Chapter one

This novel is about a college student whose fate is something she never expected which could change her life forever - that is, to investigate a crime scene that happened within her school.

Alicia's POV

I lay down in my bed, hugging my pillows and closing my eyes in peace. I was alone in our dormitory room. Literally, I was in my own world full of tranquility, not minding what's going on outside, when suddenly...

"Alice! Wake up! Someone's looking for you!" my roommate exclaimed while storming inside our room.

My roommate, Audrey Robinson, banged the door open and stood in the doorway, panting. She normally gets up as early as five in the morning during class days and seven during weekends and holidays. She has a pair of beautiful sapphire eyes, a cute face and a flowing long curly blonde hair which perfectly matches her 'seductive' curves. I, on the other hand, have this typical pair of chestnut brown eyes, black straight hair and just a normal girl-next-door face with a not-so-glamorous body. In other words, I am no match of her when it comes to appeal. Many people have wondered why we are such good best friends despite our huge differences. Well, maybe that's the power of genuine friendship.

"What are you getting so excited for, Audrey? It's still early in the morning - still 7:30 o'clock for pete's sake! Classes are not even starting yet." I complained half-asleep.

"C'mon Alice! No time for napping now. He's here!"

"Who's here?"

"It's Phin! Phin's here!"

"WHAT?!" My reflexes held me sitting on my bed immediately with eyes wide open looking at Audrey.

"Phin is waiting for you in the lobby." She said winking with an honest smile.

"Why is he here? Doesn't he know how to have a right timing?" I stood up aptly, my head still giddy from my cozy sleep. I went straight to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth hurriedly.

"Hurry up my dear princess before your prince loses his patience. He's been here since seven in the morning." Audrey giggled while informing me. I gawked upon hearing this while looking at the mirror, brushing my teeth. I hastened my pace and changed hurriedly my pajamas into shorts and simple t-shirt. I tied my hair rapidly in a slightly messy yet decent bun that I use to wear. Finally, I left the room waving my right hand to my dear best friend and heading towards the lobby.

I wonder what made Phin come so early in the girl's dormitory. Is there any problem? Is he up to something weird again this time? I shook my head contemplating.

I remembered the day when he surprised me on my birthday just this year. At 12 o'clock midnight, the eve of my birthday, he sneaked in our room's window. It was really clever of him being able to outwit our school guards assigned to roam around during that time. We're both residing in University of California (Los Angeles) dormitory. That freaky midnight, I was still awake reading my favorite novel. Audrey was already asleep soundly. I have this strange habit to never stop reading once I read a novel, even if it takes me to finish it by dawn. The following morning, I end up forming huge visible eye bags for not being able to sleep properly. Hence, I turn out being scolded by Phineas (I prefer calling him Phin), my childhood friend who acts as my older brother while I'm still in this university.

Going back to the topic, that midnight was really creepy. I was reading harmoniously in my bed with my lamp shade on when suddenly I heard footsteps outside our room's window. I was frightened! I hadn't seen any ghost my entire life and I never wish to see one! Instead of panicking and waking Audrey up, I decided to stay calm. I listened intently. Footsteps were becoming more audible, along with the bustling motion of the bushes. This time, I was pretty sure someone outside was lurking. My heart beat went faster yet I remained as cool as possible trying to figure out what to do. Someone at this hour was not sane enough to be peeking in our window. Quickly, I looked for something sturdy which could knock-out that pervert lurking behind our windowpane. I got hold of a hard-bound Calculus book under Audrey's bed. "This must be hard enough to make that person unconscious." Silently and cautiously, I opened our windowpane. Being vigilant, I looked for signs of thieves or perverts outside our window but didn't see anything. I closed my eyes and sighed. Then suddenly, a person showed up in front of me. I rapidly closed my eyes as I squeaked so I wasn't able to see that person's face. I hit him with my book and he groaned in pain. That voice was familiar. I slowly opened my eyes. All of a sudden, my jaw dropped in disbelief of what I saw. I gaped. The book slid from my hand. I couldn't say anything 'cause the person in front of me was no other than my childhood friend, Phin.

"That hurts Alicia." He said staring at me while rubbing his injured left arm.

"What are you -"

"What's happening?" I was interrupted by Audrey who was disturbed in her sleep. She sat slowly in her bed while rubbing her eyes. Then she saw us both of us, Phin and I.

"Oh, what's this scene? Fairy tale?" Audrey asked smirking but obviously pleased with what she's seeing. I was speechless. I ran out of words.

"I'm here to greet the birthday celebrant a happy birthday, but it seems she doesn't like it." Phin looked at me wearily with those words. My heart melted from guilt knowing his true intention.

"Okay. That's so sweet of you, Phin. Alice is going to have a good sleep later then." She grinned, laid down in bed, closed her eyes and giggled softly.

"Phin, step aside." I motioned him to move away from the window. He immediately did as I said. I jumped out of the window. Then I stared at him, finding the right words in my head.

"Phin, I'm sorry for hurting you. You scared me to death because of what you did." I told him sincerely.

"It's okay. I understand how you feel, Alicia. I shouldn't have surprised you this much." He replied grinning.

"Good you know. And stop calling me Alicia!" I scowled.

"You really hate being called Alicia, don't you?" He said clearly amused of annoying me.

"I said stop -" but before I could finish my sentence, he grabbed me with his arms and held me tightly in his warm embrace.

"Happy birthday. I assume I'm the first one to greet you now, right?"

"Thanks Phin. Yeah, you're the first one to greet me." I let myself buried in his chest. It was so warm. He always loves to hug me. I don't know why I also love being hugged by him. Maybe because I feel so protected when he does that. He has always been like a real brother to me.

That was a sweet ending. We always quarrel every time we see each other but end up reconciled at the end of the day. Now, I'm trying to figure out what he's up to so early in the morning. I opened the door towards the dormitory's lobby and saw a handsome-looking guy sitting in the couch. He has a pair of stunning amber eyes, dark brown hair and a refined chin that totally shapes his handsome face. He's a heartthrob so to speak, but I just couldn't resolve why he chose not to have a girlfriend at this age. He's a year older than me, more mature and I'm dead sure he could handle it. He's a real knack in class anyway. He doesn't need to study. He's a genius. Anyhow, he was looking outside the window to see the beautiful garden. He's always a nature lover. That's one thing we have in common.

"Phin, what's up?" I asked.

"Hi there, Alicia." He replied grinning.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me Alicia?! Just call me Alice!" I glared at him.

"Okay. Take it easy. You don't wanna wake-up everyone, do you?" He winked at me. He really likes to tease me. I sighed in defeat.

"Fine. Just tell me why you won't stop calling me Alicia."

"Because I like to." He smirked.

"Phin!"

"Hahaha! Okay. Okay. I'll tell you. It's because -" He said teasingly.

"Because-?" I was eagerly waiting for his explanation.

"Everyone else is calling you Alice. I do not want to call you in a manner that everyone does." He explained with his eyebrows raised.

I was stunned. He really thought of that?! Haha! How sweet of him. Despite all those pranks and crazy thinking he had for me, he still wanted to be unique in front of me. Wow! He's really something.

"Alright. Now I know and thanks for telling me that." I emphasized the word thanks. He simply laughed.

"So you agree being called Alicia from now on?" Phin asked fervently.

"No." I looked at him straight in his eyes. He stared at me with a questioning look but instead of asking me why, he preferred to remain silent and trying to figure out why himself. It took minutes for him to realize.

"Ah, I see. You won't let me call you Alicia since your brother is calling you that right?" Bingo! He hit it right! I knew he would realize eventually.

"Yeah, you're right Phin. Besides, you want to call me uniquely right?" I grinned. He laughed.

"Haha! True. Hhhmmm...let me think...How about I call you Ava?" He suggested with raised eyebrows. I was surprised. I was never called in my second name before, but I somehow liked the idea.

"Okay. As long as you think it fits me well."

"It does fit you well, Ava." He smiled and I smiled too. I like him calling me Ava. I find it cute for some reason.

"Uh-oh...Time's running fast. We better hurry before we get late." Phin told me in urgency while pulling my left hand as we headed towards the exit door.

"W-Why? Where are we going Phin?"

"You'll know later, Ava. Just trust me, okay?"

I knew this was going to be the start of a new long unpredictable day...

Author's Note

x x x Thank you for reading. Please do not hesitate to leave your review, comments or suggestions. x x x

Reviews

[Wolfwind]

*Snickers!* Very enjoyable Deneru! I think my mind took the story as it was going along and transitioned it into an anime in my head... Then I could help but just enjoy watching as things began to play out! Very Nice!

Aaron =)

[Deneru Yamada]

hahaha! anime head u say? Good to hear that. :)
Thanks so much Aaron. :D

[Wolfwind]

You're welcome! =)