"What are you looking at, De Luca?", JB said, visibly annoyed.

I then turned back to check who she was talking to, turns out it was Kel. My mind was probably elsewhere that I didn't notice them going here at our table.

"You're very pretty today, De Luna, that's why. Tell me, who's your type among the two?" Kel asked, laughing. "This one?" He points to me. "She's off limits."

"Stop it! I already told you I have a boyfriend", JB really seems pissed.

I have to admit, I kinda understand why Kel is taunting JB—she looks cool, albeit a bit boyish. She sports this pixie cut which really accentuates her small and angelic face, and she wears this oversized shirt with a graphic print, paired with ripped jeans, and boots.

"Oh, who? That lanky guy?", he scoffed.

JB was motioning to hit Kel with a bottle when Ethan spoke.

"Shut it, Kel." Then he looked at me. "What time will your classes end, Ave?"

“I think around 5.”

“Okay. At least I’ll know what time to fetch you.”

"What time would your last class be?", I asked.

"We actually don't have classes now. But this future boyfriend of yours, I think he's planning to be your personal driver. He told me he won't go home yet, 'cause he'll be waiting for you", Kel interjected.

Ethan just glared at him.

"By the way, Avery, this one's Cal, and this one's Zach", he introduced me to the two who only nodded in acknowledgement. "I know that I'm the only one you know because Jared is trying to keep us away from you."

I just slowly nodded and smiled. I didn't know what else to say since I can feel the eyes around us.

"Don't mind him, Ave", Ethan said with that sweet smile of his. "I'll just wait at the parking lot at 5."

"I, uh-", I stuttered. "I can go home alone. I can go home with JB." I cleared my throat. I tried to come up with an excuse for us not to be together. I really feel uncomfortable knowing that he'll wait for me, even when he could just go home first.

JB just tilted her head and was looking at me like I said something wrong. "Just go with him. I'll still pass by somewhere later." She said with a sheepish smile.

Okay. That didn’t go as planned.

Ethan smiled, “I was the one who insisted that we go to school together, Ave. And besides, you didn’t bring your car.”

I sighed, “Okay.”

Maybe next time, I really won't go to school with him. I have my own car that I can use. I dont' wanna bother him, and besides I'm not his girlfriend.

“Just text me”, Ethan said.

I can only smile in response as they left. Good thing they didn't stay longer because I really can't stand being stared at by everyone around!

"Okay. I was so speechless the entire time!", Savannah exclaimed. "I really can't believe he's like that. Everyone has always been guessing who or what his type would be, probably fantasizing how he is as a boyfriend. And wow, he's so sweet towards you. I'm so jealous!"

I just shook my head, "I told you, he's not my boyfriend."

“Who are you fooling, Avery? Maybe he’s not your boyfriend now, but you’ll give in eventually. You’ll see.”

 After eating, we just stayed at the CFAD lobby. I can't wrap my head around everything that I just learned. I can't believe it. The whole time we've been together, I felt like he treated me normally—well, the attraction and sweet stuff was special though. Seeing his sports car, I figured he probably comes from money. When I found out about his penthouse, I tried not to think too much about it. But what I found out this day, that I didn't expect! They're basically calling him the prince of the city!

Now that we’re seemingly on the early stages of a relationship, I can’t help but think twice about dealing with him. We may be a bit well-off now, but what we have didn’t come easy, and it's nothing compared to what they own. I can’t compete with that.

Also, I’m probably overthinking, but I don’t know how their circle works. I don’t wanna be labeled as a social climber.

"OMG, it's Ethan!"

"Huh?", I immediately turned my head.

"I said, earth to Avery, but you only noticed me when I mentioned Ethan's name", Savannah said while giggling.

"Ave, our prof's here", JB said.

After our class, I immediately texted Ethan. Not quite comfortable that we should meet up, but I need to keep my word. And like what he said earlier, he really was just there waiting at the parking area—sitting in his car.

With the roof open, he was really visible to everyone passing by, but he was busy fiddling with his phone as if he didn’t mind.

When he saw me approaching, he immediately got out of the car to open the door for me. I swear I could hear a collective gasp all around me.

“So…how was your first day of school?”

“It was okay”, I paused, trying to think of what happened the entire day. “We barely did anything. Just introduced ourselves and-”

My eyes widened when I felt him coming close to me as he slowly reached for the seatbelt.

"And what, Ave?"

His face was so close that I can feel the warmth of his breath.

“Uh…”

“Tell me…I wanna know about your day.”

“Ethan…”

“Hmm?”

"But there are people watching." I slowly pointed outside.

“I don’t care about them.”

And he properly placed the seatbelt on me.

“I only care about you.”

I feel like I'm one with the people watching us in trying to hold my breath because of his actions.

When he noticed that I still didn't react or anything, he just held my hand and gave me a reassuring smile. "They'll get used to it."

We went to the mall to buy the materials I need for our drafting class. He asked me for the list and I sent it to him right away.

He immediately asked for assistance from the staff that's why we were done quick.

While the items were being scanned, I noticed that he was trying to get his wallet. I quickly got mine from my bag.

"Ethan. We talked about this."

“Force of habit, I guess.” He looked down and returned it to his pocket. "At least let me pay for dinner?"

I just shook my head. "Fine."

We just ate at a fastfood restaurant, since I was craving for chicken and spaghetti. In the middle of eating, he stopped to take a photo of me.

“What was that for?”, I asked.

He just smiled at me and got busy fiddling with his phone. Minutes later, I got a notification on IG. He tagged me in a story!

“Why’d you do that?”

“So people would know, Ave”, he said. “Look, I noticed you being bothered just as we stepped out of the car this morning. I don’t know what bothers you. I might be wrong in doing this, but I just want you to feel that nothing would change between us. I won’t let that happen. Whatever happened during the summer, I want us to stay that way.”

If I just hadn't learned things about him, perhaps everything he's saying now would be enough to make me feel better. But it's a different thing that's bothering me.

When I got home, I just checked my latest vlog post—Ethan's makeover. It was scheduled for posting earlier this day and with all that has happened, I pretty much forgot about it.

My eyes widened with what I saw. This 3-hour old video already has 200k views, around 12k likes, and thousands of comments. I can't help but cover my mouth in awe. Now, I already have 100,000 subs. That was quick!

I tried to check the comments to see what everyone's saying, and the feedbacks are insane! It's pretty much a mixed reaction. I can see some positive comments, and a couple of negative ones. I tried going through each.

Ugh. The Prince of Forthworth! ❤️

SHIP 💖💖

ohemgee, he's so handsome!!! 😍😍😍

boyfriend challenge next avery 😁

jared's gf?

what was that? she's so annoying...I wish it was only Jared in the video

Okay. That was…a lot.

I immediately hit up Ethan to ask if he already saw the video I posted, but while looking at some notifications on IG, I noticed that Ethan tagged me in a post. It was one of the photos we took on the penthouse—he was wearing an outfit from the makeover.

I can change for you 📷: @averyday_

Wow. That’s probably one of the reasons why the views on that vlog easily soared. Ethan’s impact.

ejandrada: Already posted Ave☺️

averyday_: yeah, I saw

gosh

😮

I didn’t know you had a lot of fans!

ejandrada: no

it was Kel and Zach

they kept teasing me about it

thought it was funny

averyday_: LOL 

I guess I have to thank them

ejandrada: no need to

don’t talk to them

After a while, I noticed a message request coming from Kel.

keldeluxe: now I really like u

how’d u made him do that?

hahahahhahaha

averyday_: LOL

thanks for sharing my vlog btw

keldeluxe: no biggie

hahaha

it was fun seeing Ethan suffer

When Ethan found out that I was talking to Kel, he asked me to tell him something.

averyday_: Ethan just asked me to send you this

You need to wear a sports bra when working out

'cause your boobs are big

Few minutes passed and Kel hasn’t bothered replying. I'm guessing they're talking to each other right now.

averyday_:

I didn’t know you can be this mean

😏

ejandrada:  No, I’m not

🥺🥺🥺

averyday_: OMG

Ethan!

I can’t imagine

😂😂😂

haha

ejandrada: it’s only for you to imagine anyway

Now go to sleep, Ave

Good night 😙

Although happy with what has happened, I still can't shake off the doubts I have concerning us. So the easily flirty or sweet exchange I can give him before, I'm kinda struggling with now.

averyday_: Good night

In the morning, I was rushing to get up and prepare to go to the uni. Although Ethan and I didn't plan on going together this day, I just wanna be sure that he won't catch me leaving early. Else he might convince me to go with him again.

When I reached the parking area, I noticed that his car's still there. Phew. He still hasn't left. I immediately sped off and went to the uni.

While driving, I noticed my phone ringing a couple of times, didn't bother answering though. I know it might be dangerous and I can't focus on two things at once.

When I parked, that's the only time I checked who was calling me. It was Ethan. 5 missed calls.

averyday_: Hi

Good morning

Why’d you call?

ejandrada: Good morning

You already left?

You should’ve told me

averyday_: On my way to class now

Sorry

That was the only thing I managed to say. I didn't bother adding since I wasn't sure what else I should say. Should I ask for forgiveness and tell him that I'm avoiding him? Or should I say that this is only for today and I'll make it up to him again?

I hurriedly walked going to CFAD since I'd still need to look for the room where our classes will be, good thing I spotted Savannah, so now I'm with someone. And because JB changed courses, she won't be taking this one since she already managed to last year.

The class ended quick 'cause like the day before, we were just asked to study a couple of things in advance and to buy certain materials.

"You know, Ave, the GC's of girls here in Forthworth were wildin'", said Savannah. "Some are really happy with what you did to Jared, and some are jealous because, well, you're the only one who's done it."

I just shook my head.

“Can I add you on messenger? I wanna send you some gossip", she giggled.

Can't help but smirk at what she said as I got my phone out. "Sure."

Now we're here with two other classmates in the lobby of CFAD, just practically hanging out while waiting for our next class.

“Speaking of the devil…”, and she pointed at someone behind me.

It was Ethan—he was staring at me. He was with Kel and they were on their way to approach me.

I immediately got up and went to them first, I don't want my classmates to overhear whatever we might talk about.

“Sup, Avery?”, greeted Kel.

Ethan signaled him to leave us be and just glared at him. We just sat at the nearest bench.

"Ave, why did you leave right away?"

I looked at him, puzzled. “Because I had a class early. I don’t know your schedule.”

“You could’ve told me, Ave.”

“I didn’t know I was supposed to.”

He ran his hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I guess I just got used to being around you.”

“We’re just friends, Jared. We don’t need to be together all the time.”

“Right”, he immediately got up. “We’re just friends.”

When Ethan left, my classmates approached me right away. We just continued chatting until we had to go to our class.

Since the class was quite boring. Savannah signaled for me to check my phone, she probably sent some gossip. Can't wait.

When I opened the phone, I was shocked seeing that the wallpaper was different. It was a photo of me—the one Ethan took at Le Canale. I tried to key in my password, but it won't open. Great. Mine and Ethan's were probably switched since he was rushing to leave.

Now, I don't know what I miss more, my phone or Savannah's gossip? Sigh.

While trying to survive this boring class, I noticed that Kel texted. I may not be able to open the phone, but I saw it on the notifications, thank goodness!

The password is your birthday.

I tried to key in my birthday and it worked—it opened. Although he practically gave me a free pass to check his phone, I don't know what I should check here. It feels weird snooping around like this, even though he knows.

Ugh. Whatever. I tried to check his gallery, and there, I saw a folder which contained my photos. It was probably ones he took during the summer.

I may be trying to avoid him, but seeing this, I can’t help but feel touched. He really likes me. Ethan Jared Andrada likes me!

As I was scrolling towards the bottom, I noticed that the last one didn’t seem to be here in Forthworth. I tapped on the photo to see it clearly.

My eyes widened and I gasped.

It was a photo of me 4 years ago.