Glioblastoma. That's what they call my weapon of death.

My parents hid it from me initially. They had their adult reasons to do so. However, it didn't help the reality that I was dying of cancer. Then the doctors gave them hope only to snatch it away shortly afterward, and they had no option but to tell me how close to death I was.

Why am I getting closer to the boy, then? Guess I should've never agreed to join him for a milkshake.

As we roll into the school parking lot, I realize I haven't told Aarya about going out with Rehan yet. I watch him pull out his black motorbike and reconsider telling Aarya about this encounter for once. If we bond well, I can convince him to fall for Aarya. Yes, that's what it has always been about. Rehan and Aarya. My hope at one true love.

"Hey, you can ponder but milkshake first," he states, stalling his bike beside me. His half-helmet covered as much of his messy dark hair as possible, but most of it still spread over his forehead.

I blink, then his arm slid close to mine, causing my skin to prickle. "What are you doing?"

"Keeping you safe." He says, casually tilting his head. Prying my eyes off his curling lips, I look down to find another helmet in his hand. Oh!

"No thanks. I don't need the helmet to keep me safe." I squirm away from him a little. My breathing picks up as he caresses my face with his observant gaze. His eyes take note as I adjust my cap and look straight ahead at the exit gates.

"Fine," he finally says after a long minute as I avoid looking at his charming yet inquisitive face, and he tries his hardest to trace out my demons. He fails, releases a sigh, and turns to the front. "Hop on then, Starfish."

"You can call me Ari." I harden my voice as he angles his neck to watch me over the sloping ledge of his shoulder. The tie around his neck is gone, and his white uniform shirt is now wrapped in a brown bomber jacket.

"Okay, if that's what you like me to address you." He scoffs as if my words offended him for some reason.

I place a hand on his shoulder blades and slide up behind him, adjusting my uniform skirt and keeping my front from bumping into his back. He takes notice and straightens his spine, his muscles going taut with the tension surrounding us. I'm not an expert in scents, but I don't remember smelling something as potent as the scent on him.

From this close behind him, I can see the ends of his hair peeking through the helmet, the smooth skin at the back of his neck, and the crystal studs on his ears. He is too attractive, too much. I squeeze my eyes to keep myself from pinning over him. "Anytime today would be nice."

"Once you settle in." He slides his hands back, molding his fingers around my hands on my thighs and placing them on his shoulders. He glances over his shoulder, midnight eyes earnest. "Now, we are good to go."

"You're weird."

"Good weird or bad weird?"

"Just weird."

"Maybe, I'm smitten."

"You know nothing about me." I counter with a groan, holding onto his shoulders firmly as he pulls out of the parking lot. "We've hardly ever spoken."

"And that's what we've to change then." He stops for the gates to open and studies my face over his shoulder. "Give me a chance to get to know you."

Am I willing to take the chance myself? Isn't it a forbidden territory? What if I give him the chance? What then? We have nothing in common. He has a lifetime to chase his dreams, fall in love and live his happily ever after. And I don't have any of these things listed under my stars. If there's anything in common between us, it's the secret we both share now.

Chewing on my lip, I get drawn to the honest sparks in his eyes. It can either break my heart or his. Better it is mine than his. With a little improvisation to my plan, I can still set my best friend up with this beautiful boy. "Okay, but I must warn you. It's not going to be easy."

"I've tried being a stranger to you. It isn't so easy either." He turns over the engine and raises his voice for me to hear it. "I want to take my chances while I still have time."

I shouldn't give him chances. It's like polishing a sword just to plunge it through his heart when the D-Day arrives. When death is silently waiting outside your door you don't open it to new love knocking with hopes of forever.

It feels like I'm walking on thin ice. One wrong emotion and all my walls will start crumbling down until I'm all exposed to his charming smile and sweet talk. Rehan is the first guy who has come this far to make me feel both desirable and beautiful. Up until now, all the guys only ever wanted to be friends for approaching Aarya. He is the only guy I know doesn't have those intentions.

Maybe, that's the only truth I should focus on and stop hanging out with him. He has all sorts of green flags and I shouldn't be around him. If I do, I'm sure my heart will give in to his flirtatious approaches.

That's the point here, he is too good to be true and I hate the idea of being the reason of his grief and heartache. If anything, he deserves someone like Aarya to be by his side. She can give him the forever love and he can be her one true love. I know it's difficult to persuade someone when it comes to their hearts, but when your intentions are right, the things automatically fall into place. So, I have heard.

"What's going on in your little brain?" He tugs my cap gently, his fingers brushing my skin in a feather-like touch. I dare not say that I feel too much around him when I shouldn't feel anything at all.

I pull my face an inch away from him, clearing my throat. "Yes, ways to dodge your approaches."

He places a hand over his heart and imitates a heart attack. "You just put a dagger in my heart. Is my company that boring?"

No, just the opposite. The truth is I've come to like your company and that's scary as hell. What if we create new, unforgettable memories and it will remain with you forever as sad ones? I don't want it for you, stupid boy.

"Did someone ever tell you that you're a stubborn brat?" I release a laugh.

"Yes, you just did." He turns over the engine and raises his voice for me to hear it. "And for you I can be anything, Starfish."

For the rest of the ride, I stay high on his words. He has a way of making a girl swoon over him. And I'm already starting to fall under the spell of his charms.

***

The smell of fresh bread and coffee tickles my nose as we approach Bella's Bakery. Can the day get any better? Only perhaps the bike rides around the town on Rehan's bike. But I'm content with milkshakes. He seems to agree with me as he parks the bike and shuts off the engine, twisting at the waist to meet my eyes. "Will you mind if I offer to eat sandwiches with milkshakes?"

"Fine. You're paying." I sigh, yet I can't wipe the smile off my face as I take support of his shoulders to slide off his bike. "I haven't eaten here since..."

"Since?"

"Since last summer." I clip walking in the direction of the bakery.

"You weren't in town last summer." A smile leaves his face as he states the obvious. He backs away from the door, bowing with a swinging arm for me to step inside first. I go silent, suppressing the urge to divulge why I wasn't in the town last summer. And why I will be missing from town in a few weeks. As if telling him will make things any easier for either of us.

In fact, it can make things worse than it already is. He may want to stick around with me even after knowing the truth and it will keep breaking his heart a little each passing day like my parents. And I can't see that happen. So, if I have to be a liar to save him from a tragic situation then be it.

"Hideaway whatever secrets you have." He scowls, catching up and walking backward as he searches my face, then the cap covering my head. I'm sure he can see my shaved scalp underneath it, but he doesn't say or ask anything. It is good that he hasn't been very curious about that part of me. Maybe, like everyone else, he thinks it's a style I'm trying to pull off.

"Milkshakes were all I had agreed to have," I say, sliding into one of the tables and slapping the menu on his chest. "I better be back home by evening."

The boy grins, raising his four ring-clad fingers to his forehead, and gives me an army-style salute. I keep pretending not to look in his direction, almost admiring the lively smile on his face as he orders two vanilla malts and cheese-grilled sandwiches. I'm too lost in the movement of his lips as he speaks and curse myself internally for being so lost in charms even though I'm secretly trying not to.

"So," he asks, tucking his wallet into the back pocket and taking a seat across from me. "Does your friend need my help in painting?"

I choke on the first sip, coughing, and rasping.

"Careful there," his soft voice comes beside me before his hand rubs soothing circles on my back. I realize he is leaning over me as he hands me a glass of water and watches me drink with furrowed brows. "I guess I got my answer."

I purse my lips, then place the glass with a dramatic thud as he steps away and takes his seat. "What answers?" He remains quiet as I look up to find him staring at me intently.

He blinks, and I realize he is talking about his earlier question.

Rookie cupid - 0

Charming boy - 1

Silence creeps in, and I struggle to keep his gaze. It appears he has so much to ask, and if I hadn't read his journal entries, it wouldn't have bothered him. But I read them, and now I know what questions hang over his tongue. And I would be damned if he ever asks them to my face.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to ask your secrets," he finally says. "I know we are still strangers in your eyes, but please know that I never considered you a stranger, Starfish."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, then dunk my straw, eyeing the milkshake instead of looking into his piercing eyes. A group of girls enters the bakery, passing our seats and waving at him. His face instantly turns goofy, and he flicks his head at them with a playful tug on his lips.

"It seems you're not a stranger to any of the girls in this town."

His head falls back, laughter pouring out as he turns his attention to me. "No, that's not true. There's still this girl, I want to know badly, but she has been giving me cold shoulders."

"Uh-huh. And how long have you been trying?"

"Long enough." All humor leaves his face as he draws a lengthy sip of his milkshake and says, "It almost feels like forever."

I do the same, blinking at his response and being very aware of its impact on my heartbeat. The flutters are back. The same ones I got while reading the pages of his journal.

Not a good sign.

Yet I keep seeking it. "It's better this way."

Rehan regards me with one of his playful smiles. "Am I competing against someone?"

I sigh. "It's not like that."

Aarya has a crush on you. She is the one you should ask on milkshake dates. Date? The thought zaps me at my back hard.

He whistles as his hand goes to his heart, and a genuine smile spreads on his lips. "Then it won't be a problem if we hang out."

"Hang out?"

He takes a bite of his sandwich and nods. "Yep, I'm helping your best friend pass her painting class, you're full of secrets to keep me enthralled, and I like that fucking hideously plain-looking cap on your head. I think we can be good company for each other."

I laugh. "That sounds ridiculously unconvincing."

"And also, I like hearing your laugh." His voice becomes somber as he says that, his high cheekbones lower just a little. "We could be friends, you know."

"Do you offer friendship to all the girls you want to hook up with?" I raise a brow.

Leaning over the table, he uses his thumb to gather the line of vanilla froth above my upper lip, his gaze holding mine. "Hookup no. Only the ones I like to keep company forever."

"Forever is a lie," I say, still staring at him as he slurps the remainder of his milkshake.

"Not when it comes to friendship and love." He says after another caressing smile.

Only if I can tell him how my forever has been snatched from me in a wicked twist of fate. And no matter how much I want to change it, it's simply not possible.

***

Author's Note: If you are enjoying the story so far, please add your comments and votes.

Thank you so much for reading this story.