TYSON

I've been on edge this whole week, worrying that Hillary might have feelings for Kai. I guess I was worried over nothing. I can't explain the relief I felt the moment she clarified that she doesn't feel anything special about our captain. It hurts even imagining those two falling for each other. I had a tiny bit of hope left when I saw her neutral expression after their "kiss" - if you even call it a proper kiss - that she might not be happy about the act. But then, the fact that she wouldn't have kissed him if she felt nothing, crushed all of the sparks of hope I had. I felt alive again when she told me her reason for kissing Kai. The past few days have been hell for me. I couldn't concentrate in class, not that I ever did before. The image of their lips touching kept playing in my mind again and again, just like a film. I wanted to erase it permanently from my memory. I never disliked her, but was too chicken to voice my opinion, I guess. No, I'm not a coward, but...I don't know how to describe that feeling. Whenever I open this damned mouth of mine, I always end up messing up. Yes, yes, I know Hillary's sometimes right about that one, but hey, I can't admit it. Ego issues, you know.

I still remember the first time I saw her, working diligently on the assignment our homeroom teacher had given her. She was so focused that she barely paid any attention to the children playing around her. Her passion and dedication to her work and goals have always been admirable, and I continue to admire her for her commitment and perseverance.

A girl with a small, cute bun sat at the bench in the school grounds. Her honey-colored, curly hair stood out against her fair skin. She was glowing under the rays of sunlight that fell upon her face. Her sunkissed figure and rosy, soft-looking lips quieted my crying for several seconds, but not enough to stop my grandpa, who had come to drop me off at school on my first day, from mumbling reassuring words like 'I'll just be outside the school gates; don't cry.' I didn't want to leave him and go mingle with people I didn't know.

"Hello Tyson, I am your homeroom teacher. Aren't you a good boy? Stop troubling your grandfather and come with me."

I was led to a classroom beside which the girl was sitting on the bench. As we reached the classroom, I looked back at my granddad, crying. The brunette looked at me as I turned around. Looking closer, I realized that her eyes were the most striking feature of her beauty. They were of a rare red color and boy, were they drop-dead gorgeous! Just like a gemstone, red gemstone, ruby. She looked at me with her innocent doe eyes and I stared at her, until I found myself inside my classroom. As my class started, I discovered that the honey-colored girl was in my class. I was so thrilled and determined to make friends with her. I kept sneaking glances at her throughout the lesson, sometimes catching her staring at me, but just as I'd look at her, she'd turn her head quickly…

As I was reminiscing about the moment I met my first and only crush till date, the bell for the next class rang, sending me back to reality.

"Earth to Tyson!" I winced at the loud voice in my left ear.

"Hey, Hils, you don't have to shout when I'm sitting right next to you," I yelled back, covering my ear. She doesn't necessarily need to scream every other time; she could've just called my name - it's not like I'm deaf or anything.

"Oh, really now Tys? I called your name 10 times already for crying out loud, but you were too busy chilling in your la-la land. How many times have I told you to pay attention atleast in the classroom, huh?"

Wow! She never stops talking...

Will you shut up now, Hils? You're too fucking loud. My ears hurt. At least don't shout when you're sitting right beside me. You need some serious therapy for your anger issues.

"Are you serious right now? You're the one who needs therapy. Second, don't you dare cuss at me."

At this moment, we were both standing in our seats with our foreheads locked and our noses touching.

"Can you guys lower your fucking voices? Zip it. Others are here too, so don't think you can-"

"Fuck off!"

Hillary's venomous voice made me flinch. She cut off Natasha, who decided to poke her nose into our business. The chick is worth looking at, but her whole body screams surgery from head to toe. Back to the issue at hand, I don't think Hillary appreciated her intrusion into our business, and as the fool I am, I opened my big mouth again, just to irritate her.

"Why are you yelling at her, Hilary? She's right after all. You should go live in Antarctica to chill your mind. Nobody likes you, or even wants to talk to you; wanna know why? Because you're the wicked witch who's always nagging and bossing everyone around, just like the same person you just told to fuck off."

I immediately regretted saying those words as soon as they left my mouth.

"Oh, so now you're taking her side? Well, here's a thought, Tyson. Don't just disappear into la-la land the next time you're, a) in the classroom, or b) when I have something important to say. And don't you ever dare to even try to defend her; or else, that'd be the last time I'll be taking your shit," she slung her backpack over her left shoulder and walked out of the class angrily. The whole class was once again silent at our outburst. Max looked at me with his accusatory eyes and shook his head.

What are you waiting for, Tys? Go apologize right now. Frankly speaking, that was quite harsh of you, man, don't you think?"

"I know. Just give me some time to calm down, would you?"

Man, I'm in the wrong; I know. I shouldn't have said those harsh words to Hillary. I need to apologize.

Sighing, I exited the classroom to go find Hillary and offer an apology, but the sight I witnessed was so not good for my already shitty mood. Hillary was walking with Kai on her right, with his hands on her waist. I was truly irritated at this point. I marched up to Hillary's side and pulled her against my side... oh no. Was that too harsh? She yelped in surprise and... pain?

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Tyson?"

She was standing by my support at this point. Wait, I think she has some problem in her foot.

"What happened, Hils? Are you alright? Can you stand?"

"Wow! Look who is worrying. Is it really you Tyson? And who the hell acts this harsh..."

"Sarcastic much, aren't we Hils?" I teased back and swept her off her feet, holding her bridal style. She yelped in surprise, again.

"Wait Tyson, she has her foot twisted," Kai who had been silent for a while finally decided to speak up.

"I know, I noticed, man, chill. I won't eat her", I winked at her.

"What is wrong with you, huh? You do remember we were bickering, like, just a couple of minutes ago right?"

"Uh...yeah. We are going to have a talk about that one. Let me get you to the nurse's office first". Man, I love annoying her. I think there is something really wrong with me haha.

I grinned at her expression and turned to Kai, who was silently observing our exchange looking back and forth between I and Hillary, "I'll take her to the nurse's office, you should head to your class", I said and headed to the nurse's office, leaving Kai there standing.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!"

I flinched at Hillary's murderous scream and shut my eyes tightly from the pain her large damn nails were inflicting on my forearm. Damn she clutched my arm with such great force. Then again, she has never been the weak one.

When we arrived at the nurse's office, the nurse there was quick to help us settle Hillary on the bed and applying necessary ointments on the swollen area.

After she was done, she went outside. I was alone with Hillary... the tension was thick in the air. I thought of breaking the ice first, but my ego didn't let me. We sat in silence.

"Ugh can you at least say something? What happened to your always screaming mouth Hils?", I couldn't take it anymore and stood up from the chair with a jerk. Hillary looked startled, but schooled her features pretty quick.

"What do you want me to say? Hey Tysie I'm so sorry I interrupted your visit to your dreamland, and hey, weren't you the one who wanted to talk in the first place?", Hillary folded her arms and glared at me. Cute. Wait, no now is not the right time and place. I have to apologise first. Right.

"Look, Hils, I...I was...hey, you better forgive me because this is so damn hard..."

Of course. And this is how you expect her to forgive you Tyson? Augh why me!?

"Wait, let me rephrase-"

"I know, I know. I, too, am sorry..."

...

...

...

Whoa! Hillary's admitting she's bossy? Aw, Lord, I thought this day would never come.

"No, I'm not bossy," she says, rolling her eyes at me. "I just want to get over it as soon as possible this time."

Yeah. Just knew it. Whatever.

"Fine, just get some rest. You'll have the honour of going home on my back".

Her eyes were about to bulge out of her head while I smirked.

"Hell NO! I'm never going to do that Tyson. You're out of your goddamned mind."

AND she's screeching again.

"Okay, okay I wasn't going to carry you all the way back home anyways. Relax", I clarified and she heaved a long sigh of relief.

Adorable.

"By the way Tys, please don't let me stop you from attending your much needed classes huh?", Hillary smiled sweetly at me.

Damn, this girl knows how to switch my mood in just a couple of seconds.

"I'm going, am I not? Wasn't going to stay next to you anyways", both my expression and tone soured lightly and now it was Hillary smirking.

Look at how quickly she turned the tables! I went back to my classroom anyway and didn't even bother explaining the teacher why I was late, earning me a "Get out of my class" from my very enduring maths teacher. I collected my things quickly from my desk and made my way back to the nurse's office all chirpy. I'd rather hear Hillary's ranting than the same old lectures about not paying enough attention in the classroom.

Finally, I'm back people!

Thanks to everyone who took their time to drop a review. Tysm. Ly.

Sanjibani Mohanty: Hey there! Thanks for your review. I just LOVE long reviews. You're always so thorough and I'm thankful. Yep, so many questions and no answers. Well it might seem a bit rushed and I'm trying to improve, you see. There's more toppings to come, just you wait.

Oh, and yeah, hoping to read smth from you as well;)

Guest: Heyo! Thanks for the review. Haha that could have been better, my fic I mean, but hey it's my first one so I'm excused ig.

Hope you enjoy:)