"Crystal, wake up!" I opened my eyes to see Bridget above me, jumping on my bed. I groaned and rolled over but because Bridget was jumping on the bed, I rolled too far and fell off in a heap of blankets. I groaned again, rubbing my head that I bumped on my desk when I fell.

"Damn it, Bridget. What are you so happy for this morning?" I asked as I stood up, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.

"I got more tickets!" I widened my eyes at her, fully awake now.

"You're not talking about-"

"Yes! Declan Murphy's next match!" She screeched, cutting me off. I sighed.

"I'm not going." I told her as I turned around and started for the bathroom.

"What do you mean?! You have to declare your love for him!" She yelled, making me whip around and glare at her with my eye twitching in shock.

"I am NOT in love with him!" I screamed. She laughed, falling back on my bed.

"Denial!" She claimed. I huffed out an angry breath, turning back towards the bathroom and walking in. I slammed the door and took a shower. When I got out, I got dressed and grabbed my backpack and laptop.

"I have to get to calculus. I'll text you when I get done. See you in the cafeteria." I waved at Bridget and headed out my door, leaving her in my room. She liked to hang in my room because our dorm had better wifi than hers. I walked to my class and found my usual seat towards the back. I got out my laptop as I waited for the class to start. I checked my Facebook and noticed a friend request.

Declan Murphy.

Of course.

I looked at my screen for a while, trying to decide whether to accept it or not. But because I hate men and I refused to let this guy work his way into my life, I hit the Not Now button.

I wish there was a Hell No button. I feel like that described my feelings a lot better.

I looked up from my laptop to see the professor walking into the classroom. He was an older guy with a speech impediment. It made me wonder why he decided on teaching. I shut my laptop and got my notebook out trying to focus on what he was writing on the board. However, my mind started wandering back to Declan.

Why was he so insistent on wiggling his way into my life and treating me like a damsel in distress? If there's one thing he should understand by now, it's that I can take care of myself.

After class I texted Bridget and told her I was on my way to the cafeteria. When I got there, I found our usual table and saw that Bridget and Bailey were already eating.

Jerks couldn't even wait for me.

I grabbed a plate, made myself a salad from the salad bar and then sat down with my friends. They stared at my food like I had completely lost my mind. I usually didn't eat healthy but Declan's voice kept echoing in my head about high cholesterol.

"What?" I asked.

"Why are you eating rabbit food?" Bridget asked. Bailey giggled at her joke as I rolled my eyes.

"I can't just decide to eat healthier?" I asked, taking a bite of my salad, trying not to grimace at the taste.

"Who are you and what have you done with our fast food junkie? She goes by the name of Crystal."

"Leave me alone!" I whined, taking another bite.

"Ok, whatever, sassy pants." She said as she dove into her cheeseburger. I stared at her, wanting to switch plates but my pride wouldn't let me admit that out loud. I looked back down at my salad and sighed.

"I bought 3 tickets for this Saturday night." Bridget informed us. I glared at her as I chewed and swallowed.

"I told you. I'm not going." I stated. She shook her head.

"Yes, you are. You have to! He is SO crushing on you!"

"I don't care. I don't like him. He's an asshole."

"And you're a bitch. You're perfect for each other!" She laughed at her own joke as I narrowed my eyes at her.

"I am not a bitch." I mumbled, taking another bite of my bland food.

"No, you're not. But you were to him." Her face was serious now.

"Maybe...but I've seen him enough in the last three days to last a lifetime. I can't stand to see him again."

"The last three days? You mean you saw him yesterday?" She asked, looking very curious now.

"I may have seen him yesterday at work..." I answered quietly, almost hoping they didn't hear.

"What?! He came to your work?! Did he ask you out?!" She was standing up with her hands planted on the middle of the table looking like she was about to leap at me.

"Of course not! He just...well, he put a bandaid on my hand cause I cut myself on the stupid receipt." I explained, mumbling from embarrassment. Bridget's eyes grew wider as I talked.

"Oh my gosh! You have to go on Saturday!" She looked like she was going to combust from how much excitement she was showing. I shook my head.

"I am not going!"

"Why not?!" She asked, becoming upset.

"Because...I don't want to ever see those eyes ever again!" I blew up. She sat down calmly and stared at me. Bailey looked like she was going to have a panic attack from all the commotion.

"Crystal, I know you have issues with men, but this guy obviously likes you a lot. Don't you think you could at least give him a chance?" Her eyes were pleading and looked concerned for me. I sighed and closed my eyes.

"Uhg. Fine." I said, giving up. Bridget let out a high pitched squeal. Bailey and I winced at the noise.

"So are you going to text him?!" She blurted out.

"No! I agreed to go to his match, nothing else." I stood my ground. She let out a huff of annoyance.

"You're too stubborn for your own good." She commented before returning to her lunch. I looked down at my salad, thinking of Declan.

I wonder if he really does like me? Telling me that he wants to protect me, what am I supposed to think of that? This is why I hate men, they're too much work and consume your thoughts. They aren't worth it.

I shook my head to get rid of the image of his mismatched eyes. I stabbed a piece of lettuce and shoved it in my mouth like it had insulted my ancestors. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and looked at the time.

1:37

I had to get to statistics. I stood up and said good bye to Bridget and Bailey. I made it to class just before the professor walked in. I sat down at the first chair I saw. I barely paid attention to the lecture as my mind wandered to Declan. I got my phone out several times, typing in his number to just delete it right after. I think I did it about twenty times.

Finally, we were let out and I rushed back to the dorms. I couldn't wait to relax. I only had one class tomorrow and it was in the afternoon but after that, I had to work. I opened the door to my room and saw Isabel making out with her boy friend on her bed. I immediately shut the door and stared at it for a moment.

Oh.

My.

God.

I felt like I needed to bleach my eyes. I turned to walk down the hallway and somehow made it into my car. I sat in the driver's seat for a moment before finally deciding to start it and go somewhere. I mindlessly drove around until I saw that I was stopped in a parking lot. The parking lot to Best Kept Secret, the club where I met Declan. I sighed and put my forehead on the steering wheel.

"Get out of my head!" I screamed into the air. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and thoughtlessly dialed Declan's number. I pressed call and brought it up to my ear. I heard it ring 3 times, feeling my heart race the whole all the while.

"Hello?" His voice came over the phone and I felt butterflies in my stomach. I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out.

"Anyone there?" Declan asked. Finally, I came out of my trance.

"Hi." It suddenly went quiet for what felt like hours.

"Goldilocks?" He asked in disbelief.

"Quit calling me that." I groaned.

"Are you ok? Is something wrong?" He asked. He sounded so concerned. I felt my heart leap in my chest.

"No, no, I'm fine..." I trailed off.

What the hell did I call him for? Why did I do this to myself?

"So what you're saying is...you couldn't resist my charm?" His voice sounded full of confidence. I rolled my eyes as I visualized his smirk.

"No! What I'm saying is, get out of my head! I don't know what mind games you're playing with me but they need to end now!" I yelled into the phone, unleashing my anger.

"Excuse me! But if anyone is playing mind games, it's you! With your beautiful hair and your perfect body and amazing personality!" I felt my eyes widen at his words.

What the hell was he saying?

"Declan. Seriously. Why do you keep insisting on trying to get into my life?" I asked. There was a moment where it was pure silence and I almost thought he hung up.

"I already told you. There's something about you that makes me want to protect you. I feel this overwhelming need to be by your side and keep you safe." He explained, his voice was strong and unwavering. I closed my eyes tightly, trying to gather my thoughts.

"So what do you want from me? You want to be friends?" I asked.

"Sure...for now."

For now? What did that mean? And am I really going to let myself be friends with a guy? I hate men, and he is no different...at least that's what I want to believe.

"Fine."

Oh my god, I just agreed to be friends with a guy. I have officially lost my mind.

"Good, so do you want to hang out tonight? I just got done training." I looked up and remembered I was still sitting in the club parking lot.

"Sure. Where?" I asked, feeling myself groan internally at the thought of seeing him again.

"You want to go bowling?"

"Bowling?" I felt nervous.

I have never hung out with a guy before, not to mention, alone!

"You can invite your friends and I'll invite mine." It was like he read my mind. I felt my whole body relax, not realizing I was even tense.

"That sounds great. What time?"

"6?"

"Ok, see you then." I said and hen hung up.

I texted Bridget and Bailey and told them what happened. Bailey simply said ok and that she would be there. Whereas Bridget flipped out and put all caps, saying she was so excited and that couldn't wait. I looked at the clock.

5:48

Close enough. I headed to the bowling alley and pulled into a parking space. I looked over to see I had parked right next to Declan. His mismatched eyes trapped mine and we stared at each other for a long time, feeling the electricity between us, despite the distance.

This was a bad idea.