As I was walking my way at the school grounds, students were whispering while looking at me. Well, it was  just three days ago when that happened and it was still fresh on people’s minds and I don’t care. I am exhausted to think what others think of me. Besides, I can’t control what they want to think. So, I have been thinking of texting Thomas because after that incident, I never felt his presence. I'm using my phone while walking, calling and texting him. I bite my lower lip and take a deep breath. 

“Hey,” I stopped from my tracks when someone stood in front of me. 

I looked at her and she smiled. She is beautiful. Very fair skin, medium blonde wavy hair with purple highlights, green eyes, same height with me and cool vibe. She was wearing a leather black jacket, plain maroon shirt, jeans and combat boots. 

She looks like…

“Name’s Cielle. I wanted to meet you for so long and to be friends with you. How are you? I heard what happened. Those bitches don't know what they want with their lives. They just want to ruin the others because my brother didn't notice them. They are just envy of you—”

She’s talkative and I needed to cut her off, “Who’s your brother?”

“Thomas.” she said and smiled widely.

Oh, that is why she looks like him, “Where is he? Is he okay?”

“Um,” 

We talked and my eyes widened when she told me what happened to Thomas. After that, I got to my class and my mind was everywhere. The professor gave us a deadline for our project. Shit. Our project. I almost forgot about that.

“Athena?” My professor called me when I was about to leave the classroom.

I smiled at her, “Yes, ma’am?”

“If you need a change of partner for doing this project, let me know.” I force a smile to her and I just nod. 

Thomas was suspended for three weeks by punching his asshole friend in the face. In that case, that asshole was still studying and I wanted to punch his face. He was smirking at me while I was walking in the corridor. 

Will I just ignore him or finish him? Ugh, don’t do anything that will make you suspend too, Athena. 

So, I decided to give him a middle finger and rolled my eyes. It was so unfair! Even though he has bandages and a black eye in the face, it felt like that’s not enough.

I smiled at Cielle when I reached her car. I am planning to come with her to their house. I also wanted to talk to Thomas.

“What do you think is the best punishment for that ugly dork?” she said while driving and chewing a gum. I like her. She’s kinda cool. I am riding in her Ford Mustang car. A red one.

“The best punishment that he will never forget?” I smirked and looked at her, “Is to cut his dick.”

She smirks and swings her right hand, “I like that.” We are silent for a minute when she talks again, “You know what? You are different from what my brother told me.”

I looked at her with narrowed eyes, “What did he tell you about me?”

“Well... that’s a secret because he might kill me if I tell you.”

“Oh, come on! We’re friends, right?”

“Yeah!” she giggled, “But, I promised my brother. But I assure you, it's positive.”

“So, how did he describe me?”

“Hm, he said that you are an amazing person and good to be with.” I was waiting for her to continue and she shrugged, “Which is true. You are a good person and very easy to be with. I am just a 12th grade student, finding the right path to take and I trust you are the one who will help me.”

“Grade 12th? Really? I thought you were also a freshman.”

“Ouch.”

“Just kidding. But...” I look forward and take a deep breath, “I am going to be honest with you. I am not good at advising. I... I won’t tell you to follow your passion or your heart. Just do it.”

“Just do it?”

I raised my eyebrow and smiled, “Just do it!”

“JUST DO IT!” She shouted and we laughed.

As we entered the gate of the luxury house, I noticed the placard saying, HARRISON RESIDENCE.

The three storey-modern house is very tidy, a big fountain in the middle with flowers surrounding it and several plants surrounded on the porch. We circled the fountain and she parked her car at the left side, facing the brick wall. They are really wealthy and I can’t control my mind that they are living in a palace. My house in Chicago is a simple two storey-house. We got out of the car and I followed her until we got inside of their house.

“Come in! Make yourself at home.”

I smiled at her and looked around. I take a path to their living room and the inside is very extensive. A big gray couch side by side, center glass table, a flat screen television hanging on the wall and picture frames on the gray table under the television.

I notice the blue color reflecting from the glass and they have a swimming pool outside. I take a path to the sliding glass door and push it sideward. I came out from the living room and looked around. There is a swimming pool area and it's very quiet here.

I took a deep breath and felt the cold breeze in my lungs and as I breathed out from my mouth, the air was flowing into the wind. I stared at the water for a moment when suddenly someone spoke.

“You found me.”

I turned around and I saw a young man who is topless. Okay. It is cold out here and Thomas is smiling at me. I cleared my throat because it felt dry.

“Um, yeah. I heard what happened and I am so sorry that you got suspended because of me." I said sincerely and he was still smiling at me. I narrowed my eyes.

“Come inside. It's so cold and I can’t take it anymore.” He said while getting inside with his arms hugging himself. 

I rolled my eyes, “You wear nothing dude.” When I got inside the living room, he closed the sliding door. I looked at him and he was still smiling, “Stop smiling.” I said and he blinked for a moment like he didn’t believe that I am here.

“Okay. I just can’t believe that you're here and at the same time, I'm happy.” His body is just like my brothers. He has a broad chest, shoulders, biceps and six pack abs. For other girls, they will surely drool over him but me, it was nothing. This body doesn’t flutter me maybe because I was used to seeing this kind of hot body, “It was not your fault, Athena. It was my stupid ass friend.” I removed my coat because the heater was on and I could feel the warmth. “I’m the one who should apologize.” he said and I looked at him, “I am sorry.” I can see the sincerity in his eyes. Honestly, I’m not mad at him because it is not his fault.

I cleared my throat, “We have a lot to talk about but first, will you wear some shirts?”

Is he seducing me?

He looked at himself, “Oh!” and let out a soft laugh then run upstairs. 

I shook my head then sat on the couch. It’s very peaceful here or rather, quiet. As I was looking around, my eyes landed on the picture frame. A family picture. I stand up on my feet to take a look at the frame. He was with Cielle and their parents and they were standing under the sun because at their back is the ocean, hugging with each other, smiling like this is the happiest moment in their life. 

“It’s our rest house.” 

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah,”

I sat back on the couch and he wore a jacket and a black shorts. 

“Hi,” I said smiling and he smiled a little, “Why did you do that?” I asked him calmly. He looked away and leaned his back on the couch. I can sense that he is in a defensive mode. I don’t know, maybe he doesn’t want to talk about what happened. But, I need clarification.

“He deserves it. He may be my friend but he disrespected you and I let that happen.” He said looking at me, “It won’t happen if I didn’t introduce you to him.”

“I am nobody. But, he is your friend—”

“Was. And you are my special friend. You really have no idea the impact you did to me. You are the kindest and most amazing person I have ever met, so I can’t let anyone hurt you.”

My heart fluttered. His words are so sincere that anyone with an ice heart will melt. “Thank you for your kind words, but we are just friends for two months and you don’t know me that much.”

“That’s why I became your friend.” He said and then I didn’t respond, “I blame myself for what happened.”

I held his hand and looked at his eyes then shook my head, “Don’t, Thomas. You are not the one who holds our fate and besides, he was born stupid person and I can deal with those kinds of jerks. So, stop blaming yourself.” 

He forced a smile and nod, “Thanks for telling me. I was holding that for almost three days and I can’t face you.”

I removed my hand from his hand and I saw his eyes look at it, “That is why you ghosted me.”

He laughs, “No, it's not like that!”

“Yeah it is! I called you like fifteen times today!”

“Yeah, I notice. But it is just for today. That’s why I thought you were mad at me these past few days because you didn’t check on me.”

I wanted to tell him the whole story of what happened to me and it seems he didn’t see the video so, I just smiled at him and shrugged that thought. I don’t want him to know that it made me worse when he punched that guy.

He was already blaming himself, suspended for three weeks and if I didn’t come here, he is still holding on to that thought.

“Anyway, how did you know that he was that guy?” I asked him, narrowing my eyes.

He shrugged his shoulders, “I have my ways.” He arrogantly says.

I smirked and laughed a little then he wink at me, “You better tell me or I will back at my words.” I said teasingly.

“No backing!” he chuckled.

“Um, about our project. I won’t change a partner so—”

“Ugh, why??” he scoffed and then bent his head upward.

“Okay, if you say so then I will—”

“Don’t!” I startled when he held my hand, “I am just messing with you. Besides, I want to finish this project with you even though I am adjourned from studies. I have nothing to do in this house so I am available.”

“Yeah! He’s available!” I heard his sister shout.

He groaned, “Shut up, Nitwit!”

“What do you want to eat? I'm making some waffles!” her voice is echoing.

“What do you want?” he asked me.

“Anything you have.” I said then I leaned back on the couch, “I will give you a chance to back out because you might not get the credit for this project.”

“I know.” He said and smiled, “I feel bad if I let you do this alone and I don’t want anyone to do this with you so we can do this project in this house after your class or on your day off.”

I stared at him, calculating his words, and getting a logic out of him. Does he mean it is okay for him to help me and not get credit?

“Are you sure? Because you sound like you are willing to help me to get the grade even though you might not?” he nodded and I blink for a second, “Are you messing with me?”

He smiled, “No. I am serious.”

I was waiting for him to snort but his face was sincere, “O... kay,” I just said and Cielle appeared with snacks. We’ve talked a lot about anything.