Kaia's P.O.V:

Wednesday 3:05pm
"Please Ma'am, just five more seconds" I plead as my horrible teacher walks up to collect my paper. I write as fast as I can, jotting down my answer to the last question. Just as I gave my sentence a full stop, she grabbed my paper off me.

"Time is time, Miss Collins. Next time remember that".

I gave her a grumpy look before gathering up my stuff. I shoved my pen back in my bag and swung it over my shoulder, walking out. Why couldn't this paper be like my business one, it was tough but at least I finished it on time and the teacher wasn't such a meanie. I'm seriously considering switching subjects next semester.

I haven't heard a single thing from Ash and it's driving me crazy. I have no idea whether he's still in hospital or has he been discharged. Heck, I don't even know which hospital he was taken to. Axel hasn't even called me once to update me, I just feel so uneasy.

"Hard day?" Someone says from behind me as I'm walking towards the library.

I quickly turned around and saw who it was. For a second I was hoping it would be Ash, like it always is- but no.

"Jason! Yeah it's been a horrible day from the start. I was late to my first paper and now I couldn't finish this one on time. I'm slowly passing away, I can feel it" I ranted as we walked side by side down the walkway.

Jason laughed at my dramatic explanation of events that happened today. He had on gym shorts and a vest, most probably on his way to practice.

"Is it hard playing college ball?" I asked, rethinking my life.

He chuckled at my question but thought about it for a bit before replying.

"It's not that hard, because I've been playing since high school. But balancing school and playing football, now that's tough. You have to be on top of your school work in order to stay on the team" He explained.

"Okay, that just made me a bit more thankful" I said, laughing.

"I'm glad" He said, placing a hand on my shoulder. I looked up at him and smiled, glad that we're friends now with no bad blood.

"I'm headed in to meet a friend, you?"I asked, gesturing at the library. He stood there and awkwardly scratched his head, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"What?" I asked, confused by his actions.

"It's nothing, I just forgot where I was heading, now I feel silly, the field is all the way on the other side and here I am with you outside the library. Gotta run" He said before rushing in the opposite direction of the library.

"Bye" I replied, waving him off.

Well that was weird. Anyway, back to reality. Todd must be waiting for me.

I jogged up the steps two at a time and entered the library. I gave my bag to the librarian behind the counter and she kindly handed me a number.

I took it and began scanning the area for Todd. I checked by the long study tables but he wasn't there so I figured he'd be at the back, in the lounge. I walked as quietly as I could making sure my favorite boots don't make too much noise on the hardwood floors.

Just as I thought, there he was nose deep into some old newspaper. Just looking at it made my nose twitch, it looks as if it's from the early 1900's.

"Todd" I said, taking a seat opposite him.

"Kaia" He replied in an uninterested tone, not even bothering to put the newspaper down.

"Seriously? You're not even gonna put that old thing down to look at your best friend?" I asked, folding my arms.

He put the paper down and smiled at me, shifting in his seat.

"Just kidding, girl! How was the paper?" He asked, leaning back into the plush armchair.

"It was horrible, I didn't finish on time. I'll probably get things wrong for rushing, it's.  ..its just been a bad day, that paper was just the icing on the cake" I said, leaning back as well.

"Is it Ashton? Are you thinking about him?"Todd asked, leaning forward in interest.

I sighed and looked around before answering. If the librarian caught us chatting like this she would definitely fine us then kick us out.

"Of course it's him. I haven't heard a single thing. I hope he's okay" I replied in a hushed tone.

"Can we leave now? I only wanted you to come get me and now you're here so let's get outta here, my skin's wrinkling just holding onto this newspaper" Todd said dramatically earning a laugh from me. I had to cover my mouth with both hands to prevent the librarian from looking this way. This guy is too much.

I collected my bag from the librarian and made my way out. Todd had to return the newspaper first before he joined me outside. I waited a while before he appeared, applying sanitizer to his hands.

"Let's go to the Café, Dani should  be there" Todd said, linking my arm in his.

* * *
"Ooh look, it's Walter" Todd said, squeezing my arm in excitement. Um okay, and who is he?

"Hi Walter, working the day shift huh?" Todd said with a flirty smile as we passed him on our way to the Café. You've got to be kidding me.

"Oh, hello Todd. Yep, stuck with this shift for a few days" Walter shrugged, putting on his apron as we all made our way to the Café.

"Aw sucks to be you! Anyway, almost forgot-- this is my bestie Kaia. Kaia, this is Walter from the Cafe" Todd said proudly, looking between Walter and I.

I gave him a friendly smile and a wave.  He seemed like a nice person.

"It's nice to meet you, Kaia. I've seen you around the Cafe alot. Finally good to put a name to the pretty face" Walter said with a slight smile.

"Oh. ..yeah, I love the coffee there" I replied, siding Todd who had twinkly eyes for Walter.

"Alright, I'm heading in now. Whenever you feel like a freebie, come see me. I'll make you whatever" Walter said to us before walking into the Cafe.

*

"He seems nice" I said as Todd watched him from the huge windows. He was clearly swooning over him. Oh Todd!

"He is. He's really nice" He replied, smiling.

"Where's Dani? I wanna have a long nap now" I said, scanning the area for the curly haired girl.

"Oh there she is, coming towards us from the dorms" Todd said, squinting his eyes.

Suddenly my phone vibrated so I pulled it out of my pocket to see a new text message. Please be Ash.  Please be Ash. Please --

Oh. It's just the damn lawyer. I rolled my eyes as I opened her text, she was on her way here to pick me up. Great, now I'll have to cancel my date with Todd and Dani. 

"Hey guys! Sorry I'm late!" Dani says, draping her arms around Todd and I.

I looked up at them with an apologetic face and they instantly knew something was up.

"What is it?" Dani asks.

"I have to go meet our lawyer. I'll see you guys later, okay? Sorry!" I said, feeling bad.

"Oh yeah, it's alright. Just remember tomorrow we're hitting the mall" Dani said, giving me a hug.

"Bye" Todd said blowing me a kiss.

"Bye guys" I replied, walking back to the dorms to wait for her car. Hope nothing else goes wrong, today's been crap as it is, hope my afternoon isn't as bad.

* * *

I had a quick shower, put on a sundress and my second favorite pair of boots. I seriously need to do some shopping, I need new outfits.

Ten minutes later her car was outside. She texted me letting me know she was here so I bunned up my hair and left the room, locking it behind me.

I got in the front seat and put my seat belt on.

"You look nice" she said, taking in my appearance.

"Thanks" I mumbled as we pulled out of the parking lot.

"By the way, you can call me Kate" she said, smiling at me.

I leaned back into the seat and folded my arms infront of me, looking outside the window. There wasn't anything nice to look at outside, but it was way too awkward inside this flashy car- I had to look outside.

"Where we headed, Kate?" I asked, glancing in her direction.

She pressed something on the expensive-looking GPS before replying to my question.

"Well, I thought we could go somewhere nice. Have you been to The Waterfront Hotel? Their restaurant is really pricey but the food is delish" she said chirpily.

She seems like a nice lady, so why don't I like her? Or maybe I do? I'll try and act nicer to her.

"I've heard of it from my friend Todd, he usually dines in those kinda places. Me on the other hand. .not really my type. But I'll make an exception" I said, smiling.

"Aw that's great! We have much to talk about. Looks like we'll be there in another 10 minutes or so! See, I'm not so bad, right?" She said, chuckling.

"Yeah, you're alright I guess" I replied. 

* * * *

The place was pretty and it looked expensive. I'm so glad I had a shower and wore something decent, I'd feel so awkward if I didn't. I'm blending in well dressed like this.
Kate leads me to a table overlooking the waterfront and it's just so beautiful. The sea looked calm and the water was  glistening under the sun which was going down in about an hour or so. It looked magical and most of all it reminded me of Eastbrook.

"Pretty nice, huh?" Kate said, smiling at me as I admired the place.

"It's beautiful" I answered, clearly in awe.

"Let's order, the menu will also leave you speechless. The dessert special gets me every time" she said, giggling.

I opened the rather large menu, browsing through what they served.  Wow, it's written in gold. How gorgeous.

"Good afternoon ladies, I'm Victor and I'll be your waiter this afternoon. May I take your order?" The over-dressed waiter says as he flashes his best smile at us. Very professional.

"Yes you may, today I'll have pasta with whatever fancy sauce the chef can whip up. And also a side of garlic bread, lightly baked please" she said politely, closing the menu and handing it over to the waiter.

He quickly jotted it down and turned to face me, his smile never fading.

"And for you, pretty eyes?" He asked politely, waiting for my order.

I scanned the menu one more time before finally deciding. Kate was right about the food, my mouth was legit watering just reading what they had to offer.

"Okay, I'll have lasagna. Haven't had that since I left home" I said, grinning.

"Good choice, the lasagna here is tasty" He said in a low tone taking the menu from my hand, his eyes never leaving mine. Suddenly I felt my mouth go dry. I instantly picked up my glass of water and gulped it down. 

He cleared his throat and took a step back.

"Would you like some wine?" He asked Kate.

"Oh yes! Your finest red wine, please" she replied with a smile.

"Will do. I'll be back shortly" He said before leaving our table.

I watched him as he walked into the kitchen with our orders. Then I shifted my gaze back to Kate who was staring at me, grinning.

"What?" I asked, confused as to why she was staring.

"Oh nothing. ..do you always put the waiters in a trance?" She said, giggling.

"I do not!" I defended myself before laughing out loud.

Kate wasn't so bad after all. I was having a really good time so far. She kind of reminds me of mom, maybe that's why I'm opening up to her.

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