Laura P. O. V:

Love is a serious mental disorder, the Greek philosopher, Plato said.

Well, then I wish I never woke up from David insanity.

I sat at the middle of the class, Cass and Gabbie sitting in both sides. They were in a heated discussion of why Gale left Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games.

While my philandering eyes fooled around David, he is standing behind the shadow of Gabbie. His peppy aura was smiling in his sprightly eyes, as he talked to his friends. Heat rose to my cheek whenever I saw him secretly glancing at me.

(Playlist - Shower by Becky G)

I always had an immense crush on David.  But it was that one time, when I fell deep and hard.

The first time we all were new to the flash mob and revealing costumes. We had to perform a skating dance on the frozen Crystal lake, during Christmas. It attracted attention, immediately. After the show, I was freezing cold, as I wore a pleated skirt short upto knee and a cropped top. In midst of everyone, David walked to me, removed his long warm coat, wrapped it around me and held my ice cold hands in his.

"You need this more than I do.", He said with an angelic smile

I never believed in love at first sight. I believed in love at first moment.

"Seriously, how can Gale and Katniss part? I don't understand. She always chose him over Peeta, but at the end,v it's Peeta who came home."

"Yah. But I ship Peeta and Katniss."

"Their love is so untold but true. She never tells him that she loves him, yet he knows.", Cass said, astounded.

"You can't lie about whom you love."

"It just shows in your face, even though you lie to yourself.", Christian said as he stood behind me. We were so lost that we never knew he entered.

His voice sent me chills down my spine. I turned to see his robust figure, all fresh and back to being in his way. His face however looked dull, losing its frisky charisma.

"Man. Where have you been for past three days? Did you spent the Five thousand dollars I gave you?"

"Nah, just wandering."

"Miss. Laura, it's detention week. Care to join?", He said, as he placed the letter in front of me. The red stamp of detention was getting strenuous attention.

But I ignored him.

I just turned towards Gabbie, to his side. David looked at me, his eyebrows arched asking when we got detention.

I smiled vibrantly, and scrunched my shoulders. He shook his head, kittenish smile spreading in his aura. I looked at him, to continue the eye stalking.

In a swift, Christian came close to my face, his peppermint breath washing over mine. He stared at me, as I got lost again in those amber eyes. The class became silent, noticing our intimate distance.

"Now, I got your attention.", His honeyed words melted hot on my skin.

Well, everyone's too.

"Darling, we have detention. Let's go", he grabbed my hand and we walked briskly towards the door, when a warm hand caught me.

I turned to see David, supremacy in his face. It clashed with the arising egotism from Chris for a moment.

"She can't come right now. I need to talk to her!", David pulled me away from his grip as he entered the corridor, I followed him back, keeping at his pace.

***

We stood at the barren hallway, the dusky rays falling in his eyes, creating glittery heavy dew in his eyes. His face shone an entranced halo, as he stared down at me, only silence.

So dreamy.

"So.. um!", David muttered to himself, trying to strike a conversation.

"Thank you very much, David", I said, euphoric bliss overwhelmed inside me.

"For what?", His confused eyes looked at me.

"For everything. Without you, I wouldn't be able to pursue my dream"

"Yah. Right. Did you get the letter?"

"Yah, I am accepted."

"So everything is alright?", He asked.

"Yah. Pretty much. And I will pay you back."

I said, as we stared at each other.

"Hey, um.. I'm sorry. You know, for talking harsh. I didn't mean it.", He said, as his hand slowly lingered in mine.

Adrenaline rushed through my veins, my heart skipped a beat as my eyes drifted to his plush lips back to his zealous eyes. Without my knowledge, I slightly bit my lower lip, diverting my anxiety on it.

What should I do?

I chose my words carefully, not to blurt out stupid to ruin this moment.

"No, it's.. umm. fine.. It's my fault. I should have been more careful."

"Yah. It was. Now everything is alright, for God's sake.", His captivating eyes looked down at my lips swiftly, before it could get caught.

A clammer of metal rods caught our attention.

"I told you not to push me, you idiot."

"I too want to see.", Gabbie shouted at Felix, both of them soon involved in a fist fight. Charlie was standing, angry and embarrassed as I caught them red handed.

"Okay, see you around", David walked away.

No. How could this happen?

Dismayed and dazzled, I walked towards Charlie, my eyes raged at her for ruining what could have been a most perfect moment.

"I'm sorry I brought these imbeciles with me.", She said, as she pinched Felix's ear, making him groan in pain.

"Well, that's some moment.", He gave me a thumbs up.

"Nah, we're just talking."

"You talked while his hands did dirty!", Gabbie teased.

With all the cheese popcorn, Cass ran towards us, along the corridor. Some kernels flew off, creating a trail of fresh crunches.

After she caught her breath, she asked.

"Did you kiss?"

***

It was five o clock, after filling my stomach with cheese popcorn and soda, I lingered around the PET building.

The creak of the door welcomed me,  streaks of aurulent rays flowed smoothly from the windows.  Christian was already mopping the brown wooden floor, the swish of detergent soured up my nose.

"Thought you would dump me again.", Sarcasm hinted in his voice.

"What work should I do?", I cautiously walked on the soapy floor,  adorned with mountains of opaline white froth, shining rainbows.

"Grab this and wipe.", He handed me the smallest towel, wet and dirty.

No way in hell I'm going to have it.

"I want the mop.", I demanded.

"You get what I give, late comer."

"Let's play hoops", frolicsome creeped in.

***

"Why should I stand at only one place, while you get to prance around?", He shouted as he stood glued to the centre circle.

"Because you are a boy and you would win if you pranced around."

"What a feministic world.",he moaned.

"Three chances, miss one, you are out."

The strong ball thudded hard on the wet wooden floor, sprinting the soapy water around us.

"Catch.", I threw to him.

He ricocheted the ball for a few times, which tend to slip away from his hand, but he managed to keep it in.

"So, I heard you and David were alone talking."

"You saw us?"

"Sorry, unlike irresponsible someone, I got detention work to do."

He thudded the ball, continued to splatter dirty water on me.

"Anything fun?"

"That's none of your business.",

"Alright, I thought I should help."

"You know nothing about him."

"Maybe, but I know everything about players."

"Like you said, I'm a player myself.", Sardonic tone raged in his voice as he concentrated on the loop. A part of me was hurt as he pointed out the words of my anger.

"He is not a player.", I redundantly took David's side.

"Really, answer me this."

"You two are good friends. Yet has he ever met you in school?"

"A couple time, one being today."

I searched my mind for a positive answer, all I could remember is meeting in barren places.

The first ball was thrown right through the hoop as it ricocheted again.

"Why does that even matter? Maybe he is not a fan of PDA", I proved my point right.

"Second, has he ever been touchy with you?", His hands would linger around mine when we are together at the dance hall. Other than that, today is the first time, he caught mine in public.

"Maybe he is just shy."

The second ball hit the board and fell right through the loop.

"Have you told him that you like him?", This time, his face gave a deadpan look.

"I did. But the response were like Laura what are you talking about. I never seen you like that", I abstained from showing hard feelings.

"So he had never seen you as a girlfriend material."

"Yup"

"Then why does he get jealous when I'm near you?"

The third ball went again through the loop, the ball pounded from the sight.

Oh my God, it's true.

"He is playing hard to get.",the hard truth hit me, but I was in denial.

"And I could help if you strike a deal"

"What deal?"

"Get me into the club. And I will get you your boyfriend.", His voice terrorized me in an odd manner.

Fair enough!

***