Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Chapter 26

ALICIA

Thank God for alarm clocks.

I jet up immediately, momentarily confused as I look around wonderingly. I search for my phone and stop the shrill noise coming from it, then I drag myself to take a shower. Probably the shortest I've ever taken. I throw on some clothes, not checking to see what they are.

Way to go making a good first impression, Alicia.

I flip my rucksack onto my back and throw all my necessities inside.

Wallet & Phone Check

Lip-gloss Check

House keys Check

I rush out of the apartment and grab the key from inside my bag before locking it and throwing it back inside. Thirty minutes later and I'm racing to my first class. I practically ask a million people before I'm able to find my way to the lecture theater. If not for a good Samaritan who practically takes me by the hand and leads me there, I would have totally missed my first class, which by the way is already underway as I slide into a seat at the back with an oomph.

I hear someone chuckling behind me but I don't bother turning. It took me a while to pick up my course forms from the administrative block so excuse me if I'm a few minutes late.

Being a first-year student at the ripe old age of twenty-two makes me feel like an oldie, but as the saying goes - it's better late than never. I look around, noting how the lecture theater is packed full of students. Everyone is busy listening attentively with big workbooks in front of them.

Shoot! I forgot to get some workbooks, and even pens, before coming. I slink into my seat and try to look as unobtrusive as I can. Something white appears on the table in front of me. On second inspection, I realize it's a piece of paper. A pen soon follows it. That's when I realize someone behind me dropped them there.

I don't turn around, I'm too mortified to move, too frozen to listen to the lecturer. Too stunned to do anything.

Not long after, the lecturer leaves and I sling my empty rucksack onto my back and walk out as quickly as I can. Unfortunately, other students have the same thing in mind, so there's some traffic at the door. As soon as I see a leeway, I surge forward but a hand lands on my shoulder from behind and someone turns me around.

I trace the offensive hand to a broad shoulder and up to a face.

Holy shit!

This guy could actually give Ash a run for his looks.

His face which is presently turned up in a smile, reveals twin dimples. His eyes are a piercing blue, and his mouth is pink and full-lipped. Blonde hair which is a little bit too long, spills onto broad shoulders. Somehow, it adds to his overall attractiveness. He's sturdy without being too bulky. I realize I'm staring at him longer than is necessary when his smile turns into a smirk. This deepens his dimples and I have to tear my eyes away from his face.

"Hi! I'm Donald, and I couldn't let someone this beautiful leave without first meeting her acquaintance."

"Do you mind?" I stare pointedly at his hand which is still fixed squarely on my shoulder.

I expect him to remove his hand immediately and step back, instead, he slides it down my shoulder in a caress, making shooting sparks race up and down my arm. Only then does he drop his hand and moves back. "Apologies, may I help you with anything you need? You seem new, and-"

"I don't need anything from you." I turn around immediately and head towards the door that is now free. In this brief time, the class has thinned out. Only a few stragglers remain, discussing amongst themselves. My major concern is finding out what the lecturer taught.

"I wouldn't worry if I were you," A voice close behind me speaks.

I turn around to see the same guy following me. There's something about this dude that's driving me up the wall. It could be that his voice is deep and throaty or that I'm suddenly attracted to him. Whatever it is, I can't deal with it right now. I've got another class in the next five minutes and I need to find where it's taking place.

"Go away, stalker." I throw over my shoulders, not bothering to break my stride.

"The name's Donald, but you can call me Donny, everyone does."

As if buttressing that fact, a loud female voice shouts. "Donny, hey Donny, where you going?"

Instinctively I turn, and just in time to, as I catch stalker guy rolling his eyes and expelling an exasperated sigh. I look away from him and catch sight of a petite female with blonde hair. As she gets closer, she darts an annoyed look at me before turning to stalker guy with a wide smile.

"Hey, Donny, I've been looking all over for you, you made me run after you like a mad hatter."

My eyes widen when I take in the heels she's got on. She looks comical as she totters closer and puts one arm on his. I can't help but smile at her outward show of affection. Looks like stalker guy isn't too happy to see her with the tight smile he gifts her.

I'm going to have so much fun with this.

I sidle closer to stalker guy, so close, my boobs grace his arm. I feel him tensing. "But you promised we'd have some coffee after our first class, Donny."

His eyes widen as he looks at me, but it's only for an instant before he smiles and wraps an arm around my waist possessively. "As if I could forget."

From the corner of my eyes, I see blondie throwing daggers at me with her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Jen, I've got to go," then he turns to look at me. "I've got a coffee date with this pretty one."

I feel him steering me away before blondie can say another word. It's not until we've rounded a corner that I push him away from me. "Don't you dare touch me again."

He throws his head back and laughs heartily. "Come, now, pretty one, you were the one who practically threw yourself at me. Thanks, by the way, Jen won't leave me alone."

"I don't give a rat's ass what you have with whoever. Just make sure to steer clear of me." I say as I walk off.

He doesn't try to stop me and for that, I'm grateful. This time, I'm able to find my way to my second class from the detailed map I was given earlier at the school admin center. I have three more classes back to back and by the time three in the afternoon rolls around, I'm almost keeling over. My eyes feel gritty from writing so much. I made sure to jot down every word that came out of the lecturer's mouth. I'm OCD like that.

I bought some workbooks as well as pens so I had enough, and now my bag is heavier than it was in the morning. I grab a cab home but a few seconds in, I'm knocked out by the lull of the vehicle. I open my eyes with a start when it eventually stops and I drag myself out.

The first time I fit the key in the lock, it slips from my fingers and falls onto the grass at my feet. It's a bad reminder I need to cut the grass or hire someone to do it. The second time, it falls and lands on my feet. The third time, I'm able to fit it perfectly and even turn the lock. The moment I step inside, I realize I've got the wrong apartment.

There are flowers everywhere.

They fill every surface. Roses in different colors - White, yellow, pink, red, and even orange.

I poke my head out the door and peek at the surroundings just to make sure I didn't enter someone else's apartment mistakenly. It's not until I spy the mismatched chairs in the sitting room that I realize it is the apartment I share with Tanya.

I walk to the bedroom and see rose petals everywhere on the bed and the floor. There's a bouquet of white roses with a single red rose stalk in the middle of my bed. A card peeks out from it.

I feel a burst of energy as I walk towards it, all my initial lethargy vanished. As I take the card in my hand, I see only two initials that confirm who indeed it is.

A.T