Elenor. That was the only thing Pierce talked about. Raving on and on about how her eyes squinted when she smiled, her laugh that was irrevocably contagious and her way with words that so evidently bemused Pierce. And every time he talked about her, his eyes would light up.

I had caught him singing and whistling joyfully. The effect Elenor had on Pierce was sweet. And scary. I didn't want my childhood friend to get hurt, to jump with both feet ahead and pay the price of a broken heart later. I guess I was being paranoid, but I just couldn't trust Elenor.

" Do you think it sounds awkward?" Pierce asked me, wanting to know what I thought about him asking her out next Friday. I shook my head,

" You should do it." I assured him. He squirmed a little.

" She'll say no." He said with a sad smile. He sighed and regained his composure. He gathered his courage and added," But you only live once, right?"

I smiled and agreed. As much as I didn't trust her, Pierce deserved to be happy.  Or so I thought. He came back that evening with a disappointed face, slouching and dragging his feet. He didn't talk to anyone as he went into his room.

" Hey Pierce, how did it go?" Tristan called out from the living room. Pierce didn't reply, though Tristan was back to being absorbed by the tv to even notice.

After a while, I knocked on his door.

" Come in." He muttered exhaustedly.

I cautiously entered and saw him, laying on his back, sinking into his bed.

" She just laughed." Pierce said before I could ask him. " Her beautiful laugh, the way her locks of hair fall perfectly on her shoulders."

A sad smile crossed his face. " At first, I was waiting for her reply. But I later understood. I guess I was stupid, thinking she would say yes to me." He punched a nearby pillow.

Pierce smiled, but it was clear the corners of his lips were pulled by will, not by happiness. Pain so evidently marked his face. Elenor, I knew I couldn't trust her.

.....................................................

Seeing Adrian was like a chemical reaction. I was slowly recovering from heartache, and him as well I suppose. But once we were mixed together, an explosion formed. I felt things I had forgotten to feel for the past few weeks, like the longing to feel Adrian's arms wrapped around me and to feel his hot breath on my ear. I wanted to forget everything that pulled us apart.

But how could I? I couldn't walk up to him and say how much I missed him. Its would make me feel like a pathetic traitor. As if he read my mind, Adrian stood from his seat and walked in our direction. 

Harper started nudging me uncontrollably and repressing squeals.

" Can I sit here?" Adrian asked. He was looking into my my eyes, willing for me to answer him. I had words to say, but no strength to let them out.

" Of course, it'll be a pleasure!" Harper chimed, standing up and offering her place to him. I shot her a panicked stare, but she raised her eyebrows in warning. 

" Thanks." Adrian said to her with a genuine smile. I saw Harper blush a little, but who was I to blame her? I had also once fallen in love for his smile. 

He took the seat near me and shifted in it uncontrollably. He grabbed the corners of the seat in unease. The tension was awkward and thank god he said something before I went mad. 

" It's certainly a change from Trinity-K." Adrian said at last in attempt to form a conversation. 

" Rich kid." I muttered with an exasperated smile. 

He grinned back. " I certainly don't live in a prestigious apartment anymore."

I tried to picture him in my old apartment, complaining that the bed had springs bulging out and that the air-conditioner made too much noise. I giggled to myself at that thought.

" I miss you."He breathed. My breathing hitched. I could handle the small talk, but this was getting too personal.

" Me too." I heard myself saying. 

What was I doing?! I forced my thoughts on what he did to Ace, how selfish and careless he had been. But no, all I could think of were his green-hazel eyes. I know I would probably hate myself later, and that it was probably stupid, but I continued.

We talked about everything and nothing during the entire trip. Everything contained in me so banal like how it felt to rest your head on the metro window or how the day and month numerology currently added up to my birthday just spilled right out. It felt so natural.

The robotic voice cut us off, announcing yet another station. " Forget it," Adrian said as I continued my anecdote. 

But soon after, I realized I had missed my stop. " Shit." I cursed as I ran my hands through my hair. 

" What?" Adrian asked distractedly.

" We missed our stop!" I couldn't help but exclaim. Didn't he have any idea what's happening down on Earth? " Aren't you bummed?"

" Nah, I missed my stop a long time ago." He said nonchalantly as I gave him an incredulous look. " What? I wanted to hear the end of your story."

I just smiled at him. In addition, I couldn't find Harper, which didn't surprise me at all. She must have sneaked off the metro to leave me and Adrian be." Well, what do we do now?" I asked.

" You get to spend the rest of the afternoon with me." He jeered as I waved that idea away.

" Adrian, I'm being serious."

" So am I." His lips formed a smirk. 

I stayed quiet as I felt warmth settle in my chest. I admit it would be nice.

But no.

" Sorry, pal, maybe some other time." I replied sympathetically. His shoulders dropped. 

Adrian opened his mouth to protest, but quickly closed it back. "  Yeah, I don't understand why I said that. I shouldn't just expect things were going to turn normal again."

I felt a pang in my heart. " Adrian," I sighed.

" Hey, it's no problem at all." He said but his eyes proved otherwise. A false smile made way to his face. " I get it, see you around Elyse."

He turned around and headed for the automatic doors. " Wait." I called out. " Tomorrow. Pick the place and I'll pick the time."

Are you crazy?! I scolded myself. But seeing Adrian's face light up made me unable to muster regret. " I'll see you on this stop." He proposed with a gleam of mischief in his eyes when he added, " Where we're going to go, it'll certainly be unexpected."

" Fine," I agreed, " At 8. See you then." 

We stepped of the subway and went our separate paths. 

......................................................

                         Ａｎｎａ 

" No chicas, even these snobby preps aren't as bitch as you." I joked, my phone held to my ear. I hear Laquisha and Monique howl of laughter in the background. 

I joined it. It felt great to talk to my old friends again, even if it meant on a phone call. " Hey An', " Laquisha said, " Lauwrence keeps on annoying the hell out of us, complaining that she didn't get her scholarship. But we know what really happened."

I felt her wink as they giggled once more. I laughed half-heartedly, not wanting to be odd. But it didn't feel funny to me at all.  " Sorry girls but I have some basketball practice."

" Ooooh." Monique tantalized. " Who's the lucky guy you're crushing on?"

I dismissed it entirely. " Pfff, there ain't no guy."

" Yeah right." Laquisha slanged. " Last time I saw you play hoop was when you tried to impress Ryan Daniel, 9th grade. And he was hot!"

 " All basketball players are." Monique added.

I felt my cheeks heat up. They knew me too well. " I would love to deal with your false accusations but I'm late."

They give a simultaneous union. " And by the the way," I added just for their satisfaction, " His name is Tristan and yes, he's smoking hot."

I hung up after that, hearing Monique's hooting and Laquisha's I told you so's. They never change, I thought with a smile.

......................................................

Hey! 

Hope you enjoyed!

What do you think about Adrian and Elyse?

Should they get back together?

See you soon!