Selena's POV;

I talked a lot with Cyrus yesterday. It felt so good. And nostalgic. I was so happy that he finally recognised me. And the fact I was kind of happy about was that he said Jen wasn't his girlfriend and that he has stopped playing around with girls. Although I didn't tell him about the part where I was all jealous. But that's too embarrassing to tell. Besides I don't want to bound him to all my insecurities and jealousies. Heck we aren't even going out. But even then, I still don't want to do this. And we made a promise to each other. I will join the volleyball club whereas he will join the art club. I was actually really positive about it. And not nervous at all.

I got ready and changed into clothes that were different than my usual oversized shirts. And happily skipped towards the kitchen where I saw Riley sitting there in an irritated mood. She was eating her breakfast with such anger that I swear that spoon was gonna break that bowl.

"...Riley...you okay?"

"...that damn Nash...even though we were having fun, he went ahead and got all moody and stuff. He says he won't help me anymore. If he didn't want to help me then he shouldn't have said so in the beginning...and why did he have to say all those things...it's confusing me.." She muttered angrily. She still hadn't noticed me. I pat her shoulder and asked,

"Riley?"

"Oh...what happened? Is it time to leave?" She asked

"No. We still have 15 minutes. But more importantly what happened to you?" I asked

"Nash said he won't help me anymore. He got angry at me for I don't know what!" She exclaimed

"You must have said something to him again like usual." I chuckled

"No. Not at all. It was quite opposite. I thanked him for all his help and told him, he was a pretty good friend." She explained, "and then he got angry at me. He said he wasn't my friend. And he never intends to be. And before that he got angry at the fact that I was talking about Leo. I mean, what else am I supposed to talk about? The whole reason we went shopping together was because of Leo! That idiot. Sometimes I swear his head is empty. God put poop instead of brain in his head." She angrily said.

"I think I understand now..." I mumbled

"Huh? What?" She asked

"...errr....that I don't understand Nash at all." I said. Actually I understood perfectly why Nash acted like that. My intuition was like. Nash likes Riley.

"Well what are you so angry about? I thought you didn't like him. So isn't it good?" I teased Riley. I wanted Riley to say her real feelings.

"....well...I never said I didn't like him.." she spoke in a low tone. By this time, we were going to our first class.

"You did. You totally did." I said

"...I know...but I've known Nash for a long time. No matter how much we argue or fight, he has never ever spoken to me like that. Does it sound strange that rather than anger he was showing an expression that looked like he was hurt? That is what is irritating me more. I don't understand him at all." She said

"...oh look there is Nash. You can go talk to him." I pointed towards the front where Cyrus, Leo and Nash were standing. They both were talking and laughing to each other.

Riley looks up at him and he for a second glances here but then quickly averts his eyes. His expression doesn't even change for a second. Riley clearly looks hurt by this.

"...Riley...come on...we have to talk...you guys have to talk.." I urged her

"....oh no! There is Leo with him! How can I face him? I already look so stupid! I'm not going. I'm going straight to class." She made up an excuse and quickly ran away

"Riley!"

I realised my voice was a bit louder than normal since people around me looked at me. I felt embarrassed so I gave a shy smile. Cyrus and his friends come up to me.

"Hey."

"Hey." I replied

"What was that about?" He asked

"Oh that.." I glance at Nash, who averts his eyes and looks down, "she didn't eat breakfast so she's in a cranky mood. Nothing to worry about."

"I see." He replied

"By the way, is she your friend with whom we are going out this Sunday?" Leo asked

"Yeah..." I replied

"I'm going to class." Nash suddenly said and leaves

"What's wrong with him?" Leo asked

"I think he's just cranky about the fact he didn't go to the club last night and woke up early." Cyrus replied

"He didn't go to the club?" I asked. This was surprising. Nash is a party guy. He always skips the morning classes.

"Yeah. I don't know what happened to him. He said he wasn't in the mood to go. And he even woke up early. Although it looked like to me he didn't even sleep last night." He explained. We heard the bell rang as we quickly go inside the classroom.

"Well well...I am shocked. I think the Sun rose from the wrong side today because Nash finally came to university early." Professor Raymond said. Nash grinned in reply.

"Good to see you, professor." He said

"Good to see you too. This is a sudden change but I hope its a permanent one." Professor said

"I hope so too." He replied. The Professor then started his lecture.

After the lecture was over, we had a break again for a little while. Nash came over to the front where Cyrus, I and Riley were sitting.
Riley glares at him and then says she is going to go see her club mates. Nash clearly looks hurt by this and he says he's going to go as well. Leo had a committee meeting so he was busy with that.

"Guess it's just you and me." I said

"Did something happen between Riley and Nash?" He asked. We were walking towards a bench outside in the courtyard.

"Yeah actually.." I then explained everything to him

"Nash likes Riley. But the question is does Riley likes Nash?" He said

"I don't know. Most of the times, I feel like that is the case but then she dismisses it and brings up Leo." I said, "Do you know how Leo feels?"

"I don't know. I don't think he has even talked to her much so I'm not sure.." he said

"Hmm...this is tough....but I kind of want to support Nash and Riley....they're like..." I said

"Yeah I know...they're like meant to be together..." he completed my sentence and I nodded

"By the way! Check this out!" I showed him my application form for joining the volleyball club. Although I had yet to audition.

"Wow that's great!" He said with the same enthusiasm

"So...where is your slip?" I inquired

"Err....listen about that..." he hesitated

"Yeah?"

"Well I'm not going to do that. I'm sorry. I know we promised and all but I don't think I can join a club. I've changed...and I can't go back to how I used to be but I can change myself again and so you understand right? You have that not being good around boys thing. And I haven't asked you anything about that because I respect your personal space." He explained

"Wait wait..hold on...what are you getting so worked up for? You don't need to give me any explanations. If you don't want to do it then don't. It's fine." I smiled

"Well what I can do is go buy some art stuff and then paint at home...and I was wondering if you would like to accompany me today?" He asked

"Oh sure." I replied. I was actually happy. I get to hangout with him.

That day, I went to the volleyball club. Went through the trials and they finally accepted me. I was overjoyed! I felt so happy. I had still got it! And the first person I wanted to tell his good news to was Cyrus.

I tell him about it and he's ecstatic about it the same as I am. After shopping for some art supplies, he said he wanted a treat for my good news so we went to restaurant to eat dinner.

While eating, we talked and laughed about various things. I don't think I've ever talked this much in my whole life. But I am so happy. Slowly by slowly, I could feel that I was becoming better. I was gaining back my courage. It was all thanks to Cyrus. If I had never met him, I wouldn't be able to be this happy now.

"Oh Cyrus! It is you!"

I heard someone call out to Cyrus. He turns to see a group of boys and girls.

"We haven't seen you since your birthday party. Even then you only stayed by yourself."

"Where are you these days, man?"

"You don't even come to the club or hangout with us anymore."

"Even Nash refused to come with us tonight. What's wrong with both of you? Hanging around with..such...(they eyed me up and down, I looked down at the table at my food)....such people.."

"....What do you want?" Cyrus asked after a pause

"Nothing, man. We missed you. You've changed."

"Well see you later. Come by the club later if you want."

They then went away. Cyrus was quiet. He was deep in thoughts. Does he regret not hanging out with them anymore?

"Umm...you can go to the club if you want." I said. I didn't like the feeling that somehow I was bounding him to me.

"...no...it's fine. We have got that quiz tomorrow. I'm not in the mood to drink.." he said but clearly he looked like he missed the club. Because I could see he was worried about something and I'm pretty sure he missed drinking and partying.

"Sorry, I couldn't defend you back then." He spoke in a low voice

"..defend me? From what?" I lowered my head down sideways in curiosity. What is he talking about?

"They clearly were disregarding you and being disrespectful. I should've done something." He said

"They were? I didn't feel anything." I said. I wanted to cheer him up and not feel bad, "Do you miss all the drinking, partying and playing around?"

"....I don't miss it....it's more like...that was my identity that showed me how strong I was. It was proof of my courage and confidence. It made me feel better....but I wasn't happy. Although, now even though I'm happy this way....I'm....I don't know how to say this....I'm scared of change? I don't want to go back to being all weak." He said

"If you don't want to be weak, then you wont be. Everyone is in one way or another afraid of change. Because they're so used to the environment they're living in that they don't want it to change. But sometimes, change is what a person needs. Change is all that is missing in a person's life. When you change, you don't change completely. You still have an old part of yourself. That's how you continue to grow and become human." I explained

"....are you an undercover psychologist?" He said after a pause. We both laughed after it.

"Who knows." I said, "now have you finished eating?" I asked. I had finished and from the looks of it he had as well.

"Yeah." He replied

"Well come on then. There is someplace I want to take you to." I said

"Where?" He inquired

"You'll see." I replied.

We walked back to the campus and went to the arts and crafts department. I knew they were still on campus because of a project they're working on. And I know all of this because of Dean.

"Why did you brought me here?" He asked

"Just wait..." I peak inside and saw Dean, "Hey Dean." I called him over

"Selena. What brings you here?" He asked

"We are here to meet Tyler. Is he here?" I asked. Cyrus looked at me asking who's Tyler.

"Yeah. I'll call him right over." He said. He turned around and said, "Yo! Tyler! There are people here to meet you." He then left as Tyler comes over

"Hi. How can I help you two?" He asked

"Umm....I don't know if you remember us or not...but I'm Mary from the same middle school as you.." I said. His eyes went wide and then his eyes went to Cyrus. I could tell from Cyrus's face and expression that he had recognised who Tyler was. Tyler was one of the bullies that bullied us both in middle school.

"Umm if you're Mary then this must be..." he was still shocked

"He's Cyrus." I finished his sentence

"Umm....how do you do? It's been a long time.." he said

"I'm good." Cyrus replied. He was quiet. He was thinking. He kept looking between me and Tyler.

"You guys have changed so much...especially you Cyrus..I can't believe it's you...umm...I'm sorry for everything I did back to you in middle school..." He said

"....it's fine..." Cyrus replied with a gentle expression on his face

"Well it was good to see you. We have to go now." I said

"I see. See you guys around." He said

"So...sorry I brought you to him without asking you first....i actually saw him yesterday and recognised him..." I started to talk

"Thank you. It made me feel at peace for some reason." He said. We were walking towards my apartment now.

"Good. Actually the reason I did that was because I wanted you to see how much you've worked hard. You didn't feel scared at all when you saw him, right? You changed yourself by working so hard and you achieved what you wanted. So this means that if you ever put your mind to something you can achieve it. So don't be afraid of change. Change is good. Look change made you put your past at peace. You didn't blame him or get angry at him at all, did you?" I explained

"Yeah...thank you. Are you sure you're not an undercover psychologist?" He chuckled and said

"Haha no." I said. We were outside my apartment building.

"See you tomorrow then." He said

"See you." I smiled

"Selena..." he said. I turned around to face him.

"Umm...I....uh....it's nothing...never mind. Good night." He smiled and was then gone

"Good night." I replied. What did he wanted to talk to me about? I really want to know.

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