Dane leaves immediately to clean his hands. While I am standing against the wall, breathing loudly. I regain my posture, licking my lips and looking down at myself. Wait. Dane usually doesn't leave me like that after we are done doing the deed. No matter what kind of deed we might have done. He would always stay by my side until I left on my own accord.

Suddenly, tears sting the back of my eyes as I gulp harshly. Maybe the post-climax clarity hits me, and I start to question everything. Is this reverse harem of mine even worth it?

Collecting myself quickly, reminding myself that I'm not in the safety of my room but rather in an open space. I pull my panties and skirt up. Swiftly, I wipe my tears with my clean hands.

"Quite a show, Frostbite." At once, I jump in my place and turn to the male's voice!

"You...why are you following me?" I ask him, turning away. He shouldn't notice the distress on my face.

"Does this area belong to you? I'm free to roam wherever I want." He answers in a condescending tone. After a few seconds, Cynric approaches me as I watch him pick up my bag.

"What are you doing-?" I ask him, but he cuts me off instantly,

"Come with me." He replies. I furrow my eyebrows, "Just come with me." After he repeats himself, I realise I have no other choice but to follow him. Is he trying to redeem another round from me based on deleting another photo from his gallery?

I think it's better if I tell him I'm not in the mood. He might understand my situation.

"Cynric, I..." We halt in front of a restroom as he turns around.

"I'll wait outside. Finish your business and let's go back to class." Cynric says without looking at me. He has my bag over his shoulder and he leans against the wall with one leg up. What is this feeling...?

Is he trying to help me...?

Without saying a word, I walk past him and enter the girl's restroom. I enter a free cubicle and do the necessary. Cleaning myself up, I couldn't help but smile at his actions. I didn't think Cynric would be such a thoughtful person. But still, it is too soon to judge, I think. Exiting the restroom, I see that Cynric is still waiting for me with my bag. A couple of girls who pass by look at him and giggle. However, their expression shifts when they see me with him.

I couldn't stop myself anymore, "Cynric. Um...thank you." I finally say.

"For what?" He asks, genuinely seeming oblivious. I shrug my shoulders and look at my feet. "For helping me. I think."

Suddenly, he scoffs with a 'pft' and walks away. With wide eyes and confusion fresh in my head, I stand there, dumbstruck. What just happened?

Making my way to the class, I hear people shifting from loud talk to whispering. There aren't many in the corridor since it is just a minute or so left for the break before the next bell rings. My paranoia gets the best of me and I turn it towards myself. They must be talking about me for sure.

"Oh, look who's here." Our class coordinator, Mr. Feynman says out of the blue. I look behind myself, but realize he is looking at me and not anyone else.

"Should I be knowing something, sir?" I ask him. He scoffs. "No. Not at all. Rich kids shouldn't know many things anyway. Come and sit, even though you're a minute late to the class." I'm taken aback by his unforeseen hostility. Some boys at the back laugh at the situation I'm pushed in. Shaking it out of my head, I find my seat back beside Crystal.

"Hey, I'm sorry. He's been giving attitude since-" Crystal speaks as I cut her off instantly.

"No, it's alright. I don't care about anyone." I say. However, I can still feel the furrow in my eyebrows. For some reason, they won't fade away!

Carrying the gloominess till the end of the day, I find myself walking out of the campus alone. Crystal and Alex have a project coming up. Christmas is close by, meaning everyone else is participating in something or the other to organise and conduct. As you could've guessed, I take no interest in these activities. They waste my time. Someone else also seems to have the same mindset.

"Yo, sis!" A manly hand tucks me under his arm! Breaking away from his group of friends, Nick joins me as we don't have to pretend to be strangers anymore.

"Whoa, I almost fell!" I exclaim, regaining my balance.

"Falling for me?" He replies in a low voice, eliciting a dampened expression from me.

"Seriously? Anyway-" I wanted to discuss our next study session together, but my phone started ringing just then. My mood lightens up when I see the ID on the screen. Someone takes a peek at it too.

"Aria? Hey! What's up?" I greet her enthusiastically!

"Hey, girl! I wanted to check with you to see if you can hang out with me. I'm right outside the campus gates, and I'm waving at you." I whip my head to see the girl. And surely, she's having a big smile on her face and waving at me!

"Sure, I'm coming up!" I say and cut the call.

"Sorry, Nick. But I gotta go. We'll catch up at night, alright? Maybe ask Dane to accompany you to study! Bye!" In a haste, my words fall in fumbles as I rush to greet Aria.

"Oi! But he is DANE! He won't...study with me..." I can't hear Nick's pleas, it is as if my mind filtered it out and my focus was all over Aria.

We squeal and we jump, hugging as she invites me once again, "Wanna go out for shopping with me? I wanna get new clothes for college! I can't believe I'm a freshman already!" Aria exclaims.

"Sure! Let's go!"

How foolish am I? Didn't I know that it is a ground full of people trying to get back home and that few specific group of people would find me sceptical...?