༻ Kristina ༺

"Tinaaa!" I heard Ella yell from behind me. I was about to turn around until she sprung her arms around my shoulders.

It was our break time, and every-bored-body rushed out of the room as soon as the bell rung.

A few girls stayed in to chat with Kristopher. He looked like he didn't mind - in fact, he looked like he was enjoying their attention, unlike Daniel when he first came in this class.

"Ella," I laughed as I removed my best friend's arms around my neck. She really loved hugging. I'm used to it now as it feels really calming since I was always in a foul mood.

I loved hugs but I don't usually initiate it. Ella's hugs were sometimes suffocating but it was fine.

Of course, if it were other people, they'd be castrated immediately.

"Why are all the girls in our class like that?" I tilted my head to the direction where Kristopher was currently surrounded by a group of girls. I wrinkled my nose when I realized some were flirting with him, and he was flirting back. "Do they have some kind of pretty-boy fetish or something?"

"Well," Ella twirled her hair around her finger as she glanced at their direction. "He is cute. He is a celebrity. And to top it off, he has a sexy accent."

I nodded, taking in what she just said. So having a different accent was attractive? Well, to be honest, it did sound pleasing to the ears.

I don't understand a girl's logic.

"He's weird." I concluded before closing my bag. "I have a feeling I'm going to be annoyed by him in the future."

"I get it, since it's you," she chuckled. Was that a compliment or an insult? "But he hugged you earlier. Do you two know each other? Is he one of your childhood friends too? Wow, all of your friends are hot. Including me, of course."

"I don't - "

Before I could finish a whole sentence, the topic of our discussion caught us looking at him. His face lit up immediately and he waved his hand. "TINZ! YOOHOO!"

I broke eye-contact immediately. I sighed at Ella, who was just giggling at that new student's hyper personality. They would be great friends since their personalities matched. I just continued what I was saying to Ella.

"No, I don't know him. I just bumped into him two days ago, and then met him again yesterday."

"Ooh?" she scratched her chin playfully upon glancing at him. He was pretty much enjoying our classmates' compliments and warm welcomes. "Sounds like fate to me." When she saw how I glared at her, she shook her head and laughed. "Kidding! I wonder why then. Is he interested in you?"

"Why did he choose this school?" I asked, mostly to myself. "A big celebrity like him should enroll in more prestigious schools. Rich schools. There must be a reason why he's here."

It was so suspicious, and I was completely convinced that there was something he wanted since he chose this school particularly. Plus, it was only a week or two ago when Daniel, the probable genius, transferred here as well.

Why were famous/genius people transferring to our school all of a sudden?

I'm not gonna accept that the reason was because our school was getting famous or anything. Because that was not true at all.

"Maybe you're just thinking too much," Ella waved an airy hand, signaling the end of our discussion. "Say Tina, are you free this Saturday?"

Still adjusting to the sudden change of topic, it took me a while to reply. I was still contemplating my thoughts, and then I thought of my schedule for the week. "Yeah I guess so. Why?"

"That's great!" She beamed. "Let's go to the beach!"

"Why so sudden?"

Ella sent me a warm smile, but the excited twinkle in her eyes made me reluctant to turn down the invitation, and a bit uneasy because I didn't know what crazy plan she had this time.

"You've been so occupied with the position as president lately that you don't hang out with us anymore. You need to go out and relax. C'mon! It'll be fun!"

Relax? Well. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. I really do need to go out sometimes.

"I don't mind going but..." I remembered something crucial. "I don't have anything to wear."

"Even better!" she exclaimed. She was such an optimist, this girl. "We'll go shopping later after class. I was planning on buying a new swimsuit anyway. So, you in?"

I smiled at her and nodded quickly, already infected by her excitement. "Okay. But Ella, please don't hook me up with strangers again?"

I remembered just a month ago when Ella invited me to a dinner party. She introduced me to some guy, who I admit was kind of a looker, and left us both to talk.

I didn't know what to say or what to do since she left us all alone, so that guy ended up doing most of the talking the whole night. I got annoyed somehow, since he was so talkative and a bit arrogant, so I ignored him for the rest of the evening.

Sad to say he didn't like me that much after that. And I honestly thanked him for that.

Ella cringed when she remembered what happened. She shook the memory away and showed me a bright smile. "No worries! It'll be just you, me and some other girls!" She hugged me again. "I'm so excited - "

"TINZ!" An annoying voice cut her off. We looked at Kristopher, who was now jogging his way towards us. Ella was still locked around my neck when he finally arrived at our desk.

No.

Go away.

I don't want to deal with you right now.

"TINZ! I need to talk you!"

Why the hell was he shouting?

I groaned as Ella withdrew her hands and gave me a wide smirk. I completely ignored her attempt to silently tease me again. "What now?"

"Tinz!" He chuckled and looked at me as if he just found his lost puppy. I kept calm and held my forehead.

"Don't shout. And don't call me Tinz. What do you want?"

A meaningful smile crossed his face, and I wasn't sure if it was a good one or a bad one. He was quite hard to read since I barely knew him. And I was annoyed how he was acting so familiar with me. He even gave me a damn new nickname.

As if Poopy wasn't enough already.

"Well," he started. "The teacher said you'll be my personal tour guide for today didn't she? Let's go later after class and have lots and lots of fun!"

Ella and I exchanged looks. Lots and lots of fun? What was he, a pre-schooler?

Why do I get the feeling that this was all just a lame act?

"And..." He scratched the back of his head shyly. I'm not sure. Was that a shy move or a sly one? He was an actor after all, he may be just fooling me. "I really want to know more about you. Hey, let's be friends."

I gaped at him. I was speechless. "Uh. Sure?"

"That's great!" he suddenly jumped and gave me a full hug which surprised me, Ella and the rest of the girls who remained in the classroom. I couldn't breathe with the force he was using on me; I couldn't even complain. "Let's have some fun later!"

I found a weak spot and I attempted to hit him with full power until someone peeled him away from me as if he was a leech stuck on my skin.

I awkwardly put my clenched fist inside the pocket of my skirt. Nobody saw that.

"I wanna go too," Daniel appeared out of nowhere. He was currently grabbing a hold of Kristopher's collar. So he was the one who pulled him away. I'd thank him but no.

I could've handled it myself.

Ella was grinning sheepishly at me as she motioned her head towards the two boys. I just sighed. This is exhausting.

"Oh it's you," Kristopher abruptly took Daniel's hand off his coat. His tone was the complete opposite from earlier. It was dull, annoyed and obviously displeased. Again, did these two know each other? "Careful, this is Cashmere."

"Uh-huh," Daniel sounded like he couldn't care less. The two boys eyed each other for a while and I swear, I saw something like lightning sprouting from their eyes.

I cleared my throat to avert their attention from each other.

"What is it Daniel?" I asked.

He sent me a dry look with his already expressionless face. This guy's even harder to read. "Like I said," he glanced at Kristopher before turning back to me. "I wanna go too."

I sighed. Don't they know how they're just adding to my load of work? Do they think this school is some playground and I'm their guardian?

"Just let him tag along," Ella whispered, noticing my debating look. "He's probably just worried about you."

Worried. Pft. Worried.

Where.

"But what about our shopping trip later?"

Kristopher began a conversation with Daniel as I was talking to Ella. He smiled at him and let out a small, friendly laugh. "I'm sorry, who are you again?"

Daniel smiled back.

Oh my God. He smiled back. The robot smiled. Now I'm sure there was something wrong.

"Daniel."

"Nice to meet you," he held out his arm and shook hands with him (read: squeezed hands with him). "I'm Kristopher."

The atmosphere between the two seemed heavy, even I could feel it. What was going on?

Again, I cleared my throat. Ella just continued to grin beside me, not at all helping with the situation. I called Daniel's attention. "Why do you want to tag along? There's no need."

I held back a glare when he put his hand on my desk and drew his face closer to mine. Damn it why does he keep doing that? Is he trying to look at my pores or something?

The corner of his lip twitched up into an annoying smirk. "Because your mom told me to be with you at all times, since you'll probably trip over your own foot again."

I resisted an eye roll and a hiss. His reason was unreasonable. Just like my mom.

"Why would her mum ask you?" Kristopher suddenly interrupted, looking at Daniel like he was some kind of vermin or something.

I get it. They don't like each other already. And I do not want him to know about my relationship with the butthead.

I looked at Daniel to silently tell him to make up an excuse but his eyes were too fixated on Kristopher's to notice my frantic message. He seemed pissed. "Because I'm her fiancé, that's why."

Does he want to be stabbed with a pitch fork?!

I groaned internally and possibly externally as well. Why do boys do this? I mean, they just won't back out from a stupid fight! Why does he look so intimidated by Kristopher anyway? Is he jealous or something?

Ha-ha. A robotic butthead? Jealous? He's not capable of such thing. And neither am I.

But why must he mention that fact that we were seemingly engaged?

Kristopher had a look of surprise in his eyes. Not like the way our classmates reacted when the stupid revealed our relationship, but his reaction was way more intense.

His eyes were in perfect circles and he looked like he couldn't utter a single word. I know it was unbelievable and probably unrealistic, but he just met us. He didn't know the backstory. Why would he react in such a way?

He quickly shook off his expression just now and laughed. "I see! You never told me about this, Tinz you sly little devil!" He then formed a smug look on his face. "So how far have you two gone?"

"UGHH!" I couldn't help myself groaning loudly. "Why does everyone keep asking that?! Why do you all care? It's none of your business!"

He was unfazed, and he even persisted with his ridiculous questions and possible teasing.

"Because a pair like you and Danny is the most intriguing thing that's happened in this boring school, possibly. You're like celebrities. People want to know what's up. Trust me, I know."

He grinned widely and I suddenly had the urge to knock his perfect white teeth out. He just insulted our school. The bastard's asking for a death sentence.

Before I could give it to him, Ella held my elbow to stop me. She stepped forward and asked a question I would've asked, but couldn't because my anger distracted me.

She watched Kristopher suspiciously. "Danny? You give every person you just met nicknames?"

The grin on his face disappeared instantly. And then it went back up again. Huh, and he calls himself an actor. Something was definitely up. "I had a mate named Daniel once. Called him Danny. I got the names all mixed up - silly me!"

Ella didn't reply. The suspicious glint in her eye didn't disappear. I know she wasn't satisfied with that answer and I know she knows something was going on between the boys. It was so obvious, right?

Instead of pushing him to a corner, which Ella was very capable of, she spared him a sweet smile and ended the discussion right there.

"Funny," Daniel cut in, earning our attention. He was still glaring at Kristopher. If they keep glaring at each other so much their eyes are gonna rot. Which wasn't so bad, now that I think of it. "I had a friend named Kristopher once too. I forgot what I called him though. Was it... Tops?"

Kristopher snorted before he could finish his sentence. "That's a funny nickname."

"It's hilarious," Daniel said, although his expression did not match what he was saying. "And nobody calls him that but me and another old friend. But that's another story."

Ella and I were just quietly staring at the two as they continued talking in cryptic words. I noticed how Kristopher clenched his fist and hid it inside his pocket. His face was turning pinkish, but he maintained his calm smile.

I know I shouldn't say this but as soon as I saw that act, I was like: Fight, fight, fight.

I'm too much of a war-freak. I must stop. This isn't what a student council president should be thinking. I have to stop them before they really do break into a fight - in which I know I won't stop and will most likely enjoy.

I'm horrible.

I stepped in between the two and pulled Ella for support. "Alright then. I think we better go now."

Much to my surprise, Kristopher caught my arm and sent me a sneaky grin. His British accent rolled out his tongue with the words, "Do you fancy him?"

Fancy? Huh.

I just stared at him, my whole body was tense. I wanted to steal a glance at Ella and ask her for help but Daniel was right beside her. I can't turn around and look at her, otherwise, I'll end up looking at him too. Which was not very convenient in my current situation.

I don't understand why my heart throbbed.

I cleared my thoughts and released a heavy sigh, concealing my feelings of confusion. I withdrew my arm from his grip and gave him a menacing look. "No."

When I said that, I felt like I did something wrong. I felt guilty, and utterly conscious. What would Daniel's reaction be? Will he get mad? What. There's no way. Ugh! What should be the right thing to think or say?

"I see," Kristopher grinned again, looking obviously pleased. Too pleased. I saw that his eyes were triumphantly looking at Daniel, who was right behind me. He was like taunting him or something, I don't know.

"In that case then," he said as he took my hand this time and brushed his lips against the back of my palm. "You wouldn't mind going out with me, would you?"

I stiffened.

Despite all the complex emotions stirring inside my chest right now, the only thing my mind was concerned about was Daniel.

What was he thinking? Was he mad? Was he jealous? Was he gonna pull me back and give this new kid a piece of his mind? Was he -

Stop.

I'm just making myself more confused than I already am. I should just stop overanalyzing the situation. I abruptly snatched my hand back and offered him a more intense glare. I know he was just saying that to piss Daniel off more. I hate being used. "Yes, I do mind. And no."

He clutched his chest and let out a chuckle. "Ouch! So blunt! I got rejected right on the spot. My heart is broken."

Sure it was. That's why he was smiling so widely. Jerk.

He tilted his head to the side. He just won't give up. "If you won't go out with me, then I'll just have to steal you away."

This time, my blood boiled. Did that line come from one of his scripts? His cheesy act did not affect me in any romantic way possible. In fact, it annoyed me how he thinks he could win me over by some clichéd line.

I know I don't watch a lot of movies to prove my point, but I'm not that oblivious to know that it was such an overused line.

Whether he was serious or not, I'm still annoyed. So annoyed.

I folded my arms against my chest in case he grabbed me again. I tried my best to control my anger. I had anger issues. I know. "Steal me away? Excuse me, I'm not property. And I'm nobody's property. You got that?"

That line was pointed at Daniel as well.

Kristopher's eyes widened, like he wasn't expecting such a reply. Or maybe he wasn't used to getting rejected by girls. Too bad. Ella and Daniel were silent behind me. I didn't want to see their reactions at all. This was such an embarrassing discussion.

Kristopher unexpectedly snorted and I looked at him like he was crazy. Then he pushed the back of his hand to his mouth, as if he was forcing himself not to laugh.

What? Did I say something funny? I want to slap him right now. Can I? When he gazed into my clueless eyes, he burst out laughing like it was the funniest thing he heard his whole life.

"WHAT'S SO FUNNY?" I matched the volume of his laughter, except mine was in anger. Or in shock.

I feel like I'm being treated like an idiot right now.

Calm down. Calm down. Do not punch him. He's the new kid. You're the president. Breathe in. Breathe out.
Think of happy things. Think of chocolate. Think of having a nice hot shower after school. Think of lifting that chair beside you and then slap that dolt upside the head. No! Do not beat him up. Not even in your head.

Ah screw it.

༻ Ella ༺

I was so surprised when he suddenly asked Tina out! Part of me got excited for Tina, getting asked out by a celebrity, and a part of me just didn't trust that guy. Well, the whole of me didn't trust that guy. He was just weird. Weirder than me probably.

And that's saying something. It's dangerous.

I was a fan of his movies and other works of course, but after meeting him in person, well.

He lived up to his reputation in the good looks department, but the personality was not quite what I was expecting.

The whole time Kristopher attacked with sweet lines and charming smiles, Kristina resisted and defended strongly with blunt replies coated with pure rejection.

It was so amusing to listen to such a conversation. It's sad though. This was the first time that someone had the guts to ask my best friend out, and it wasn't even serious.

I wanted to get mad at Kristopher but I don't know why I just couldn't. I don't think he's a bad guy. I think he's mysterious, but not a bad person.

Meanwhile, I kept stealing glances at Daniel. His expression was like the usual, but I noticed how his eye and nose would twitch from time to time.

Ooh.

His stony expression was breaking. Hehe. He looked so troubled and it seemed to me that he was only holding himself back from kicking him in the shin.

He was so jealous and upset and I found it adorable how he was like this because of Tina. Good job, best friend!

In the middle of my thoughts, Kristopher snorted, silencing all of us. I didn't think Tina said something funny. Then he burst out laughing, out of nowhere! Tina looked so mad. She probably thought she was being treated like an idiot.

Danger.

Danger.

Tina was going to go berserk. I had to stop her before she did something that'll make her end up in prison. And I'll have to bail her out because I know I'd rather die than see her in those tacky, orange uniforms.

"WHAT'S SO FUNNY?!" She exclaimed, getting ready to jump on him. Oh dear.

I quickly went beside her and placed my hand on her back, somehow trying to soothe her. Now I can proudly say that I was the only one in school who could calm this girl down.

Well, I'll probably have to share that awesome title with Daniel soon. And was totally okay with that, as long as was him.

I don't know why I just trusted him. Instinct, maybe?

She glanced at me and sighed heavily. "Let me kill him."

I giggled at her face. She looked like a troll. "Don't."

"Then give me the motivation not to." She said in monotone. I thought for a bit.

"There's no Kung-Pao chicken in prison."

Tina looked at me like she was shattered. Like seriously. This girl loved food way too much, especially Kung-Pao chicken.

"Tinz..." Kristopher choked out between his laughter. "I cannot fathom how you'd take what I just said so seriously! You're so funny Tinz!"

And then he laughed even harder.

Okay. He's just asking to be buried alive. I just saved his ass. Now he was starting to dig his own grave again.

"Again with the Tinz?!" Tina yelled, seriously angry. I'm quite confused myself.

How the heck did he come up with Tinz? It sounded like the 'tin' from tin can, only fancier. Or more annoying, in Tina's case.

Now that I think about it, she's got herself some new nicknames since these two new students arrived. Poopy, Tinz - I wonder what the next new student will call her.

"Stop calling me that."

"You're adorable when you're mad." Kristopher teased.

Tina was fuming. "Stop. Now."

"TINZ! TINZ! TINZ!"

"Shut up!"

They proceeded with their childish argument. It was honestly interesting to see Tina get this flustered by someone other than Daniel.

Frankly speaking though, these couple of weeks since these two showed up, Tina's been showing so many expressions lately.

She had a short temper yeah, but I don't think she yells for the reason that she's angry most of the time. Knowing my best friend, she was just trying to act mad to conceal her embarrassment.

I looked at Daniel beside me again. He was staring intensely at the two, and he didn't look pleased at all. I was afraid he'd suddenly throw a punch at Kristopher.

When he noticed me staring at him with a silly grin on my face, he quickly turned his head to the other direction and acted as if he was searching for something. Yeah right Daniel. I caught you.

Eeeeeeeeehhh!

Ah! Sorry, I just can't help myself from feeling giddy.

I just wanted to scream and giggle and laugh and jump and sing! I'm so excited! I don't know why I feel so excited for other peoples' love stories.

Well. Theirs' will be better than mine any day.

I couldn't help it. I jumped in between Kristopher and Tina, and I began pinching her cheeks.

"Ella!" She stuttered, looking confused as to why I suddenly started stretching her face. "What are you doing?"

I squealed before giggling. I so can't wait to see how this potential love triangle will progress!

I turned around and smirked at Daniel and Kristopher. They looked a bit confused - Kristopher stopped laughing a while ago.

"Sorry boys, but Tina's mine after class. She can't show you around today Kristopher, she's gonna be busy shopping with me."

And then I secretly winked at Daniel, sending him the message that I just did him a favor. He pretended to be innocent. Heh.

Kristopher pouted, looking a bit disappointed, but his cheerful personality didn't make it that obvious. "Aw, that's too bad. Well, next time when you're free then, Tinz!"

He raised his hand up and stuck out his little finger. Wait. Was he..?

He glanced at Daniel mockingly as he did this. "Pinky swear?"

Smooth move dude. Smooth move.

I heard a scoff beside me and I didn't have to look to know that it was Daniel. Something tells me there's more to these boys and pinky swears than what meets the eye.

"Seriously?" Tina sounded like she couldn't believe what that boy just did as well.

I really didn't want this whole thing to drag on, so I just told her to do it and get it over with. She reluctantly did so.

"Alright fine. Pinky swear." She wrapped her little finger with Kristopher's and then they pressed their thumbs together to 'lock' the promise. She sighed. "Seriously this is so unnecessary. I'm obliged to show you around even if you don't ask me to."

Kristopher replied with a cheerful smile. This guy was just too hyper. But not more than me, of course. Daniel stepped in as well, ending his role as a spectator. "I'm coming too whether you like it or not."

He really didn't trust Kristopher.

"Of course! The fiancé should always watch over his lovely wife-to-be. Because, who knows?" He made such a questionable grin. "Some guy might jump at her and do something you wouldn't like."

The two boys exchanged threatening glares and silent war-cries.

Or maybe that's just me. Hehe!

"No problem there," Daniel replied, sounding confident. "She'll probably beat him up before he even tries to do anything. It's that guy you should be worried about."

They were shooting daggers at each other.

After that, Kristopher finally backed down and sent Daniel a crooked smile. "Heh. Nice meeting you, Danny." Then he turned to Tina and I as quick as his change of expressions. He was happily grinning at us. "Well then, I'm off ladies! My driver is already waiting for me at the gate. Ciao!"

And then he left. Skipped, to be more exact.

He's too happy, that guy. I think we're gonna get along well!

"Driver?" Tina mumbled beside me. She scoffed. "Rich bastard."

I grinned maliciously inside my head. Alright Ella, time to work your magic. In other words, butt into your best friend's and her questionable fiancé's lives.

"By the way!" I suppressed a squeal and wrapped my arms around Daniel and Kristina, squeezing their faces together just like how I played with my dolls when I was a kid.

"Daniel, would you like to come shopping with us? Tina could really use some advice on what type of swimsuit she should wear for our little trip this weekend!"

The horrified look on Tina's face said it all. She pushed his face away and shrugged off my arm. "Ella?!"

"Alright." Daniel replied.

Was my mouth still on my face? I think it fell off because I was just smiling too much.

Everything was going according to plan.

"Great! After class then!"

Tina made an incoherent cuss or a wail of some sort. I just laughed. As she began fixing her things, grudgingly, I looked at Daniel and sent him a wink.

Again, he pretended to act innocent and looked away. He knew perfectly well that I was planning something. And he was silently helping me with it.

Don't you two worry. You'll be thanking me soon enough.

If you don't kill me first, that is.