Notes:

Additional Cast:

Dulce Maria as Nina Andrews

Toru Uchikado as Ren Kurosawa

Frances Fisher as Abigail Fitzgerald  

Alice's POV

It's 3 pm in the noon and I am sitting in the amphitheatre where I am attending my Spanish class. My stomach is growling, but I have to endure for one more hour. Nina is sitting next to me, watching carefully and taking notes. Spanish is her favourite language after all. I love Spanish as well and I had time to practice it thoroughly, when I was in Europe. I will never get over Barcelona. It's in my top 10 list of my favourite cities. Nina almost got me killed with her glare when I told her that I have been there more than once.

The last week was strangely a really calm one. First of all, I was working day and night on mr. Emerton's paperwork and second I didn't run into Joseph. That was a first one! I sometimes ponder our little chat in the frat party and why he acted so weirdly protectively. First, I thought it was some kind act of jealousy, but then I heard from Nathan that he left full handed with the volleyball captain, and I felt such a moron for thinking that.

"Let's take a break now and we continue in 15 minutes." Mrs. Perez announces and the whole amphi puts the pens downs.

Some people go out, while some others start chatting. Mrs. Perez is talking with a girl, perhaps answering a question.

"I am starving!" I complain to Nina, as I am turning my head to look at her with an I-am-dying look,which makes her laugh.

"It's lunch time, but the class is not over yet." she turns her face to look at me as well.

"You don't say!" I raise my eyebrow. "If you could, you would note when Mrs. Perez pauses and takes deep breaths during the lecture." She gives me a guilty look as an answer. "Don't tell me you truly note that!" I exclaim with wide eyes.

"Well not exactly, but I pretty much write down exactly what she says." she answers with a coy look and blinks her eye lashes.

"Seriously? What are you? The Flash?" Mrs. Perez speaks 100 words per second. It's impossible to catch up with her.

She chortles and gives me a bright smile. Then her phone vibrates from a text, and she flashes an even wider up to her ears, when she sees the sender.

"It's him, isn't it?" I say to her with a playful look. She starts typing fast and enthusiastically.

"Yeah it's him!"She chirps. "Oh Alice he's so great and funny and smart and cute." she effuses over him. Nina can't stop talking about that guy she met at the frat party. They spent the whole night together talking and laughing. At the end they exchanged phone numbers and they haven't stopped texting.

"So you're dating or fooling around?" I ask her, since I can't understand the state of their relationship.

"Well, we've been out several times and we made out some of them, but we haven't declared anything. So, I can't say if we are a couple." she replies with a troubled look.

"But you want to..."

"Of course!" she high-pitches.

"So make a conversation about it. Maybe he's uncertain about what you want, so it's better to be clear with each other." I advise her and she nods.

"Yeah, maybe that's what I'll do. Thanks Alice!" She smiles at me and I am really happy to see her like that. She's so smitten and it's cute.

"So did you finish Mr. Emerton's paper? It took my nights away doing that."she changes the subject.

"Yeah it's ready and I don't want to brag, but I think it rocks. I was sleeping only for 2 hours a day and consuming 1 litre of coffee daily, but I finally did it. Vanessa thought I was turning into a vampire or something."

"Great! Can I take a look? I want to check the format. I am really nervous about it! Mr. Emerton is such a perfectionist and it takes 40% of the final grade. Not to mention the deadline was not like all the other papers we have, at the end of the semester, but today! He gave us only a month and some days." she raves non stop and I think my head's about to explode.

"Woah woah. Take a break. I will even be stressed. I will give it to you. Just stop!" I try to calm her while I am moving my hands in front of her.

"Thanks!" she smiles, while I am giving her my stick with the paper.

She takes out her laptop, which she carries literally everywhere and plugs the USB in it. Nina isn't the stressful type, but sometimes I don't know what's getting into her. She's like that on some courses, but thank God they are few.

"Wow it's impressive" she exclaims as she's scrolling down. "Japanese writing systems.... Really interesting and difficult."

"I know! That's why I wasn't sleeping very much. It needs some amendments and a few additions, but the 99% is done. It helps if your best friend is Japanese and lives in Japan. Ren was much of a help not to mention we could speak during the night, since it's day there." I wink.

"That's pretty helpful, but I think Vanessa wasn't so happy with your late night Skype sessions."

"Vanessa was exhausted the whole week, because of the newspaper and all the projects she has. Plus she has this history project with Nathan and she's been stressing over it, since the start. So, she was sleeping like a rock." I tell her with a steady voice and Nina nods in condescending.

Then we start chatting over my paper, explaining to her how the format should be, while we are comparing our two papers. As we are doing that, a short blonde girl,sitting a couple of rows ahead, catches my eye.I think she is observing us or something but I guess it is because we are a bit noisy.

After a couple of minutes the break's over and my stomach keeps complaining for one more hour.

"That's it for today! See you on Thursday." Mrs. Perez announces the end of the class and leaves after taking her bag and laptop.

"It's time to eat!" I clap my hands enthusiastically, as we prepare our bags.

"Yup! Let's go to the campus restaurant."

"I will call Vanessa! Maybe she wants to eat too."

"That's a good idea!" she agrees and I call her.

"Hey Vanessa! Me and Nina are going to the restaurant to grab a bite. Do you want to join us?"

"Thank you so much guys but sorry, I can't! I have this deadline, which is killing me and I will be stuck at the library." she says with an exasperating voice.

"Too bad! Anyway I will pass to keep you company in about an hour. I have a project I want to take a second look at. Plus, I think Mrs. Fitz will have withdrawal symptoms for not seeing me for so long." My last comment makes her chuckle.

"Great!I will be waiting for you! Tell Nina I said hi! Bye! " she hangs up and then I put my cell in my bag.

"As you've heard it's gonna be me and you!" I turn my face to Nina. "Do you want to come with me to the library later?" She gives me a frown look.

"Sorry, I will go straight back home to get done with this shitty paper." She moves angrily her hands,which makes me laugh.

"No worries! Tomorrow we'll be free!" I reassure her, as we exit the classroom.

***After Lunch***

The lunch was delicious and I really enjoyed it. Pasta arrabiata. I love italian kitchen. Now that I am fed,my brain can function properly on the paper to make it perfect.

In general, I am not a perfectionist, but I am getting obsessed with things that I love and Mr. Emerton's class in one of those things. His class "Writing Systems" is so intriguing and Mr. Emerton himself is an amazing professor, even though he's very strict and overparticular. That's why all the students are stressing over this project.

I get into the library room and Mrs. Fitzgerald gives me a cold glance behind her glasses.Typical Mrs.Fitzgerald! I smile and wave at her, but she doesn't seem really moved. I think that she is a fusion of my ghost and Joseph's Evil Witch theory. That thought made my mouth's edges lift a bit.

I am walking down the corridor looking for Vanessa, but I can't find her. Where did she hide? Finally the corner of my eye spots her. She's sitting at an isolated wooden table behind some tall bookcases. Only Vanessa can find these peaceful places to study. She's wearing light blue jeans and a pink sweater. Her brown hair is up, in a cute ponytail and she's absorbed to a very large book. Notes, pens and markers in all colours are spread all over the table and the laptop is at her right with notes covering the keyboard. She didn't notice my presence since she has her headphones on, betting she's listening to another Ed Sheeran song.

"Hello roomie!" I greet her really quietly with a grin, waving my hand in front of her face. Vanessa jumps a bit and gives me a wide smile, taking her headphones off.

"Hey Alice! You finished your lunch really quickly!"she says, making space to the table for me to put my stuff.

"It's been 2 hours since I've called you." I raise my eyebrow.

"Really? Time flows so fast. I am doing a research for this History project that I have with Nathan." she frowns, when she says his name and I observe a bitterness on her look. "I am freaking out over it."

Why Nathan is such an asshole with her? He seemed like a really nice guy. Well he is a womanizer, but I thought he would have manners and the sense of responsibility. I guess I was wrong and that's the end of my career as a psychologist. Vanessa is beyond mad at him for not showing up on their class last Friday. As she has told me, he never shows up but this time he was supposed to come.

"Fortunately you have the best roommate ever! Look what I've got for you!" I chirp and I show her a bag with cinnamon rolls. Her eyes lighten with excitement.

"Ohh Alice thank you so much! You are indeed the best roommate ever! I should give you an award." she smiles brightly and she's full of joyness. I hand her the bag and she takes one out to eat.

"So, are you sure you don't want me to pay him a warning visit?" I propose with an evil smirk.

"He isn't even worth of your punches!" She exhales and grabs a bite! She's so frustrated and looks like a lost puppy.

"Ok it's your call!" I wink at her and she gives me a forced smile.

"Anyway, what is this paper you need to look at? It's the same that kept you up the whole week?" She changes the subject, as the Nathan convo is a sensitive issue, grabbing another bite.

"Yup, that's the one! I worked so hard for it! You know, I am not the stressed type of person, but this one is really important! It's one of the main courses of my major." I explain to her in a hurry and she nods in comprehension.

"But you'll need a computer for that, and unfortunately I need mine." she pouts, because it's in her nature to help everyone in every way she can.

"Don't worry Ness! I will use one of the library computers. And I will be very careful not to destroy it. I don't want to spend the rest of my life as Mrs. Fitz's slave and mostly I don't want to be in Joseph's debt!The last thing I want is to need his help again" I exasperate,trying not high pitch my voice.

"Ummm ok! I don't know why you always fight... Both of you are really good people and...ummm sociable. Why can't you.... just get along....you know?" she whispers to me like she's trying to defuse a bomb without activating it.

"Some people just don't mix. He's arrogant, obnoxious, a womanizer, he always has a word for anything, he's a smartypants, he thinks that all women would kill to be with him and the list can go on forever." I start counting all the things I hate about him without taking a breath. "Anyway I haven't seen him for a week and I am grateful for that!"

"Ok you know better. I am aware to take my distance, when you two are in the same room. I don't want to be among the casualties." She says with a smirk and I chortle.

"We are a nuclear zone. Anyway, I am going to finish my paper now! When you are done let me know." She nods and I take my bag to sit at the nearest computer.

I put my USB in the port and I start checking my paper.

As the time passes the corner of my eye catches the shame short blonde girl from my class, sitting at another computer nearby. I think she is in Mr. Emerton's class as well. I give her a better look and yes I am sure she is in Mr. Emerton's class. What's her name? Something from T I think...

Tori? Trina? Tania? Nah!

Damn! I can't remember!

Then I realise I am focusing more on that girl than on my paper. I guess I needed a break and finding her name was an excuse to get away. Focus Alice, focus! You have to deliver this until midnight and after that you are free.

Half an hour later I am done! I am so proud of my job! I worked my ass off, but it's perfect. I go to Vanessa to inform her that we can leave if she's done. I hope she is! I just want to go back in my room and watch an episode of my favourite anime, since I am in japanese mood.

Vanessa is in the same posture that she was when I left her.

"Vanessa I am done! Do you want to leave?"I poke her arm.

She removes her headphones, before she answers.

"Yeah! I can't study anymore! I am exhausted! Let's go back to the dorms." I see from her face all the tiredness. She must have been studying non stop.

"Ok I'll go pack my things! Let's meet outside."

"Ok! I'll need some time to pick ummm... mine too." She gives me a coy smile, looking all the notes spread across the whole table.

"Ok I hope an hour it's enough to pack" I smirk and she laughs, before I go back.

As I am packing, I receive a text. It's from Ren! We may speak quite often, but I really miss him. It's completely different speaking from Skype, than in person.

I have great news! He sent me. I raise an eyebrow.

What video game was released again? I ask him, because great news from Ren, it's when a new video game is on the market. He's such an obsessed gamer.

Tbh new Final Fantasy's release date was announced, but try again. Not a video game! What could it be?

Did you find a girlfriend? That would be worldwide news! I tease him, since mocking each other is our maternal language.

Did you find a guy to put up with you or do they all hide, when they see you? I can't help it, but laugh at this. You don't even deserve that I am coming to US to see you in Xmas! I guess I should cancel my tickets!

Wait! WHAT? Ren is coming for Christmas???? Really???? I take my bag and I start running to the exit to call him! Oh my God! My bff is coming to see me! I am so excited!

"Mrs. Reynolds, this is not a track to impress us with your sprint skills." Mrs. Fitzgerald scolds me with a cold look.

Jesus! That woman must chill! She doesn't have a husband to blow off some steam? I guess not!

"Sorry Mrs. Fitzgerald! I am just excited, because my best friend is coming for Christmas...." I start rumbling enthusiastically. "But I guess you don't really care!" I conclude by looking at her deadpan face, beforeI leave the room, calling Ren.

"Moushi moushi..." He answers the phone in the japanese way really calm, pretending he's unaware of who's calling.

"Tell me you're not joking! Tell me you're indeed coming!" I shout to the phone.

"If you keep mocking me, maybe I will change my tickets to Hawaii instead."

"Shut up! You love that!" I answer with a smirk. "Oh my God! I can't believe you're coming! I am so happy!" I am freaking out from happiness on the phone.

At that moment Vanessa gets out of the library and a puzzled look crosses her face, when she sees me screaming on the phone.

"I will be expecting a very special welcome! I warn you." Ren says playfully. "I have to go now Alice. I have class, because it's 8 am here. Say hi to Vanessa for me! Mata ne!" he says goodbye in Japanese.

"Jya ne!" I answer goodbye as well and we hung up.

"Ren is coming for Xmas and he says hi" I scream to Vanessa.

"Really? Oh I am so happy for you! I hope I can meet him someday in person!" Vanessa's face lightens and I know she's genuinely happy for me. "Let's go now tomodachi! That is the word for friend in Japanese right?"

"Yup! You pick up so fast!" I squeeze her arm in a light hug as we are walking.

"Did you send the paper?" She asks me when we get out of the building.

"I will do it from my computer. Library is a dangerous zone for me, so I prefer send it by my own laptop." I tell her and she laughs a bit.

Then it hits me like a thunder. Bloody hell! I forgot to unplug the stick in my excitement. Alice why are you so distracted? Your brain scatters so easily!

"Wait for me here! I forgot my USB! BRB!" I shout to Vanessa and I start running with everything I've got.

In the stairs I meet with this T I-can't-remember-the-name short blond girl from my class, but I don't pay attention as I care about to find my stick. I sweep in the library and I run into Mrs. Fitz's Medusa look.

No running! Just pace fast. I find quickly my computer and fortunately, the stick it's in the same place I left it.

"Thank God!"I sigh in relief.

Later I go down, where Vanessa waits for me and we take the way back to the dorms, while I am grabbing hard the stick in my hand.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Your comments are always appreciated.