"Singing from heartache from the pain,

Taking my message from the veins,

Speaking my lesson from the brain,

Seeing the beauty through the pain."

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THE PERSISTENT KNOCKING from outside woke me up from my sleep. Groggily, I looked at the digital clock by my bed. Who the hell could be outside at 11:38PM?

"Open the damn door, Alexandra."

At the sound of his familiar grumpy voice, I sat up straighter.

What was Robin Clair doing outside my dorm?

"If you don't open up, I'm barging in!" he warned, his cold and serious voice gave me the impression that he wasn't joking. Realizing the state that I was in, I started to panic.

"Hold up one second!" I hollered, scrambling out of my bed and putting on a pair of sweatpants. I fell asleep after calling the office and haven't woken up since. Napping the entire day away seemed like a good idea at first, but now my muscles protested the sudden physical activity. I threw on my trusty grey hoodie, putting the hood up and letting my dark hair fall across my face to cover up the nasty bruise on my cheek.

What could he possibly want? I wondered as he continued to knock incessantly on my door.

Cautiously approaching the dorm door, fiddling with my fingers nervously, I peered through the peephole. Just to make sure it was him. When his familiar honey-blonde hair came into view, I sucked in a breath and opened the door.

"Fantastic. I'm a hundred years old now," Robin drawled impatiently, rolling his eyes. He gestured for me to let him in, which I reluctantly did. He didn't waste any time in entering my room as if he owned the place, shrugging off his coat and hanging it on my coat rack. I bit my lip unconsciously, wincing at the state of my messy dorm room.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded, not feeling sorry about how rude I sounded.

"I heard that you're down with the flu," Robin said, as if it explained everything.

"So?"

"So, you ungrateful wench, I brought some soup. I didn't see you come down for dinner," Robin said, lifting a metal canister out from a paper bag I failed to notice he was carrying when he first came in.

"That's...nice of you," I managed to say, pursing my lips in slight confusion. Why is he being so nice to me? It was unlike him to show even a sliver of concern for anyone else.

"I didn't want the poor maids to find your rotting body up here," Robin shrugged in response. I rolled my eyes, but a small smile made its way onto my lips nonetheless.

"You don't sound very sick to me," he pointed out, eyeing me suspiciously. I ducked my head down immediately, letting my hair cover my face.

"Well, I am. Nasty stuff, achoo. I really appreciate you bringing the soup over, but you need to leave now. I don't want to pass the flu to you," I said a little too quickly, walking to the door and opening it for him.

Robin only raised an eyebrow.

"Is that so?" he asked, clearly unimpressed by my act.

"Yes," I insisted. He crossed his arms and eyed me under his narrowed gaze.

"Are you sure you're not just faking it so you can skip class?" he snorted.

"No, I'm not," I protested. "Really."

When he continued to look at me with his scrutinising stare, I faked another sneeze pathetically.

"Achoo."

"Why won't you look up?" Robin asked suspiciously.

"Because I don't want to see your ugly face?" I retorted.

"Wow, Alexandra. I thought you've already come to terms with my handsome face and stopped lying to yourself, but I suppose I thought wrong," he deadpanned.

"It's my flu face," I sighed finally, fiddling with my thumbs nervously. Robin kept silent.

"You really need to leave," I repeated anxiously, walking up to him and trying to pull him up off the couch. Robin grabbed my wrist tightly, making me gasp in surprise and flinch away.

"What was that?" Robin asked when I retracted my hand from him.

"N-nothing." I cursed my voice for faltering.

"You flinched," he muttered, frowning slightly.

"I'm fine," I persisted, but he was having none of it. Cautiously, he reached for my chin, tilting my face upwards. I knew it would be fruitless to resist, so instead I shut my eyes tightly.

I heard his sharp intake of breath when my face hit the light.

"What the hell happened to you?" Robin asked, his voice soft. His tone was serious, but his eyes held a splinter of curiosity and concern.

"Nothing," I said, shying away from his touch.

"Doesn't look like nothing to me, Alexandra."

"It's really nothing. I'm fine."

"You've got a bloody black eye, that's not nothing!" Robin said, raising his voice.

"Drop it," I seethed. He didn't have the right to be prying into my life.

"No! Who the hell did this to you?" Robin asked, his tone adopting a dangerous edge.

"I said, drop it!" I shouted angrily, moving away from him when he tried to touch me. Robin immediately went silent. He stared at me with no emotion on his face, while I tried taking deep breaths to calm myself down.

"I'm not going to hurt you," he muttered quietly, looking almost offended when I flinched when he raised his hand up toward my face. Slowly and cautiously, Robin moved the hood of my hoodie down, revealing my face. I could only watch and stare at him blankly. I didn't know what else to do. He obviously wasn't going anywhere, the stubborn prat.

"Shit," Robin swore under his breath when he removed the hood of my jacket to reveal my bashed up face.

"I'm okay," I said aloud, out of the blue. Although it was intended to convince Robin that I was fine, it sounded more like I was trying to convince myself.

"No, you're not."

He got up from the couch abruptly, taking large strides towards the kitchen. He emerged shortly after with a small first aid kit, a bowl filled with ice and a wet towel.

"Did you even try to relieve the pain?" he asked, but sighed heavily when I kept quiet.

"Take off your jacket," he ordered, leaving no space for arguments. I unwillingly complied, unzipping my hoodie and shrugging out of it.

I sat quietly on the bed as Robin tended to my bruises. I noticed the entire time he was helping me, his jaw was clenched and his eyes were hooded. Despite the cold, angry aura he was emitting, he was surprisingly gentle when he applied the cooling ointment over my black and blue skin.

"Is this the real reason why you skipped classes today?" he asked—no, demanded. I licked my lips, looking away from him.

"It doesn't hurt," I muttered, ignoring his question.

"Bullshit," he muttered, but didn't push for the answers he knew I didn't want to give. I shut my eyes tightly as he applied the ointment over my bruise, biting my lip so I wouldn't curse out loud. I didn't want him to know it hurt so much. My eyes snapped open when a cold hand engulfed my warm one. Robin gave my hand a small, reassuring squeeze.

"You're trembling," Robin sighed, pausing.

"I'm fine," I insisted, my brows dipped into a frown.

"You and I both know you're not. You stupid girl, you should've put ointment on the bruise or iced it. It would've healed much faster," he chided, causing me to scowl at him.

"Don't lecture me," I muttered, making him roll his eyes.

Although I would never admit to it, his hand in mine made the entire thing much more bearable, too. Robin wasn't a very likeable person, but I was glad he was here to help. Once he finished applying the ointment over the bruise, he started to put some ice cubes on the wet towel and wrapping it up. He grabbed my face gently with one hand and used his other hand to press the towel against my cheek, making me wince.

"Don't move," he said, but was more careful not to press to hard again.

"I can do it myself," I said, reaching up to hold the towel against my cheek. Robin shook his head, letting go of my face and heading to the dining table where he left the soup he had brought over.

"Come on, drink the soup I brought. You look like you haven't eaten in days," Robin mumbled, taking the canister out of the paper bag.

"I'm not hungry," I said.

"Well, I made it. So don't let it go to waste," Robin said, frowning slightly as he handed me the metal canister.

He...made it?

"You can cook?" I blurted out in surprise.

"Right, because being rich means losing the ability to cook," Robin muttered, frowning slightly.

"I didn't mean it that way," I said, scrunching my eyebrows. I didn't mean it in a mean or jeering way, I was just...surprised.

"Sure you didn't."

"I'm sorry. I was just surprised that you'd cook," I said quietly, opening the metal lid slowly. "For me."

The steam rose out of the canister instantly, fanning my face with warmth. The aroma of the soup was amazing, it made my mouth water.

"What is this?"

"Black herbal chicken soup," Robin answered, taking a seat beside me. "It's a Chinese recipe."

I nodded before I got up from the couch to grab a spoon. I winced as the muscles around my legs and stomach stretched. I wobbled.

"Woah, sit down!" Robin exclaimed, holding my shoulder firmly to keep me from losing my balance.

"I'm just going to get a spoon, I'm fine," I insisted.

"You know, you've been insisting that you're fine a whole lot today and I'm beginning to realize you're not as well as you'd like to think you are," Robin muttered. I rolled my eyes and tried to get up again, but he held me in place.

"Stubborn girl," Robin muttered under his breath, but I heard him loud and clear. I scowled at him, shrugging off his hand.

"I'll get the damn spoon," he grumbled, getting up and heading to the kitchen.

"You know, you've got Emily and Logan and Yuko really worried," he said nonchalantly when he returned, handing me the shiny soup spoon.

"They wanted to visit, but your dorm is strictly out of bounds 'cause the principal doesn't want anyone to catch your 'terrible flu'," Robin continued. I took a sip of the hot soup, a feeling of comfort washing over me.

"Wait, how are you here then?" I asked curiously.

"Do you really think I care what Karen says?" Robin retorted, raising a challenging eyebrow. Of course I thought he would, Principal Karen was not someone to be messed with. She was headstrong and tolerated no bullshit. Not to mention she had a fiery temper, too.

"Well, she is the principal."

Robin shrugged, leaning back onto the couch.

"What a rebel," I murmured, my eyes twinkling in amusement.

Robin raised an eyebrow, but said no more. I eyed him as he got up and put on his coat he had discarded on the table when he first came, stopping in front of the door.

"You'll be okay, by yourself?" Robin asked.

I hesitated.

"I'll be fine."

Robin looked at me a little longer, staring into my eyes as if he were trying to uncover my deepest darkest secrets. When he seemed to finally get his answer, he didn't look too pleased. Instead, he unbuttoned his coat and hung it neatly on the coat rack again.

"I'll stay a little longer. I have nothing else to do, anyway," Robin said. I bit my lip, but did not protest. He walked over to the couch and sat down, taking his phone out of his pocket.

I spent the rest of the night doing the homework the office lady dropped off during the day while Robin spoke to someone over the phone in a secretive, hushed tone. I figured he was talking to another one of his business associates. Every half an hour, he'd get more ice cubes for me to ice my bruise with, which was really nice of him.

I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him that he had to take on so much responsibility at such a young age. It seemed like he never really got the time to be a teenager. The minute he was old enough, his parents forced the business unto him. It's hard to imagine what his life might be like. He must be really grateful for Yuko, Logan, and even Asher. I knew if I was in his shoes and I didn't have any friends, I would surely go insane.

When I finally finished my homework, I headed back into my bedroom to change. I emerged from my room with a black pyjama dress on. It wasn't very revealing, but it was a little short as the soft fabric fell across mid-thigh. I leaned against the door frame, staring at Robin. The call has ended when I was changing, and now he was leaning back against the couch with his eyes closed.

"Thank you," I blurted out suddenly. Robin opened one eye and looked up at me as he raised an eyebrow.

"For everything," I added, scratching the back of my hand awkwardly. Robin's expression softened.

"It's alright," he said, forcing a small smile. I accepted whatever he gave though, I knew he wasn't one to show many emotions and that was already pretty good.

"I'm going to bed," I said.

"Okay," Robin said, getting up from the couch. "Goodnight."

After I saw him out, I settled into my comfy bed, falling asleep within seconds. This time, though, I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

❁❁❁

I WAS SURPRISED to see Robin at my door again the next morning. Like yesterday, he carried a small paper bag in his hand.

"Why are you here again?" I asked, opening the door for him. The bruise on my face had faded considerably after he helped to put ointment on it and made me ice it. "Did you leave something here?"

"Good morning to you too," he snorted, before holding up the paper bag. "Food."

I watched him warily as he headed to the kitchen, reaching into the bag and taking out a block of cheese, a tomato and a few mushrooms.

"Eggs," he said, raising an eyebrow at me. Rolling my eyes, I walked to the refrigerator and grabbed two out.

"Are you making breakfast for me?" I asked hesitantly, scrunching my eyebrows in confusion.

"Obviously," he said, before swiftly getting to work. I sat on the counter, watching him cut up the mushroom and tomatoes as if he was a professional.

"Did you sleep well last night?" I asked after some silence.

Without pausing, he shrugged and said, "Didn't sleep."

"What are you? A vampire?" I blurted out, to his amusement.

"Yes, I am. That's why I'm always cold and that's why I'm so good looking," he replied monotonously whilst buttering up a pan.

"And humble, too," I muttered in reply, rolling my eyes.

"Ah, yes. That too. How could I forget?"

The two of us emerged into a comfortable silence as I watched him cook. Soon enough, my entire dorm room smelled delicious and I was practically drooling all over myself. Robin put the eggs onto a plate and carried it to the dining table and I happily followed.

"It's an omelette," I said, grinning as he placed a plate in front of me.

"Yes, thank god your eyes are working," Robin deadpanned. Judging by the way he was extra snarky, I concluded that Robin wasn't exactly a morning person.

I ignored him and dug in, scarfing down my breakfast as if it was my last meal. The omelette was really good, and I felt kind of sad after I took my last bite.

"Don't you have classes?" I asked curiously.

"I don't have morning classes on Wednesdays," he replied.

"Oh."

The two of us ate in silence until Robin put his fork down and cleared his throat. He looked awkward and uncomfortable.

"Do you...want to talk about it?" he asked, scratching his neck. I blinked.

"I don't think there is anything to say," I said nonchalantly, clearing the empty plates on the table.

"Alexandra." Robin's voice adopted a slightly serious tone. His jaw was clenched.

"There is nothing to talk about, Robin," I insisted, and he narrowed his eyes at me.

"I am just asking you if you are alright," Robin said, scowling. "If whoever did this is threatening you─"

"It's not like that," I mumbled, looking down at my hands. "It was an accident."

"Do you really expect me to believe that?" Robin demanded, crossing his arms. "If you keep quiet about it, the only person who's going to suffer is you. I can tell that you're embarrassed about it but you shouldn't be. It isn't your fault."

"You're talking as if you know someone who's like me," I stated, causing Robin to freeze. His serious expression crumbled and for a moment I could see the worry in his eyes.

"I do," he muttered, shaking his head. He looked genuinely upset. It almost felt like he was letting his walls down just to comfort me. "And he doesn't want to talk about it, either. Listen, if you tell me who did it, I'll take care of it."

"Please just leave it alone," I said quietly, picking at the skin on my thumb nervously. I didn't want to blow things out of proportion. It was already such a mess. Robin was silent for a minute, then shook his head angrily and got up.

"Right," he muttered, heading to the door. "Just because you avoid talking about what happened doesn't make it magically go away, Alexandra. Remember to ice your bruise. At least you can make that disappear."

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A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I'm so sorry for uploading this late, the past couple of days have been so busy.

Song of the Chapter: Believer, by Imagine Dragons.