"Why?"

Sasha frowned as Sophie announced that she was looking for a new roommate.

"Because this girl is so nosy and boring."

"Don't listen to Sophie. From what I've heard, she's a good student." I said, waving off Sophie's dramatic excuses.

"Good? You wish. It's like I'm living with a ghost. She's always buried inside scary science books. Just say something, how long has it been since our classes started?" Her overdramatic frustrated voice asked.

"A few months?"

"Few? Oh, I'll tell you. It's been four and a half months and you know what? Time stops moving the minute I come back after hanging out with my friends. It's the same every day, her head stuffed in some stupid book. No hello, no hi...just occasional 'lower your voice' and 'please don't disturb.'"

"Sophie! You're being a jerk." I murmured, closing my eyes. That poor girl is minding her own business and this devil is bitching about her.

"Oh, don't you dare. She is the jerk here. You know, she won't let me in if I'm late!"

"Late from?" I asked and she huffed even more.

"Hangouts, maybe parties. She's so annoying...Who's she, my mom?"

Sasha laughed, shaking her head and a grin overtook my frown.

"I'm pretty sure she's the one who tolerates you."

"You.are.my.friend. You're supposed to defend me, not her." Her growl greeted my ears and I shook my head.

"I'm here for you, Soph. I'll defend you." Sasha said, winking at me and I rolled my eyes once they started flattering each other.

"Well, we better hang up now before Samantha marches in with another assignment." Sasha sighed and I nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, right." I murmured with a sigh. Samantha did have a love for giving assignments. I hung up on an annoyed Sophie just as she walked into the class with a smile.

And just as we predicted, after two hours of continuous lectures on classic pieces of writing, she asked us to write a detailed note on assigned books.

"Pride and prejudice?" Sasha sighed with a groan and I gave her a nod.

"By Jane Austen?"

"Haven't heard about any other." I shrugged with a smile and she sighed again.

"I thought she'd give something easier, something I've read."

"Like what? Fairy tales?" I chuckled and she rolled her eyes.

Sasha wasn't exactly a reader. She'd rather spend time on her phone than reading and the only books that I knew she actually read, were the ones for assignments.

"At least I expected she'd give something that Zack would've read. And there she goes with romance."

Wasn't she aware of  'The rom-com guy'? I smiled at the thought and turned to her.

"Pride and prejudice can't be declared solely as romance. It's sort of satirical too, and I believe there's more depending on our perspective."

"But I'm not sure he has read it." She sighed, grabbing her bag. "I hope he has. It's a lot easier when he explains it to me."

So, when we found Zack by his car, ready to give us a ride, Sasha had a big smile plastered on her face.

"Hey! How was your day?" She chirped and he slowly narrowed his eyes with a frown.

"What now?"

Ha. She thought he wouldn't notice the oversweet smile? Noel does that all the time and I notice it before he even begins to sugar coat.

"Wait. You didn't-" his eyes widened, ready to attack her when she shook her head frantically.

"No, are you crazy?"

"No. But you are." He got in the car, started the engine, and waited for us to get in.

"Do you read romance books?" She asked and I saw his eyes move into the mirror, aiming at me.

I couldn't help but smile.

"Or maybe satires?" Sasha continued and he smirked.

"Aha! New lit assignment, I see. Weren't you bossing around me for the last two days?" He smirked.

"Bossing? Not really. Joking around, it is and I could do that if you won't help me." She said, raising her eyebrows.

Okay, so we're going straight to blackmail now?

"Oh? What about previous assignments then? And you know what? I love your English teacher for giving you so many works that need actual reading." He grinned triumphantly.

"It's Pride and prejudice. I've only seen the film." She sighed, looking at me.

"You should start reading then, I'll help you." I heard him say, which resulted in Sasha's grin.

"I knew you would. After all, it's a great time for me now." She smirked, probably implying about his crush.

Yeah. For him too, I guess. Especially since Rosaline likes him back.

                             ▪️▪️▪️

When I came back after a quick phone call with Maria, Jake was fuming.

"What happened?"

"What's there to happen?" He snapped, making me frown.

"Uh oh. What's the reason behind this happiness?"

"That motherf-"

"Language!" Marissa yelled, cutting him off and he scoffed more.

"That idiot then. He told me to stay here for an hour more!"

Sometimes Jake can be more dramatic than Theo.

"It was the same yesterday and you weren't so riled up about it then." I shrugged and Marissa chuckled.

"Oh, yesterday was fine. Today, his playdate would be canceled." She winked at me.

"Oh." I struggled to control my laugh and he sighed.

"She'll kill me."

"Definitely, because you never take her out for dates." Marissa smiled, patting him.

"Actually I do plan for dates, but I keep forgetting them. So I was all set for this one, I had an alarm set. And then, he ruined it." He sighed, resting his chin on his palm.

I loved Hailey a lot, not only because she's Jake's girlfriend, but the way she loves him for who he is. She never whines or complains about how lazy or irresponsible he is. She just likes him that way.

"I'll stay since I've got nothing better to do." I shrugged and his eyes lit up for a second. But then, he shook his head.

"But-"

"You're welcome. Besides, I've been going home early for, what, like months?"

"And I know how mad I am when my dearest husband cancels our date." Marissa smiled, ruffling his hair.

Marissa went on giving him tips for a perfect date as we worked. Jake was so focused at first that I almost laughed at him. Then he just zoned out and smiled at the girl who came in.

"Got a date with your girlfriend and look at you, smiling at another girl." Marissa smacked his arm and he sat straight.

"Oh, come on. I was only smiling." He scoffed, taking her orders.

And finally, when he was ready to leave, she was the one who was eager.

"Say Hi from me!" I called out as he started walking.

"Me too!" Marissa yelled and he turned back with a smile.

"Sure, sure."

"Now what?" I turned to her, smiling.

"Feed that arrogant cheerleader group sitting right over there." She sighed, making her way as I joined her.

Arrogant because they literally ordered the order. Marissa hates people who don't add please or use a polite tone when placing their orders.

"On it." I smiled, looking at her notepad.

"I hope the date goes well." She sighed, grabbing her bag as our shift ended. "It's easy for that idiot to mess it up."

"I'm sure it did." I honestly don't think there's anything that Jake's charm can't win over.

"Thank God, the bus is on time." She smiled as the bus came, "See you tomorrow."

"Good night, Marissa." I waved at her, watching the bus leave.

Since the bus I wanted wasn't on time, I texted Jake, being nosy and asking about his date.

Jake: Excellent! Thanks to Marissa's tips.

But by the time he replied it was time to get off the bus. But the picture of him and Hailey was enough to make me smile.

Hailey's looking gorgeous.

Jake: SAY ABOUT ME

Typical Jake.

Put your phone down and go talk to her.

Jake: she saw one of her friends and I'm alone now *sobs*

That's great.

Jake:  ps: he's a guy *sobs again*

Well, that's even greater.

*laughs* now give me some peace, bye.

Jake: I hate you so much for leaving me alone now.

I smiled to myself, knowing how that was a complete lie, and stepped out of the bus. Someone else did too, and that caught my attention.

He looked...familiar.

And as I walked, I tried hard to remember that face. Finally, I did.

The man who I saw in front of Claire's house. Huh, strange.

What's even more strange is the fact that I remember that cold, emotionless eyes.

"Evelyn." A voice called.

The same voice that called me yesterday.

So it was him.

"Evelyn." He said again, stressing each syllable.

But it wasn't a question or the need to confirm like yesterday. It was like a statement like he was letting me know that he knew my name.

The surprise made me stop for a second but I continued walking.

"Stop." He called out, the sound of boots getting faster and faster.

Something in my mind asked me not to stop.

"I know your mother." He said.

No shit Sherlock! A drunk man, with bright red eyes? Yeah, definitely one of my mom's acquaintances.

"She owes me some money." He spoke again, sounding much closer to me.

Of course, she does.

"I don't have anything right now. I'll give you as soon as I get."

"There's no need for that, honey. I sure know how to handle it." His slurry words made something churn in my stomach.

The way he called me honey and said about handling it was a bit suspicious coming from a drunk person. And I don't think he'll be civil enough to hear my part and leave. So, I turned back and continued walking faster.

"Where you running to?"

And in not more than five minutes, he was close to me. So close that he grabbed my shoulder and yanked me back.

"Why don't you make it up for your mother's debt?" He mumbled, his breath smelling alcohol and cigarette. "Hmm, like the way you smell."

What made me fear was that he wasn't even trying to be creepy. He wasn't smiling or staring at me. He was just... naturally creepy.

I tried pulling out my hand from his grip and nearly ended up falling. So, I shoved him off and to my luck, he stumbled backward and I took that chance to turn back and run away from him.

"Oi, stop right there." He yelled and I sighed in relief. I was a few steps ahead of him.

Now what?

Phone. Phone it is.

I tried searching for it inside my bag as I continued to run. But the sound of boots was approaching me quicker than I thought.

"I swear, I'll make you feel regret." He growled.

As the sound came closer, I was seized by a panic of fear and my breathing was no more normal. Until I heard a familiar voice call my name.

And at that moment, his voice was far more than a relief to me.