A N N E

There had been rumors going around that there was a new student.

Girls had been talking in the hallways and the boys were all guarding and watching the school doors non-stop - thinking that it was another boy that can be included in their group of friends.

I wasn't really the type of girl who'd try to involve in such news around the campus. Having such a silent place to wander off to would be the right one for someone like me.

But, I was too pre-occupied about my subjects. I had no interest on knowing who the guy was.

The only thing that lingered my mind was the kiss I had with Nicholas.

I tried telling myself to move on since a lot of days had passed and Nicholas had probably forgotten about it.

My books were on my desk - arranged and were untouched - as I gave my bestfriend a look.

Right now, we were inside the classroom and she was taking a short glances at my direction while our professor wasn't looking.

To be honest, the teacher had noticed her for a few times but that hadn't stopped her from trying to talk to me.

Rolling my eyes, my hands touched the books and blinked. Nicholas would've loved reading these.

I knew he loved history books but he's not here for educational purposes. Brice probably wanted to play matchmaker and he sent him to meet me.

Right now, we were inside the classroom and I was on the right side, under the air conditioner.

Tugging on my sweater, I tried my best to focus on the subject. But, the thought of Nicholas was still bugging me - but I guess in a good way

"Anne," Rosellia silently called me out as she threw the paper at my desk. She was my girl bestfriend when I had first came into this university.

Her dark brown eyes stared at me as she smiled with the evident freckles on her cheeks.

'Do you think the guy is cute?' is what was written on the paper that I had on my hands. I then shook my head, smiling as I gave Rosellia a look.

She immediately understood me and giggled, leaving the professor confused as he turned his gaze back at us and stopped writing.

Luckily, he didn't quite caught us in the act.

The bell rang afterwards. Rosellia didn't even hesitate to pull me so quickly as I almost stumbled upon a bunch of people. I kept on apologizing as I did.

This was very embarrassing. There were a lot of students here and being pulled just to see the new student wasn't even my plan at all.

"Anne! Come on! There's a new boy in school!" she exclaimed me as she dragged me outside to see the transferee. I then held my book tightly as I was pulled in the crowd - hearing murmurs and gossiping around me.

"Let me go, Rosellia. I have better things to do," I said as I try to pry myself away from her grasp to go back inside. When I succeeded, I then heard her yelling.

"Anne? Anne! Come back here!" I could hear her shouting from behind and then suddenly, I was back outside.

My hands were intertwined with hers, again. But then, I felt like it wasn't hers. It wasn't soft. The hand was a bit rough, like it had experienced such hard times.

"I said I have better things to do Rose- Oof!" I turned around and gasped as I quickly collided to something hard and lost my balance.

I then closed my eyes, waiting for an impact.

But nothing happened.

All I could hear is some people gasping, gossipping and some muttering. Why must the world be cruel to me? I thought of pushing the transferee while my eyes were still closed.

However, I felt a hand around my waist so I opened my eyes. There, I saw a guy with crimson eyes, staring back at me. His hands went up to my cheeks as it made me nervous and hot.

Please don't tell me that I'm blushing red right now.

"Are you alright, my lady?" he asked as I looked at the crowd that were still looking at us. Most of them were holding cameras as I hid my face and dragged him inside the university.

It took us a while before we lost the students back outside. When I was sure that we were alone, I asked him - becoming a stuttering mess afterwards. "W-Why are you here?"

"Brice told me that I'd need to learn more since I'm mixing jargons and understanding them," Nicholas explained before putting his hand under his chin - like he was deeply thinking.

"Or something about words that I had already read on the dictionary." I then raised my hands to tell him to stop. I already got the hint anyways.

"Alright. Alright, I understand."

Nicholas nods as I inhaled. I couldn't just tell if Brice was really tempting to match us up or it was just a coincidence. But even after that, I'm not arguing. I missed Nicholas and I was hoping that he did as well.

Though, the other students will probably try to bother us so it might be better if I should give him some rules.

"Look, Nich, there are a few rules you should know if you're going to be studying here," I told him as he gave me a raised eyebrow.

"Rules, milady?" he asked back - making sure that he was hearing it right. I then pointed a finger at him and pursed my lips.

"That's the first rule." The look he gave me had never surprised me. I knew from the very start when I had pointed my finger at him, he would knit his eyebrows back at me and stare with confusion.

"Do not call me milady. Just Anne would do," I pointed out as he tried to call out my name.

"Anne."

"Good." We both then walked towards the hallway again - just to see everyone minding their own business again. But, I couldn't care less if there were still some who would look at our direction.

"Second rule is that you have to make friends with others." My hand immediately tried to stop him as Nicholas then greeted a random student who passed by in his right side.

"Hello," Nicholas said as the guy just nods but still has a look that almost tried to say that Nich was crazy. And I almost facepaled myself.

Nicholas went back to look at me but I only commented him with a phrase that goes, "Not like that, Nich."

"I thought---" I cut him off and took his hand.

"You don't randomly say hello to anyone. Make sure you have a bond, a gesture shown or something."

He was about to protest but I waved my hands and told him another rule. I can't just let Nicholas embarrass himself now.

I have been in this university for almost three weeks now and I don't really want Nicholas to be left behind.

"Moving on. Third, do not act like a butler. Act like you're not serving someone. You make your own rules for youself." My eyes went back to see if he was listening and he was.

"So...that means I should be like Brice?"

"Independent? Yes."

"Like this?" He even tried to imitate Brice's action and tone of voice, making me giggle unexpectedly. Okay, that one got me.

"I meant be a decision-maker like him. Do not copy Brice, literally." I casted my eyes away as I felt him nodding on my statement.

"Oh. I'm sorry, mi---" I tried to look back but he then corrects himself soon after I did.

"I mean, Anne."

When we had now tried to go up the stairs, his hand quickly stopped me from going any further. His eyes were now looking at someone, his eyebrows furrowed as he drags me back down.

"Do you know him?" he then asked as I went to look at the direction he was facing. Right now, I could see nothing but a bunch of students at the locker - getting all of their stuff out and some were just looking inside.

"Hmm? Who?" His fingers pointed at the random direction once again but I couldn't see anyone familiar to me.

"I don't see anyone, Nich. Except for students from the other sections." I saw him shook his head and waved his hands to tell me that I shouldn't mind his question.

"Nevermind me. My eyes are probably just doing tricks on me."

I then nod. "Since it's your first time here, I guess you should follow me so you won't get lost."

"And maybe it's time to tell you something important." His eyes were now focused at me. I could tell that he was again curious.

"Where are we going, Anne?" he asked me as I held his hand and pulled him with me.

"I'm going to the cafeteria then we'll go to the rooftop," I answered.

"Rooftop? Why not stay in that 'cafeteria' place?" I knew that there are things that are important to discuss while we were still on break time. I couldn't really go near him when the classes are all over.

"I want to talk about everything back in London. I've been receiving letters from Brice."

👑 👑 👑

UNEDITED.

I want to write all the chapters first before proofreading. Sorry!

As Jodi Picoult said, "You can always edit a bad page. You can't edit a blank page."

Hope you all understand. Love you all!