Gaele: Just let it go. They're not worth it.

Ten2: I dunno I've been trying.but evrytime I see his face it pisses me off for no reason

Gaele: Heh, why though, I wonder. Does their face look that punchable?

Ten2: well...the truth is he is not ugly

Gaele: Oh, what's this? So you say you hate them and you always feel annoyed just seeing their face but you can't even bring yourself to call them ugly. I'd say, aren't you just crushing on them, li'l Ten-Ten?

Ten2: what the hell!!! No way!!! i was just being honest!!! I mean everyone who knows that guy would definitely disagree with me if I say anyting negative about his face but thats the only thing he's got goinh for him

Gaele: Wow, you're so defensive, haha.

Ten2: am not!!!!!! nononono stop giving me goosebumps bro. I told you I hate that prick plus he is a guy

Gaele: Oh c'mon, there's a fine line between love and hate. And it's the 21st century, bro. It doesn't matter anymore if the person you're in like with is a guy or a girl. Only ignorant people and assholes have something negative to say about it nowadays.

Ten2: I know. I dont judge. still a no is a no if its that guy. I wont like him. over my dead body

Gaele: Famous last words, Ten-Ten.

Ten2: ughh, not gonna happen. But seriously, gaele, dont you have anyone like that? like someone you hate whatever they do or even if they don't do anything at all

Gaele: Nah, not at all.

Ten2: what are you? a saint? don't you get annoyed with anyone at all

Gaele: Well, if it's getting annoyed, there is in fact one person who always gets on my nerves. But to say I hate them is an overstatement. It's them who obviously hates me, I think.

Ten2: and what did you even do to them for you to be hated?

Gaele: Aside from being very handsome? I don't know. They're the one who always start it and I just can't help but retaliate. I mean, not gonna lie, I do take in the pleasure of seeing them so worked up so I may or may not have provoked them sometimes.

Ten2: maybe they hate you because you're egoistic. and you sound so mature when we talk to each other but youre actually childish aren't you?

Gaele: Hahaha, I was just kidding, I am not that full of myself. But I am a calm and sensible person, to be honest, or so I've been told so many times. It's just that when it comes to that person, I always forget to keep my patience in check. I don't know. Maybe their childishness has rubbed off on me.

Ten2: well I understand. there's really that one person you can't stand no matter what

Poll stares at the last message he has sent to his online friend. It was sent during lunch break and it has been hours but Gaele has not replied yet.

Locking his phone, he looks at the time on the screen. It's 6:12 PM. Usually, he and Gaele would be chatting during this time unless either or both of them are busy after school. Maybe today is one of those days.

He puts his phone on the table with its screen facing down. As he unconsciously scrutinizes his anime phone case, he wonders what kind of person Gaele is in real life. He sounds like an even-tempered person like what he claimed. At the same time, he is so good-natured that Poll finds it easy to joke around with him without the fear of making him upset. And even during the few times when he was dismayed, all he did was gently chide Poll about it. Another thing about him is that he gives the impression that he likes to take care of others. No doubt he likes to act like a big brother to Ten-Ten.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Poll stops daydreaming and turns to look at the person who snatched him back to reality, only to be met by the curious eyes of the strawberry blonde lad beside him.

"Just some idea for my art portfolio," he lies. He has not told anyone about Gaele, no plan of doing so. "How about you, Nick, have you thought about what you're gonna do next for our homework?"

His friend shrugs. "Got an idea, yeah, but I still don't know how to start it. I feel like I'm out of creative juices these past few days."

"Yeah?" He nods half-heartedly and doesn't say more. Truth be told, even he is having a hard time with his artistic muse and it has affected his mood lately.

He sighs and looks out through the transparent glass wall, watching as different lights flicker on the street.

They are currently in a newly opened grill restaurant which started operating last week. Since it is near their University, Poll's friends decided to check it out today.

"So where are the others?" Poll asks, giving Nick a side glance.

"Hmm?" Nick is typing away on his phone. Looking up, he answers, "Oh. Our Business Ad friends just sent me a message, saying they're on their way. Cloud is probably with them. You know, waiting for Tem."

"Hey, I didn't notice it earlier but did you dye your hair too, Poll?"

Poll looks up the newcomer and sees Lia smiling at him. "Oh." He holds a few strands of his hair in between his thumb and forefinger. "I thought it didn't work. It still seemed black to me when I looked at it in the mirror this morning."

He doesn't need to ask about the other person whom Lia was referring to. He knows exactly who it is. And it is not only because he saw the change in that person's hair color this morning. The thing is, yesterday, Poll and that guy bumped into each other in the hair product aisle of their town's supermarket.

That was the reason why Poll was peeved yesterday. Of all the people whom he could have run into, why did it have to be that jerk?

"The blue color shows when the light reflects off it," Lia answers as she sits across her two friends.

"Pretty sure it will be more obvious if it's under the sunlight," Nick adds, staring at Poll's hair, "And your hair is very dark. I think that's the reason why the color is not noticeable. You need to bleach your hair first so you can get the full effect."

"Is that so? Well, it was the first time I did it myself so I didn't know much about it and I didn't wanna carelessly apply anything. I was afraid it would ruin my hair."

Nick opens his mouth as if to say something but immediately closes it again.

Noticing this, Poll inquires, "What is it? Say it."

"I'd say it," Nick replies, "But I don't think it's something you wanna hear."

"Just spill it, Nick."

For a brief moment, Nick appears like he is contemplating. He takes a quick look at Lia who also seems as though she is waiting for what he has to say, and then turns back to Poll before he speaks, "Well, I was going to say, 'Why don't you ask Eujae to help you on it?' He's the one who's an expert on that stuff."

Nick's statement gains different reactions from his two friends. Lia giggles while Poll grimaces.

"Did you just seriously tell me to ask a favor from that jerk?" Poll asks incredulously.

In response, Nick grins. "I told you, you won't wanna hear it." He must have caught on to Poll's mood so it doesn't take long for him to sober up. "But honestly, I don't understand why you two are still hell-bent on hating each other. Can't you just get along already?"

"Who would want to get along with that arrogant prick?"

"Pretty much a lot of people actually." This time, the answer comes from Lia. When Poll's disbelieving expression is diverted to her, she shrugs. "I mean, it is not like I am saying this because he is my cousin. Eujae is a lot of things but being an arrogant prick is not one of them. People know he's a nice and patient guy so I also don't understand why he treats you differently."

Poll scowls. He understands that Lia didn't mean any harm with what she said. She is the last person who will do that to anyone. Still, why did it come off like he was being blamed?

He doesn't get the chance to ask his friend to explain further when someone cuts in.

"Why not? Because who would not run out of patience with this immature asshole?"

Great, Poll thinks, groaning, of course, he would be here too.

Why are they friends with the same people again?

Taking a deep breath, Poll remembers what Gaele told him. Just let it go. And it must have been because of frustration for having an art block for the whole day that Poll is not in the mood to argue with anyone this time. Not even to Eujae.

He acknowledges Tem, Cloud and Risa, and then pretends not to see the jerk. Determined not to do anything that will upset him more, Poll decides he will ignore Eujae the entire time.