2 Chapter 1

Liang woke up disgruntled, eyes squinted at the proudly open window that's streaming daylight right at his face. He wanted to curse but his tongue couldn't bother to move itself and so he flopped back to bed, pressing his face deeper into the sheets.

He was mad, but it was a Monday morning, and his little rule during these days was that to stay positive until something worth cussing at ruins it. He was almost back to sleep until the front door banged closed.

He sprang up, disheveled and even madder than before.

"Couldn't you be more loud?" He yelled, to which he got no reply, signaling that his roommate has already bounded down the corridor. Liang kicked off the sheets and took his phone to check the time.

If he was completely honest, Andrew was being a total thickheaded dick. He reminded himself numerous times to actually complain to the landlord to change rooms but never really got the chance to do so. If he weighed it correctly, it was troublesome and embarrassing for a second year college to wail about an insensitive roommate. Not to mention, it'll be a hassle to move things around.

Sure, Andrew was dirty and really unkempt; he kept opening the curtains to Liang's side despite being told not to when it's too early in the morning, and he hardly keeps his noises down; but were those really enough to bother everyone to switch rooms? Liang thinks no.

He trotted towards the bathroom, noting how he needed to cut his nails when he remembered that Andrew borrowed his nail clipper last time and actually lost it in his dirty heap of disasters. Liang sighed, slamming his fist against the bathroom door.

If Andrew isn't going to straighten up, he'll probably end up choking the poor guy.

…

Liang's first class for the week was at 10 and unlike other students, he prefers to have it a bit earlier.

At 9, the sun was already blaring and seeing how his apartment was only a walking distance from his college building, he didn't need to have a bicycle or any transportation vehicle. This meant that during his walks, the heat is always hugging the back of his neck and mercilessly frying the top of his head.

He's not a lark but having to choose between the scorching heat and the cool breeze of sunrise; he prefers the latter.

Right now, he could feel the oil forming on his face and he wiped it off with his handkerchief.

He really hated walking under the sun. His heavy backpack wasn't also helping anything at all.

"You look like you're dying." Somebody called out from behind.

Liang paused and looked back, squinting his eyes to see his friend slowing his bicycle down and went to a complete stop next to him.

"My head is literally burning." He replied. "I can feel my skull melting on the inside."

"Dude, you're being dramatic- hop in." Wren said. Liang slapped his shoulder as a way of saying thanks before pulling his leg over the other, settling himself at the back of his friend's bicycle. "You know you could always phone me."

"I didn't want to bother."

And that was true. Liang always wanted to savour his time and with the thought of someone waiting for him outside, he panics and gets distracted which is a thing he always avoids getting into.

As Wren was paddling their way to the parking lot, a tall guy caught his sight and he screamed a greeting at him which was returned with a simple, nonchalant wave.

Liang wondered who exactly was that as he didn't get a clear look at the face. He decided to throw a glance over his shoulder.

The guy caught his movement and they both lock eyes for a nanosecond before familiarity began to kick within Liang.

"Are you two close?" He asked Wren as they slowed down towards a designated parking lot for bicycles.

Wren didn't bother to look at him but he shrugged. "Not really to be honest, the guy barely spoke. But-"

"But what?"

"He looked familiar the first day he joined the drama club. He's the newest addition to the singers actually. He's a real talent, makes me wonder why he didn't apply back when we were all in freshman year."

Liang didn't know what to say in return; but he knows why Wren thought he was familiar.

Thinking it was weird to push the topic, he decided to leave it and shift to something else before they parted ways for their first class.

When lunch time rolled around, Liang skipped the chance to ride the elevator down and decided to take the stairs instead. There on the second floor he met Wren along with Sam and James, sitting on a bench, too preoccupied on their phones to notice him approaching.

"What are you guys up to?" He asks no one in particular, throwing his bag on the floor before taking the empty seat that was left for him.

Sam was the first to look up, tearing his eyes away from his device. "You should check this out."

On the screen was a girl's profile and beneath it was a status update about her profound love towards a certain someone.

The thing about it, Liang's college wasn't too big and everyone practically knows everyone at some point- if not, well, at least they've seen each other.

The three boys were betting whether the girl from the medical cluster would get shut down like the rest of the girls who decided to confess their love via Facebook.

Liang's eyes widened a bit at the name being tagged continuously in the comment section.

Darren Winter.

He was surprised at the coincidence, first having to see him in the morning with Wren, then this.

"How much did you bet?" He asks Sam.

"I bet that if he shuts her down, I'll get a free lunch from Wren."

To which Wren replied, "I bet that if she gets shut down, I'll get free lunch from James."

And James had the same idea rolling around, except that he'll get free lunch from Liang.

They all knew she was going to be shut down so it was really pointless, they just wanted to entertain themselves by pretending it was something grand. Unless, Liang bets on the other side of the coin, that was it.

"But really, what was she thinking publicly confessing to Winter?" James spoke up, snickering as he scrolls through her pictures. "I mean, she's not that bad looking but everyone knows Winter is as cold as his name suggests."

"That's fucking poetic man, where did you learn that?" Wren interjects.

James flips him off and turned to Liang to get his opinion on the matter. "What do you think will happen?"

Liang shrugged. "I don't know, man. Maybe-"

"Trust me, if she comes after Liang instead, I can guarantee she won't be crying soon." Sam cuts him off.

The three boys wolf-whistled, laughing at the bold statement until Liang elbowed him in the ribcage. "I have a girlfriend, dude."

At the mention of that, everyone's laugh slowly dissipated and Liang's own stomach churned. He was sure he sent her a good morning and a kiss emoji before he left his apartment earlier, but he has yet received a reply from her.

And it has been two hours then.

Thinking, it was off, he excused himself to call her. It took several rings, however, nobody picked up.

"Dude, we're leaving, let's go." Wren yelled, throwing his backpack to him.

Liang heaved a sigh and pocketed his phone before catching his bag and leaving with the boys.