Hanji's POV

The school bell rang for lunch, and Nanaba dragged her feet to me. She groans before nudging me with her shoulder as she grins mischievously. "I bet you aced that biology test, Hanji. After all, you have been studying non-stop."

"I hope so. I've been busy researching universities. There's a university I'm hoping to attend."

"Oh yeah? Where?"

"University of Rosewell."

Nanaba's eyes widened before they turned into this sly look. "So definitely not the same university as Erwin's enrolling at, huh? I thought you two were lovebirds."

"Erwin wants to study business while I want to study biology. Of course, the universities we want to study at would be completely different. Did you think I am one of those people that will follow my boyfriend to the same university? Of course, not. Our education matters the most. Besides, if something were to happen between Erwin and me, I have to pursue my future."

Nanaba exaggerated blinking as she laughed. "Okay. I did not expect a paragraph from you, Hanji. And I'm glad you're not one of those people. In most cases, that doesn't end very well. For example, I heard that before the first year ends, the couple would break up and the girlfriend is lost."

"Mhm. Oh, Nanaba, Erwin said that we're going to hang out this Saturday, so if we have any plans, might as well do them after school today."

"You don't want to go home?"

"No... not yet. Some nephew of my dad's friend is staying at the house. He's a little creepy, I'll say."

"Creepy?"

"He has this blank stare. Like... I have no idea what he's thinking about. I mean, he does have beautiful gray eyes. But the intensity of just looking at it... it scares me. And whenever he was around, I thought I felt him staring at me. When I look back, he's not looking at me. It's weird and creepy. It's... scary."

Nanaba nods her head, nudging me a bit. "I kinda want to see him. I mean, not be creeped out by him. But I want to see how bad it is. And I'm completely fine if you want to sleep at my place. I don't think my mom and dad would mind."

"I think that'll be great, Nanaba. I have to talk to my parents first."

"Fine by me."

Even when I'm not at the house, it feels like his eyes were always on me. I always have to look over my shoulder to calm my nerves. But the fact I could feel them on me, makes me shudder. I don't know what to do about it. All I could do is leave the house and lock myself in my room until I have to leave again. But to live in fear... that's terrifying...