Ian's friendly nature already gave me a whiplash on top of that his question is more confusing. When he asked me if I hate him or not I feel the lacking of words in my dictionary.

"What?" is the only word I could utter that too in a shaky voice.

"I mean..do you...hate me because I was kinda...Umm rude." he barely says the word "rude"

Is he insecure that his rudeness might ruin his impression? Thank God at least he gets that he was rude.

"Thank God. At least you know you were" I finally exhale.

"Yea..I guess..but do you?"

Emm...sounds fun. Let's tease him a little bit, My subconscious can be evil sometimes.

"Hmm hmm" I lie

His eyes widen in surprise. I guess he didn't expect it. He takes a second to think I assume then comes back to his playful mood.

"No, you don't." he counters.

No way. He can't know it too soon. I won't tell him about my crush on him or whatever.. I don't want him to make fun of me. So I decide to play safe.Well, lie mostly.

"How can you say that?" I am being safe in my opinion.

"I can because I know" He says confidently.

He can't be so obvious.

"Well, You don't know me."

I am savage. Ain't I? My subconscious is bragging.

"I....." He stammers. Aww how cute!!!

"Your hatred won't last long." He comes back with a bang.

"How so?" I am being timid again. What is he gonna say?

"I can be an amazing friend that you will forget the hatred." He winks.

Friend?? Did he just say friend? Does he have split personality? He was literally killing me with his eyes last week and today he wants to be friends. My expression can express how shocked I am.

"What?? Are you surprised or what? Look I'm not as rude as you think. It's just you were new, and I was in a bad mood." he tells me.

"Oh!! So,I was your punching bag?" I complain.

"Umm...You're forgetting something." he ignores my question and shows me the paper in his hand.

...

The paper we are reading isn't the main script. This practice script has dialogues, passages and poems to recite. After practicing several lines with him. I turn the last page. There's a poem, a classic by Lord Byron. I hand him the paper as I am poor at reciting. He smiles at me and starts reciting.

"She walks in beauty,like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies."

As he continues reciting, my heartbeat is increasing more and more. His voice is so euphonious, so celestial. I am more than fascinated by his voice.

"One shade the more,one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless....."

He gets interrupted as the janitor calls for us to leave because it's almost evening. I almost wanted to kill the person for ruining my serenity but I control myself cause we are actually late. So I take my phone to call for Uber since I still don't have a personal ride.

We both collect our belongings and reach to the gate, he offers to walk me towards my car.

"No, it's okay. I don't have a car actually and my ride will be here anytime." I smile.

"Cancel the ride." he says

"huh?"

"I said to cancel the ride because I want to drop you home. Simple. Why are you always surprised around me?" He tells.

His question along with the offer makes me realize that I was looking at him with my mouth open. I immediately close my mouth but still surprised.

"What? Any problem?" He examines my expression.

"Aahh... Nothing"

"Okay so let's go" He says

I nod.

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