Monday morning only meant one thing-school day. I know what happened cannot be undone, that's why the logical part of my brain is-was trying to convince the agitated-anxious-antsy part to just let it go.

I did it.

We did it.

That's it.

There's no use fretting over something that was more than a day outdated already. Besides, a lot of things happen in college, and that includes stuffs you least expect.

Exactly, so stop fussing about it and get dressed, or you'll be late for class!

Pulling the dark shirt over my head, I tried locating the whereabouts of my shoes using my foot. I had to bend my other leg lightly so my toes could inch further under the bed.

Found it.

I slumped into the bed ignoring the creaks and squeaky complaints it's giving me.

Endure it buddy. You lasted for decades, I'm sure you'll last a few more.

Tying my shoelaces up, I took the bag then charged towards the door. I still have a few more minutes. If I ran faster, I'm pretty sure I can make it. Minutes later, I was panting my way into our scheduled room.

Thank goodness!

Easing my way through the large huddled group in front, I muttered several excuse me's while I pass. None of them seem to notice me or my presence though, as they look so engrossed with whatever it is that caught majority of the class' attention.

"Alex, here!" And there goes Jade. I smiled as I made my way through and towards to where the three of them are seated. Placing my back down on the desk, I exhaled deeply.

"Let me guess, you walked your way to school." Penny remarked.

"Or, ran her way to class." Chloe humored earning chuckles from the two.

Disregarding their comments, I flashed them a sweet smile. One that made their eyes roll.

"Sheeesh! Can somebody please escort Ms. Goody-two-shoes on her way out? We're at school, not in some kind of reverent institution!"

"I guess it can't be helped Penny, unfortunately you befriended a saint. She can't even curse."

"Ah-uh, that's where you're wrong Jade, she does know how to curse."

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the official commencement of the J.C.P gossip. Tune in if you find interest on their idle tattle.

"What, you think crap is a curse?! That's bullshit! If I were her, I'd tally all existing profanities man has ever made and then spat them to those motherfuckers who took her car, money, clothes-those good for nothing parasites deserve so much more than just my cussing!"

I cringed upon hearing Penny's livid indignation. You'd think someone stepped on her morals and then bruised her ego afterwards.

"That bitchy sister of yours better not be showing up or forgive me, I might pull those fake lashes off her large dopey eyes. Claw her foul-"

"Okay! Penny. We got it! You don't like Alex's step-sister. Although, I don't get why we're even considering their sibling-type-of relationship when they're not really sisters-okay partly! But.."

I was an illegitimate child.

"Was" because...just because.

My dad found my mom and then they had me. Nothing was really stolen because legally, all assets my dad possessed when he was still living clearly belonged to his family. Whatever dad gave me when he was still living became his family's property the moment he passed away. So there's really nothing to steal from in the first place.

I'm more than happy I still have the house where mom and dad used to live. To me it's more than enough.

"I swear Alex, if you would just take it to court, you'd get your fair share of whatever your dad has left!"

"Isn't there a will or something?"

"Don't rich men do stuffs like that? I mean, that's what I often see in the movies."

"Well news flash Chloe, this isn't a movie-a twisted fate I guess, but definitely not a movie."

They continued chattering until it turned into a lengthy banter. One that somehow amused me. However, that was short-lived when Professor Dontey came in marking the start of the class.

-

"You look like a guilty criminal ready to sprint as soon as the cops come in."

It was Penny. She's really observant. Well when she's bored out of her life and has basically nothing better to do that's what she does, observe people.

We're in the cafe. I know I already told myself to let the incident go but my eyes can't seem to stop checking the entrance whenever my vision spots something moving.

He probably forgot about what happened right? I mean by now, he probably doesn't even remember how I look.

I just hope that's the case.

"Are you constipated or something? You look like you're about to shit in your pants. And why are you sweating?"

Great.

Inquiries.

Where and when questions are asked. Penny the suspicious suspects.

I glanced at Chloe's curious face. She had her brows lifted, mouth lightly opened and a hand on-pause clutching the spoon.

Say, this scene sort of reminded me of how Daniel looked when he came back into his room where he saw me gasping for oxygen.

Daniel.

Again.

For the last twenty-four hours and beyond, he's been the thought inside my head. I can't remember a thing about that night, but I also can't forget the brief encounter I had with him that morning.

"Ooohh, brace yourselves mortals. Daniel the drop-dead-gorgeous hot hunk is making his descent." Came in Chloe's flirty declaration popping her lips while she eyed the man who's about to step foot into the cafe.

"Awe, my Theodore looks so dreamy." That's Jade.

"That's Andrews. Southern Hills' most prized hotshot. One of a kind." And if I'm hearing it correctly, I'm pretty sure that's Penny.

"He's looks soooo ethereal!"

Weeks ago, I wouldn't have paid attention nor spare a second only to waste it ogling the well-known Daniel Theodore Andrews, but now, I think I spent a good amount of two minutes just looking at him.

How the hell did I sleep with that guy.

Thinking about it now while looking at him, it felt surreal.

Did it really happen?

He marched with pride, shoulders broad as ever matched with his impressing height and physique.

If this is a fairytale I'd totally say he's Prince Charming.

Yeah, and you're the pauper he's going spend his happy ever after with? Keep dreaming.

His designer clothes made him appear strikingly captivating that I find it hard to look away. Or is it just him.

He's walking steps ahead while his friends are on his trail, following him like they're his subordinates.

If this is a novel he'd be the dark knight holding the shining armour with valor and vigor. He'd be standing before his cavaliers with sheer might and nobility. He'd be the fancy of most women and the envy of most men.

Yeah, and you're the damsel in distress he's going to rescue from the perilous tower tightly guarded with monsters and a fire-breathing dragon? Not a chance Alex.

Pissed at the contrasting thoughts my subconscious would flash in every romantic scenery I try to imagine, I resorted to focusing on Daniel alone.

Looking at him now, meters away from where I sat, I guess it made sense when I thought what happened between us seemed absurd and unbelievable at the same time.

I mean look at him.

I would comment that he's from another world and no one would dare dispute the statement. I totally agree that looks can be deceiving but I think, sometimes looks can tell you everything too.

Maybe it was a mistake. An odd kind and he's the unfortunate lad who stumbled into bed with me.

I mean, he's Daniel.

And I'm just..just Alex.

Keeping my line of sight to where he is, my thoughts started drifting once again.

If this is some sort of romantic book, I'd say he's the popular rich guy. Girls would vie for his attention, and men would want to be his friend. The crowd would flock to wherever he is and despite being swarmed with different people, he would still stand out.

And then what, he'd fall for you? He has everything already but he's going to want you the most? Most than how most is conventionally defined? Wake up Alex, or do you need a slap?

Whatever thought I had in my head disappeared into thin air when our eyes met.

You might probably want to sue me for using another cliche' but I did feel like everything halted. His penetrating gaze locked into my own that I saw him and him alone. Heard no one, felt nothing. I feel like the only operating sense I had was my sight. And he already has it.

But whatever hopes of the ideal I had faded out into nothingness when another character popped into view.

Blonde, pristine hair. An angelic face anyone would wish to have.

Hannah.

Her delicate hands latched on to Daniel's arms. She reminded me of the type of women often seen in rom-com movies. Petite. Porcelain-like skin. Pretty. Perfect. I saw her soothed some words for him to hear and when he turned, reality made me realize what took several minutes for me to see in just one turn.

One turn and I began to see clearly.

What happened between us is definitely not the start of a romantic journey. And the love story I started fantasizing isn't mine.

It's theirs.

The perfect characters worthy of the love story I foolishly plotted inside my head.

The contrasting part's actually trying to save me from disappointment.

Too much daydreaming is actually harmful if you hold on to it too much.

And Daniel verified the thought when he looked back because I clearly saw that his eyes held no recognition.

He doesn't remember.

"What's that bitch doing?"

Penny. I thought when the voices around me registered once again.

"They look cute together." The laugh I managed to make came out forced that it caught their attention.

"What the hell? You sounded so fake Barbie would be jealous. I bet even that Hannah would if she happened to hear ya."

"You okay Alex?"

"I'm fine!" I chirped with exaggerated enthusiasm. I turned back to the table eyeing the food I ordered.

"Ow-kay?"

"What's wrong? One moment you're fine and then you're acting all weird and fake the next. Does it have anything to do with that surgery-repaired blonde?"

Geez Penny.

Her mouth really has no filter.

"No, nothing at all. And she has a name Penny, it's Hannah." I enunciated as-a-matter-of-factly. She waved a hand dismissing my statement.

"Whatever, just don't change the subject. What's wrong with you?"

Oh.

I sat straight assessing myself.

What's wrong with me.

I'm convinced to let the celibacy case go. I'm already a member of the the vixen club-partey!

So what's wrong with me?

"Nothing. Nothing at all. I'm perfectly fine."

You're really not a good liar Alex.

You can't even convince yourself!

Something's definitely wrong with me.

After going through several classes, I can definitely ascertain that something's wrong when I failed the test on my fifth class.

Leaning back into my chair, both hands on the desk and eyes in daze, I began fiddling with my pen.

I failed Mrs. Cassy's test.

"What the hell Alex? You should've just passed a blank paper, then Mrs. C would consider giving you two points higher than your original score!"

Earlier I barely passed the other tests. Now I failed it. It's like my mind's somewhere else.

"Calm down Penny."

"I wonder what's wrong with Alex, she's acting weird since earlier."

Yeah, since earlier.

Looking at it now, I was fine. Yeah I woke up a bit troubled because of what happened last Friday night but I was fine.

I was fine.

Not until I saw Daniel.

I kept on convincing myself to let what happened go hoping Daniel would forget it too but when I saw that he must've really did, something inside me felt different. Not the good kind of different nor the relieving one but it's something that disturbed me up to this point.

Sighing, conclusion hit me.

It's my pride.

I mean, that was my first. He was my first. Neglecting it that easily is far easier said than done.

Who am I kidding..

I guess I was just hoping the experience would be a bit different.

After all, I did save it for someone special.

I guess that too popped off like how things usually do.

Well at least for me.

🌻🌻🌻

A/N: Hi guys, hope you like this chapter. Share what you guys think, I would love to hear them. Feel free to leave any comment.

Stay safe!💜