Oftentimes, the only thing I miss about then, is the feeling of not missing anymore.

Pressing save on my drafts, I exit Wattpad, trying to process my closure-starved feelings, before I stared out into the horizon from the window of the moving bus. I lazily made my way into the department building, my aching body not allowing me to move freely, and consequently, I double-pressed the buttons in hopes of the lift arriving faster. Mentally preparing myself to cut off any possibility of an interaction with Edward, so as to let the accidental incident of yesterday, slide, I leaned lazily against the cool metallic surface, as the floor numbers proceeded on the screen. The silver metallic surface had randomly coupled initials traced in the slightly settled dust, giving off the impression of confessions accompanied by hearts. I shook my head at the mere sight.

Jogging out, I knew I was quite late for English, but then again, it was English and I'd rather self-study than take lessons from the very monotonous teacher we had, who hated our class with a burning passion. 

After hearing out a five-minute lecture over why I as a university student, should be punctual now, I squeezed my way between the chattering students, seating myself beside Marilyn in the front row.

The class resumed like usual, the half period spent with our teacher stressing over how bad students have transformed over the years and the other half, reading and rereading definitions on parts of speeches from PowerPoint slides that I could binge read in like 7 minutes.

"I really feel like ditching this class." Marilyn half yawned and half-whispered. "But then again, I can't risk failing."

"We could study on our own," I suggested, leaning on my chair in tiredness.

"Of course, we can, but we do need to maintain attendance," She reminded.

I didn't push any further on how it was still okay to ditch class since it was just the beginning of the semester, but I let it slide. Huffing in frustration, the claustrophobic environment suffocating me, I refocused my attention on the blurry whiteboard. From what I could tell from Marilyn's behaviour, she always wanted everything well planned and organised, and I was hoping her perfectionist schemes would just start rubbing on me as well.

I spent the rest of the period, shifting in my chair in every sitting position possible, checking the time every hour only to find that only a couple of minutes had passed by. And then a few moments later, my phone casually beeped, signalling a text.

I secretly checked my phone, hiding it between my notebook pages, and scrolled to find, the one and only, Edward. I stifled an awkward smile, hoping he would simply drop the subject of me sending him photos. But instead, it was something unexpected, as I swiped my finger between the texts.

So there is this guy in university, I don't know if you know him, but he seemed like he knew you and wanted your number.

I stared at the words on my screen wide-eyed with disdain, as my mind went to all possible and not-so-possible, worse assumptions. Maybe he had finally traced me down and somehow managed to make sure I knew it, without telling me in person. The mere thought reverberated paranoia inside of me, as I looked around in slight suspiciousness.

My phone vibrated with a text again making me jump, and I instantly fiddled it open.

Don't worry, I wouldn't for the life of us, give anyone your number. ;)

And just when I was about to type a message on how it wasn't funny as he made it to be, and the investigating regarding the stalker guy, my phone was retracted from my hand quite instantly.

I already knew this wasn't going to end well. 

Regret and panic crept inside me, as I mentally scolded myself for being so careless. I was pathetic at hiding and anyone could tell why. I mean he proved that pretty well back then at how much I sucked at lying -- which usually was just me telling him how good of a friend he was -- and keeping secrets.

"Can you explain to the class what important conversation you were having with this important person?"

Why was I able to recognise a random snicker as Edward's from behind the class, was beyond me. My eyes fell on Mrs Smith, who was apparently eyeing the texts -- without any hesitance.

"I'm sorry, I was-" I begun before she could expose her exaggerated interpretation of the texts whereas my heart thudded wildly in my chest, at a loss for words. Unfortunately and fortunately enough, I was cut off.

"It was my fault actually," Edward's thick voice intruded. "I apologise for it."

"Both of you. Out." She looked at us, narrow-eyed and crossly, her eyes averting between. I was assuming she read the full texts -- which of course she was too embarrassed to share with the class, considering how confidential they were -- yet she dismissed us with a few inappropriate texting excuses instead. Not a very bright move on her behalf,  considering the weird stares we had to receive from the students.

I tried reasoning with her but her glary eyes told me she wouldn't budge, so I guiltily left. Edward tagged along, not a hint of embarrassment on his face as if he was used to this kind of expulsion.

Carefully closing the door behind us, and tugging my phone in my pocket protectively, I scowled at him, vulnerability evident in my eyes. I didn't know if now was the right time to unveil the revelations of my past and intrude on Edward about who the number-asking guy was actually. He just stood there, leaning against the balcony, smiling amusedly.

"What?"

"You tell me what. Why did you have to put me through this trouble? I actually come here to study for your information, unlike you-" I stopped before I could go far. I wasn't the snappy type, but right now it was the only way to contain any disturbing could've moments.

"That was actually a rhetorical question Michelle," He cut in, acting too carefree for my liking. I groaned in agitation. "I'm sorry okay? I didn't know-"

"Didn't know what?" I huffed exasperatedly.

"I didn't know you didn't know how to hide phones during class." He lifted his shoulders in unawareness, a blank expression accompanying his face.

"I know. I'm not used to having people text me often let alone during class. I don't know if you are." I slowly rolled my eyes at him and he chuckled.

"I really didn't take you as the nerd type." He extracted a packet of cigarettes from his jeans pocket, not really looking at me. "Honestly you don't even look like one."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I half frowned.

"Depends on how you think of it." He silently laughs, placing the sleek stick between his lips, whilst the thing was pressed against his middle and index finger. "You're too hot to be smart."

"What?" I gasped dramatically. "I actually do care about my studies, my status, everything else that you don't care about."

"I know. And maybe it's because I'm hot too." He chuckled before getting serious again. "I'm just kidding. But of course just because you care about grades and all doesn't mean you're smart. It was obvious how you weren't just moments ago."

"Says the one who couldn't defend himself," I quipped.

"I had no reason to defend myself. I just wanted to save you but I guess it was useless just as." He puffed out a cloud of smoke, through his half-parted lips, smiling knowing I was gawking at him like a child staring at his favourite candy. I was absurd. "You wanna try?" He held out the stick and I gape a no at him.

"I'm good," I declined and turned away from him, crossing my arms against my chest.

"I'm sorry about all that," he acknowledged. "How about I make it up to you somehow?" He offered his words emphasising the apology.

"What are you gonna do?"

"I mean we can't stand here for the entire period, can we? Come on we should chill out, have fun, and piss people off. You name it," He suggested, grinning widely.

I tried to hold back a smile at his concept of making up. He gave me a longing look, glimmering blue eyes trying to see right through me. 

"Wait." I breathed, gathering every ounce of strength and focusing on my words. "Who was the guy who was asking for my number?"

He returned me an intense look, probably reading too much into my semi-panicked, semi-strong façade based look. "Trust me, you don't have to worry about it."

"But tell me, who was he? What did he look like? Did you get his name?" At this point, my anxiety was speaking most of the words.

"He was... Tall? Dark... And wore spectacles, quite average, if I may add," He explained, his gaze never leaving me. "I didn't bother with the name. Just told him he was a prude to not have the guts to ask you himself." He shrugged, a ghostly smile tugging at his features.

I was quite startled by the similarity in appearances, only adding to the already simmering franticness inside of me. I breathed in and out to calm myself down, trying hard not to give away my weak composure.

"Okay." I exhaled as I mindlessly scurry my feet to follow him as he begun walking.

We reached the end of the long corridor and in front of the lift. He pressed the button, and I could see the ghostly expression of playfulness etched on his features as the lift door pinged open.

"After you." He gestured, smiling genuinely. I hesitated for a bit, unsure of what I was doing but ended up getting in anyway. I inhaled deeply, unable to breathe any air with him around me, or it was just my jitters that made me feel on edge.

"Are you okay? Can you breathe?" He questioned playfully before the lift door slid closed.

"Yeah of course I can. I'm fine," I said abruptly. I just simply turned away, practising a serious expression to wipe off any hints of my smile.

The lift came to a halt on the third floor, where a bunch of girls were hurled around the entrance.

"Could you keep the lift, please? We'll be back in just a second." One of them spoke, running away with the rest. Edward silently closed the door, and the lift moved on, depressing downwards.

I could feel from the corner of my eyes that he searched my face for any approval of the incident but I kept a blank face. We reached the ground floor and exited. Edward silently trekked past the long corridors with me obviously not knowing what to do.

We turned towards many different corners before reaching a secluded dark corner, away from any population of students. I tensed as the corner grew darker just like my thoughts, and presumably Edward's intentions.

"Where even are we going?" After a while of walking, I voiced.

"Do you trust me?" He asked, not stopping once.

"I don't know." I frowned, partly walking slowly all of a sudden.

"You will eventually. I'm not what you have to think of because of your past." He concluded to my surprise, his gaze focused on the ground. And there I thought all my thoughts and feelings were too indecipherable.

"What is that supposed to mean?" I tried to play it off cool but I knew it wasn't going to work. For some reason, I was too transparent to him and I didn't like that.

"Nothing."

"It looks like you know this place too well," I remarked as I caught up with his fast pace.

"Yeah, I do." Edward slowed down a tad bit, looking as if reminiscing about a memory. "My dad worked here so he used to bring me here all the time, back when I was in college."

"Oh," I muttered. "That's nice."

And the rest five minutes we spent walking randomly between the deserted area, which in the end led towards another slightly crowded area, stopping right towards a canteen.

"Surprise," He coolly said, smiling at me nonetheless.

"Wow. Thank you." I dramatically feigned a surprised expression, sniggering right after. "We just walked uselessly all the way to come here...? I knew a shorter route, you know?"

"I know, but I wanted to see if you trusted me," He replied, a tinge of differentness in his eyes, as he stuck both his hands in his pockets.