My hair was perfectly put in a messy bun as I used two black pins to hold it firm at each side. I stared at myself once more, I just looked how I wanted. Naturally beautiful and ready to go.

"Do you want to put on some makeup? You can use mine." Kate suggested as she came out of the bathroom.

She brought out a small, pink makeup purse, placing it on the dressing table before me.

"Where did you get these?" I asked as a smile lights up my face.

"I bought them three days ago. Although, I don't know how to properly use them yet, you can try them on."

"Okay, thank you." I looked at the mirror again.

My beautiful oblong face looked a little pale and a bit dry. Even though I don't wear makeup frequently, I take care of my skin and body so well. Have you ever woken up and felt you need to put on makeup? That's what was playing through my mind but who cares. 

"Use the foundation." Kate interrupted my thoughts. "You should also use the blush. Red would look good on you."

"Okay, I replied opening the purse. I prefer pink.

Then I used the foundation all over my face and corners of my neck with  a light foam. Rubbed a bit of powder and brushed my chubby cheeks with a touch of pink blush.

She gives me a sign with her fingers like she was trying to say that I was looking perfect and nodded her head from sides to side, the way Indians do.

I stood up from the stool, admiring myself in the full-length mirror. 

Made did the same makeup routine on her face except for the fact that she used red instead of pink. As in, red blush and red lipstick. Meanwhile, I think she looked much prettier even without makeup.

I fixed a golden, hoop earrings to my ears and wore my black wedge to fit.

I stood with a hip jutted to one side, my right arm draped across my slender body, clasping the elbow opposite. My head lolled down to one shoulder casting my dark, wavy hair onto the faded Prince t-shirt that was two sizes too big. It hung so low that my shorts only just peeked below the dirty hem, a fringe of denim cutoffs. My static eyes picked a black mascara from her makeup purse. I applied it to stretch out my thick feather like eyelashes before leaving.

I put my lip gloss on my dusky pink lips.

"I'm ready, kathy."

"Wait for me, Ally. I won't take a minute."

(Well, we used to call ourselves Ally and Kathy once in a blue moon, whenever we're super excited like this morning.)

Kate put on a tight, quarter sized black jeans and a white crop top that hugged her torso. She looked good with her platform shoe. Her curls gently fell against her Angelic face and her angelic skin body fitted the dressing but I think it was quite exposing, but we were already running late for that morning lecture. 

Well, I had to wait five minutes before we finally left. 

"Oh, you need to snap me." Kate started again.

She gave me her android and hugged the masquerade tree, that was standing behind us in a seducing manner. 

Click!

Then she posed on the old, rusty couch outside our gate like a model.

Click! Click!!

She sat on the floor, faking a stupid laughter, even though nothing was funny enough to even smile for.

Click! Click!! Click!!!

She blew a kiss at me and asked me to snap her.

Click Click Click Click.

"Hey girl, I'm fucking tired of taking you pictures. Maybe you should bring a photographer to school along with you next semester or better still be more serious with your studies because I'm fucking late already." I gave her her phone and walked faster.

"Why swearing, Ally! I'm so happy, you're feeling better… We should at least, take a selfie. We did makeup today!" She ran to stop me but I continued moving. Come on! Its Mr. Davis's lecture after all, why the rush!!"

"You're a pain in the ass Kathy!"

"What would I do without you?!" She asked, running after me like mother Christmas.

"I said, leave me alone, Kathy!" 

"What would I ever do without you?!" She ran after me, with laughing blaring out of her

Even if Kate was rather annoying at this moment, I just smiled at her words.

"Katelyn!" A male voice called from afar. We turned to look back and it was Angel. Angel and Lucas.

"Wait for us!" He called again.

"Thank goodness! You guys came at the right time!" Kate jerked happily as she hugged the good morning. I didn't.

"Are you alright now?" Angel asked in concern. "Kate told us about you yesterday. Lucas and I were in fact, planing to visit you this evening."

"I'm so much better now." I replied. Avoiding Lucas's tempting brown eyes.

Why are you guys always together? Are you roommates?" Kate asked Angel.

"No, not exactly. Lucas has his own apartment but he's helping some if his friends asked well. But he stays with me most times so we're more like roommates."

"Okay…" Kate smiled, she looked at Lucas and blushed. He was always quiet and didn't talk much. I think Kate was just noticing this about him. 

The play of last time's accidental kiss rang through my mind like a school bell. I wonder why I was feeling strange again. As if he was a devil, stirring up my soul. I tried to avoid him by moving forward.

Kate gently grabbed Lucas by the arm.

"Please, take pictures of me with today's makeup. Don't I look different?" She asked with a ride smile, barely exposing her hidden dimples.

Yeah, you're beautifully different." He laughed. Angel took joined in the laughter as Lucas took her pictures. I had no choice but to wait for the three of them. Calmly, patiently and silently, even though what was burning up inside of me was ironical.

"Should I snap you too?" Lucas offered. 

"No!" I told him as he tried to hide his smile. I think my 'No!' came out louder than necessary but who cares? Everything about Lucas piss me off.

"Wait! Are you giving me an attitude?" His voice was straight and stern. His face, emotionless.

"No." I managed to give a reply but inside, I began to panic.

 And for no reason, I was fazed with the awkward silence between us. Angel and Kate giggled unnecessarily. 

His long legs walked towards me as he looked at me with his usual stare. I ended up stating at his full, symmetrical lips. 

I couldn't believe what was happening. How shameless. I just bowed my head and stared to the ground as if it should open an swallow me in whole. 

"Look at me, Alexia. I'm talking to you. I looked up, with pink baked face, turning even redder. The color I was avoiding.

"I don't care what you think about me but I'm not at one percent interested in you, okay?"

The display of confidence in his eyes were equal to that of a lion. I'd lost interest, I just swallowed.

"Come on guys, Let's get going." Lucas frowned.

I felt a sudden sinking sensation insensation at the top of my lungs but I just kept calm.

'What? How rude?! He should be the one apologizing for what he did the last time but he's angry instead. Why does he always turn me on and I'm left to unable to control my behavior and emotions.'

Kate walks up to me. Looking at me with an 'Are-you-okay' kind of look. She couldn't even say anything. The rest of our walk to school was quite awkward. No one said a thing. We just glared at each other and continued moving.

 ***

In school, a queue of students were bathing their faces at a single tap. A girl pushed me from behind as I fastened my movement. 

'Joining the queue would be a waste of time.' I thought as I walked into the lecture hall. Kate went to sit somewhere at the last roll. Lucas and Angel sat in the middle of the class, while I joined Vivian at the front.

It was Mr. Davis's lecture. Davis Mattew is a French who's ben teaching English Language in the college for years. He just comes to class and bragging about his past achievements and whom he has encountered with in his past years of working in media houses. His class was always boring and most times, I wonder why an honored school like ours would even employee him in the fist place. Gosh! How annoying. Well, I don't bother keeping any of his stories in my already filled memory. I find myself sleeping in his class most times. Not only me, but several students as well.

After two long hours of his bla-bla-bla, we were finally released from his torture. I went somewhere to complete some of the notes I missed. Sitting somewhere under the hatched cottage around around the lecture hall. I unzipped my hand bag and brought out a drink. A can of coca cola I bought before entering the class earlier that day. I felt tired and thirsty and hurriedly gulp down a can of chilled coca cola and concentrate on my next agenda. Complete writing and reviewing my notes.

"Hello" some stupid read head guy came to me. 

I wasn't in a good mood afternoon. I couldn't even remember why. Maybe it was because Kate misplaced my research notebook or because I was already finding school life miserable. Well, it was a perfect paradise of a place as I had always expected. Whatever…

I snapped rudely at the strange looking guy standing like a ten year old, red maple tree before me.

"Hi." I faked a wide smile. He quickly unzipped his brown leather bag and brought out a notebook.

"This.. " he pulled out. His pen scrawled something on the front page.

"This is my number. Can I get Kate's?" He said firmly, handling it to me.

"Aw! She won't be able to make it today and I don't have my phone here with me." I lied.

"Okay, tell her about me anyways and… and." He put down his side bag.

"Looking for something?" I muttered.

"Yes." He replied me.

Whatever. I wanted to tell him that his presence annoys me but I kept it in, waiting for him to leave. 

"Okay, here." He brings out another book and handed it over to me.

"Omg! It was my research notebook. I collected it from him in amazement.

"Where'd you get this?"

"Kate left it behind the other day. I've been trying to get to her, to return this and also get the opportunity of knowing her better."

"Okay, thank you. I'll definitely tell her about you." I smiled at him again.

"Okay then, see you around." He muttered before leaving.

"Bye!" I waved happily.

That was when it hit me that I didn't know his name. 

'What a shame he helped me after all. Whatever! I don't think he is Kate's type. Not even close to. I can't go through anymore humiliation because of one stupid guy. Maybe any other day but not today, please. After all, the Kate I know would just use and dump him within a month. What's the use of giving him her phone number?' I hissed and concentrated on what I was writing when suddenly, my eyes caught Lucas. 

He and Miles were walking towards the lecture hall when I caught the view. I was trying to hide myself, from Lucas's stare but Mikes caught me. I couldn't hide, I couldn't run. I couldn't fly or probably walk away. I hated this feeling of anxiety I always get whenever he's around. 

'As if he cares? Wait! Does he even feel the same way about me? For goodness sake, What's this heart attack about?' I thought once again.

I just had to play along how best I can. So, I fixed my eyes my book, pretending I know nothing and haven't even seen them before.

"Hey Alex!" Miles started.

"Hello!" I turned to them in excitement. Standing up, I stupidly wrapped my arms around Miles neck, holding him as if he were about to have a passionate kiss. I felt surprised at myself and just gave him a warm hug instead. 

I caught the look on Lucas's face. I felt confused myself, I don't know what came into me.

Miles just stared at me awkwardly. I guess he wasn't expecting that from me as well. Me of all people.

The rest of the day was long and boring,  and I don't wish to to talk about it. 

***

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