Every step of I take feel heavy as I entered the campus' entrance. My eyes are focusing on the ground I'm stepping in but my mind seems to be in a deep ocean. It's still morning but I don't seem to have much energy. I don't know if it's because I have a monthly period today or because I had sleepless nights during the past weekend.

"Good morning, Cheska!"

I looked up and saw a familiar male nursing student walking across me.

I smiled at him. "Morning ..."

I returned my eyes to the pavement as soon as I walked past him. The crisp sound of dry leaves played in my ears as I stepped on them. I think I arrived too early, it looks like the janitors haven't cleaned the school grounds yet.

I took a deep breath, feeling the heaviness of my eyes. I barely slept for two days. There are many subjects to study and paperwork. But I'm not sure if that's really the reason I'm awake or something.

Of course, Cheska. You know in yourself that school works weren't the reason why you had sleepless nights.

The words Daniel told me last time keeps on lingering in my head like it's a big deal for me. Or maybe, it is.

"I'm not a saint, Cheska. I also know how to lie."

I sighed as that word from him ring inside my head for countless times. Am I assuming if I think that he was just lying when he said I had no appeal? But he said it himself, didn't he? He knows how to lie. It just means that I didn't really have the appeal for him.

But ... it was Daniel. He's a womanizer and good at playing around.

I climbed the stairs to our building. Hopefully Amanda is here or maybe Camille. I will invite one of them because I would like to go to the cafeteria for coffee. I need some energy right now. I can't be sleepy because we have physical activity later.

When I got to the floor itself, I turned left but was immediately stunned when I saw Daniel leaning his elbows on the railing as he watched me. There's a sexy smirk ready on his face. His hair is still damp, obviously just got out of the shower. The redness of his stretched lips seems to look like a pink rose in the middle of the green lawn.

Here he is again. Why is he here anyway? As far as I know, seniors building is somehow far from here.

"Goodmorning." he greeted, lips twitching playfully.

I rolled my eyes at him and continued walking. "Nothing good in the morning if I see you right away."

He chuckled. "Feisty ..."

I ignored him. I walked past him and tried to calm my abnormal heart. The rhythm is speeding up again and it seems like electricity is flowing through my veins.

"How's your weekend?"

My forehead furrowed. I deliberately stopped in my tracks and looked behind me. Daniel was slowly closing our distance.

"Are you following me?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

His lips puckered, a ghost of sarcastic smirk tickling the corners of it. "Not just feisty, huh? A little bit assuming too."

"Assuming? In what way did I become assuming, Mr. Arrogant? Seniors' rooms are across this building so what are you doing here? You're following me!"

There's an easy smile on his handsome face as he towered over me. Our closeness made me engulf his fresh mint and woodsy scent. The sunlight penetrating through the railings highlighted his irises, mirroring the shade of tangerine. Even his eyelashes are casting a shadow under his cheek bone. He tilted his head and stared at me foolishly. Slowly, a cocky smirk crept on his pinkish lips.

"We'll see about that, Cheska."

I stared at him again and turned away. I continued walking, eyebrows raised for no apparent reason. As I approached the room I turned around and saw that he was still following me. He's already looking at me. The corner of his lip lifted causing me to look at him.

See? He's really following me!

I arrived at our classroom. I looked around. There are already more than ten people inside. Amanda and Camille weren't there yet so I felt a little sad. I took a deep breath and walked inside.

"Babe!"

I looked at my classmate Emerald. Her red painted lips were stretched into a full smile as she's looking behind me. She stood up and walked quickly. I followed her gaze and found that she's looking at the direction of the doorway.

My heart clenched when I saw Emerald threw her hands over Daniel's neck and locked it. She brushed her lips with him. I frozed for a couple of seconds. Before I decided to pull my gaze away, I saw him look at me while their lips still intact together. His eyes were serious, void of any emotions. My heartbeat quickened for no apparent reason. But there's one thing I am sure of; seeing them kissing feels like there are thousands of needle being stabbed right through my heart.

I turned around. My head suddenly feels light. I felt heat suddenly run down my face.

He's right, Cheska. You're assuming because he's not really following you. He's here because of Emerald.

Are they together?

I sat down in my seat. I simply stole a glance at the door thinking they were still there. But they're gone. I roamed my eyes around the classroom to search for Emerald but she's nowhere to be found.

I let out a sigh. They probably have a thing now. If not why would they kiss?

What's new, Cheska? You're very much aware that he's a skirt chaser. Are you still wondering?

"Have you heard the news? It's Daniel and Emerald now. Goodbye Crisanta!" Amanda blurted out. We were in a coffee shop near the school because I invited them. I don't want to eat in the cafeteria, I don't know why but I feel like I don't want to go there.

"I'm not surprised that they're a thing now. When did that Daniel get serious? He's really a notorious playboy. But it's just amazing that he hit on someone younger than him. If I'm not mistaken, he doesn't like women who are under his age. He wants someone like his age. " Camille said as she put the straw on her frappe.

"Oh, believe me. As long as the girl's beautiful and smart, Daniel will hit her. It's just a coincidence that her relationships are as old as him. You know what's really surprising? It's Emerald. That woman is beautiful but dumb. Daniel doesn't like idiot women. He always wanst women who have high grades. Like Cheska. "

From the donut on the saucer I looked up at Amanda. "Why me?"

"Just an example, friendship!"

I sighed and turned my attention back to eating. I feel lousy today. Even after having coffee, I still feel like I'm not in the mood, I still feel like I have no appetite.

That Daniel will surely have his karma. When he happens to find someone he can match, I will really laugh at him.

"Miss Monteverde, I talked to our varsity basketball coach. He said you agreed to be their muse. Is that true?" Mrs. Romero asked, our professor.

I nodded. "Yes, Ma'am. Is that fine with you?"

She pushed the mirror back into his eyes and smiled at me. The fine lines under her eyes highlighted as she smile.

"Of course. With that pretty face, you're a perfect fit for that position. Don't worry. There are additional points for you as you join there. But wait ... are you sure about your decision?"

"Yes, Ma'am. I'm sure."

He nodded. "Alright. I'm just wondering. The other day, Mr. Monasterio came to me and said that you're having a doubt in accepting that offer. That you really don't want to and you're just being forced."

I straightened up standing in front of his desk and stared at him intently. "He said that, Ma'am?"

"Yes. The reason why I am talking to you. Coach Perez said that you already agreed to be their muse, the players were even in front when you agreed. So I'm confused why Mr. Monasterio said otherwise."

My mouth gaped open. That man! He won’t really stop until he gets me back in this situation. He really wants me to back out because he wants someone else!

What, Emerald is the one he wants to be muse? He thinks she's more beautiful than me?

"Don't mind him, Ma'am. My decision is final."

☽☾

I slammed the ball to the other net with all my might. No one in that group was able to catch that the reason we scored again.

"Furious?" Amanda laughed who was part of my team.

I smirked at her. It's just a physical activity for this afternoon. Our professor wanted us play volleyball and I must say that I'm good at this. I don't know but I feel like I'm not in the mood today. Nevertheless, I still want to play some good game here.

"You're really good at volleyball, Ches!" my classmate praised me.

I smiled. "Thank you."

Our professor was speaking at the front when some of our female classmates suddenly screamed. They're looking at the side that made me glance at it.

My blood boiled like a hot molten lava when I saw Daniel and Bryle walking towards the bench. Daniel looked at me as he walked causing my eyebrows to rise. A playful smirk was already etched on his face.

What is it doing here? Oh, I almost forgot. He's in a relationship with my classmate Emerald.

He sat on the bench right next to my bag. He did not stop staring at me. From my face, he traveled his gaze down my body and stayed longer on my exposed thighs.

I couldn’t help but to feel uncomfortable with the way he was staring at me. I am wearing a black cycling shorts that revealed my full legs. It's paired with a white oversized shirt with the name of our university printed in the front. I also fixed my hair into a high pony tail and a black rubber shoes to complete my get up.

From where I stand, I saw how his lips protrude as he keeps on staring at my legs. Got a problem with that?

"Five minutes break, class!" our professor shouted.

"Come on the bench - oh, there's Daniel?" said Camille and walked over to the bench.

"Of course, his girlfriend is here!" Amanda groaned.

I held my breath as I approached to the bench. Daniel's sight was on my face again. I rolled my eyes that earned a soft chuckle from him.

"Fierce." I heard him say.

"Hi, Ches!" Bryle greeted me.

I smiled at him. "Hi ..."

My bag was so close to Daniel that made me go to his direction. As soon as I'm standing in front of him, he handed me a clean white towel and a bottle of gatorade.

I stared at it and raised an eyebrow. I looked at him with a scowl on my face. "What's that?"

He sniffed slightly. "Energy drink and a towel?"

"I know! Why are you giving me that? Give that to your girlfriend instead! She's there!" I said while pointing to Emerald who was currently talking to our professor.

When I looked back at Daniel, he was still looking at me as if he wasn't interested in what I was pointing out.

"You're so sweaty. Take this, dry yourself out." he said, eyes serious and without a trace of playfulness.

"Thanks but no thanks. I have my own." I said and took my bag. I opened it and grabbed my pink towel there. I wiped the sweats on my face while feeling his heavy stares on me.

"Hi, babe! I'm sorry I had a conversation with professor. You really kept your promise to watch, huh?"

I don't have to look at who it is anymore. Before I could see them hanging out, I tossed the towel in my bag and headed back to the center of the court. Make your arrogant boyfriend proud, Emerald. The next time I serve the ball, make sure someone catches up from your team.

I don't really know what's upsetting me. Is it because of Daniel wanting me to back out of from being their muse? Or is it because of his relationship with Emerald? No, it's impossible. It's for sure the first one.

The last set began. I will serve again. Before doing that I looked at Daniel. I saw him staring at me intently. I rolled my eyes at him and loudly flew the ball to the other side. They caught the ball and passed around. When I saw it going to my way, I jumped high and spiked the ball hard in their direction causing no one to catch it. My teammates shouted.

"Damn, girl!" That voice was surely from Bryle.

Couldn't help it, I still looked at their way. I saw Daniel's soft applause, eyes still on me. My cheeks burned for whatever reason. Seeing him staring at my every move makes me feel conscious.

The game lasted for a couple of minutes. I'm a bit happy that we won. The game is not really serious because it is just a physical activity.

I was no longer surprised that Daniel is no longer on the bench. I saw them leaving the gym minutes ago. I frowned when I saw the white towel and gatorade that Daniel had been handing me above my bag.

Why is it there? Did he accidentally leave it behind?

I frowned. I picked up the towel and Gatorade which was no longer that cold. My eyebrows met when small piece of paper fell as I held it. Curious, I picked it up and saw a short message there.

These are really for you. Keep or throw them on the trash bin, it's up to you.

Ps: Stop proving me how pretty and appealing you are. I already know that since day one.

This time ... I'm telling the truth. - DGM