Thank you @ChantRughubar for the lovely cover. 👆👆

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"That smells really nice." I said walking into Cole's kitchen.

"Good morning to you too." He said not looking up from the paste he was making.

"I'm sorry about yesterday." I said soberly.
"I was really pissed and you're right, it's quite hypocritical of me. I know how hard it is to open up." I added.

"I can't blame you. Matters of the heart mess with the best of us. But just give him some time, he'll get over whatever is bothering him." Cole said.

"So we're cool right?" I asked with a hopeful smile.

"Only if you help me with breakfast." Cole said throwing a spatula my way.

"At your service Chef." I said and gave a bow.

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"That'll be all for today. Don't forget to get the handouts on your way out. The assignment is due first thing Friday morning." The Physics lecturer said dismissively to the class.
So far college didn't seem as tough as I imagined it'll be. Although I hated how on some days I had the entire day choked up with lectures and some other days I only had lectures till noon.
Today was one of those lucky days when I only had lectures till noon.

I was just about entering my car when I heard someone scream my name.
I turned around and saw a very breathless Hope running towards me.

"You need to exercise more often. You didn't run much and you're panting like someone who ran a marathon." I said as she leaned on my car taking in deep breaths.

"Oh please. I'm fit in my own way." She said with an eye roll.
"Where are you heading to?" She asked.

"Home. I'm done for the day." I stated.

"I don't have another class till 3 pm. Let's have lunch. I didn't see you over the weekend. Time to catch up." She said getting into the passenger seat.

"You're something else." I said shaking my head as I got into my car.

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"So how are things with Edna?" I asked taking a sip out of my cranberry juice.

"Fine I guess. She's off to Spain for the week. Something about sealing a business deal." Hope said passively.

After her mother's sudden appearance during our high school graduation, Hope went ballistic but my Mum was able to convince her to hear Edna out.

Turns out, she found out about some dirty things Sylvester was into and so he threatened her. She never left by will. It was shocking but not surprising, we had all seen what Sylvester was capable of. We all still have our guards up though.

Hope was still mad at her mum for not asking anyone for help, but they were building their relationship from where they left. So instead of living with me as we had initially planned, she moved in with her Mum, they needed all the bonding time they could get.

"But you're both getting along right?" I asked wanting the truth from her not some rehearsed response.

"Yeah. Kind of." She said with a small smile.
I knew better than to push further. She was still trying to get over her father and brother.

"Anyway, how about your date with Damon?" She asked excitedly.

"I don't want to talk about it." I replied.

"Oh come on." Hope said tugging at my sleeve.

"It didn't go so well. He's been acting off. Just forget about it." I said and went back to dipping my fries in ketchup.

"Oh." She said and kept quiet.

I looked up at her quite surprised, it was unlike Hope to just drop a subject that easily, she would have threatened to go beat him up or stuff like that.
When I looked at her, she just gave me a shrug and looked a way. She seemed deep in thoughts.

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"At least you're having fun." I said to Maya.

"I know but it's not the same without you guys around." She said a pout adorning her face.

Maya got admitted to Princeton and was the only one in our friend group schooling there. We made a promise to FaceTime each other at least twice every week and so far so good, we have been doing that perfectly well.

"Everyone here is always so serious. No adventure, no sarcastic comments, no jokes or pranks. I know college means growing up, but growing up doesn't mean not having fun." She said pinching the flesh on her thumb like she always does when she's slightly pissed.

"Anyway, how are things with you and lover boy?" I asked referring to Cole.

"No thanks, I'll pass." She said with a huff.

"What do you mean?" I asked quite surprised.

"We're good, but distance thing is making things a little awkward. I spend a large part of my weekends worrying that he's at a party getting lap dances from every girl who sees him as eye candy. And our schedules don't really give us time to talk as much as we should." She said. The sadness in her voice was evident.

"Don't be like that. Cole will never do that to you and hey, I'm here with him so I'll definitely keep him in check." I said with a smile.
"You should talk to him about it though. Tell him how you feel, he's the best person to give you the reassurance you need."

"Thank you so much Kim." Maya said her countenance brightening up a little.
"I don't know what I'll do without you." She said blowing me an air kiss.
"How about you and Damon? Is he still acting weird?" Maya asked her voice full of concern.

"I don't know what's up with him, but we'll figure it out don't worry." I said dismissively.

Maya got the message and changed the topic immediately.

We spoke about random things and before I knew it, it was almost midnight.

I bid her farewell and decided to call it a day not without mentally noting that I had to discuss with Cole.

Hey there,

Hope you enjoyed reading.
Don't forget to vote, comment and share.

Till next time,
Massie 🙃

Song of the week - Par-tusa by El Dipy.