The bell echoed and I am immediately woken from my trance. Even the pressure of exams has no use to distract me from the events which keep on resurfacing since last weekend.

"Finished or not, pass your papers now," the professor's voice resounds even outside the corridor. I sneak a peek at the door and the majority of the students are scrambling to get their things done.

In just a minute, Maize comes scurrying  — floundering her arms with her neverending excitement.

"Finally! Prelims are over!" she gushes and circles her arms in mine. "Let's eat somewhere nice today. My treat!"

"I won't say no to that," I reply, trying to lift my mood to match hers.

"We should invite Uriel," she says and the smallest tilt on my lips I have forced a second ago quickly freezes.

"Better not. He might be busy." Hopefully, my voice doesn't sound stiff.

"Really? Is that why he finished early? But we haven't eaten lunch together this week. Is he that busy?" Maize says with a hint of suspiciousness.

'Probably busy avoiding me.' I answer to myself. It is just me to ruin a perfectly good friendship for a bunch of girly feelings. It already happened once and I'm stupid to think it won't happen twice.

I shrug before breaking another smile. "I know a nearby restaurant here and it might not be as busy because it's expensive."

"It's alright. We deserve to treat ourselves after the all-nighters I suffered," she talks so convincingly that when a stranger would hear it, they would assume she's very dedicated. In fact, the only reason she stayed up so late was that she was always busy watching some series all day.

"Okay, your call. Let's go," I say, nonetheless.

🎨 🎨 🎨

After lunch, we proceed to our next class. Painting class has no exams due to Professor's Lind ultimatum but that doesn't mean we can skip out.

It's still pretty early and most are busy with their own circle of friends. We head to our usual chairs, forgetting an important thing. 

"Uriel!" Maize waves in his direction. 

I grab her hand in an instant. Uriel definitely saw my action. He simply offers a timid smile— vastly different from the welcoming one he offers that is always full of fervor.

"Why don't we sit at the back?" I suggest, causing Maize's eyes to widen.

"Who are you and what have you done to my friend?"

I can't help but giggle at her overreaction. "For a change," I reason out.

"Maybe I should treat you every time? I've been persuading you to sit at the back since we started class but you always manage to make me sit in the front? Now you wanted to sit at the back?"

"Come on." I go first and I hear her footsteps following behind.

After we sit, Maize whips in my side with her brown irises so intense from beaming curiosity.

"What?" I ask, a little bit perturbed. I know I already gave myself away earlier but I still don't want to talk about it.

'Well, not really. Aside from the person involved, another one witnessed my humiliation.'

And speaking of the devil, Terrence enters the room. But just when I thought I jumped out of the pot, I clearly dive through the fire because our seat is where Terrence usually sat.

Our gazes meet for a second before he stopped on his feet and takes the place nearest him. I let go of the breath I unknowingly hod on the whole scene.

Maize snaps her finger right in front of my face. "So what is it? And what is that?"

"Huh?"

"Don't play dumb with me. Come on, spill it, Remy. If not, I'll annoy you the whole class. It's already been a week and I'm ready for the whole story."

That's certainly a good threat that earns a wry face from me.

"What's wrong with you and Uriel?" she pushes further.

"Nothing."

"I doubt. I know you've been acting funny this whole week and I just realize it must be Uriel with how you're getting worked up a while ago. Plus the fact that we haven't hanged out with him since last weekend and he just left out of the blue."

"Nothing," I repeat.

"Okay then, I'll go and ask him," she says and stands up.

"Wait. Fine, I'll tell you," I surrender, my face morphing into a scowl.

Maize grins and taps my shoulder. "I'm just kidding. We're not super close to asking him about that. I just like to push your buttons 'cause for sure you'll be bottling everything up. I'm your friend, you know. I already told you I'm always here to listen. I can understand that you need time but it's been a week and you're obviously looking out of it."

The annoyance slowly fades from her words. She's right though. Without a push, I will never tell a soul about my problems.

 I hesitate for a second but I'm weak from her probing gaze. I take in a deep breath. My voice lowers as I try to let the words out of my lips — trying to choose the right words that won't make me sound pathetic. 

"I confessed and got rejected."

"What?!" Her voice causes all heads on our way.

"Shh. Let's talk later," I say.

"No, no, no. We're talking now. When did this happen?" Her arms cross as her posture straightens with eagerness.

"On Sid's birthday."

"And you didn't tell me?" Her voice keeps getting higher and I signal her to hush it down. "So what happened when you said you'd take it slow?"

"I planned to but he's the hooded guy who's always there for my painting."

"Hooded guy?"

I summarise the whole story to her and her brows furrow after a while.

"Are you sure he is though?"

Honestly, I haven't heard a confirmation but since his stories are almost the same as I remembered, I assumed it is him. Besides, it's such a perfect coincidence so it's not hard to believe it isn't him.

"I think so. Still, everything was a misunderstanding so it's better to ease the tension first by avoiding him."

"It's definitely not a misunderstanding. If it is, I'm probably blind too since I thought he likes you too. His actions tell a whole other story and you say he rejected you? I can't believe it!"

I nod, slowly coming to a realization that maybe I'm not really meant for a relationship. This is the second time I try to actively chase and confess, only to get rejected again.

"So, we're probably not going to his studio anymore, right?"

"Yeah. I'll ask if we can rent since it's nice to have a studio, to be honest."

"Yep. I'll also ask around. It's better—"

The abrupt screech of the chair interrupts Maize midway. Without looking back, Terrence exits the room in haste.

"I wonder what's wrong?" Maize says, her gaze still on the door.

"None of our business."

"Okay, okay. You're so cold as always when talking about him. But now that we're done with Uriel, what's with you and Terrence? You're always weird together. You act like you have a grudge from past life while he's like someone who has a broken heart."

I scoff. "You're watching too many dramas, apparently."

"You still haven't explained you have Terrence's polo shirt," she states, her mouth tilting to both ends of her ears while my eyes almost bulge. 

"You knew."

That polo has been sitting at the bottom of my wardrobe, not know how or when I'll return it. I don't want any remnants of his belongings on mine but returning it means reliving the memory of crying at his side. I could honestly die in embarrassment at this point.

"Uhuh. So what is it? I guess you really luck out with the buddy system that you have gotten close with the one and only Terrence Wright."

Her sparkling eyes make me want to reveal that I and Terrence have a long history, one that I want to keep secret since I can't bear to be associated with him more than this.

"There's really nothing."

She nods but the expression on her face tells me she's not buying my words."I really thought your mind's been preoccupied because of Uriel but maybe it's actually Terrence? So does Team Terrence have a chance now that Team Uriel is sinking?"

I slap her arms with all her nonsense. "What are you talking about? I already told you there's nothing going on and it's impossible that he likes me. He just helped me because I sprained my leg and he was there when Uriel rejected me."

"OMG! What? That sounds like a scene in a romcom or something."

I roll my eyes. "Enough with the referencing. Real life is far different from the series you watch."

"You sound so bitter—"

My phone vibrates and an unknown number flashes on my screen. "Wait a sec."

I answer the phone and a polite feminine tone resonates. "Good afternoon. Is this Mr. Rembrandt Evans?"

"Good afternoon, it's a miss. May I know who's this?"

"Oh, apologies. This is Vincent's adviser. We have been contacting your parents and Mr. Leonardo but there is no response. If you can, can you go to our school right away?"

"What's wrong?" Worry instantly fills my mind.

"There's a little accident and the children's guardians are needed to settle this," the teacher informs.

"Okay, I'll be there in half an hour." I end the call and get my bag before turning to Maize. "I have to leave. Vincent has an emergency at school."

"Okay, okay. Call me if you need a hand," Maize says.

I hurry and sprint to the main gate.

When the taxi stopped at the huge arc of Vincent's school, I get down to ask the guard for directions. I've been here a few times but it's still hard to familiarize myself.

Eventually, I reach the faculty and I did not see anything but Vincent's figure. I approach his side in an instant and bend to check his body. His eyes tint with red. The short sleeves exhibit his white arms that have become paler from the white bandages wrapping them.

"R-remy—" He stumbles on his word but I swivel to confront the teacher.

"Who did this? Why are both his arms injure—"

"Good afternoon, Ma'am Evans. We'll be going to the principal's office. We just need one of the students to return here," she says but the fidgeting of her hands is undeniable, paired with a stiff smile.

"Let him come here. This is a huge matter. My child is all bruised and I demand compensation. I enrolled them here for excellent education but got this instead?"

That's when I notice there are two more children with both their mothers on their sides with an arrogant stance like every other rich parent in this school.

"Excuse me?" I raise my head high. I may not be good at defending myself but it's another story when it comes to my family. "Your son is perfectly okay compared to my brother wrapped in bandages and you have the audacity to demand compensation?"

"It's him who started it first. We have seen the security footage."

I face Vincent who looks so pitiful with his drooping brows. "Is this true, baby?"

He nods and I almost gasp. My baby brother is the most adorable. There should be a reason why he started a fight.

"Why? What happened?"

With still his head low, he refuses to answer me.

"It's because those two idiots—"

"Natalia, your language."

My eyes dart to the pair that have just entered the faculty room. The girl's frown can rival a little hellcat with how she sends sharp daggers at the other two kids. Her pigtails are in disarray and the crumpled polo shirt with bandages on her arms too — a telltale sign that she's involved in the fight too.

But in truth, my attention is first caught by the person holding her. 'Why is he freaking here?'

She huffs as her tone rises higher. "Ryan and Daniel keep picking on Vincent saying he's a sissy just because he's good at painting and today, they even broke his paintbrush!"

I glance at the teacher wincing while my brows furrow. "How come we are only aware of this? This should be a case of bullying!"

"Yes, Ma'am—"

"Bullying?!" One of the moms shrieks. "It's them who started it! Get the principal right away!"

The teacher's panic gaze shifts between all of us.

"Apologies, Ma'am, but he's already waiting at the office. If you can just proceed, that will be very helpful."

Without waiting for them, I grab Vincent's hands and exit to fix this matter once and for all.

🎨 🎨 🎨

I can't believe it takes almost three hours to negotiate with unreasonable parents. Thankfully, Leo's assistant has dropped by and easily solve everything.

"Thank you, Mr. Carter. I'll take Vincent home."

"Welcome, Miss. Sir Leo said he'll call after he's done with his meetings," he says.

"No problem. Thanks again."

Mr. Carter enters the car and drives off. I turn towards my brother who has been quiet the whole time.

I crouch to meet his gaze before patting his head. "Come on now. It's all okay."

"I-I'm sorry, Remy. Will Mom and Dad be angry? Am I really a bad kid?"

My expression goes soft at his words. Prodigy or not, he's still a child. But his doubts make me think of myself when the one thing I fear is making my parents disappointed.

I hold onto his shoulder, smiling so he can see my sincerity. "Of course not. It's good that you defend yourself. You should've punched him harder. If you start a fight, make sure you won't lose—"

Someone clears their throat, causing me to look back.

"I don't think that's a good thing to teach your brother."

My brow arches before ignoring him. Instead, I veer toward the little girl. "Hello, I'm Remy—"

"I know who—" Her words are quickly muffled by Terrence's hands, almost covering her whole face.

"She's Natalia, my niece," he says while Natala struggles to get away from him before finally letting her go.

"Oh, Tyron already has a daughter?" I comment. He only has one older brother and also has a huge age gap but not as much as me and Vincent.

But if he's the same age as Vincent then why I haven't seen her before? 'Did Tyron have a secret baby?' I shake my head at the thought. Maize's love for dramas is slowly getting into my head.

"My cousin's. Her parents are not here at the moment," he explains.

"I see. Anyway, Natalia, do you want to go for ice cream? It's a treat for what a brave girl you are and for standing up for Vincent."

"Really?"

"No."

The two spoke simultaneously.

"Sweets are not good for the kids," he says and carries Natalia in his arms.

I try to stop the urge to roll my eyes but I can't. 'So rigid, as usual.'

"Then, we can eat anything. Vincent and I are not picky eaters... unlike someone else." I really feel the need to add the last phrase after what he has said.

In the end, we settle at a cozy diner near the kids' school. While we wait for the order, Vincent and Natalia have so much to talk about, completely forgetting what happened earlier.

As for Terrence, Natalia's on his lap while struggling to tie her hair. I'm annoyed just watching him making her hair worse than it already is. He's still clumsy doing hairstyles after all these years.

"Let me," I say and soften my tone when facing Natalia. "Do you want me to make you pretty, Natalia?"

"Yes please!" She squeals and rushes to my side. I fix her hair but for some reason, the concentrated gaze of the guy in front of me, makes my fingers tremble.

I puff my cheek, glaring at him. "Can you stop looking?"

There's a small curve in his lips, eventually nodding. "Whatever you say, Remy."