Luke returned wearing personal protective equipment. Sir Bartolome turned alert when the students outside made loud noises again.

"Hi Luke!"

"Omg, he's Sadie's patient?"

"Good luck!"

When Luke closed the door, the noise eased a bit. Luke smiled shyly at the female professor and quickly nodded at him.

"Come in, come in," he gestured to Luke the chair next to me with a smile and I winced because of that.

Luke sat down on the chair and placed his left hand on the arm rest because his right hand had a tattoo. The root can still be seen there, but since the venipuncture only had to be demonstrated in front of sir once, I was there without a tattoo and it was much easier.

"Okay, okay, start!"

Luke looked at me as he waited for me to start. I averted my gaze and fumbled for the white towel to put under his hand. I grabbed his hand to lay the towel on the armrest and put his hand back there.

"Good morning, I'm Sadie from 4-A. Today I'll be drawing blood from you, what's your name?" I had no appetite to question without looking at him. I still can't feel the beating of my chest.

"Luke Alejo." He answered and pretended I had read the lab form.

"Please double check," I presented him with the patient information form and he quickly glanced at it before nodding. He definitely hadn’t read it. I rolled my eyes and returned the form to the other table to avoid getting it wet.

I took his hand and examined the median cubital vein which I had selected while questioning him. I still can’t believe he’s already here and got to my practical.

This is the first time that I'll be drawing blood from him. I shouldn't be nervous because his root is already visible and it's clear to my eyes so it's definitely easy, but why can I hear my heart beating violently in my ear?

"Do you have any allergies or has had any complications or issues during your previous blood draws?" I asked the necessary questions while prepping him.

Maybe I'm just excited because I really like his arms. In the past, it was Vincent that I practiced because he was the only one who was always willing, so maybe I'm just glad that now he's the one I'm going to take blood.

"None." He answered in a low tone.

I nodded and glanced at sir Bartolome who was about to spit on my patient. I was shaken as I pulled the tourniquet off the table.

"Extend your arm." I said before holding his arm again. When he did, I tied the tourniquet around his arm about 3-4 inches above the venipuncture site.

"Are you nervous?"

I was surprised when sir came in and asked Luke as I took hand sanitizer and rubbed it on my hand.

Luke let out a low chuckle before shaking his head slowly and my professor giggled with that. I rolled my eyes and when my hands are finally cleansed, I put on my gloves and reached for the 70% alcohol swab to disinfect the cubital area.

"I'll clean the site first," I said before applying the swab in a circular motion from the middle, outwards the circle to reduce the chances of contamination. I waited for the skin to dry before proceeding to the next step.

I got the syringe quickly and when it's all cleaned, I placed my thumb finger below the venipuncture site but not touching the cleansed area to avoid contamination.

I crouched a bit while holding his arms and took a quick glance at him to see his reaction but when I caught him staring at me, I blinked and dragged my eyes away in an instant. I cleared my throat before speaking.

"Ball up your palm." I said and he immediately made a fist that let his veins protrude even more. Damn, I'm a sucker for his veins.

"Deep breath." I commanded and he obliged.

With that, I inhaled deeply too before I punctured the median cubital vein at a less than 30 degree angle. Once his blood was collected, I immediately released the tourniquet and slowly withdraw the needle.

I gently applied pressure on the site with a cotton ball and tape, "Hold this." I said and he obeyed.

He did, and because I didn't immediately remove my finger, he touched it too. Because of the thin gloves I could feel his finger pressing to me. I turned to him and saw he was still staring at me so I averted my gaze again and removed my finger under his finger. His hand replaced mine when I released the cotton ball there.

"Keep extending your arm for a while," I reminded while still holding the syringe and no longer restless.

I used an evacuated tube with a needle and a tube holder which allows the tube to be filled directly with his blood. I pierced the needle to the tube stopper with a steady pressure and I was careful not to press the syringe plunger to reduce the risk of hemolysis.

"How do you feel?" Sir asked Luke again.

"It's fine," he answered politely.

I discarded the used equipments with his blood in the sharp container and the rest that's fine with general waste container based on our lectures are discarded there.

"We're done, thank you for your cooperation, Luke." I said still not looking at him.

I double checked the label and put the tube inside a plastic and leak-proof transpo bag but I was stopped by my professor.

"Oh! Sadie's just put it here in the rack to avoid getting leaked,"

I raised an eyebrow and let him take Luke's blood from my hand. When he turned his back on us, I turned back to Luke who was looking at me.

"Thanks," I said.

He was serious and did not smile. I averted the thought that the non-sterile gloves had been removed. "I'm going to take a break, you can go—"

"So that's it?"

I was stunned and stared at the things I had scattered on the table. "W-what?"

"Are you mad? That I'm late?"

My forehead furrowed and I suddenly tripped again when I remembered that. "No." I'm lying.

Of course I'm mad! I was embarrassed with my professor before and I really thought of taking my own blood because he wasn't there! And he said he'll fetch me too. Not that I don't want to drive or I want him to really fetch me, but if he just says such things, he should do it, right? I was late because I waited for him!

"I'm sorry, my mom called me for an emergency."

"Okay." My answer. Still not buying his reason. He can send heads up that he can't pick me up, so I don't have to wait!

I put away my belongings when I saw that sir was back in our band.

"Thank you very much Luke!" He said loudly so I frowned again. How about he be grateful to me? Tss.

"I'm done sir," I said lazily and picked up my tackle box.

"Oh! Okay! Next .." he took our master list and read the next one. "Ventura, Alyza Mae!"

I was about to walk out of the lab when I felt Luke followed. The door opened when Aly entered with her patient and both dropped their jaws when they met Luke.

I removed the PPE and lab coat when I got out without paying attention to Luke. I frowned as I passed the women who could not resist approaching him.

"Sadie—" he called but his voice was overpowered by the girls flocking towards him.

"Hi Luke! Can we please take a picture ?!"

"When will you play with the band again?"

"Omg look at his veins!"

"Can you be my patient in the next practicals ?!"

"No, excuse me."

I accelerated my walk towards the parking lot. I no longer took my backpack to the locker room because I wanted to go home. There is also no entry because the following ones are free cut. Maybe I'll just mumble in the room with the books.

I was in front of my mercedes when I heard quick footsteps approaching me. I opened the door and put the box in the front seat, but before I could get on someone pulled my hand.

Luke's serious eyes met mine. His forehead was not furrowed but his lips were firmly closed. My gaze dropped to his right hand holding me. The inks there added strength to his former so I was even more irritated.

"I'm sorry okay, I know I said I'll fetch you—"

"But you didn't." I cut him off. What I hate most of all is that you don’t have a word. They are the reasons why I have trust issues.

He sighed and nodded softly before slowly loosening the grip on my hand. My hand finally fell because when he let go, my mouth tightened. Damn.

"That's why I'll make it up to you," he said in a gentle but deep tone.

My forehead furrowed, I looked at him in surprise.

"Take your car home, I'll fetch you there—"

"And you think I'd still believe you? No thanks, you're forgiven." I turned my back on him but I was immediately confronted when he pulled my hand again.

"I'll be next Sadie, I won't get lost behind you, if that's what you want."

My forehead furrowed even more. What does he mean? I like? What do I want? I want him out of my sight! So why would he do the opposite? I was about to speak up to counter him when he got ahead of me.

"Go drive your car home, we'll use mine after." He said and he himself opened the driver's seat door for me.

I was stunned as I watched him look straight at me. When he raised an eyebrow at me and pushed the back of my car, I just blinked and quickly averted my eyes.

"You don't have to, I don't really care." I said and went inside. I was about to close the door when he stopped it with his hand so my forehead furrowed.

"Is it required for female Eleanors to be this stubborn?"

There was a playful grin on his lips while I couldn't paint his eyes. Seems sarcastic and teasing. I looked at him seriously with my heavy eyes.

"Don't try me, Alejo,"

He raised both hands as if surrendering and grinned while shaking, "Drive safely."

That was the last thing he said before closing my door and without looking back walked towards the black BMW opposite my parking slot.

His car followed me until I got home. I parked the car in the parking lot and came out with my tackle box and lab coat. The BMW was about to enter the gate when I entered the mansion.

"Sadie do you have an alcoho—"

"Shut up."

I passed the laughing Sage and went up the stairs to my room. I even heard Luke honking outside before I closed the door. When I put down my things I just realized what had happened.

I really did draw blood from Luke. Damn, I wish I could practice with his veins some more. I just couldn't get enough of it. I went to the cabinet and got a high neck dress and pants, I have to take a bath now because I didn’t take a bath there at school before going home.

While in the bathroom my mind was floating on the conversation Luke and I had had. He's gonna make it up to me? Why? I mean yes I was kind of mad, but .. it isn't necessary really. I'm cool with it, I'll also lose my pack there in a few days.

But the thought of him wants to have my forgiveness sends unknown chills inside of me. I am now facing the large mirror and staring at my chest scar. I suddenly remembered my unusual heart beat earlier. It was the second time that I felt my heart beat drastically like that.

The first one was when I first saw my father here, that was so overwhelming. And I didn't expect to feel it again now. What's with your veins Luke? It's exceptional.

I was shaken when his veins entered my mind again. Damn, I really need to get a hold of my self. I lose consciousness every time I think of his hand. Am I that obsessed with nerves?

When I finished bathing I wore white high neck long sleeves that fit my body. I paired that with black jeans and white shoes. I never dried my hair and I never put on lipstick. I opened the drawer and was about to get the piercings when I remembered that Luke didn't want them.

I sighed and just sprayed perfume before coming out without carrying anything. Luke was in the living room talking to Sage when I came down.

"Then let's practice little by little,"

"Yeah, I'll clear my schedules first."

"All right, I'll just tell you when the studio is ready. I'd like to renovate it— oh, where's the mass?"

I glared at Sage as he criticized my dress. He just laughed at me and turned his gaze back to Luke who was also looking at me.

"We'll go now Sage," Luke said goodbye as my brother stopped.

"What?" Ah, so he doesn't know.

He looked around at Luke and me and his eyes were wondering.

"Let me borrow your sister for a moment,"

"Why?"

"We're going somewhere."

Sage frowned. "Where? Why are you two alone?"

"What's wrong if we're alone?" Luke replied in the negative tone.

I folded my arms and raised an eyebrow at them. I don't know why my strange smile is here again when I see people arguing and frowning. What is that? No melee?

"You have a—"

"Yes. So you don't have to worry." Luke suggested shifting his gaze from Sage to me. He motioned for me to leave and tapped the still idiot Sage on the shoulder. "See you bro,"

"Tss .. be back quickly," Sage reminded me which I ignored. I followed Luke who was leading the walk towards his BMW. I didn't wait for him to open the door for me, I opened the door for the front seat and without saying a word to ride.

I saw him smirked outside before entering the car and started the engine. "Won't you ask where we're going?" He asked.

I crossed my arms over my chest and look directly in my front. "I don't care." I answered and he let out a low and short chuckle.

We left the mansion and traveled for a few minutes. He sounds rock songs that I also like so I'm not that bored in the car. When the car stopped at an exclusive shop I frowned.

I looked at the name of the shop, Lesyel's ink. Just the exteriors, I had an idea of ​​what was inside, so my mind was filled with wonder.

Luke got out of the car and turned to turn me on. I was still dumbfounded there as I came out and didn't even look at Luke.

"Let's go," he invited and preceded me on the walk.

We walked inside the shop and I was greeted by the fragrant smell of vape flavors and inks. Tattoo designs and pictures of their regular customers are on the wall. I was no longer surprised to see the photo of Luke naked and seriously talking to the male tattoo artist while tattooing his right hand.

"Hey bro! Who's that?"

"She's new, ah? Who do you like really?"

"Fucker."

Two men came out of a room who looked like Luke knew. I ignored them and when my eyes widened at the row of glowing piercings it was there that my lips parted.

My eyes seemed to light up and my eyes were fixed on them, I quickly walked closer to them and hovered all over the piercings. Luke looked back in disbelief.

"W-why .." I can't find the right question. Why did you take me here? I thought you despise girls with piercings?

"Just choose anything you want, it's my peace offering."

"But you said—"

"I didn't say you can put it on when I'm around. Go choose,"

I blinked and the unexpected bite on my lip slowly faded. This time, no one was hurt, no one was crying, no one was struggling, no one was angry and irritated. I smiled because .. I'm really happy.