I've totally given up, I'm now convinced that he won't show up.

Why did I have to have him as a partner? Couldn't it be someone, who would be available at this time?

Looking around me, I notice that a majority of people have received their ribbons and that only a few, still have nothing in hand. Even Sam, who's partner surprisingly is a friend of Hailey's, has got a ribbon.

I was surely surprised when he rose to his feet when he was called, and she was by his side. I was curious as to why he didn't tell me. Did he think I wouldn't be interested or what?

I would ask him once we were alone.

Speaking of Sam, he glances at me once again to check, and like the other times, I shake my head no. Opening my mouth to say something to him, his eyes move behind me where they widen a fraction, before a smirk comes onto his face.

He looks back at me and gestures for me to look behind me. Doing so, I swear that the biggest relief washes over me when I see none other then Roman, standing at the entrance of the auditorium, his eyes searching.

He's looking for someone.

His eyes meet mine and I notice something pass on his face as he makes his way over to me. I turn back around to fix my composure and try convince myself that he's really here.

Sam gives me a thumbs up before turning away from me.

I'm left in question when Roman walks past me and heads over to the front, where the ribbon bows are handed out. I watch on curiously as he talks to one of the student committee.

What is Roman O'Connor up to?

I continue watching their interaction with interest, noticing a look of understanding passing on the student's face. I forgot his name but I know that he's in photography. He takes the best pictures and he's very much recommended around school.

He's got an eye for good pictures.

Their conversation continues for a few minutes before he hands something to Roman, who nods at him and turns and walks away. I frown when yet again, Roman heads my way, this time without a word he stands in front of me.

He holds out something for me to take and looking at it, it is a blue polka dot ribbon bow. I don't say anything as I take it, only watching silently for his next move. He surprises me yet again as he places his own ribbon in his pocket and then walks away, without a glance back. He leaves me with my jaw dropped to the floor.

He just left, without saying anything, leaving me with no words.

Once he disappears from view, having gone out of the auditorium, I look down at the ribbon in hand, it's even got a pin so as to place it on you, for identity.

Why would he come and get the ribbon, only to leave right after?

My mind fills with that question and more, throughout the whole time we are in the auditorium. I don't hear a single thing said as I'm left to question , if do I really have a partner here for this.

How can Roman want to confuse me like this? He's the same one who wanted partners to change yet when I was going to do just that, he stepped in and claimed that he had no intention to change partners.

Then he goes and tells me in private that I shouldn't even rely on him for anything because to him, there's no real partnership yet he came for our introductory.

Just thinking about him and trying to understand him exhausts me.

"So he actually came?" Sam says after we exit the auditorium, falling instep with me.

"Yeah." I trail off. "And he got us these." I show him my ribbon bow.

"Yeah I saw him in front. At least he came." Sam says and I nod, half paying attention to what he's saying.

" Hazel?" I pull to a stop and look at Sam, who now frowns.

He's about to say something but I gasp, when I'm suddenly pulled under someone's arm. A kiss is placed on my temple. "I'll meet you down in thirty." Danny murmurs in my ear before releasing me.

" Sam." He nods at Sam in acknowledgement, who nods too.

Danny surprisingly steals a kiss and leaves right after, and a small smile makes its way onto my face at how excited he looks.

" You don't look as excited as he does." Sam speaks up, making me to look at him.

" What makes you say that?"

He seems to hold himself back and instead, he shakes his head. I frown at this.

"Nothing, don't mind me. Look, have a good, relaxing time and be careful." He adds at the end, giving me a side hug before leaving me rather confused.

What does he mean by be careful?

It's just Danny and I, I mean what's the worst that could happen on a planned trip?

******

With bag in arm, an easy smile makes its way onto my face when I spot Danny waiting for me at the front door, by the reception area.

He looks to be busy on the phone, yet when he sees me coming, he hangs up the call and he smiles at me in excitement.

Gosh, when he smiles at me like that, my stomach flutters.

"There's my girl!" He calls out, making me blush.

When I'm in near reach, I'm pulled to his chest, hands resting on my waist. " So, ready?"

I nod, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Thank you for this." I say in his ear.

He has no idea how much I needed this, just to get away for a bit. It's like he read my mind.

Stepping back, I smile at him.

"Come on." We walk on to the reception desk and sign out. We notify the school that we have left the school grounds, for the weekend.

He pecks my lips before taking both our bags in his hands and gestures for me to follow him.

"So where are we going?" I ask, as we make our way to his car.

"Well I got us a place at the Rosewood Ark Inn. It's almost outside town, beautiful and just what we need to unwind and for privacy." I smile at this.

He takes my hand and entwines our fingers, bringing my hand up to his lips.

"It's just gonna be you and me baby. Nothing could mess this up." He says as we head on to the parking lot.

Making it to the car, I stand aside as he puts everything in the back. He then turns to me to say something when a loud disturbing noise interrupts him. We both turn to where it's coming from, only to see a motorbike rider with his bike, coming our way in speed.

My heart hammers hard against my chest as I watch the rider pull to a stop right in front of us. He pretty much takes his own sweet time to take off his helmet and when he does, all I can do is close my eyes and sigh.

It's Roman.

Danny pulls me behind me, he looks both tense and annoyed.

We watch on as Roman gets off his bike and comes over to stand just a few feet from us.

"Why are you here right now O'Connor? " Danny asks.

Roman quickly glances at me before looking back at Danny.

" I'm here for my partner." This time he looks directly at me as he says this.

Something about the look in his eyes scares me a bit, that glint in his eyes, I know it so well. He's intent on fulfilling whatever he's set out to do whilst coming here.

" Last time I checked, you didn't have a partner. Oh wait, you didn't want one." This time it's me who's looking at Danny in confusion.

How did he know that?...

The only person who I've discussed this with is Sam, and knowing that Sam doesn't exactly like Danny, there's no way he would tell anyone this.

" Hazel Grace?" My head snaps to Roman, who's intense eyes are staring right back at me. "Am I your partner or not?"

Before I can answer, he digs in his jacket pocket and holds up his ribbon bow for us to see.

"Does this mean anything? - Sweet? "

"What the f-"

"What is this Roman? - why," I take a breath. " Why are you really here?" I intervene, holding up my hand to silence Danny, stepping in front of him right after.

"We have a task to do." He says, reminding me of our first task.

Our first task has to do with either babysitting, painting or doing yard work for a day.

During our task, we make sure to have evidence of us actually completing our task, either by video, report or pictures and we bring one item to submit along with everything.

"Yeah but there's still tomorrow."

"No, tomorrow won't be possible." I give him a questionable look, not understanding him.

He continues. " A family is available for us today, for babysitting. And make note , only today."

"That's bullshit, tomorrow- "

"You're interfering in our business kid, stay out of this." Roman throws at Danny, who steps forward, ready to say something.

"Okay okay, let's calm down shall we?" I say, holding out my hands to each of the guys.

I turn to Danny, deciding to speak to him first.

"It'll be a few hours." I say, but he rolls his eyes.

"It just had to be today, on our day?" A look of disbelief appears on his face.

" I'm sorry." I close the distance and block his view of Roman, so he only focuses on me. "I'll be back in a few hours and we can still enjoy this weekend." I try convince him of this.

I don't want this to mess with our weekend.

"You know, I thought at least today I'd get to spend the rest of the day with you, since tomorrow I'll be busy with my task."

Shoot, I forgot about him being partnered up with Ingrid, who I'm starting to be convinced she might like Roman.

I wrap my arms around his neck, embracing him.

" I'm sorry about this." I say in his ear."

In return he kisses behind me my ear. "It's okay. We still got the rest of the night."

"Can we get going?" Roman speaks up behind us, interrupting Danny.

I roll my eyes in irritation and step back from Danny, turning to face a blank faced Roman.

"Yeah we can. I'll drop her off at the place, just give us directions and we'll meet you there." Danny says.

Good suggestion, cause I'm not getting on that thing.

"No, my partner, our task....don't interfere. Come on Hazel, we've wasted enough time as it is." Roman says, walking over to his bike and leaving us like that.

Damn him.

"He's crazy to think I'll let you go with him." Danny scoffs at this.

I glance at Danny, biting at my lip nervously.

"Oh come on Hazel, you're asking way too much now." He says, walking off to the driver's seat where he gets in, leaving me to head on after him.

" Danny, Danny wait!" I quickly reach him, grabbing a hold of the door before he can close it. "It's a two week partnership and my partner so happens to be Roman. I didn't choose this and you know it."

" I know." He groans.

"So I need you to understand when I need to complete a task with him, he's my partner after all." I remind him.

" I know all that, it's just - do you really need to go with him, him?!" He huffs. " On that thing? - He can-"

"He wouldn't endanger my life." I blurt out without meaning to.

It's like a natural reaction that forced those words out of me.

A small frown appears on his face.

"Uh, you should get going and check in and stuff. I'll be meeting you there, just send me the directions." I try again, feeling rather awkward after what just happened.

" I'll come fetch you." He speaks up.

" I'd like that." I mutter, leaning in to peck his lips, only for him to cradle my face and deepen the kiss.

" I should get going." I say against his lips, smiling when he groans in protest.

"They'd better not keep you for long." He mumbles, pecking my lips.

I step back from the door, letting him close it.

"Thank you for understanding." I mention.

"You'd do the same if it were me. It's only fair I do so." He says with a shrug.

I nod. "Well, I should get going, bye." I wave at him, walking away.

I meet an impatient looking Roman, already seated on his bike.

"Took you long enough." He mutters, rolling his eyes as I come closer.

" I'm here aren't I?" I say cheekily.

"Just get on." He says gruffly.

I roll my own eyes, walking on to climb on behind him. Finally getting seated, I look at him expectantly when he glances over his shoulder at me.

"Well, get going." I say, gesturing for him to start the bike.

"Do you honestly think I'll let you endanger your life, come on, hold on to me." I roll my eyes, leaning forward to do so.

"Wait, take this." He hands out his helmet but I refuse to take it.

"There's only one." I mention .

"Yeah so?" Is he mad?

"You need it, I mean you're the driver."

"You need it more then I do." Before I can protest, he pushes it into my hands, forcing me to take it.

"Wow, someone's stubborn." I say sarcastically, putting on the helmet.

"Unlike you, I care about your safety." This pauses my movements, making me to look at him.

He blinks, shaking his head slightly. " I don't want you getting hurt on my account, now come on, let me do it." He gets off the bike just to fix my helmet.

I frown a bit when he only stares at me after putting the helmet on. He looks to be in thought, though there's just something behind the look he's giving me and I can't even figure it out.

" Roman, let's get going." I say, snapping him out of whatever trance he was just sucked in.

He mumbles something under his breath that I'm not able to catch.

Getting on the bike, he glances over his shoulder at me again, and again he gives me that secretive expressive look. It's scary to think that look alone could have a deep meaning, behind it. I don't think I'm ready to know it, nor want to now.

"What- what is it?" I finally ask.

He opens his mouth to say something, but then we hear a call.

" O'Connor?!" Both our heads snap to Danny, who's stepped out of the car again.

"My girl better be safe, you hear!" He says, pointing at Roman, who starts the bike and I'm forced to lean forward and wrap my arms around his waist.

"You must be talking to the wrong guy, because as far as I know, Hazel Grace would never get hurt in my sight." With that, he starts up the bike and drives us out of there right after.

That's the thing Roman, I was hurt more out of your sight.

You were never there at my lowest.

******************************

It's been a while since I've updated this book.

Hope you enjoy this chapter.