Chapter seven

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

An eerie deafening silence engulfed the four corners of the video shop I'm working. I was left alone in the shop while burying myself in front of my laptop doing my Biochem OWL homework. I was so focused with what I'm doing that I didn't notice it was already fifteen minutes past seven o'clock. "Crap." I hurriedly turned off my laptop and arranged my things inside my bag. A few minutes later, I turned off the lights and closed the video shop securely bringing along the keys. Work for this day is finally over. I feel so fulfilled since I'm almost finished with my homework - just a few numbers more to go then I'm done. After which, I can read the new novel I just downloaded in the internet.

I walked past the busy street alone, feeling the cool breeze that seemed to hug my whole body. Advancing my way to the UCLA premises, my mind suddenly flooded with the memory of seeing that mysterious girl just a while ago. This time, I was definitely sure I saw her for real and not in a dream. Am I feeling some kind of premonition? Anxiety began conquering my thoughts that moment. I sighed trying to regain my senses. No. I should be more courageous. If this is really an omen, then there's no point of being weak. I had to be strong to save anyone from danger - especially that girl.

Wait. It seemed like something's missing. I thought deeply for a few seconds and all of a sudden - "Phin!" - I exclaimed. Yes. I have forgotten about Phin. My mind was so overwhelmed with the series of events that happened this afternoon making Phin temporarily out of the picture. I looked at my wrist watch. It's already thirty minutes past seven. I probably need to buy dinner for us. "Yeah, I should treat him dinner tonight." I hurriedly went to a nearest fast food chain and bought packed, take-out dinner for two coupled with drinks. As usual, I picked my favorite fish fillet. I also bought sizzling steak for Phin. He loves that.

Upon entering the school portal, my pace slowed down. "Uh-oh, should I tell Phin about that girl or not?" asking myself while walking in deep thought. No. I should not tell him yet. I have to wait. I must wait for the right timing. Someday, I'm going to tell him a story about that lady if ever my premonition's right. I continued walking until I found myself outside the school gym.

From outside, I could see the gym lights shining brightly. Hearing the sound of the dribbled ball and screeching strides of the players' rubber shoes, I was pretty confident that Phin's still inside the gym - playing at his heart's content. I knew ever since that he loved and will always love basketball. So I resolved to wait in the nearby bench. Waiting all alone, hearing the chirping of night birds and crickets, almost seemed forever that I didn't notice I drifted to sleep.

Phineas's POV

Focusing in this evening practice game, I admit, was difficult for me. No matter how hard I try concentrating my thoughts on the game itself, I can't help my mind from lingering on the unfortunate events that happened to me this day. I shook my head trying to regain my focus as I was dribbling my way to the three-point line of the court. "Hang on Phin." I told myself. A few more minutes to go and this practice will finally be over. Larry was guarding each of my movement but I was still careful enough not to be caught by him. Fifteen more seconds to go before time's up. When I set foot on my desired position, I threw the ball swiftly and accurately to make a three-point shot. That was my expertise anyway. I had mastered it ever since I was a kid. However good I am today as a varsity shooter, I still believe that I couldn't beat the one who taught me - that's no other than my best friend, Nick.

The ball made a clean shot inside the ring just in time. After the ball went in, the time-keeper made a whistle, signalling the end of today's practice match. I felt relieved I made things right in this night's game. I took a bottle of water and gulped as hard as I can to satisfy my thirst. My body was clearly exhausted this day. I need to get a good rest for tonight. Emptying the bottle of water, I felt someone patting my left shoulder. When I turned, I saw the captain.

"Are you alright Phin?" Douglas asked worriedly. "You seem not in yourself during our practice."

"I'm fine captain. I'm just tired. That's all." Douglas looked skeptically at me before speaking again.

"Okay. I trust that. Better not slack-off since our next inter-school match is coming soon." I nodded and he left. I went to my locker and quickly changed into my dry plain shirt. Carrying my things, I walked towards the exit door to leave. There, I saw the mischievous grins of Larry, Jared and Blake. I came closer, eyeing them suspiciously. What are they up to now?

"What?" I asked dubiously.

"You're girlfriend must be pretty tired." replied Blake.

"Huh? W-What do you mean?" Instead of answering, the three of them pointed in the direction where Ava was seated, or should I say, napping. I was astonished. I never thought she would wait for me outside the gym at this hour. Usually, she would just wait for me in the dorm. I checked my watch and it's already twenty minutes past eight. Poor Ava. She might be very hungry. I walked my way to the bench where Ava was resting ignoring those three. I could hear them giggle. With what's happening right now, I could say that Ava and I are at a disadvantage. People would misinterpret us even more as ... lovers.

Ava was peacefully napping in a relaxed sitting position - her head slightly tilted on the post next to her (post beside the bench), her bag loosely held and two packs of dinner neatly placed beside her. Whoa! She even bothered to buy me dinner for tonight. I'm impressed of her thoughtfulness. I sat beside her, setting aside the packed dinner beside me. I touched her hands for a brief while and felt the pang of cold. Immediately, I grabbed my sweater inside my bag, carefully removed her bag from her and placed my sweater on top of her body while covering her cold hands. I could feel the chill spreading my entire body now. Why didn't she just shelter herself inside the gym?

I waited a few minutes for her to wake up, but she didn't, so I decided to pull her head slowly and carefully to my chest so as to avoid stiff-neck on her part. I glanced at her but still showed no signs of waking up. I noticed how peaceful she sleeps. She was quietly breathing evenly unlike me who snores when asleep. She isn't a light-sleeper either, for she wasn't easily waken up by movements. Since she now rested on my chest, my other arm has to brace her shoulder lightly and by accident, I stroked her hair. Her hair was smooth and I couldn't stop from stroking. It also smelled nice. I haven't had the chance to be this close to her again since we entered in this university (aside from her hugs of course). Suddenly, my mind drifted to what happened earlier - about that issue of us being 'together'. The least thing that I could ever think of is for our friendship to be broken just because of this misinterpretation. I couldn't allow that to happen. "I'm really sorry. I have to drag you into this situation, Ava." I whispered. I was pretty sure she didn't hear it. She was sleeping soundly like I was made her pillow/bed. "Everything will depend on you." I whispered again. A couple of minutes flew by and at last, Ava stirred from her sleep. Then slowly I let go of my arm gripping her shoulder.

Alicia's POV

I buried myself in my pillow. What a stressful day. I could sleep all my problems and worries away, just let me sleep in my bed with my comfy pillows. Wait. Are my pillows as rigid as this? I thought they're soft. I blinked slowly. I could see a silhouette of a guy beside me. A man? I'm sleeping with a man?! How could this be? I could feel panic hovering my thoughts. Sleeping with a man is something I never ever dream of as of the moment, especially when I still need to finish my studies. I rubbed my eyes to see the guy clearly. Then I saw Phin's face close to mine. My eyes widened.

"W-What are you doing?" I winced.

"I think I'm supposed to ask you that. Did you have any idea how dangerous it is for you to be sleeping here all alone?" He said with raised eyebrows. I ran out of words momentarily realizing what he said was right. I should have just waited in the dorm.

"I-I didn't intend to sleep here Phin. I was just tired." I replied sincerely. He squinted at me for a while.

"I wonder what made you wait here." He said in a doubtful tone. "Is it because you want to tell me something urgent?" I looked at him, amazed. He can get the bull's eye often times. I have no plans of telling him about that mysterious girl yet so I remained silent as he spoke. "Or is it because -" He paused fleetingly and continued. "You miss me and can't resist any longer so you decided to wait here outside the gym?" My jaw dropped when I heard his latter assumption. I saw him smirking and winking at me. Gosh! He's trying to get on my nerves but I can't understand why I don't get irritated now.

"Dream on Phin. I only waited here to show you my gratitude of what you did for me yesterday." I answered in a matter-of-fact tone. He laughed hard.

"You're too serious Ava. Is it because you're guilty?" He inquired teasingly. Now I'm starting to be aggravated.

"Cut that issue Phin. Do you want me to leave now?"

"Alright. Relax." He stopped for a while and carried on. "It's just that you look adorable when you're annoyed." He grinned.

"Oh, so you're a sadist now."

"Well, I'm not the only one. You also said that I look adorable when I'm annoyed, remember?" He responded pointedly. I sighed. I really couldn't match his persistence. Unintentionally, my stomach growled. I blushed in embarrassment and Phin laughed harder. He's clearly amused of the situation.

"You may refrain from all my irritating words Ava, but you can never resist your hungry stomach." He stated while handing me over my packed dinner.

"Yeah right." I rolled my eyes while picking up my food.

"Thanks for this." He uttered, grinning. I can't help but smile too.

"No problem." Then we devoured our food silently. As I said, being hungry is just troublesome. If I'll tell Phin about this, he'll agree for sure. Just then, my spine chilled having an eerie feeling of being watched. The feeling's so creepy even if Phin's beside me. I looked both sides and saw nothing suspicious. When I turned to see my back, I saw three people peeking at the gym's entrance. I squinted to know who these people were. Suddenly, Phin spoke.

"What's wrong?" Phin asked.

"Phin, do you know who are those people?" He turned back and he immediately frowned.

"Just don't mind them. They'll not harm us anyway." He continued munching his food. Wow! He seemed uninterested at all!

"Okay." I replied while shrugging and continued eating. Meanwhile, both of us finished our dinner.

"How are the results of your exams by the way?" Phin questioned and gulped his soda.

"My grades are fine except for one." I admitted.

"What is it?"

"Physical Chem. I'm having a difficult time on that especially on the thermodynamics portion. Good thing I still managed to get a passing mark." I answered sheepishly and sipped my soda.

"I can help you. Mind if you'll let me do that?"

"No. Not at all Phin." I smiled warmly and leaned forward to hug him. "Thank you." I whispered.

"You're welcome. You're not mad at me already?"

"C'mon Phin. You should know me better than that." He chuckled. I'm so happy to have a life savior.

Author's Note

x x x Sorry for the wait. Thank you so much for reading! The next chapter will be released very soon. x x x