Marisa never thought a day would come when she would be fed with excessive male attention. Especially when the male concerned was incredibly hot. But unfortunately, that day was today and she was beyond frustrated by Niam's behaviour.

Every morning, he received her at the university car parking, then proceeded to follow her from class to class, carrying her bag for her despite her many protests. He also prepared class notes for her and submitted assignments on her behalf. He served her meals at lunch hour and even kept her company when she had to wait for her friends after class. He was behaving like an annoying boyfriend, and doing a damn good job of it.

Well, it was her fault that Niam was stuck babysitting her. Rachel was super busy helping the Student Council prepare for the upcoming Open House and Monica was stuck overseeing the debate club activities by herself. With her injured right hand, she was unable to help them as she would have liked. To make matters worse she had become a star attraction overnight and the other students had begun calling her 'The Girl that bullied Hans'. Her social media had been flooded with hate comments, so much so that she had signed out from all her accounts. To add to her woes, she often saw unsavory characters attempt to approach her before running away at the sight of Niam. No doubt they were Hans's goons. Thankfully Danish and Milan kept an eye on her friends, so she didn't reveal to them the extent of her troubles.

"Niam," she said with a huff. "I am going to the girl's washroom. You can't follow me there."

Niam folded his hands and stood his ground. "I'm not letting you out of my sight. Danish would have my head."

"Niam, people are beginning to gossip about us, linking us to each other. You should stop this behavior before things get worse," reasoned Marisa.

"I don't care what others think. I have to keep you safe. Not that I am chasing away an army of your suitors."

Marisa frowned; Niam was right. Once the incident with Hans became known, her so-called admirers had backed away so fast it was a wonder they hadn't fallen over each other. Well, her dating life was fairly non-existent now, what did it matter what others gossiped about her and Niam?

Marisa shrugged, "Have it your way, but don't grumble if you're embarrassed."

Niam sighed, "Let's go".

True to her words, Marisa came out of the washroom to find a red-faced Niam waiting for her with her bag in his hands, uncomfortable with the jeering of class fellows as they walked by.

Marisa grabbed his hand and strode off, shooting a glare over her shoulders at those who had dared to call Niam nasty names.

Finally, when they had reached a secluded alley between two lab buildings, she let go of his hand.

Taking a deep breath, she blurted out words of gratitude. "Thank you for blocking Hans from drenching me with a banana smoothie, thank you for helping me to the sick bay, thank you for babysitting me the past few days, thank you for putting up with my temper and facing ridicule from others for helping me. Thank you for ensuring I don't fail because I can't write at the moment. In short, thank you for the past week. I don't know what I have done to earn your favor, I don't know how I earned your friendship, but just know that I am honored to have you by my side."

Niam turned her around and pushed her chin towards him, forcing her to look him in the eye. "Are you sure, you have no idea why I helped you?"

Marisa's eyes widened and she shook her head in denial.

"It seems Monica was right all along; you are quite slow. It's okay though, I can wait for you to figure things out by yourself."

Letting go of her, he stepped back. "It's time for the next class, we will miss the roll call".

Marisa watched him stride away. She placed a hand on her thundering heart. What just happened over here? Does Niam like her or was she overthinking? Sure, she had confessed to crushing on Niam, just the way she crushed on expensive Mercedes cars, Dior bags, and Jimmy Choo heels. Utter loveable and wholly unattainable- like the moon in the sky. But like Rachel, she fiercely loved her freedom and a serious boyfriend was one complication too far. Marisa shook her head in vain, she was running in circles in her head. Besides Niam had a girlfriend! Shrugging her shoulders, she ran to catch up with him.

...............................................................................

Danish looked around the empty classroom uncertainly. Was he here too early? Where was the Class President?

Just then a pretty, tall, and skinny girl walked into the class. With a tired sigh, she dropped her bag on her seat before proceeding to erase the whiteboard. Painstakingly she checked if all the markers had ink, thankfully none needed to be refilled just yet. She then proceeded to tidy the professor's desk before laying out the assignments that had been due last class. Done with the non glamourous duties of a class president she turned back to her seat only to see Danish watching her with a bemused expression.

"Hi, I didn't realize you were here," she stammered nervously.

"You were busy, so I decided to wait. Besides I was looking for you."

Gia felt her heart drop. Her crush was talking to her. He had been looking for her. He had noticed her presence! She pinched her arm to see if she was dreaming. Wincing at the sharp pain, she quickly straightened her expression and walked up to Danish.

"Do you need something?" she asked, suggestively.

Danish shook his head before pulling out the completed lab reports and assignments from his bag. "These were due two weeks ago, but since my team was away at that time, we were given a two-week extension."

Danish watched Gia's smile falter before withering away. She took the papers from him. "Sure, I'll submit them".

Danish smiled in response. "Thanks, Gia."

Gia frowned as he strode away. So, he hadn't sought her out to ask her on a date but rather to submit his pending work. It was wishful thinking on her part to even assume that Danish would be interested in her. Everyone knew he didn't date. She looked at the bundle of papers in her hand. Now she had to get Professor Gabriel to sign off on each lab report and assignment before tracking down the concerned professors and personally handing them over. It was going to be a long day.....

...............................................................................

Rachel hurried past the basketball court; she was late for a meeting. She couldn't let Lily down, especially after Lily had supported her against Hans and Ela. Just then a ball flew in her direction but was expertly knocked off before it hit her head. Rachel looked up to see Ben standing beside her, scowling at his teammates.

"Watch it," he yelled before picking up the ball and flinging it back at the player who had dared to show his temper in such a way.

Rachel cursed at her carelessness; she hadn't even noticed the basketball players were practicing their shots. She was the reason their star player was missing from action. Of course, they held a grudge against her. She should have availed the longer route through the garden instead.

"Sorry. Are you okay?" he asked concerned.

Rachel grinned at the shortest basketball player on the team. With a smile like sunshine, sharp piercing eyes, an upbeat attitude, and an abundance of energy, Ben was easily the friendliest guy around. Despite being the basketball captain, he was fair and kind but also stern enough to keep his rowdy teammates in line.

"I owe you an apology for Hans's behavior," said Ben with a smile. "You kept forgiving him at my request and he took it too far."

Rachel looked away for a moment. "This time Ben, there will be no way out. He won't be getting off easily. You should think about replacing him."

Ben nodded in agreement, "Yeah, that's what the coach has advised me, but the guys are none too happy about it, not with the recent losses we faced and the inter-university tournament coming up right after the semester exams."

"I am so sorry that you have to bear the brunt of the disciplinary inquiry."

"Don't be," comforted Ben with his trademark dimpled smile. "It's on Hans. Despite giving him multiple opportunities, he failed to change. Sooner or later, this was bound to happen."

"You're a good captain and friend, Ben" replied Rachel.

"Then allow me to take you out for coffee as an apology."

Rachel laughed, "I am way too busy with the upcoming Open House. I have even stranded Monks with training the new debate team hopefuls. Besides if anybody deserves an apology, it is Mars. Maybe you could talk to her sometime".

"Yes, definitely" stammered Ben.

Rachel checked her watch, "I should be on my way, I am already late for the Student Council meeting. P' Lily must be going bombastic."

Ben grimaced as he watched Rachel hurry away. The University topper hadn't even realized that he was asking her out on a date. How oblivious could she be?

Ben wryly rubbed the back of his neck. How many times had he already been rejected? Maybe it was time he gave up on Rachel. She was far too focused on herself to pay him any heed. Even the guys on his team had stopped betting on his chances of dating Rachel.

.................................................................................

Monica banged her head on the desk as the six freshmen gathered in the debate room began bickering amongst themselves. This was her fifth attempt that day to hold a mock debate. If they couldn't even follow the basic etiquettes of a civilized debate, how was she going to select the cream amongst them? Not for the first time did she miss Rachel's comforting presence by her side. No doubt, Rachel's sharp tongue would have whipped them into obedience in a moment.

Getting up from her chair behind the desk, she bellowed. "This is not a fish market. You are not fishermen. You belong to a premier university, so act like responsible students. If you dare embarrass our university, Professor Gabriel would have your hide."

The six freshmen immediately quieted down.

"Now, you have training for two weeks to learn the art of debating and winning arguments. Later, four of you shall be allowed to join the Debate Club. You have no idea of the kind of respect and prestige that our team commands in other universities. All thanks to the efforts of our three seniors who graduated this year. Nevertheless, Captain Rachel, I, and Marisa have a reputation to uphold. A very hard-won reputation. So, if any of you are not serious about this club, you are most welcome to leave. But if you stay, we expect you to put in your best efforts."

The properly admonished freshmen put their faces down in shame. "Sorry," they muttered. Still, some amongst them slyly rolled their eyes.

She would have to weed them out, the ones that remained uninterested.

"You are dismissed. Meet me here tomorrow at the same time."

She watched the students shuffle out before leaning against the desk and closing her exhausted eyes.

Milan cleared his throat uncomfortably. Monica opened her eyes to look at him.

"When did you come?" she asked resignedly.

"A while back" he mumbled, looking anywhere but her.

Monica nodded, "So you witnessed my blowout."

Milan shrugged, "Danish gets the same way with the new trainees who don't take swimming seriously."

Monica frowned, "Give me a minute, let me pack up".

As Monica tidied the desk and stuffed all her handwritten notes into her bag, she heard the scrapping of chairs as Milan casually pushed them back to their original places. Another example of their lack of manners- the freshmen left without bothering to tidy up.

Monica closed the lights and locked the door as Milan patiently waited by her side. Together they walked to the parking.

Seeing Monica's crestfallen face, Milan felt a pang in his heart.

"The others are waiting for us in the parking," he said.

"Sorry, I kept everyone waiting. I just don't seem to be doing anything right anymore," replied Monica morosely.

Milan stopped and caught Monica's hand. Monica looked at him surprised.

"We never knew how hard the debate team had to work to win. We always thought a physical sport like swimming was way harder. Therefore, we never took Rachel seriously or accorded you guys much respect. But after watching you for the past week, pushing yourself to polish a couple of jerks into diamonds, I feel a newfound respect for you. I am sure your team will win the upcoming competitions, all because the three of you are relentless. Don't worry, things will get better."

Monica was stunned, seeing the whole new soft side of the infamous prankster they cursed privately.

Putting her hand on his hand, she smiled. "Thank you for the words of motivation. I needed it."

Milan let go of her hand and smiled awkwardly. Running a hand through his unruly hair, he gestured forward. "Let's go. They must be getting impatient."

Monica smiled and fell into step beside Milan. This was the first time they walked side by side instead of Milan chasing after Monica, and if their hands brushed once in a while, neither of them moved away.

I just realized that not everybody would be aware of the meaning of the Thai words I used. Apologies on my part. Here are the following meanings:

Sawasdee krab/ Sawasdee ka- traditional Thai greetings, Wai- a Thai greeting consisting of a slight bow, with the palms pressed together in a prayer-like fashion. It indicates the level of respect for another person and is an acknowledgment of seniority. Hia- Elder brother, Nong- younger sibling, P' - is a Thai word for older sibling of any gender.