Nathan's POV

"You think anything is open at 6.14 am?" Vanessa frowns after glaring at the car's clock.

"I am sure we can find some place." I pull out from the parking spot and drive down the avenue.

"I have an idea!" She raises a finger in the air. "I know the best place to eat the best pancakes! Turn, um... right!"

Turns out it wasn't right. We passed around thirty minutes driving around to end up at Mary's diner.

"This is it! Yes! I am so sorry, I am terrible with roads and directions. You will love it! Here you will have the best pancakes! I swear! Come on!" She pops out of the car excited.

"You do remember you're still wearing your sexy onesie, right?" I whisper playfully after getting out as well.

"Oh my..." She checks herself on the car's side mirror. She first hides her hoodie with the ears inside her jacket, so that it is not visible, and then zips it till it reaches her neck. "How do I look?" She asks anxious.

"Cute." I pat her on the head.

"Ah! Mrs Mary just came here to open the place! It's our lucky day! Come on!" She drags me by the arm and rushes towards the diner's door. "Good morning, Mrs Mary!" She greets a chubby lady with red lips.

"Oh Vanessa sweetie, good morning!" She gives her a coy smile. "It is way too early for pancakes, even for you, don't you think?"

"I know, I know." Vanessa chuckles. "We just craved the best ones in town so I brought Nathan here. Nathan, this is mrs Mary. Mrs Mary, this is Nathan."

"I heard that, Vanessa." I chortle at her formal introductions. "How you doing?" I stretch my hand over to Mrs Mary for a handshake, a gesture that makes Vanessa give me an approving glare.

"Good, Nathan." She looks at the both of us suspiciously. "So who woke up who?"

"He woke me up." Vanessa burges in pointing at me. "Like really early! Or really late... I mean it was still dark outside, no sign of the sun." I raise an eyebrow at her babbling. "Which was totally fine!" She nods to reassure me. "Yeah, I had no problem with that. I love spending time with you." She blushes right away and looks at Mrs Mary. "With him! Um... can we come inside?"

"You are adorable! Get in." Mrs Mary opens the door.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you." Vanessa repeats while her face is still red. She gets cuter second by second. "Where should we sit? Someone would think it is easy to decide when the diner is empty but still, I can't pick a table. Would you like to sit by the window? Or close to the door? Maybe close to the toilet just in case you want to use it?"

"Why don't we sit here?" I touch her shoulders and make her sit at the couch in front of us. I sit across her. She is nervously playing with the zip of her jacket.

"Are you sure I look okay? I mean, that nobody will understand I am wearing my pijamas?" She asks in a low tone.

"Yes, I am sure." She sighs relieved.

"Do you like it?" She waves her hands around.

"I'll answer to you after I eat." I smirk at her and she eyerolls. "So-"

"So what?" She pops up from her seat. "You wanna order? I can go find a menu." Panicked Vanessa is giving me a hard time not to laugh.

"So..." I cough to add more drama into this, "what did you say?"

"I say a lot of things. I don't remember!" She starts taking the napkins out of their box.

"Just some seconds ago."

"I can't recall. Sorry." She puts the napkins back in.

"When we were about to enter." I insist and rest my back on the couch.

"Nope, I have an awful memory, sorry." She shrugs while staying focused on the napkins.

"Something like you love spending time with me?" I repeat her exact words.

"What? No!" She drops the box on the floor. "Oh my God, I am so clumsy." She picks it up immediately and I chortle.

"Hey guys. I brought a menu for you, Nathan, since Vanessa has memorized everything already." Mrs Mary hands me a browm catalogue. "But on such a day, I would recommend the Valentine's brunch with heart shaped pancakes, full of chocolate and strawberries. It's a wonderful start to your romantic day and an incredible way to celebrate your love!"

"Oh no! We are not-" Vanessa drops the box with the napkins again. "I am sorry for this, I got it!" She sits back at her seat after collecting every napkin from the floor.

"We'll take that, thank you." I give the menu back to Mrs Mary and she congratulates me for my choice with a nod before leaving.

"I haven't tried that since it is a special menu... You know... For this day." Vanessa comments while tic tacking her nails on the table. "I hope it's good and you like it. Considering I am the one who brought us here and all."

"I will. Why don't you just chill a bit?" I take her hands in mine and she takes a big breath. "So..." Her eyes are wide open, I guess she expects me to tease her again. "You come here often?"

My question relaxes her muscles and she begins to describe her first time here, praising Joseph's taste in food, since he was the one who brought her along with Sophie. She really liked it and comes quite often which explains what Mrs Mary said before about her knowing every dish on the menu. Vanessa talks really vividly, moving her hands all over the place, giggling at my comments from time to time. She is like a ray of sunshine in all the shit that is happening into my life at the moment. I don't know what I have done to be able to wake her up in the middle of the night and enjoy her company till dawn. I guess I am a lucky bustard.

"And your Valentine's brunch is here!" Mrs Mary brings us her famous pancakes after a while. Our brunch includes a bunch of heart shaped pancakes on a huge plate full of chocolate and strawberries. And the cherry to the pie to all these is that she has written our initiatives with caramel syrup just to fulfil the extravagance decoration.

"Seems like we have a fan." I smirk and point at the V+N after Mrs Mary leaves us.

"This is absurd!" Vanessa chuckles. "I told her we're not... like that."

"Am I ruining your reputation or something?" I raise an eyebrow at her.

"Eat!" She chuckles again. "Mmm... this is so good!" She remarks after taking a bite. "What do you think?" Her look makes clear that she is really anticipating my answer.

"It's decent." I say indifferently and she pouts. "Kidding. It is indeed really good!" Her face lights up right away.

She might be damn skinny but she eats a lot for a skinny person. We finish this so called Valentine's brunch quite fast and then go for a second round. Mrs Mary brings us the exact same order with the slight difference this time she overtops herself by writing our initiatives with multiple syrups. I look at Vanessa, ready to comment on that again but she raises a finger in the air.

"Don't say anything stupid." She warns.

"I wasn't gonna say anything." I shrug.

"Yeah, right." She eyerolls.

"But if you want me to, I can come up with something." I smirk.

"That is not necessary." She begins to cut her pancake in pieces.

"You sure? 'Cause I-" She brings her fork with a huge slice of pancake full of chocolate in front of my mouth.

"Better eat than talk! Hurry! The syrup is about to fall down!" She moves the fork closer and puts her other hand just inches down from it to prevent the chocolate from dirty the table.

Okay, if she wants to feed me, I won't say no. I am astonished by her action once again, even if I know she didn't put much thought into it. I blame her innocent nature for not taking the naughty subtext behind this gesture into consideration. I look at her playfully and open my mouth widely. She feeds me the pancake but no so fast. As a result, some chocolate syrup slips on her bottom hand. She searches for a napkin but I grab her by the wrist. I bring her palm to my lips and lick with my tongue the spot where the syrup has fallen, not breaking our eye contact even for a second. Her mouth forms a small O, sign of her shock but she doesn't pull away. The weird thing is that she actually keeps looking at me. I can feel her skin tingling under my touch and her pulse, that betrays her intense heartbeat. I place a soft kiss at the inner of her palm and release her. It is fun to observe the effect I have on her. She retrieves her hand back slowly after her face has changed in a million colours. She lets a gasp and drinks her full glass of water at once.

"That tasted good" I say and start eating while Vanessa almost chokes at first but bursts into laughter eventually. We continue our meal and talk about basketball. I try to explain her that the season is pretty much already lost since we have barely won a game after Christmas. By the way she keeps searching for an alternative scenario, I can tell she doesn't understand a thing. Or she just can't give up until she finds a solution. That's who she is after all. People begin to show up at this place, taking from us the privilege of being the only customers.

"You good to go?" I ask her after she finishes drinking the hot chocolate we ordered a while ago.

"Yeah, I don't know if I can actually stand up and walk though. I believe I ate too much." She exhales loudly.

"We'll find out soon enough." I chortle and wave at Mrs Mary to bring us the bill.

"Did you like it?" She asks smiling and hands me the check.

"Yes, I guess Vanessa was right on insisting to bring me here." I smirk at Vanessa across me.

"Told ya!" She giggles. "Oh my God, I haven't brought any money with me!" She facepalms panicked. "I only thought of taking the basics, like my boots and jacket, I didn't think-"

"The guy always pays on a date, honey. Especially on Valentine's day." Mrs Mary winks at her and takes the money from me. "Thank you! I wish you the best for the rest of your Valentine's day!" She beams at the both of us and goes by a table at the back to take an order.

"Thank you, Nathan." Vanessa gives me a warm smile. "Even if this is not a Valentine's date... Or a date in general!" She laughs nervously. "How could it be? Anyway... thank you."

"You're welcome, special friend. It's me who should be thanking you." I stand up and stretch my hand over to her.

"What for?" She frowns and puts her hand in mine.

"Let me see. For waking up first of all. Secondly, for not acting like the freak across the hallway." She giggles and I open the door of the diner for us to get out. "Thirdly, for following me in the middle of the night without complaining. The fourth thing would be for hearing me out and helping me deal with my family's shit. And lastly, for putting up with me for so many hours."

She stops walking for a second and gazes at me smiling.

"I am glad you came to me. And I'm even gladder, if I helped you just a bit. You can come to me whenever you feel like you need somebody to talk to, to get something out of your chest. Even in the middle of the night." A brief laugh escapes from her lips.

"You shouldn't have said that, you're screwed. Now that you just gave the permission, I don't think that you will be sleeping much at night." I tell her with a smirk.

"The fact that somehow you woke up the whole floor but not Alice is the reason we are both alive right now. If you want to risk it again, be my guest." She raises a finger at me.

"It would be worth it." I say and open the passenger's door for her.

I climb in and start driving back to the dorms. Vanessa keeps searching for a radio station that satisfies her musical preferences and I tease her by pretending to not like none of the songs she leaves on to play. We reach the dorms at about 9.30 am. There are people coming in and out of the building, unlike when we left from here hours ago.

"What are you up to today?" I ask her.

"I had class but it has already started, so I guess I am going to sleep." She answers.

"I didn't think I would keep you till such a time." A nerd like her never misses classes.

"It is okay, really. Now I can say I have skipped class once!" She exclaims surprised by this realization.

"If you want a reason to skip class again, call me." I say playfully.

"It won't happen anytime soon!" She raises her voice.

"Okay, genius." I eyeroll. "Now tell me how are you going to get in your room? I don't remember you taking your keys."

"You are right, I did not." Her reaction gives me the impression she just noticed that.

"Forgetting your keys, being out late at night, skipping classes... I see I am a bad influence on you." I remark lifting my eyebrows.

"I can manage." She shrugs holding her smile. "Alice should be awake by now, she has class at 11 so I'll just knock."

"You sure? You don't want me to call her maybe?" I offer since she has also forgotten her phone.

"Yeah, don't worry about it!" She reassures me. "What are you going to do today?"

"Sleep as well." I yawn. "I am a wreck. I haven't slept since last night. Actually the night before that."

"Sleep tight, then. And sweet dreams!" She wishes me and gets out of the car. I watch her until she enters the building while a girl dressed like Barbie with perfect hair and makeup gives her a judgemental look. Vanessa checks her back with her hand and catches her hoodie with the dump ears. It must have fallen out of her jacket. She greets the girl and looks at me smiling. I laugh and start driving to the frat house.

Sophie's POV

Is there a reason why people are sucking face everywhere I look?

Oh, yeah I forgot for a sec. It's Valentine's Day, today. Really, can someone explain to me why we are celebrating this day? It makes no sense whatsoever. It's freaking Capitalism, people. Thousands of companies and shops get a ton of money this day.. can we see the numbers behind this charade?

I will give you some numbers: in 2015 this day estimated to contribute 18.9 billion, in 2014 17 billion and in 2013 18,6 billion. It literally boosts the economy, but noooo, people do not talk about the economic miracle that is Valentine's Day, because they don't care. They do care about all the mushy details that come with it though. People are so shallow. How can you not care about the economic aspect of this day, and fuze over the unimportant romantic one?

Seriously, February 14th deserves more than to be only associated with a chubby baby carrying a bow and an arrow. And what about that image? Who ever thought of portraying a chubby angel kid, carrying lethal weapons and hitting people with it? How can that be a nice image for a kid to see? Is that supposed to set an example? I think not! The whole idea is ridiculous and dangerous. Kids are to stay away from sharp objects.

Anyway, I couldn't care less about the romantic aspect of today. I feel slightly better knowing that people are making money over this, and all classes can be helped a bit. From the small florist shop on Clifford Street to the major international companies. The more money they get, the more taxes they pay, so the more money will be spent on public spending, so the better the society will be. I do not care about how many divorce papers are being prevented by this day, alright? After all, I will be a future lawyer so divorces are gonna feed my family, but I do care about the general good that will be done in the near future.

Thank god, Robin hasn't said anything about it either! Her keeping it down means she is indifferent to the celebration as well. I wonder if she celebrated with her ex.

Anyway, she texted me earlier and told me that she has plans for us today, since Alex and Kira are off celebrating the day, and that she is meeting me in our coffee shop in precisely 15 minutes from now. I walk in and see the decorated place with hearts and teddy bears all over and people holding hands and kissing each other. Oh boy...

I make my way to the register and after politely greeting the girl behind the counter, I order a latte, a cappuccino for my love and an apple pie for the both of us. I don't particularly like it but Robin loves it! I swear I am gonna have debates 40 years from now. She has spoiled me with all the candy eating.

I find us a table next to the window and sit, depositing my stuff to the chair next to me and look ahead. The vibes are ridiculous I guess, I am eye rolling a lot. I read my feed on twitter and read some articles when I feel a hand on my shoulder, so I look up to see my Robin, wearing a red sweater and her leather jacket, her backpack on her shoulder.

"Hey beautiful." She greets me with a kiss on my cheek and sits next to me. "Here." She puts a small jasmine flower on the table. "For you." She says again and I smile warmly. "Don't worry people get a lot of flowers this day."

"Oh, thank you, it's lovely." My cheek redden at the gesture. It's so Robin to do something cheesy like flowers but I like it. "Here, I got us these, you have been obsessed with apple pie lately." I point on the plate and she grins but then pouts.

"Hey, I wanted to pay for our date." She says looking disappointed.

"You don't always have to pay, you know." I scold her.

"I know, but I want to. I asked you out. Anyway, for the rest of the night I will be the one paying, capisce?" she points her finger at me and I nod eye rolling. But then my eyes catch a well known figure. Vanessa, standing in line to place an order. She is wearing a light pink hoodie and black yoga pants along with a black jacket while her hair is tied up in a ponytail. Oh cutie pie Vanessa, I haven't seen her for a while, we can catch up.

"Hey Vanessa!" I call out a bit loudly to draw her attention and as predicted she turns and looks at me. I raise my hand as a signal for her to come sit with us and she nods as she moves on the line.

"Um... what?" Robin turns to look at Vanessa and then me.

"Vanessa is here, we can catch up!" I say and watch Vanessa ordering.

"Um... I thought we... this... Um..." Ro murmurs looking weird.

"Oh, hey, here she comes!" And soon Vanessa is next to us smiling.

"Hi girls! Happy Valentine's day! Isn't it a lovely day to be in love?" She sighs and sits on the empty chair next to me. I puff. Not you too, Vee!

"Hey Vee, looking good as always, happy Valentine's day!" Ro greets her and I do too caressing her shoulder.

"Hey Vanessa, how are you?" I start the conversation.

"Thank you Ro but I kinda look awful. I just got out of bed!" Vanessa giggles and fixes her ponytail. "I am really good though, I got here hoping this coffee will help me get through with some studying. How are you two? Have you planned anything special for today?" She asks us beaming.

"Nope." I rush to say. "Why would we?" Now, this earns me a raised eyebrow from Ro who stays silent while Vanessa bursts into laughter.

"It was a joke, right?" She looks at me waiting for a positive answer.

"Um... no...?" I state confused looking at Robin, who is still silent.

"Um, no?" Vanessa repeats puzzled. "I thought that, you know, since you two are together and madly in love and it is indeed such a beautiful day to celebrate your love, to go out there and shout it from the rooftops so anyone can hear you, shout till your lungs are out of breath!" She lets a heavy breath and steadies her head on her hand. "I thought you were up to something."

"Oh... because of Valentine's! I don't celebrate it, it has no sense. Really." I remark and I see Robin swift on her seat uncomfortably.

"Makes no sense? Really? I didn't expect to hear something like that from you, Sophie." Vanessa shakes her head in disapproval. "It is just the perfect motive to show your other half how much he means to you... Oh, in this case she means to you." She corrects herself gazing at Robin. "Isn't it nice to celebrate the special bond you have with that one person while other people celebrate the exact same thing all over the earth? It is like a gigantic wave of love all over the planet! I believe there is a bit of magic in something like this, don't you think?"

"Um... no... but it's ok, because Robin doesn't like celebrating this day either, right Ro?" I turn to her expectantly.

"Um... Sophie, what makes you say that?" She asks dead serious.

"Because you never once said anything about us celebrating..." I explain and her eyes squirm.

"I have been doing so for a few weeks." She continues still serious and it shocks me. What?

"What?" I make out confused. Vanessa tries to give us some privacy not sure of what to do so she keeps spinning around her coffee cup on the table.

"I have been giving you CDs and candies for 2 whole weeks Sophie...and I am pretty sure this now, was supposed to be our date. I told you I had things planned for us." She says looking somehow broken and a bit disappointed.

"That's my queue to go I believe." Vanessa smiles awkwardly and stands up but Ro stops her.

"No, not now Vanessa, don't. Please stay. This is a miscommunication, don't feel bad." I watch the scene unfold, numb, till my brain works again and Vanessa sits back down.

"The cds and the candy were for Valentine's?" I ask timidly.

"Of course, Soph, what did you think they were?" Ro continues with a sadness laced voice. Damn it, Sophie.

"I thought it was you being you!" Maybe that wasn't the right thing to say because she looks to her right and crosses her arms.

"Which means your always caring, thoughtful, sweet, romantic and giving self!" Vanessa chimes in. "That's what Sophie means." She raises her eyebrows instantly at me.

"Thanks Vanessa, but don't bother sugar cutting it. Apparently my cheesy moves went unnoticed." Ro clenches her jaw and this weird feeling settles in my stomach. I really messed up, didn't I? She looks so broken, I never thought this would hurt her like that!

"Ro, that's not how I meant it... I just... I don't like Valentine's, I never thought..." I try but Ro shrugs.

"It was some sort of misunderstanding as I see it." Vanessa tries to ease the tension. "I know that Robin does all these little amazing things for you Sophie and it was never your intention to hurt her feelings or turn her down under any circumstances obviously. But she has been doing this for two whole weeks and it didn't cross your mind? Seriously, this I cannot explain. Excuse me for that." She reaches for my palm and squeezes it softly. "And if you let me tell you what I think, Robin", Vanessa tells her smiling, "you are the definition of the perfect girlfriend! You are always so gentle and careful and funny and serious whenever you need to be and I do believe into the magic of Valentine's day," she sighs and reaches for Robin's hand as well, "but you do forget that this is a first time for Sophie. You are the first person she has ever been with so this is the first Valentine's day she is actually in love and into a relationship so my opinion is you shouldn't be so harsh on her. Yes, she messed up but she didn't mean it."

"Um... thanks Vanessa..." I don't think I know what to say here. I was supposed to say these things to my girlfriend, but, no... I am that problematic, that someone else had to say it for me.

Ro is the one that talks again, now looking sceptical. "Thanks Vee, I agree with what you said, I should have had this conversation with Sophie like a week ago, instead of making plans on my own." She shrugs and makes eye contact with me. "We don't have to celebrate if you don't want to. I respect the fact that you see no sense in this. You don't have to adopt my thinking. It's ok, Soph." She says it in a way that makes me think it is really not. "Um... I have to make some phone calls, I made reservations... so... um... I think I am gonna go, leave you two to catch up." She says and frozen I look at her getting up and fix her clothes. "Vanessa, hope you have a good night... um... Soph... call me later, if you want... I will be home." Her face is so broken. Oh my God, this is a disaster.

"What? No, Robin! Valentine's day isn't over yet, you do have um... five hours and 22 more minutes!" Vanessa exclaims after checking the time on her phone. "You two can still have fun!" She says and gives Robin a wide smile.

"That's ok, Vee, maybe next year." Ro says in a defeated way, while I say nothing again. With a final nod, she leaves the table and rushes outside, leaving me stunned.

Vanessa looks back and forth at me and the coffee shop's exit. After a moment of silence, she narrows her eyebrows at me.

"I think I messed up, right?" I say looking at her, pouting.

"Yeah, kinda big time." She laughs awkwardly. "What are you still doing here?" She asks confused.

"What? You saw her, I messed up, she looked sad! What am I going to do?" I sigh hiding my face in my hands.

"What are you going to do? You are going to do what you didn't do all along! You are gonna run and apologize your ass off, Miss Ford!" Vanessa points a finger at me. "I meant butt!" She covers her mouth blushing. "I meant you need to come up with a good apology speech because you know it is your fault. Robin put such a huge effort into this and you were completely clueless about it. You left it pass by completely unnoticed and this, yes, this is really messed up." She nods her head in disapproval. "But as I already said and as Robin knows too, you did it completely unintentionally. So that means this huge mess can be fixed!" She looks at me beaming.

"Of course I did it unintentionally, how was I supposed to know it was for Valentine's? I just remembered it was Valentine's yesterday when Robin and I talked! My mind hasn't registered this day." I groan and knock my head on the table.

"Hey, calm down. We can still save the day." Vanessa squeezes my shoulder slightly. "There are 5 hours and 10 minutes left." She informs me again after looking at the wall clock. "So what will your big love gesture be? Will you go 'Say Anything' style and turn up at her house with a boombox that will be playing her favourite song or are you more of a 'Love Actually' kind of person preferring the hand writing big papers with a love message?" She waves her hands animatedly in the air quite excited.

"I have no idea what that meant." I say confused. "Open your google app, it has to be a link about presents for this day, right?"

"We have no time for this! In a bit, we will have less than 5 hours before Valentine's is over!" Vanessa says frustrated. "You have to do something that comes from the heart." She says and places her hand on her chest.

"Vanessa, stop talking about the time, it makes me anxious!" I put my hands on her shoulders shaking her. "Oh my God, what time do the stores close?" I think I know what I have to do.

"If you hurry, you won't have a problem. I think. It's Valentine's and believe me, there are many people who shop at last minute in the hope of redemption. Oh! I didn't mean it like that!" She giggles nervously after she sees I am ready to faint. "Okay, you have plenty of time, you don't have to worry about it. There are plenty of stores on your way to Robin's house. I think you should get her whatever you think she will like but not overdo it. She already knows Valentine's isn't your thing, so try to find something simple that will a) make her happy, b) show her that you are really sorry and c) still make you express your love for her in your own way. That is my advice." She states shrugging.

"You are right, I think I know what to do! Thank you so much Vanessa, really." I look at her pouting. "I am sorry it got uncomfortable for you."

"You don't have to apologize to me. This kind of things happen into a relationship. What matters is to find a way to get pass it. Now off you go! I am wishing you a very happy rest of Valentine's day!" She says smiling and hugs me before she gets up.

"Wait, in all this I forgot to ask... are you doing something too? Have fun if you do... do something." I smile. I am self-absorbed sometimes.

"Well..." Her face immediately lits up. "I have to go study now but let's just say my day started off in a surprisingly unexpected beautiful way." She says giggling. "Now off you go!" She nods her head towards the exit clapping her hands and with that I do get up.

Robin's POV

What a mess, really. A misunderstanding actually. Well, I did plan this without asking but I thought she liked Valentine's day. But at the same time she never did say she did. See? Communication problems create a mess.

I am not angry though, I don't want to force Valentine's down her throat, but I guess a part of me is disappointed. I had the day planned, dude! A coffee date, then diner in a fancy restaurant and then for a late movie date with a cheesy romantic movie... and then back here for sexy times. I even bought candles! And something sexier than candles but I guess that's not happening either. Damn it, this was supposed to be a good day.

I get out of shower and grumpily I put a towel around me and storm to my room. I toss the towel, wondering why I bothered wearing it in the first place, and put on my black adidas sweats, and a grey loose t-shirt and my rainbow socks. I huff and puff and jump on my bed turning the volume on on my pc as the songs play one at a time and I just look at the ceiling.

My phone vibrates at some point but I check it minutes later. It is a pic of Nicky holding a huge heart card and heart balloons.

From Sam: guess who is getting lucky tonight! She is soooooo excited. :P

Fuck you Sam.

I toss the phone on the bed but when I lay back again, the doorbell rings. Confused as to who it might be, I make my way downstairs grumpily again, I march to the door and then open it.

A huge monkey stuffed animal is staring at me... and I do too.

"Um... hello?" I say and the monkey gets out of view to reveal a shy looking Sophie, who puts it down on the floor. I am about to speak again, she disappears from view and comes back again holding a huge bouquet of blue roses and a cupcake shaped card.

"These are for you." She murmurs. " I am so sor-"

I cut her off with putting my hands around her waist and kissing her slowly. That damn goof is so damn cute! I can't believe she did that. She breaks the embrace quickly though and stops the kiss.

"No, no, wait, let me say it, please." she says and I indulge her. "I am really sorry, baby, I never meant to hurt your feelings, I am such a dork, I didn't think this through, I missed the signals, I completely rained on your parade, and I am so horrible, I am so sorry." She says in one breath and then looks down. " I am sorry I am so problematic and weird... it's just that I... um... I never liked Valentine's and I focused on the economic impact of the day... um... but to be honest, in my mind you don't need this day to express how much you really adore someone, you have to do that everyday and be perfect for the other 24/7 not just for a day... um... but then I realized that I am not so forward and romantic as you are, 'cause you are really very sweet to me all the time, while I am not... which sucks for you, 'cause you deserve to be romanced every day... and um... I think I forgot the rest of my speech... oh God..." She pauses with eyes wide open. I can't believe this dork. I bring our bodies closer and cup her cheeks.

"Babe, relax, I am not mad or anything." I try to make her relax and press my lips on her jaw. "I told you we don't have to do this if you don't want to."

"No, we are doing this! I mean, we are celebrating today, 'cause you like it and for once you don't have to put my needs and ideas first. I am putting yours first here, ok? I may not find sense in this celebration but you do, and I want to make you happy today...and every day... not just today... I mean... um... it's not in my nature to be romantic but I do promise to be perfect for you and love you and make your days better, every day...I guess I could buy you flowers too everyday or um... buy you candies, but then you will probably end up with health issues and-"

I cut her off again, wrapping my arms around her tighter and kissing her passionately. I graze her lips with my tongue for a few seconds till she lets my tongue in. The moment I graze the top of her mouth a little moan escapes her and remembering we are at my door, I break the kiss giggling.

"You are amazing pretty girl, I know you don't like this day but I love you for doing this for me." I say and caress her cheek. "You are so pretty, I am sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I really looked forward for this day." She nods and I continue. "But this is perfect too. Are they all for me?" I point at the things she got me.

"Um... yeah... is it too much? Is the stuffed animal too big?" I chuckle at that.

"It is perfect, baby girl." She smiles widely.

"Read the card." She says and I take the card that was pressed in my back while kissing. I open it and read out loud.

'You are so beautiful, you are so fine, I wish so dearly that you would be mine.Today and always you are in my heart, so please make me happy, be my valentine. Forever and always, we will never be apart.'

I finish and then look at her. She is looking at the floor again, at her shoes. I cup her cheeks and make her look at me.

"Baby... that was from google, right?" I joke and peck her nose lovingly.

"Of course... you know it is... but I feel all these things... you know that, right?" She asks as if I don't know.

"I know, pretty girl, I love you so much too." We share a short kiss again. "How about we get inside, huh?" I joke and she chuckles less stressed. She leaves me and goes to the stuffed animal next to the door and picks it up with the one hand while she holds the flowers on the other. Seeing her struggling, I just take the flowers to make it easier for her and she puffs playfully at my unwillingness to take the huge monkey.

We put the stuff on the couch and I take the flowers to the kitchen in a vase, and I come back holding a chocolate cake with 2 spoons. "Come on baby, let's go to my room." I say and we march up the stairs.

We goof around eating cake and generally talking nonsense when I think it's my turn for my gift to Sophie...well, one of the things I had planned. I did not buy flowers or stuffed animals 'cause I prefer experiences over goods. Thus said, I get up from my bed.

"Where are you going?" She asks and I walk towards my wardrobe. I open it and pull a small bag out.

"Well, you gave me my present, now it's my time. Be back in 5." I wink and walk towards my bathroom. This is gonna shock her I am sure, but hey, YOLO.

I come out of the bathroom wearing my robe and catwalk towards her. She is midst swallowing a bite of cake when I take the plate from her along with the spoons and leave them on my desk. She looks between me and the desk confused, but fear not, all in good time. She is leaning on the wall facing me, which is not working for me, so I kinda drag her to the end of the bed so that her legs touch the floor.

"What...?" she starts, but I raise my hands up in the air. I take a step back away from her and with one swift move, I untie my robe and let it drop to the floor. Her jaw drops on the floor too the moment she sees my red see- through sexy lingerie. Ha! Told ya.

"Like what you see?" I ask mischievously. She gulps audibly and nods her head like crazy, causing me to giggle. Sneakily, I take a step closer and straddle her. This is lit, people, she is having a stroke. I put my index on her chin and make her look up. "Happy Valentine's day, my love. I am all yours." I whisper and then lick on her lips does not go unnoticed.

"Um... th... thanks?" She makes out and I eye roll at her goofiness but I come back when her hands start caressing my back. "I think you win best present." She jokes in a zombie like state right now, 'cause my boobs are in her face... my see-through bra is making it way easy for her.

"See? Motivation for you to like this day even better. I can wear that for you and you can do whatever you want." Which is not something kinky or not vanilla 'cause it's only been a few weeks since we started having sex, but maybe next year.

"Hmmm... good... yeah... totally... sure... hmm .." She makes these weird cute noises but her eyes are fixated on my boobs.

"You know, I have this little pain right here." I say and bring my hand over my bra a few inches away from my nipple. "Wanna kiss it better?" Her eyes widen again in shock. I laugh at that but the moment her lips are on my skin things get heated.

All I will say is that next year I will need a new pair. A black this time.

Alice's POV

I press the elevator button at the dorm's entrance and I wait impatiently to return to my room to crash. Today was the day! Like today, 10 years ago my mother died at the US Embassy in London from a terrorists' attack. I don't want to remember anything from that day! I try to block out every memory of that day!

Someone could say that I would get over it somehow, after so many years, but it's not true. The wound is there. Maybe it has healed over the years, but a wound is still a wound and everytime you scratch it, the pain comes. Today the pain is bigger. I tried to occupy myself with anything and I didn't want to stay alone for a single second. When I am around people, I manage to trick this feeling and act normal, by forcing myself to smile and be as much as Alice as possible. I needed to keep my mind distracted and make this day feel like a normal one. I went to all my classes, if that's even possible, then for coffee and lunch with some classmates and I even persuaded another one to start a project, when he insisted it's too early for that. Him! Not me!

Ren also texted me to see if I was ok, under the facade of a casual conversation. Dad called me as well, whose devastation was noticeable underneath his fake cheery voice and honestly, I don't even know who is stronger to support the other today. He was investigating a case, which wasn't even a top priority in order to take his mind away off of it. Like father like daughter.

When I unlock my room's door, I find Vanessa with her cute, weird, which I would never wear, pjs focused on her laptop.

"Hello, stranger! Where have you been all day?" She rushes to give me a hug for no obvious reason squeezing me slightly, like she feels that I need it. When she releases me from her arms, she gives me a wide smile.

"Hey Ness! I had many classes today and different errands to run..." I state indifferently. Vanessa has no idea about today. The only thing she knows is that my mother passed away, when I was 9 in London and her being her discreet self, didn't push me with further questions. I really appreciated it. I decided not to tell her anything today, because I want to forget, not to remember. And discussing it, doesn't help.

"I see!" She says giggling. "Are you in the mood to watch a movie? What about pulling a Valentine's 2.0 tonight and watch again a really amazing love story?" She asks sighing. A movie! What a great idea!

"Yeaaaah!" I accept more enthusiastically than I use to. "But not a sad love story! Let's watch something happy, where everyone's fine and well and they all get a happy ending!" I exclaim. That's what movies are for, right? To watch something that real life sucks to accomplish.

"Oh! You said yes!" Vanessa claps her hands with joy. "I didn't expect it since you're not a huge fan of Valentine's day, as you told me yesterday and usually you prefer us to change movie's genre, if we have watched the same one for three times in a row and now this is gonna be our fourth romance movie, but I am so happy! I have something in my mind. Come on!" She sits first on her bed and gestures for me to sit next to her. "I am gonna show you the trailer. Oops! Anna sent me something on the chat, just let me check it for a second." She opens the link and I stare at her laptop's screen frozen. "It is about the 10th year anniversary since the attack at the US Embassy in London. She told me she wanted to post something on the paper's website, because we hadn't put anything on the last issue. Ashton thought it would be more appropriate to post it today. I will take a quick look at it, ok? Anna wants a brief review, it won't take long I promise." Vanessa tells me as she keeps her eyes stuck on the article, scrolling down the page. "She sent me a video too because as she says Vincent told her some things were not accurate, but she insists there were children in the embassy, relying on this documentary. Hmm, let's see."

She presses the play button and the video starts with many helicopters flying in the London sky. Then the shot changes and there is the US Embassy. Ambulances and police cars are parked outside. People come and go panicking, screaming and crying. All the voices that I tried so hard to isolate are echoing loud in my head. Make it stop! Please make it stop! I can feel a wave of flashbacks coming like a river. The wound is open now and I can't stop it from bleeding. I feel it like it was yesterday and not 10 whole years ago. I can feel my eyes burning. Tears are about to fall down. I don't want Vanessa to see me like this. I am Alice Reynolds. I am strong! Please make these voices stop! I can't help it anymore! The emotions overwhelm me! I stand up abruptly, looking at Vanessa.

"I forgot how hungry I am from my enthusiasm for the movie! Check the article, while I will be eating in the kitchen!" I say and without waiting for an actual response, I get out of the room in a hurry, like I am being chased.

As I am running, I run into different people at the corridor and at the dorm's hall, who don't pay any particular attention to me. I feel my eyes burning and all I want to do is go somewhere remote to outburst. I am suffocating by the wave of flashbacks and the emotions that I have buried deep inside me. I desperately need some air. I storm out of the dorms and I finally find a dark place near the parking lot without a single person around. And then the tears start to fall. I support my back against a wall and let my eyes water. The more images my brain restores, the more I can't stop the tears from coming. Screams are echoing in my head, sirens are piercing my ears and fade memories flash in front of my eyes. I see people running in hysteria, asking for information, crying in despair for those who they've lost. Then doctors and nurses, who help the injured and policemen and agents who try to keep the public calm. I see my dad's face in front of me.

"Everything's ok baby! You're safe! That's all that matters!"

But my dad's voice doesn't reach my ears! All I can hear is my sobbing and crying.

"Where's my mum? Where's mummy?"

The buzzing is still echoing inside my head. Sirens, voices, my dad, me... and then I hear another one. A voice, that is not from my memory. This voice doesn't belong there. I open my eyes, that are full of tears and I meet a pair of beautiful hazel blue ones, that look at me in concern.Those diamond like eyes are Joseph's.

"Alice! Alice!" his fretting voice takes over my head, pushing back all the other sounds. "What's wrong?"

I open my mouth to answer, but no voice comes out. Joseph looks worried sick. I haven't seen him like this any other time. I must look like a wreck. I haven't even realized that I am curled-up against the wall hugging my knees.

"Alice, what happened? Please answer to me!" Joseph begs, shaking me, anxiety all over his face. I wipe my tears and I try to gather myself together.

"Nothing! I am ok!" I give the most idiotic answer I can ever give. He just literally saw me tearing apart and I replied I am ok? Of course his meaningful expression says what I just thought.

"This is exactly how a person is at his ok state!" he remarks sarcastically, trying to be Joseph, but the worrisome never leaves his eyes. "What's going on, Alice?" he says softly. I open my mouth to stubbornly answer the exact same idiotic thing, but he interrupts me. "And don't give me the 'I am fine' shit! It's obvious you're not. I wouldn't be so concerned and persistent if it was another person, but it's not. You're Alice Reynolds! You don't cry out of nowhere, like a sensitive and delicate girl. You're the strongest person that I know."

He's right.That's why I don't like anyone seeing me that weak and especially Joseph. How did he pop up here of all places?

"What are you doing here?" I try to change the conversation and make the sobbing stop.

He huffs, knowing pretty well what I am doing, but he replies eventually.

"I was hanging out with friends at the playroom of another dorms nearby and I have parked here." he points at the parking lot. "What are YOU doing here?" he returns my question like a boomerang.

"Sorry that I don't want an audience when I want to cry!" I hiss to him, without intending to, wiping another tear. This scene is like a deja vu, but in reverse. When Joseph's dad called. I must have been really irritating.

"I agree with you! Better people see you when you smile. You're so much more beautiful!" he says and I stay frozen in my spot, while his words make my heart beat fast. "So, what's making the fearless Alice Reynolds cry?"

I raise my head to meet his eyes and I look at him for some seconds, musing what I should do. Finally, I decide to tell him.

"My mother died this exact day, 10 years ago." I say softly. My disclosure left him speechless. Like Thanksgiving, when I told him that my mother had passed away, Joseph doesn't know how to react. I know that it's a subtle matter, but that's exactly the reason why I don't talk to anyone about it. I don't like it when their behaviour changes completely towards me.

"I am sorry..." he mutters. "So this day officially sucks!" His voice is smooth and soft, but his look doesn't give pity away.

He looks at me concerned, but not pity.

"You couldn't have put it any better! I tried to keep my mind busy all day and I was doing fine, until that stupid Vanessa's friend from the paper had to send her this hideous video about the attack at the US Embassy in London and that was the straw that broke camel's back." I rave and I let out all my feelings again. All this information has left him stunned.

"Your mother was among the victims in London, 10 years ago?" He put the pieces together. It was a shocking incident that shook the world, back then.

"Yeah! She used to work there and one day that seemed like a regular one those terrorists decided to take over the Embassy and kill so many innocent people! My mother was among them! They killed her, without caring if she had any family, what kind of person she was! Without caring, about anything! They killed her IN A BLINK OF AN EYE!" I've realized I've started screaming and that my eyes started to burn again.

The tears make their appearance once again and I hate it. I don't want to cry. I don't like crying. Why do I cry?

Without realization, I lean towards Joseph and the lament becomes more intense.

"It wasn't fair! WHY? WHY?" I scream crying on Joseph's chest and I feel his hands wrapping around me. His warmth overwhelm me and I let it soothe me. Joseph keeps holding me tight as I let the tears flow like a river. I didn't know I kept this ticking bomb inside me all day. His hug feels like a nest and it's like nothing can harm me in there. I don't know why and from where this feeling comes from, but I find it so confronting!

Then Joseph breaks the hug, still holding me by the arms and says looking at me in the eyes.

"Come with me!"

I nod and I follow him like hypnotized. He leads me by the hand, which I hold really tight.

I don't want to let it go. I know it's stupid, but I think if I do, I will fall apart again.

"Get in!" He says, when we reach a car. It's his car. His voice is firm, but soft in the same time. My answer is just a confused look, but I comply, after he nods his head towards the car.

When Joseph sits at the driver's seat, he turns the engine on and leaves the parking lot.

"Where are we going?" I ask calmly. My curiosity beated my tension.

"Nowhere!" he replies casually.

"Either you say it literally or this is a lame name for an actual place." I joke, without actually feeling it and he chuckles slightly.

"Literally..." he grins.

"So are you going to drive aimlessly around the town?" I ask puzzled.

"Exactly! This is Joseph's outburst method. Watch closely and learn. Step one, we turn on the radio." he pushes the turn on button and tunes the radio to one of my favourite stations. "If I remember correctly, this is your type of music." he grins. "Step two, we don't care where we're going! We enjoy the trip! Step three, we sing until our lungs hurt and can't provide any more oxygen!" I give him a disbelief look. "Just try it!" and then he starts singing the song that's playing,turning the volume louder.

Oh God! He's hilarious! Not to mention how flat he sings. I don't care though! It's the best thing I've ever seen. I can't help it, but start singing as well. I can't say I sing any better. Maybe we will go down in the history as the worst duet ever existed. As Joseph keeps driving, the city lights flashes on us and it's so beautiful. We sing every single song that is on! We don't care even if we mess up the lyrics. We come up with our own. When a dancing song is on and we are stopped at a red light, we do our own dancing moves, creating a funny car choreography.

I can't believe it, but it's helping me. I begin feeling so much better. All the negative emotions, the pain, the sorrow is gone. The voices stopped and all I can hear is our terrible singing.

"How are you feeling?" Joseph asks, lowering the volume.

"I think your method is working!" I smile to him. A real smile not a fake one and he looks relieved and satisfied with himself. "So what's the next step?" I ask and the moment Joseph opens his mouth to answer a growling from my stomach stops him.

"I think your stomach just gave the answer!" he chuckles.

"But it's pretty late! There's nothing open now." I say frowning.

"Except the worldwide fame restaurant 'Chez Joseph'!" he exclaims emphasizing the french accent, which made me laugh. "Tonight's specialty: Handmade noon lasagna."

"Handmade by you?" I raise an eyebrow.

"The restaurant is called 'Chez Joseph'! Of course it's by me!" he tries to look offended.

"You live with Sophie if you remember..."

"Sophie lost her right on the title the moment she almost murdered me with her homemade cookies." He remarks and I chortle.

"So your cooking is not life threatening?"

"It's exquisite! Come and see for yourself. You can judge me later, Gordon Ramsay!" he winks.

"I don't think Sophie will be thrilled with our midnight 'Master Chef' session."

"Don't worry! She's at Ro's, I guess at the 4th round!" he grins, as he's driving to his apartment.

"Oh my God! Vanessa!" I exclaim, as it hit me that I am gone for such an amount of time and Vanessa has no idea where I am.

"Vanessa what?" Joseph asks confused.

"I forgot my cell in my hurry. She expected me to watch a movie with her, but I never returned. She must be worried sick. I hope she didn't panic that much and called my dad." I move my hands nervously.

"Just call her from mine!" he stretches his hand giving me his phone.

"Joseph? Hello." I hear Vanessa's confused voice on the other side of the line, when I called Vanessa's contact.

"Hey Ness! It's me, Alice!" I tell her in a low voice.

"Alice! Well hello, where have you been? Your meal took more time than I expected. I did go to look for you over the kitchen but I had no luck." She giggles.Thank God, she didn't worry! I guess I am more overwhelmed this day than usual."Where are you? Wait, you are with Joseph?"

"Um. . yeah! I kind of ran into him." I say in a steady voice.

"Well, that was also unexpected!" She comments and I can picture her raising an eyebrow. "I am glad you called. Since you didn't take your phone with you I thought you would be ok and nearby but still I was a little worried. I kept my cool though! I was about to call your dad but I decided against it, I should not panic over everything. It's just, you know, it's not like you to disappear for no reason." She sighs. "And I do know you are capable of protecting yourself, I don't doubt it but still as your friend and your roommate..." Vanessa starts bubbling as usual and I have no idea what to answer. My face must have a puzzled and confused expression and I try to find a space to talk, but I find none. Suddenly Joseph takes the phone from my hand and starts talking really casually.

"Hey Vanessa! It wasn't Alice's fault. I caught her attention for good! What can I do? The women just can't resist to me and they lose perception of space and time!" Joseph says to her with his usual smirk. What the hell is he saying? I try to take the phone from him, but he stretches away. "Don't worry, I will drive her to the dorms! Ok, Ness? Great! Goodnight!" he hangs up the phone. "Problem solved." He flashes a wide smile towards me and starts driving to his home.

After a while, we get to his apartment. He unlocks the door and I enter to a cozy living room. It's quite simple, but Sophie's touches are apparent. The furnitures point to a television to which a PS is connected. In other respects, it has some small decorations and posters on the walls, from big cities like New York and Chicago.

"Make yourself comfortable!" he points to the couch and he goes to the kitchen. I keep gazing around the living room. It's spacious enough and the decoration, even if it's simple, is pretty nice. After some minutes, Joseph comes with two plates of hot lasagna and we sit on the couch to eat.

"Don't say to Soph that we ate here! I won't hear the end of it!" he comments. I find it quite amusing how similar his friendship with Sophie is to mine with Ren.

"Your secret is safe with me!" I smile and we start eating. When we're done, I help him wash the plates and after that we sit on the couch agaib. I know I should leave, because it's pretty late, but I don't feel so keen on doing that. "Thank you a lot for today." I say softly looking into his beautiful eyes. "You really helped me get through a shitty day!"

"Don't mention it! I just can't stand see you in this state... Unfortunately, I can't understand what you're going through, what you went through, but I want you to know I am here for you... no matter what." he says and I feel my heart ready to pump out of my chest. I can't believe I am listening to these words right now. Why does he have to be so supportive and gentle and captivating and... Damn it! I find myself falling deeper and deeper.

"Thanks! I really appreciate it." I answer in a low voice and then I fall back on the couch looking at the ceiling. "You know... I hate people watching me like this... Weak! Crying is not my thing, but this day comes to remind me that I am nothing more than a scared little girl. Scared to face a single day!" I huff. " Instead of dealing with it, I run away..." I sigh. "Everytime Ren, Vanessa, you, talk about your mother, you all have such a happy and delighted expression... and... I am happy about you, but sometimes..." I pause and then groan in frustration. "I am such a horrible person. I am happy, but eventually I end up feeling jealous." I turn to face Joseph, ready to face his disapproval, but his expression is consceding and soft and waits for me to continue. "I met a wonderful mother and I lost her just like that. She wasn't there to advise me on my first crush or support me on my first heartbreak, or bake my favourite pie or even scold me for throwing my clothes everywhere. Don't get me wrong, I love my dad, but there's always this one empty spot that misses my mother so bad. I have memories of how she was with me.She was kind, cheerful, positive and every year those memories fade and I am so afraid that I am not going to remember anything from her." I start to sob.

"Alice..." Joseph comes closer to me and holds my hand. I turn my head to look at him. "Your mother is a part of you! She lives in you... She passed to you her values and good traits. I know she's not here to see what an amazing woman you've become, but she set up the base." His voice is sweet and gives me strength.

"That day the weather was more cloudy than ever in London, like it knew what was going to happen..."

"Alice don't... There is no need to tell me..." Joseph interrupts me.

"But I want to. I want to tell someone. I want to to get rid of that burden and I feel like you're the only one who will not look at me like I am a stray puppy." I confide in him, because it's true. Joseph nods and I continue.

"I had just finished school, but my mum had too much work and couldn't come home and also I couldn't go to Ren's, because he had chicken pox, while my dad was working with Ren's dad at Interpol as usual. The only solution was for me to go to the Embassy with my mum and so it happened." I exhale. "When my mother's colleagues saw me they started effusing over me saying 'How bigger I've become', 'How beautiful', 'How I look after my mother.' After this charade, mum took me to her office, where she had a new book for me to read, from the bookstore across the street, since I was going to pass many hours there. She was the person who taught me how to read, how to love books and languages. As we were there, she stopped working from time to time to ask me about the book or my day or discuss in general. At some point, I got hungry, so she took me to the embassy's cafeteria to grab a bite. As we were walking, I started asking her about Valentine's date with dad. My dad is such a romantic trash. He took her to a vintage restaurant and gave her red roses and a silver bracelet. He would sing a song for her if he could." I chuckle slightly. "I found it so gross, since I was only 9. All the girls in school wanted a Disney Prince, while I had kicked Pete, because he took my sandwich." I smile mischievously at the memory.

"The only difference is that you got taller!" Joseph smirks and I chortle.

"Suddenly as we were walking, my mum stopped abruptly. She looked around cautiously and she held my hand tighter. I still can feel how much she squeezed it. Then we heard some running and I think mum understood exactly what was going on. Have you seen in documentaries how the female leon senses a dangerous environment and do anything to protect her child? This is exactly how my mother reacted in that moment. The only thing she told me was 'Hide!'. 'Hide somewhere and don't come out, no matter what.' I was about to object, because it's me we're talking about, but she was firm. I hadn't seen her like that ever. I did as I was told and I found a small place underneath the stairs, behind a statue, where an adult couldn't fit. Then I heard many heavy footsteps and I saw men in black and hoods and guns in their hands. I stayed still! I tried to stop breathing. I was so scared and my heart was beating really fast. I closed my eyes and my ears. I wanted to block everything." Tears come again, as I remember all these things. I remember how powerless I felt, how terrified, how my body was paralyzed. "The next thing I remember is my dad dragging me out of my hideout and holding me tight in his arms. I felt so safe. He was holding me so tight, that I thought I would stop breathing, but I didn't mind it. His familiar scent and warm was what I needed to feel secure. When he got me out, I saw all this chaos unfolding in front of me. It was the worst thing I've ever lived in my life. My eyes were moving left and right, trying to spot only one person... My mother. But she was nowhere to be found. I started crying, shouting out for her. My dad was trying to keep me calm, but I could see from his expression that something terrible had happened. He told me the best way he could that she didn't make it. That it was only the two of us left now and that we had to stay strong for each other." My eyes are hurting from the tears. I don't know if I have anymore left to cry. "That's why I focused more on my training. I don't want to feel that powerless again. I have to be strong! Stronger!" I finish my story narration. I feel a huge burden lifted. I am so relieved I took all of these out of my system. I know it's not easy for someone to hear, but Joseph is not like the other people. He can bear the heaviest of things, while Vanessa would be down in tears. How many things I misunderstood about him. How stupid and narrow minded I was.

Joseph has stayed speechless, but he doesn't look at me with pity. His expression is soft and painful.

"Alice, you are strong! You've experienced all these things and yet you are cheerful, optimistic and full of light. This is a huge achievement. You pushed away the darkness you witnessed and you decided to move forward, living your life to the fullest. Your mother would be proud of you." he remarks and I look into his eyes in disbelief. He does mean what he says. Joseph doesn't mince.

"Joseph, it means so much to me that you heard me out! Please don't let anyone else know, about it... you're the only one!" I confess.

"Vanessa and Nina don't know?" he asks.

"Nothing! All the people know that I've lost my mother in London, because of an accident, but I had never defined how. You're the first from college to know." I mutter and he looks surprised.

"I promise you, I won't tell a soul!" he squeezes my hand and our foreheads touch each other. I exhale and inhale heavily.

"Can I ask you for another favor?" I tell him the moment we take some distance and he nods. "Can I stay here tonight? I know it's a lot to ask, but all this confession burnt me out and..."

"Don't say another word! Of course you can sleep here."

"Thank you! I can crush on the couch..."

"Cut the crap! There's no way I am letting you sleep on the couch. You will sleep in my room and I will sleep here!"

"But there's no..."

"No buts! You will sleep in my room!" he says firmly and I nod. "I will get you Sophie's pjs! You must wear the same size." He leaves and comes back holding a white T-shirt and a blue tracksuit.. "These are from the dryer, because queen S locks her palace when she's out." he jokes.

"Thanks! I will go to the bathroom to change."I inform him and he shows me the way. When I get out, Joseph has brought some sheets for the couch.

"Your bed is ready!" he points to his room. "I will go to get a bath." he informs me and goes to the direction, from which I came.

The truth is I feel like a wreck, but I want to wait for Joseph before I go to sleep. He was what I needed today. I can't describe how much better I feel after I talked to him. Today I revealed to him a hidden dark piece of me that only a few people know. I don't know why, but he makes me feel like I can share anything with him. I decide to sit, flicking the channels as I am waiting for him. As I keep changing I feel my eyes fall heavy, my body loosen up and everything becomes black in a second.

Joseph's POV

I get out of the bathroom, really refreshed after this shower, still trying to comprehend all the new information Alice shared with me.

This girl has been through a lot and yet when she smiles, she smiles the brightest. It must have been really hard for her to tell me her darkest times, but I felt so happy that she did. It means she trusts me.

I enter the living room, where the TV is turned on and then I see her. She has fallen asleep with the remote control at hand. I wonder how she managed to stay up until so late. She must have been really worn out. I go and sit next to her. She's so beautiful when she's that peaceful. How can she be so fragile and tough in the same time? How did she manage to pass through all that?

I pick her up in my arms and I move her in my room. I put her gently on my bed, trying not to wake her up and I throw a blanket on her.

I look at her one last time, before I leave the room.Her image with her eyes full of tears comes into my head. I don't want ever to see her cry again. Never! She deserves to smile.