the place where you would be taken to once you have a fever or faint etc. Not the med school where people study. 

;)Things are on their way.