If she had to read another line of environmental law, Catalina was going to shoot herself.

    She looked out the window, where thankfully, there was nothing even remotely related to law. Her eyes wandered, taking in the brilliant red-gold of the fallen leaves, the bright hue of the afternoon sky, and—Jae talking to a girl.

    The first thing Catalina noticed was her hair. Not because it was luscious and goddess-tier, but simply because it was pink. Muted pink. Waves of silvery-rose fell to her waist. Her exposed waist. Holy hell, wasn't she cold? Still, Catalina had to admire some people's dedication to fashion.

    And God, were her eyebrows on fleek.

    Weird, he hadn't said anything about meeting anyone. Jae shouldn't have hidden it. He was allowed to talk to whomever he wanted. Though, he also had the right not to tell them who he was meeting.

    "What?" Daniel asked.

    Catalina's eyes snapped back to her present company.

    Daniel lifted an eyebrow, straightening as he looked up from his notes.

    "Just...it's Jae." She pointed. "He's talking to someone."

    Both Daniel and Andrea turned, looked out the window and spotted him seated on a bench with a girl. Andrea blinked and then turned her attention back to her textbook.

    Catalina and Daniel watched as the pair stood from the bench and with a smile, Jae nodded at her.

    Why did he smile? Catalina eyed him carefully as he parted ways with the girl and headed back to the library entrance.

    They spotted Jae walking towards them and they immediately fell silent. They just stared at one another, exchanging glances and gestures. Someone had to bring it up.

    "You gonna ask him, or what?" Andrea clicked her pen. "It's not like he's cheating on you. If anything you're the one cheating."

    "What?" Catalina's brows knitted together and as she leaned forward in her seat, she caught the glare in Andrea's eyes.

    Andrea didn't bother looking up from her book for a single second before Jae sat down at the table. He barely acknowledged the rest as he went back to dutifully finishing his lab research.

    Catalina raised her eyebrows at Daniel, hoping he'd bring up the subject.

    Daniel returned the look, tilting his head towards Jae. He moved his lips, encouraging Catalina to ask.

    She shook her head. Waving her hand, she accusingly pointed at Daniel.

    He mouthed a couple of 'no's and the silent bickering continued. Jae continued his work, oblivious. Catalina clicked her tongue and Andrea finally lifted her head.

    "Pare de joder ," she hissed and Catalina pouted.

    Jae lifted his head from his hand and looked between the two girls. "I'm starving," he grumbled.

    Catalina nodded. "Same! How 'bout we go get something to eat?"

    He nodded and began packing his things.

    They all left the library, Andrea and Jae walking ahead of Catalina and Daniel. The latter pair whispered about the unknown girl Jae had met up with. Of course there wasn't much to read into but...the smile that he'd given her. Jae barely smiled at Catalina, even less so when they first met.

    "So, how are you planning to bring it up?" Daniel asked.

    "What? I'm not bringing it up, you are. There's no way I'm asking."

    "You're the one that's jealous. Why should I ask him?"

    Catalina shook her head, tightening the grip around her bag strap. "Yeah, no. I'm not jealous, are you crazy?"

    "Oh please ." Daniel rolled his eyes. "You were looking at her like you were about to cut her in half."

    "I'm not jealous," she growled. "Far from it. I'm only curious."

    "Yeah, well I'm not asking him about her. Like what would you want me to say? 'Damn son, she fine , you seein' her or something'?"

    "Is she actually hot? Like she's prettier than me, that's for sure but like..."

    "Are you feeling insecure, Cat?"

    "Insecure?" Catalina stopped in her tracks. "Insecure about what? There's a million girls that are hella cuter than me. I'm not expecting to be the prettiest person on earth."

    Daniel spun on his heel, and continued walking backwards. "You think she might just snatch your man? Or your wig? Or both? "

    Catalina scoffed, and hurried to catch up with him. "My man? What're you, crazy? And I am not afraid of her taking Jae. Need I remind you, we aren't actually together?"

    "Yeah well, I'd be worried if I were you. She was a true queen."

    "And what am I then?"

    Daniel shrugged. "A peasant? I thought it was obvious."

    Catalina smacked Daniel on the shoulder repeatedly with her hat as he inched away from her.

    "Abuse! Abuse!" He laughed and tried to defend himself by crouching. He then ran to hide in front of Andrea, since he knew Catalina wouldn't bother her. Especially when she was angry.

    "You're so mean!" Catalina called from behind them and Jae turned around for a second before he continued his conversation with Andrea.

    What if he was actually seeing her? What if he liked her? Catalina shook her head, it wasn't any of her business.

    "Cat?"

    She lifted her head. She spotted Philip from the corner of her eye. He was surrounded by a group of guys, some she recognized and others she'd never seen before. She gave a weak wave and he immediately strode towards her. She silently cursed herself for staying behind while her friends walked on ahead, unaware of her current dilemma.

    "Uhm, hey." Catalina tried not to avoid eye contact. She wanted to show him that she was fine. She wanted to show him that the talk they'd had over lunch the other day didn't matter at all.

    "Having lunch alone? Why don't you join us?" He nodded towards his group of friends crowding by the sandwich shop.

    She shook her head. "No, I'm actually with Jae, Daniel and Andrea."

    "Really?" His eyes trailed away.

    She looked to where she had last seen them but they weren't there anymore. They ditched her. "Uhm," she laughed, "they went on ahead to grab a table. I was thinking of getting a smoothie but I wasn't sure."

    "Ah." Philip nodded. "Well if you get bored of them, you can always join us." He winked down at her and her breath caught in her throat. "You know, about lunch the other day," he mumbled and she thought she could see a bit of uneasiness. "I'm happy we talked. It really cleared things up."

    "Hm." Catalina's face fell and she fidgeted with the hat in her hands, pulling and pushing the pompom on top.

    "Well, I was wondering if you'd like to have lunch with me tomorrow."

    Her head shot up. "Tomorrow?"

    "Yeah, if you're free."

    "Well I—"

    "Sorry, but she promised she'd hang out with me tomorrow."

    Catalina jumped. Jae had, apparently, appeared out of thin air. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

    Philip's eyes widened, his mouth slightly agape. He seemed shocked. Not afraid nor surprised, just startled. "Oh, do you have to have permission now?"

    Jae shrugged. "She doesn't."

    "It's not good to control your girlfriend's life." The blond gave a cocky smile as he crossed his arms over his chest.

    "Oh, Cat can do what she wants, she can also talk to whomever she wants. I'm not here to stop her, I'm just her boyfriend. I'm only overprotective when I see a snake on the loose."

    Catalina could practically feel the hatred ooze from Jae's lips. He even looked jealous, the way he ran his tongue against his cheek and all but hissed. He really played the part of boyfriend well.

    Philip frowned, lips twisting in distaste. "I just want to—"

    "Stay away from Cat? Yeah, thought so." Jae pulled Catalina closer. "Well, Philip , Cat and I better get going. People might start to worry." Jae slipped his arm from her shoulder and took her hand in his, pulling her towards the cafeteria tables.

    A lump bubbled up in Catalina's chest and her breath quickened. Her cheeks felt as if they were on fire and her legs shook beneath her. Oh, the anxiety attack was coming, wasn't it?

    "Your hands are all clammy, ew." Jae grimaced and dropped her hand once he knew they were out of Philip's sight.

    "What ?" Catalina groaned. "I'm anxious, of course they are. And at least they aren't dry as fuck."

    Jae's eyebrow rose and he glared at her. "Yeah, well, it's to repel idiots."

    She gasped as she drew a hand to her chest. Catalina prepared a comeback, one that would make Jae shut his mouth.

    "There you are!"

    Catalina groaned and turned to see Madeline with a bright smile on her face. "You interrupted me!"

    Madeline wrapped her arm around Jae's and pulled him forward. "Jae and I are gonna get drinks, you go on ahead and sit, okay babe?" She waved.

    "We are?" Jae pouted his lips to the side. "When did I agree to this?"

    "Just right now." Madeline pulled his arm in a harsher motion. "Come on now, those smoothies aren't gonna buy themselves."

    With nothing more than a roll of his eyes, Jae watched Catalina walk to the tables. Had Philip been bothering her? Was she alright with him stepping in, or did that make things worse?

    "So, why smoothies?" He raised an eyebrow.

    Madeline stared at him. Her blue eyes just wide in shock. "Why not?" Her brows furrowed.

    After he blinked at Madeline a couple of times, she turned away and looked up at the menu. "You know, Cat loves mango smoothies. She adores them with a burning passion."

    "Really?" Jae mumbled, staring at the menu as well. He pulled out the worn leather wallet from his back pocket and looked down at the cash. He pulled out a fifty dollar bill and shoved the wallet back inside.

    Madeline caught sight of the bill. "'Drea likes passion fruit, Daniel loves banana and I prefer pineapple."

    "You expect me to buy drinks for everyone?" He paused. "In this economy?"

    "What ? Then why'd you pull that out?"

    Jae looked away. "It's the lowest bill I have."

    "Okay buddy, if you're so rich you can afford drinks for everyone once." Madeline's lips flattened into a straight line as she crossed her arms over her chest.

    "Fine." He rolled his eyes.

    "Oh, no ! I was just kidding. You don't actually have to buy anything." Madeline tried to pull him out of the line but he shook her off.

    "It's okay. I kind of want to."

    Madeline's eyes lit up and a smile stretched her lips. "I know what you're doing," she teased. "You don't want to make it obvious that you're getting a smoothie for Cat, so you're getting one for everyone."

    "Can't I just be nice for once without everyone thinking it's some sort of ploy?" Was he really that transparent?

    "Whatever floats your boat." Madeline's smiled widened into a brilliant grin before she pushed him towards the counter.

    "Uh, yes, can I... um..." He looked at Madeline, nodding his head towards the cashier, as if begging for help.

    Madeline stepped up and ordered without skipping a single beat.

    They managed to get to the table with the four drinks and a bag of chips Jae had indulged in.

    "A treat from our starboy," Madeline cooed.

    "Ai, gracias, mi amor. " Catalina leaned over and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

    He couldn't look at her with his usual straight face. After he turned away, he noticed the group bickered about which drinks was theirs. It was a good thing no one noticed his burning cheeks.

    Madeline leaned towards him. She whispered in his ear, "You might just fall in love with her if you don't set boundaries, Jae."

    "Who said anything about that?" He whispered back, glaring at her.

    "Oh Jae, I can tell. I've watched too many dramas to not be oblivious to this; you like her."