Brian is like milk chocolate. Those sweet, unfairly delicious, and addicting chocolates that once you start eating it's a struggle to stop. But having too much of it will surely make your teeth ache, and give off a weird feeling you can't quite get rid of for at least a few hours.

Brian is exactly like that.

I'm in no place to complain. Even though I wasn't the nicest to him, he has been sitting in corner of my favorite coffee shop with me, for the last three hours, explaining the important points of one of the advanced books I borrowed from the library.

I have to admit, our session has helped me a lot and hopefully will speed up my learning process, help me reach faster to an advanced level.

He stands in line to order another round of coffee for us and I gaze outside the shop.

The full-length window next to my seat gives a fine view of the street and the darkened sky.

I pinch my nose. It took me over an hour to focus on studying, but now that I'm taking a break, I can't stop my mind from wandering to my biggest problem.

Until this afternoon, I was convinced Professor Wright was working on that problem for time pass or maybe eventually publish a paper over it. Never in million years, it crossed my mind that it might be his thesis' main focus.

The rational functioning part of my brain is urging me to let go of this whim and forget I ever solved this question. It's beyond obvious Wright won't ever hand over his postdoc's research topic to me.

Yet, I can't make myself give it up. I need it.

I bite my thumbnail as I stare at the empty street.

No matter how kind or sympathetic a person would be, no one will ever hand over something like that.

I know I wouldn't.

I bounce my leg as I ponder over the situation.

What if I tell him the truth?

I shake my head. No, that's an awful idea. What if he gets me expelled? I can't risk that. Especially not now that I'm so close to graduating.

"Hey, is everything okay?" Brian's voice startles me.

I jump and nod. I didn't even realize when he sat back down.

"It'll be ready in a few minutes," he says, pointing to the counter.

"Thanks." I smile at him.

He smiles and glances outside and then back at me. "I'm glad you came to me instead of going to others for this." He waves at our textbooks.

"I'm happy I did that too."

He scratches the side of his face before saying, "Honestly, I really don't think you need help with this subject, you're quite good yourself."

I shrug, "I wanted to be better."

"Yeah." A breathy laugh stumbles out of him and he surveys our table while rubbing his palm over his left elbow.

"How're other things going?" he asks, his honey-colored eyes study me and he quickly adds, "I mean other classes."

The thing about Brian is, he wants to talk, to keep the conversation going but doesn't know how to spark a conversation about anything other than our courses. This is his third attempt so far.

Regardless, I smile. "Fine. I'm studying, keeping up with everything."

"It must be tough with all that happened."

I gaze at the street, crossing my arms in front of my chest. I guess the only student who shows up with a dark blue Lamborghini for three years and then suddenly stops, it becomes pretty noticeable. "It is."

"I thought it was a temporary thing," he mumbles.

I clench my fists, and glare at my faint reflection visible on the glass of the window. Why does anyone who looks at me, sees our bankruptcy! "No one knows what the future holds," I mutter.

"But you've been keeping up with it really well. I can't imagine what I would have done if I was in your place."

Of course, you can't imagine. How can you, when the countable times you got to see luxurious cars were all thanks to me? "You learn to adjust." I face him and he nods.

I wish I could somehow stop him from talking about this, without outright telling him.

"Anyway," he awkwardly shifts on his spot and straightens himself. "There's this party at Felix's this weekend... would you like to um... come? With me?"

I drum my fingers on my knee under the table as I contemplate how to decline and let him down slowly, without hurting his ego or risking him not continuing our little tutoring sessions. "This weekend? Actually, I have some unfinished assignments I was planning on working on them, their deadlines are really close." I offer an apologetic smile.

"Oh." His shoulders slump and instantly I feel bad for rejecting him.

So, I do the stupidest thing anyone can ever do. "We can hang out another time, like sometime around next week?"

His face lights up, his eyes glint and a grin breaks across his face. "Sounds great."

The waiter brings our drinks preventing an awkward silence from forming over our booth.

I take a sip while gazing at a streetlamp. It's a surprise after everything that has happened, someone is still interested in me. It's selfish of me to use Brian as my confidence booster. Though I can't help but relish the fact that he's still into me regardless of how everything in my life has changed for the worst and affected me, perhaps even broken me.

I notice the way he looks at me, and it's just the way most guys looked at me before we lost our fortune.

His interest in me is like the only thing that has remained from my past. The last reminiscent of a fairytale.

I inhale sharply and push aside the thoughts. I'm not ready for anything serious. Actually I'm not ready for anything. I have to clarify that soon for him before it turns into a huge mess.

I peer at him over the rim of my cup. Brian is truly handsome, with chestnut hair and an angular, clean-shaven face along with a well-built body. He's nice too. He deserves a girl who will like him back and return the attention and affection he's willing to give. However, I'm not that girl.

"Shall we start?" I ask.

His eyes jump to me and their corners crinkle with his smile. "Sure."

We adjust our belongings on the table, opening our textbooks, and continue studying.

Not long after, just as I lean into my chair to listen to Brian explaining one of the questions, my gaze lands on none other than Professor Wright.

Noticing my focus lingering on a specific spot, Brian glances at it.

"Is that..." he begins.

"Wright," I complete his sentence.

Before any of us says anything, I spot a girl next to him.

And no, it's not Julia.

∞ ∞ ∞

Okay, I really don't know how to thank you guys =) in the past 24 hours (give or take) 200 reads were added to the total number of reads! I don't know who you guys are but, my gosh, just know that I'm really happy and grateful that you're giving this weird story a chance! lol xD

I truly hope you're enjoying this story, and thank you for reading it! 

One question, so far we've had a one on one with Brian and a couple of one on ones with Wright... with that being said (or read, idk), whose team are you guys on? Team Wright or Brian? =)

Don't forget to comment your thoughts and vote (it'll make my day, really! xD)

As you guys know, the next update will be up tomorrow =)