Chapter 3: Friendship

While Amari is being dragged by the collar with his brows frowning, Tim is drenched in sweat, and his breathing unsteady from running and dragging along the angered man behind him.

He's been feeling death glares from the man for some time now, but he never dared to look back.

Afraid that if he did, he won't be able to wake up and see the bright sun any more.

He grimaced at the thought of his body being beaten half to death by his friend. Just imagining it made his face turn slightly pale.

The two of them have been friends for many years now, and they have known each other like the back of their hand. Their meeting wasn't anything out of the ordinary, but for them, it was a start of a good relationship.

***

Amari is the type that seemed aloof on the outside, and he would tend to stay away from the crowd.

Especially after his parents passed away, he fell into depression and he had a hard time at home whenever he came home from high school only to be welcomed by an empty house. This continued even after he graduated from high school and entered college.

While the students were trying their best to get along with the others in their first semester. Amari was doing the opposite.

After every class, he would immediately leave the room and he would either go to his next class or go somewhere where there are fewer people.

Because of this, the people who tried to approach him and talk to him gave up after being avoided countless times, but from time to time some persistent ones insisted on trying to get to know him.

Though in the end, they didn't manage to get close to him.

Tim is the absolute opposite of Amari in this aspect. He's an easygoing guy, he's approachable and cheerful, so on his first day in college, he already made a lot of friends.

Tim also wanted to get to know Amari, but when he saw that Amari avoided the other students, he gave up the idea and respected the other's decision. It was obvious to him that the other party doesn't want to be disturbed by anyone.

Hence the two of them never crossed each other's paths since then.

Though this changed after they were invited to a party meant for the freshmen.

It was already their 2nd week as a first-year college students, and the people there had already made a few friends, so the whole class decided to have a party to commemorate their first year in college.

And of course, every freshman was invited, everyone including Amari.

When he was asked by them to join, he wanted to reject their offer with a smile and just leave. But who would've thought that they were going to be very pushy about it and not give up? Well, certainly not Amari.

In the end, he agreed to go to the party. How exciting.

The place that the whole class choose for the celebration was a restaurant that was owned by the family of a fellow freshman. The parents of the freshman agreed and even told them that everything was on the house. Hearing this, the rest of the freshmen were ecstatic.

On the day of the welcoming party, the restaurant was packed and full of students, laughing and talking cheerfully.

Well, everyone except Amari, that is.

Amari was sitting between two loud freshmen, each holding a glass of beer in their hands, and on the table was the feast prepared by the restaurant's chef.

Everything on the table looked appetizing to the eyes, and the taste was heavenly. But Amari wasn't in the mood to eat because it has been a while since he had eaten with somebody before, and he wasn't used to eating in loud places.

A fellow freshman noticed that Amari wasn't eating and drinking, so he offered him a glass of beer, telling him to drink it.

Amari had never held any alcohol in his life, much less drank one. So he refused the offer while telling him that he had never drunk alcohol before.

The freshman was stunned because he didn't expect Amari to refuse him. He understood Amari's reason, but for some reason, he was annoyed by it. It could be because he was a bit drunk from drinking a few bottles of alcohol. Or it could be because he has a short temper.

Regardless of the reason, he was irritated by it, so he kept on insisting Amari take the glass and drink it.

Amari still refused the glass politely. He didn't want to drink right now or in the future. Besides, if he were to try drinking now he might end up getting drunk. It would be a problem since he doesn't know his alcohol tolerance.

Being refused two times now, the man was even more furious. His face started to turn red from anger and he opened his mouth to say something, but before he could say whatever harsh words were in his mouth. A hand quickly took the glass of beer in his hand.

He turned his head in the direction of the hand and opened his mouth to say a few taunting words to the thief, but before he could say anything his mouth immediately closed shut and his mind become much sober in a second.

All eyes were now focused on the man who took the glass of beer. Even though the freshman wanted to curse at the man he stopped himself and controlled his emotion.

After all, messing with the man in front of him would also mean causing trouble with the guy's family. Only a fool would want to create conflict with the well-known Devin family.

The Devin Family. A well-known family of entrepreneurs in the business industry as well as in the entertainment industry. They have established their companies all around the world, and their power still keeps on growing over the past century. They never limit themselves when it comes to their business so, after the first generations of entrepreneurs, they decided to give it a try in the entertainment industry, they have now created a lot of famous actors, actresses, idols, and singers since starting. And they are currently interested in the jewelry industry.

But all of this just seems normal to some rich families out there and it's nothing to be afraid of. But what they are afraid of isn't this, but rather the rumor that the Devin family has connections with the Mafia.

Though there isn't any solid proof of this rumor, this didn't stop the people from spreading it. And because of this, the people became more careful in their actions and words when they hear their name. Especially their competitors.

After all, nobody wants to get targeted by the Mafia.

It just turned out that the freshman, who offered the drink to Amari is the son of a competitor of the Devin's. And what tough luck he has to encounter their family's top competitor.

The man in front of them is Tim. Also known as, Timothy Ryan Devin. The 4th son of the current head of the Devin's.

Though he's the 4th son and a possible successor, he didn't want to compete in the succession. And when he was asked by his family for the reason, he simply told them, " It's a waste of time and a bother. I would rather start my own company than quarrel with those knuckleheads. "

After hearing this, his father almost choked from laughter and his mother just sighed in exhaustion. They never asked him about the succession after that.

Back to the current situation. Tim straight outdrank the glass of beer without hesitation. He drank it as if it was water.

The freshman was staring at him with cautious eyes and a straight back.

" Damn, that was a good one! "

Tim said while wiping his mouth with his coat sleeve. He then raised his hand to signal for a waitress and ordered another bottle of beer. He sat opposite Amari and when Tim noticed him, he grinned at him.

Amari was a bit surprised, but he slightly nodded his head as a sign of recognition.

"So your Amari! The one that everyone's been talking about."

"My name's Timothy. You can just call me Tim, for short!"

Tim offered his hand for a handshake. Amari was a bit hesitant, but he still shook his hand in the end.

"Mmm...How did you know my name by the way?"

Translation: [ I've never talked to you, or seen you before, so how did you know me??? ]

"Oh-Uh..."

"We have the same classes in our schedule, and I heard your name during roll call?"

Translation: [ We practically have identical schedules, but you don't remember me? QAQ ]

Tim was a bit sad by Amari's reaction, but he didn't mind it. He's never talked to Amari before, so that's why Amari doesn't recognize him.

Amari racked his brain trying to remember the person in front of him. He tried and tried, but he could only remember this one bright guy in his class.

He looked at Tim who was talking to the other freshmen students beside them. Tim noticed him looking, he grinned at him, showing off his pearly white teeth.

Amari, [ Okay, now I remember him. ]

"Thanks for earlier, by the way."

Amari told Tim. He was thankful for it. If Tim didn't show up, he might have already lost his cool right then and there.

He may look aloof and all, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't get irritated or angry.

To be honest, his temper isn't that good, and he could get easily angry if he gets ticked off by someone annoying.

Tim just happened to arrive at the right moment, just before the guy pour more fuel into the fire.

Receiving an answer from Amari was already a great achievement for Tim, he didn't expect him to say anything else, and he was okay with that. But, when he initiated the conversation, he was ecstatic that he now has another reason to talk to the guy one more time.

"Nah, it was nothing. That guy was irritating anyway. Hehehe"

The irritating guy just beside Amari: "...."

Amari, " Can't disagree with that. *chuckle* "

The irritating guy just BESIDE Amari: "...ಠ_ಠ "

The two started talking to each other. Not caring about the people around them that's been looking at the two of them strangely. Especially the freshman from earlier.

His face was now covered with black lines. It could be because he was ignored by the two of them or maybe because he was the topic of their conversation just a while ago. Could be both.

And this was the start of their wonderful friendship.

Well, it was the start of their wonderful friendship according to Tim that is.

***

"Wait, I'm pretty sure it didn't happen like that. " Amari said while frowning.

"Nope~ I'm pretty sure that's how it happened," Tim said confidently.

" I, Timothy Ryan Devin, never tell false tales! "

Amari rolled his eyes at the man's dramatic declaration.

"The first few parts were true, but that was not the whole story."

He grabbed a four-season juice from the table and took a sip of it.

He faced Tim and stared directly into his eyes, and he cocked his eyebrow upward.

"After the party, you were so drunk that you practically hugged somebody's bag and started petting it as if it was your dog, Jamaica."

"Then you started kissing it. After that, you puked on that bag..."

"Nobody wanted to escort a drunk-puking guy like you, so I brought it to myself to do it. When we reached your car, where your driver was waiting for you, you tripped on yourself, and fell face-first on the ground."

"When you got up you've mistaken a fire hydrant, a freaking hydrant, as for me... Do I look short to you? Then you started talking to it as if it was me, and you asked ME to be your friend."

"And that's how our 'wonderful' friendship began."

Amari smiled mockingly at Tim who's been quiet since he started talking. He keeps on moving his eyes everywhere except Amari.

"Ahem! Puking? I don't remember puking or tripping." Tim said accusingly.

[Puking? Tripping? *scoff* Those things only happens to idiots!...]

" Yeah, sure. Whatever you say, idiot. " Amari said in a not-so-quiet whisper.

Tim, "...."

The two of them are already at the party. People were mingling with each other, talking about their current life while gloating about their wonderful success in life. Trying their best to prove that everyone should envy them in every way.

Random Lady 1: "Oh, this bracelet? Yeah, I got it from my rich boyfriend. And it's made from real gold and diamonds! Isn't it cute?"

Random Lady 2: "I saw this beautiful ruby necklace worth millions in an auction house, and I just had to get it since it was so cheap, so I asked my husband to buy it for me and he did!"

Random Guy 1: "Have you heard of Y Company? Yeah, I work there, and I'm getting promoted soon. Hahaha!"

Random Guy 2: "I bought a private island with a villa..."

"Wow! There are so many people bragging here that my face might turn green from envy!" Tim said sarcastically.

He didn't want the people around them to hear him mock them so he 'whispered' this to Amari. He just rolled his eyes away while smirking. This guy is talking as if he didn't come from a well-known family and has a few lands of his own. *scoffs*

As if Tim knew what Amari was thinking about he glared at Amari.

"I may have come from a pretty well-off family, but I didn't inherit anything from them. Okay?!... Besides, those lands were given to me by force." Tim said the last part was a bit quieter, but Amari could still hear him. He looked at Tim in a doubting manner.

Tim then suddenly remembered something and pointed his index to Amari accusingly.

" And you! Didn't Mom and Dad gave you land and a villa on your 21st birthday?! So that means I'm not the only one who got something! *humph* "

Amari: "...Thay forced me too you know."

This time it was Tim's turn to roll his eyes. He knows that his parents forced those things on Amari. After all, after what happened 'that' day to the two of them, he became a special person to them.

They spend the rest of their time talking to each other at the party.

And after the party, they all went back to their respective rooms along with their roommates.

The party was exhausting so Amari quickly fell asleep after taking a shower and laying his head on his pillow.

Unbeknownst to him what tomorrow will bring him.