"OMG! IT'S FINALLY HERE!" Bella exclaimed, tapping on my shoulder thrice. "I can't believe it!"

I rolled my eyes but Jess joined in with the craziness. "I'm so excited, I can't wait."

Yes, it was finally the week- the most awaited week. Valen's fight crept up on me more quicker than I had expected, and I hadn't given him an answer. He had been asking me all week, and bugging me during classes to be there for his fight. I didn't know why he wanted me there so badly.

"Guys, chill- it's just a fight."

I tried, only for them to shoot glares my way. Okay, they've ganged up on me now, huh?

"You, don't get it," Bella pointed at me, and I unapologetically rolled my eyes. "Someone new is trying to take on Valen for the title, he can't loose this fight or he'll loose the name of being the greatest boxer."

At the mention of Valen fighting with a new boxer, I became shockingly worried- just a bit. It had been two weeks since I started bonding with Valen, and I was pretty pleased with myself that I was able to get along even though it was a little bit. I did get brief sights of Valen whenever I ran across the campus to change classes for lecture.

I couldn't say the same about today because he had been busy training.

"That's the main reason you guys shouldn't be so excited about this," I sighed. "What if he looses his name or worse gets hurt?"

"Aww, look at you caring about him," Bella teased- which had been the only thing she did for two weeks.

"Jeez, He's a friend so definitely I would care."

"Look Bella, she's right," Jess finally spoke, making me glad that she understood what I meant. "Our friend is gonna be fighting, so we should just hope that he wins, but I know he's gonna get some ass kicked real badly. "

"Yes, you both are right, I was just. . ." Bella paused mid-sentence, head bouncing to another direction. "Here comes the Queen bee."

The air around us shifted totally, and with the sarcasm that laced Bella's tone, I knew that a storm had set foot in our space. Jess and I both turned around, Veronica making her way towards us.

Oh boy.

Little Miss perfect got acknowledged by few whipped heads as she sauntered her way towards us, steps airy and confident, slender figure hugged by a romper and above all-this deadly look in her eyes. And when her figure stood before us, we three were bound to let out an audible groan.

"Hey," she paused, letting her eyes fall on each of us, one at a time. "I'm sorry- actually not sorry to barge on you three but I needed to clear something up."

Her voice was edged like a sword, face pertaining a visible scowl. I nodded and reciprocated the scowl. "Don't waste our time Veronica."

She nodded, and then looked over at Jess, nose scrunching up but she doesn't make a comment- luckily for her. She darted her eyes back to me, crossing her arms over her chest. "Everyone has been talking but I don't know if the rumors are true so I've come to inquire. Are you. . . Dating Valen?"

Her eyes held accusations and anger, whilst mine went saucer-like, mouth dropping open. What the fuck? The thought had never, neither would it ever cross my mind that I would date Valen- I had accepted him as a friend and that was it.

Before I could sarcastically reply, Bella had done the job for me. "I don't know why you're so bothered Veronica when Valen wouldn't even give you the time of the day," she clicked her tongue mockingly. "Well, they aren't dating but they're one step closer to that."

I raised an eyebrow at Bella as a way of asking; what the hell are you doing? But she was busy enjoying the view in front of us- Veronica fuming with rage.

I ended up forgetting about what Bella said, and just crossed my arms, a smirk enveloping my face. "You heard her, now you can go."

She stood straight, flipping her hair behind her, and eyes drilling holes in mine. "You just got involved in trouble Carla, it's better you just leave him for me because he's just gonna dump you like he dumped every other girls in this college."

As soon as those words left her mouth, my palms grew clammy with sweat. Was that a threat? All I did was accept his friendship- I just accepted his friendship and I'm suddenly on edge again. "Walk. Away."

"I'm leaving, and when you end up shattered, I'll be smiling in content, just you wait and see," she smirked slyly before acknowledging us again. "Nice seeing you guys especially you black."

With clenched fists and shooting glares, I watched her make her way out of the building. Whilst we walked past people and entered the main floor of our class, I noticed Jess had a frown on her face which was most likely from how Veronica had addressed her as 'black.'

"I hate that bitch."

That spoke for all three of us.

"We all do, Jess."

Jess looked over, eyes clouded with unsureness. "Maybe it has to do with me because how could someone just hate me because of my color, and then treat me like I was a curse?. . ."

"Look Jess," I started, stopping in my track, and sympathy clouding my voice. "Veronica has always been a bitch so don't think it's you because she hated me at first sight."

A sigh escaped her lips. "Probably because you've been proven to be better than her."

I understood how she felt- to be discriminated, and insulted because you're different- and I hated people who were stupid enough to indulge in it. Jess was a beautiful African-American and I don't get why that bitch had to make a whole deal about it.

Bella intertwined her hands with Jess's, and lips curved in a small smile. "You are beautiful, and I hope you realize that soon because, nothing Veronica says would be able to change that."

"You're right," Jess began, "I don't know what I'll do without you guys, thanks."

We both gave her a hug, and continued our walk to class. I was saddened all over and over again like I was few years back over how society couldn't flee from discrimination. Moreover, the sadness only morphed into nervousness when I realized something- we were ten minutes late for class.

♣♣

We had almost gotten into trouble with the professor but thanks to Bella's great apology she let us off- with a warning. Bella and I still had another class together, and for Jess, she didn't have any class till the evening.

Bella and I had made our way to psychology class, having to listen to the professor go on and on about the human brain. The topic was interesting but it couldn't beat the nonsensical jokes that was made out of our very own brain like it was useless.

I had managed to keep my concentration on the professor not until there was a tap on my shoulder. A swift turn later, I could see Valen- with his famous smirk.

"What?!" I whisper yelled. If I got in trouble soon, and for a dumb reason like this, I was going to make Valen regret it.

"Please be there."

"Be where?" I knew exactly what he was talking about but I wanted to mess with him a little.

"You know what I'm talking about," he frowned. "I really need your support that day."

I smiled reassuringly. "I'll be there Valen, cheering you on and congratulating you when you win."

I was looking forward to the day, and there wasn't a chance at all to not be present at the match-for him-when he sends those reckless smiles my way. And I could just watch his lips curl up into another smile.

"Thanks."

I nodded, and attempted to turn around in my seat just for him to tap me again. "What, what, what?!"

"I've been wanting to ask. . . How are you even in this class? This is sophomore psychology class."

I sighed dramatically, narrowing my eyes at him. "I did really well in AP psychology so they let me skip to second level."

"So, you're strong and smart, I see."

I flipped my hair behind my hair, batting my eyelashes playfully. "Yes, and I'm pretty proud of myself."

"Are you trying to seduce me, Carla because if you are, I wouldn't mind," he smirked, and we were back to square one.

"Just shut the fuck up."

I placed my undivided attention back on the professor, already missing out from all what he had said.

After two more lectures, my back hurt when I slumped down on one of the seats in the Cafe. I was growing comfortable with seating with the guys, and I was pretty proud of myself for coming out of my shell. Bella bounced on the seat right across mine, buried her face in her palms, and let out an audible groan- which almost sounded like a gorilla.

"I'm so done with college stresses, we need to do something more fun."

Walter had walked over, having been the last to come, with a small smirk gracing his lips. His brown hair was messy yet put in place.

"Oh c'mon," he spoke, seating close to Bella. "I thought you were the fun one Bella, why don't you use your gift, and give us an idea?"

Her face rose up from where she buried them in her palms, and it was the first time I ever saw her stutter. "I-Um. . . I can't actually think of anything right now because. . ." she paused, quickly placing her palm on her forehead. "I've got this headache."

I rolled my eyes, and Walter's lips curled up in a smirk when he put his phone away, his eyes falling on Bella.

"I can always take care of that, darling."

With his honey dripping smile, and those words that escaped his lips huskily, her sharp intake of breath was expected. Her mouth had fallen open, eyes going saucer like, and moreover- her cheeks had turned crimson.

Luckily for me, the conversation rolled away from those two before I heard what I didn't want to.

Austin groaned from besides Walter, hands running through his hair. "Can you just stop?"

Jaxon supported Austin. "Yeah, Why don't you two just kiss already, and stop flirting around?"

Unexpectedly and simultaneously, Valen and I burst into fits of laugh, making Bella embarrassed the more, and Walter was preoccupied with his phone to care.

"Alright," Valen was able to control himself, a smile still sprawling on his lips. "Back to what brought all this, we would decide on something to do to make college education more fun after. . . my big fight."

"Why after your fight?" I inquired.

He turned to look at me. "Because Carla, I have to focus on training, and even if we did plan out something, I might not be able to come along because of it."

Oh.

I sighed. "Alright then, I guess we'll go with that."

"Of course, I'm the leader," he commented, only earning a glare from me so, he rephrased his sentence. "We're the leader-"

"And together we shall rule the world!"

We ended up laughing, whilst the rest stared at us like we had grown two heads. "Why are you guys staring at us like that?"

"One second there's tension, and then you guys quarrel which results in Carla wanting to jump your bones, the next she's furious and refuses to talk to you, and after that- you guys are laughing and enjoying each other's company. I mean, come on man."

"Wow, it's so nice that you were able to narrate our life history," I sarcastically retorted, an eye roll coming complementary.

The brown eyed boy in front of us rolled his eyes whilst looking at me. "God, you're so sarcastic."

"Just how I like it," Valen commented, earning loud groans from everyone- including me.

Despite how awkward the situation and Valen's words might had been, there was this feeling that bubbled in my chest-happiness and comfort. It was because, for the first time ever, there was no burden or weight in my heart when I socialized or more- associated with guys. There was no anxiety or jittery limbs, just bubbling happiness.

PRESENTING ANOTHER CHAPTER!

Please do let me know what you thought of this chapter and my two main character's daily dose of eye rolls, glares and laugh.

I sure I'm enjoying their little banter.

See you next time. Stay beautiful <3

Jessie❤️