"Are you alright?" He asks looking me over.
"Yes. I'm fine," I reply.
"Sorry. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going," he says smiling that charmer smile of his.
"You're fine. I promise," I state simply. I then feel a hand on my shoulder and look to see Ulrich there.
"Problem here Rose?" He asks, glaring at William.
"Nope, not a single problem. William was helping me gather my books after we ran into each other," I explain, only half lying.
"Yeah Ulrich, ease up. She's not a piece of property or meat that needs to be watched over," William states looking at Ulrich.
"No she isn't. She's much better than that. But she's my friend and I take care of my friends," Ulrich says holding me close to him.
"Well then, maybe one day we might become friends, because I do the same. See you Belle," He says walking on by. I smile at Ulrich and he kisses my cheek.
"I'm fine on my own you know," I say smiling brightly.
"I know you are, but I don't trust him. Especially not with the most beautiful girl on campus," he says quietly. I blush a bit and smile at him. "Well thank you."
"There's nothing to thank me for when it's the truth," He says to me. I hug him tightly and breathe in his scent. The spicy scents of cinnamon and sandalwood mixed with the earthy smell of the forest and amber consume my senses and make me smile. "We should head to the cafeteria," I say smiling.
"Yeah, we should," he replies. I let go of him and we both start walking to the cafeteria. I look around feeling a pair of eyes on me, not knowing to whom they belong, but knowing that I wasn't just in the line of sight… I was a target for daggers.
Yumi's POV
Ulrich and Rose? Together? So THAT'S why he didn't want to go out with me. He's going out with the little cyber girl we found. She was his enemy and now he's dating her? Are they dating? They just hugged after all. Friends hug each other. I shake my head and walk back home thinking all the while of what Rose has that I don't. I have memories, she doesn't; maybe he's feeling something for her because she's vulnerable and needs protection because of it. Maybe it just because she's famous that he's staying with her. I've been here for him a lot longer than that girl. She's really nice and I liked her a lot more when I didn't think Ulrich liked her. As soon as I walk through the door my little brother starts bombarding me with questions, "Why are you home so late? Were you with Ulrich?"
"No Hiroki! I was studying," I explain, walking up the stairs to my room.
"Studying how to get Ulrich to admit he likes you, or you to admit you like him? Oh oh! I know! You were studying how to get him to be our boyfriend!"
"Hiroki! Shut your mouth! You don't know what you're talking about!" I yell down the stairs. I lay in my bed and look at the ceiling. I really like Ulrich, but at the same time, William has shown up and is now vying for my attentions, along with Rose's. Why are we stuck in this square! Rose and I are completely different! Right? Maybe. I sigh and roll onto my side, thinking of how I could work through this square of affection with Ulrich and William liking Rose and I.