DATE, HE KEPT SAYING- what an idiot. He had taken me to Betty's Cafe and motioned for me to walk in with him. As he walked me to our table draped with a linen cloth, unlike every other table, my eyes widened in shock. The view before me was beyond astonishing, like it was straight out of a vintage photo. We both took our seats, opposite each other.

Valen had fallen silent as he flipped carefully through the menu, and I was getting hungry- so I got his attention; "What are we having?"

His eyes held concern for a split second. "Are you hungry," keeping the menu open, he passed it to me. "You choose."

I skimmed through the menu and made my decision. "I'll have a plate of Nachos and a cup of orange juice."

He gasped dramatically. "Are you also a foodie?"

I groaned, rolling my eyes. "I'm not, just so hungry asshole."

I had managed to glare at him, before he went to go get our lunches. It was a blessing to get away from college stress, though my stomach was really empty at the moment. The rumbling in my stomach had only increased when we got there, the fresh smell of freshly baked snacks wafting through the air.

When Valen came back, he had the same smile he had when he left earlier, and I was left thinking of how his eyes twinkled when he smiled or grinned.

"So, what did you order?" I asked him when he took his seat again.

"Salad."

My mouth dropped open. "What?! Salad?"

"I'm a boxer, and I've been instructed to watch how I eat," he shrugged lightly.

I sighed. "That's sad. This is why I never liked boxing."

"You better, it's my passion," he commented just as the waitress placed our lunch by our sides. I muttered a 'thank you,' before turning to face Valen.

"And because boxing is your passion, I should start liking it?" I rolled my eyes at him, ignoring the chuckle that fell out of his mouth.

"Are you that short tempered?" he raised an eyebrow cockily.

"Are you this annoying?"

It seemed that our conversations were going to be all about silly quarrels, eye rolls and deadly glares since he was passing me another one of his eye rolls. He was about to make a comment but I shushed him by placing my fingers on my lips. "I'm starving so let me eat, would ya?"

He raised his hands up in surrender. "Fine," he muttered softly, eyes darting to his cutlery before picking it up.

I also dug into my food- hungrily- hardly ever making a small talk with Valen.

After our good meal later, it was hard to swallow and digest the fact that I had an amazing time with Valen. Even with the constant glares, eye rolls and snarky reply, I never felt on edge with him. There was something about Valen Monroe that made me want to know him the more- maybe it was the way he could win my trust and pull me in so effortlessly.

I had to wait while he payed for our meal- even after my constant disagreement- I didn't want him to waste his money and pay for our lunch but, he claimed he took me out and he had to pay. Moreover, he's rich.

He drove us back to the campus, and when I checked the time, it read, 12:30 in the afternoon. We both stepped out of the car, and he offered to walk me to my dorm but I politely declined, not wanting any talk from Bella if I arrived with Valen.

As I stepped out of the car, I noticed the high sunlit clouds that drifted across the clear blue sky, and the trees that swayed gently in the breeze in the warm tropical sunshine. I started walking away, towards the direction of my dorm building but- I turned around.

I turned around and noticed Valen walking back to his car, so I stopped him by calling on to him; "Hey Valen!"

He turned around immediately. "Yes?"

"Thanks again," I bit my lips gently, forming my next words. "I really thought you were a dick but. . . you're a really nice guy."

His eyes flicked up with amusement. "Dick? Seriously?" I only rolled my eyes before he continued, "Well, I thought you were being a bitch but you're a nice girl who needs to discover herself."

"Hey!" I snapped. "I wasn't being a bitch-I was being self conscious."

He took retreating steps backwards, towards his car, eyes still not leaving mine. "I'll see you around, frosty," he waved at me and got into his car. It was hard to comprehend the whole event of today that I didn't make a comment about him calling me frosty but rather- waved back few seconds later.

And whilst I made my way towards my dorm, my mind was left wondering how my stay away from him turned into he's nice- and what he meant by, I needed to discover myself.

I made my way into my room, and I couldn't wait to crawl into my bed and sleep even though it was noon because the fatigue was already toying with my senses. The room was empty when I stepped in which told me that Bella was either in class or the library. Without changing, I fell onto my bed and slowly drifted off to sleep.

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The morning sun had long streamed into my room but I refused to get up since I didn't have any class that day. Bella tugged the duvet that was keeping me warm and secured away from my body, earning a groan from me. I reached for the duvet again without lifting my head from my pillow but, before I could pull it over my head, she had plopped herself down right next to me.

She had something in mind, obviously.

"Carla, get out of bed, it's almost twelve in the afternoon, and you have to tell me where you were yesterday," she demanded.

At that, I sat up straight in bed and turned to look at her, a sigh falling past my lips. "If I tell you, you're just gonna end up saying, 'I told you so.'"

"Hmm," she hummed. "Let me guess, it has to do with Valen."

"How-" I was cut off from what I was about to say by the sound of my phone ringing under my pillow. I picked up the phone to see an unknown number calling. Who could be calling?

I picked. "Hello?"

"Hey," the voice spoke, and I recognized it immediately.

"Valen?"

"Yeah, sorry for calling, but I just wanted to let you know that the guys and I are planning on hanging out later so we were wondering if you guys are free."

"Who gave you my number?" I went straight to the point because I hadn't given him my number the previous day.

"Bella did."

"What?!" I exclaimed and turned to look at Bella with accusing eyes. "you gave him my number?!" I whisper yelled.

"Oops!," she bit her lips nervously. "I ran into him yesterday and he asked for your number so I gave him, sorry."

"Carla?" Valen called my attention from the other side of the line.

"Yes, I'm listening."

"So are you guys in?"

Outing with the guys. I tugged at the hem of my shirt, eyes darting towards Bella. She was staring at me confusedly, and so I asked her about what she thought of the idea of hanging out with the guys.

She agreed.

"Uh, well. . . We're free. Where would you guys be and what time?"

"1pm at Louis's Dinner."

"Okay, see you later- I mean you all, see you all later."

I hung up immediately and turned to look at Bella who had the guts to pass me a sly grin. "I see you gave him a chance."

"Ugh," I groaned audibly, having the urge to smack myself in the face. "He apologized okay, and even as much as I wanted nothing to do with him I couldn't say no," I sighed. "Besides, I had a great time with him yesterday."

She grinned, her next words coming out softly. "Listen Carl, from what I've heard, Valen is not a bad guy and definitely not a player. He hardly ever hangs out with girls so, you must be a really big deal if he could take you out."

"But I dislike him?" I said unsurely, my words even coming out as a question.

"No Carla. You don't dislike him, you want to dislike him- there's a really big difference."

I groaned and flopped back on my pillow, but Bella wasn't having any of it as she tugged me by my arm and pulled me out of bed with the command; "Get ready."

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I hated drinking.

It wasn't just because of the gross puking or the crazy ways people act when they drink it that I hated it- but, the dangers behind it. As a matter of fact, I have never in my life gotten drunk but, I almost did.

It was with someone I trusted- I trusted the person so dearly that I could reveal all my darkest secrets. But, it was dangerous, and I regret ever getting involved. Just thinking about that night stung badly, and I wanted to erase it from the deepest part of my life -because it was a poison clogging up my veins.

And when I noticed the guys were seated around the table, each having a bottle of beer, I scrunched my nose in disgust. Right besides me, Bella was clad in a pink one shoulder crop top and a pair of ripped jeans-which she spent hours to find. I on the other hand, managed to throw on a button up crop top paired up with blue jeans and then made my hair in a dutch braid.

I had earlier introduced Bella to the curly haired sweetheart, Jess and they kicked off really well. Even Jess seemed to be a fan of dresses as she was clad in a red dress.

With the bottle of beer in hands, the guys were laughing at something. There was no trace of Valen, and the latter's absence was making me anxious, to say the least.

We took our seats with the guys, and then introductions graced the table when they saw Jess. How I managed to bond with all the guys in less than two weeks was a mystery, but Jess did a lot better than me as she already bonded with all of us just in one day. Amidst chuckles and snarky remarks, the bond - friendship- was blossoming into something beautiful.

But, it wasn't beautiful, not until a certain someone fills up the gap, I blindly thought but quickly shook it away.

I didn't realize a frown had befallen my face not until a nudge hit my ribs. "You okay?"

Walter's brown eyes were pooled in genuine concern. I managed to nod and smile assuringly, though I was uncomfortable inside. "Yes, I'm fine," I bit my lips gently. "Where's Valen? And I'm just asking because he called us here and he isn't even here."

"Yeah, the guy had some work to catch up with but, he should be here soon."

I nodded gratefully. "Okay."

Few seconds had only ensued before Walter slapped the back of Austin's head- which looked like a way of snapping him out of something- then spoke. "Austin, if you're gonna be checking out Carla all night, the least you could do is do it sneakily, if not you're gonna get punched again."

With pursed lips, Austin scratched his neck, awkwardly, a small smile enveloping his mouth. Everyone except me let out fits of chuckles as soon as he muttered the words, "Sorry, I couldn't help it."

I ignored them, and decided to get myself something to drink since everyone was sipping on one drink or the other. I sat by the counter and watched the young lady behind the counter walk up to me.

"What can I get for you dear?" The sugary sweet voice of the cute lady drifted around me. Her bubble-gum pink nails were placed on the computer screen, ready to tap in my order.

"Strawberry milkshake, thank you," I ordered with a lit up smile, stealing a glance at her cream name tag. Holly.

"Okay," she typed in my order, "that would be five bucks."

I reached for the little shoulder bag I carried along to take out the cash when a familiar deep yet smooth and honeyed voice spoke close to me. It was the kind of deep voice that was so easy to fall in love with- it was auditory caramel.

"It's on me."

I turned to see Valen passing her ten bucks as he added; "Chocolate milkshake for me."

"Okay, I'll be back," she flashed us a smile before walking away.

I turned to Valen, eyes narrowing. "Again? You really didn't have to do that."

"Take it as my way of saying 'thanks.'

My eyebrows furrowed, slightly, and face printed with confusion. "Why are you saying thanks?"

"For giving me a chance, Carla because I know this whole thing was for from your list."

"Um, well-"

"There's no need to deny it Carla, you really don't trust me completely and I get it so I won't force you to be my friend."

I bit my lips gently. "Thanks, but you're not forcing me."

Words were gone as if the silence that sat with us had sucked us dry of any speech. His eyes found mine, and for some strange reason, I couldn't look away; I was drawn in by his blue eyes- ocean strong eyes, swimming with warm sunlit currents.

I was finally able to snap out of the trance he seemed to had gotten me into, and cleared my throat, eyes everywhere but on Valen. "Um, I gave you a chance because I wanted to get to know you but, no distractions."

"Explain."

"Okay, if I'm in class, I don't need you to disturb my life with your annoying voice, and you're not going to force me to do what I don't want, understood."

"Yes but what I don't understand is why you've decided to call my voice annoying," he leaned in, lips closed to my ear. "When you know my voice could get a girl to fall in love."

I pushed him away from me with a scowl. "Third rule: don't get in my personal space."

He chuckled. "That one's gonna be hard, frosty."

I gave him a hard glare as Holly made her way back to us, our milkshake in hands. She placed our milkshakes in front of us and I told her "thank you"

"No problem," she replied, a wide, bright smile decorating her glossy lips. "Just let me know if you need anything."

"Will do."

Valen and I made our way back to the rest, and as expected, the guys were engaged in a minor argument while Jess and Bella were having their own discussion. Walter's head whipped in our direction, a sly grin on his face. "Where were you two?"

"Getting ourselves drinks," Valen replied, and I knew for a fact he had the urge to punch Walter in the face.

"Are you sure that's all happened?"

"Yes, shut up," I groaned, walking around to occupy my seat.

Few minutes of chatting and bickering, and Bella unsurprisingly gawking at Walter ensued before the waiters brought our meal. Bella began eating along with everyone else but not before nudging me, and then whispering, "We're gonna have a talk, missy," in my ear.

I only rolled my eyes at her, and shoved a forkful of the spicy Mexican chicken into my mouth, savouring it's taste as it burst my taste bud with flavor.

From the corner of my eye, Valen was casually sipping on his water. I wasn't supposed to be staring at him- but my mind wondered- it wondered why his eyes could effortlessly hold mine captive.

But, before I could look away, he caught my gaze in a jiffy. Discomfort became a load on my shoulder, and his eyebrows knitted in confusion. Then, he annoyed me—by smirking in my direction.

One word for this chapter.

Jessie❤️