Chapter 19

Ava and Kelly had leisure time after their classes, so they went to the gardens to sit under the shade. 

Ava was sitting on the grass. She was wearing dark blue jeans and a white long-sleeved top with little red flowers printed on it. On her feet were cream-colored flat sandals to complete the whole look. She looked like any simple college student.

Kelly's hobby was photography. She participated in a few photography contests and had won some awards.

Kelly was taking a few photographs of the scenery around her. From time to time, she would take photos of individuals or couples.

The candid photographs were the best because they captured the raw and real emotions of the people around her. Kelly was very respectful when taking photos. She would let the owners look at their shots and have copies if they wished.

She would ask permission if she wanted to publish their photos on her social media accounts.

"Hey, what pictures are you taking today?" Ava asked as she was replying to the messages on her phone.

"My point of focus today is a handsome guy," Kelly said, giggling.

Kelly noticed Hardin a little further away from them. Hardin was hanging out with some of his schoolmates. Hardin looked very dashing with his tall and well-built body structure. He had a very attractive face, and he was very well-groomed. 

He had his sunglasses on to protect his eyes from the harsh sun. It added more to his charm. He was attracting attention as he was walking.

"Wow, I found the most handsome guy," Kelly said, adjusting the camera lens and clicking multiple shots to get that one perfect photo.

"Who is that?" Ava asked as she looked up from her cell phone.

"It's my male god Hardin," Kelly said dreamily.

"Look at this picture," she said, showing Ava the picture she took.

"Yeah, he's okay," Ava said matter of factly. She must admit that Hardin looked good. He was after all, very popular in school, and many girls fawned over him. Ava wasn't attracted to him. She found him to be ordinary, just like other guys. 

There was one person that crossed her mind, and she wasn't even thinking about him. 

She thought he was handsome the first time they met. But what attracted her to him was the way he carried himself and the way he seemed to care for her. True, she was intimidated every time he came near her, but she was thrilled as well. The way he stared at her and paid attention to her like she was the only person around made her knees go weak. He was such a gentleman. 

She shook her head, "Why am I thinking about him right now?" she asked herself. She didn't think she even cared for him.

Hardin noticed Ava and Kelly under one of the trees so he came to say hello. He hasn't seen Ava for a few days, and he was a little disturbed after that phone call at the restaurant. \

Just like everybody, Hardin has a past that has been haunting him. He was not as perfect or as happy as everyone assumed.

He saw Ava lying on the grass when the wind blew her hair onto her face. She tucked the hair behind her ear and continued to relax and close her eyes.

"She's so beautiful and delicate," he thought to himself. 

She looked so serene and beautiful. He wanted to capture this picture in his mind forever.

"Are those photos of me?'' Hardin asked. He saw pictures of himself on Kelly's camera as he got closer.

"Yes, you look absolutely handsome in these pictures. I will give you these prints later," Kelly replied. She was happy that Hardin came to talk to her.

Hardin came and sat next to Ava. Ava opened her eyes and gave him a small smile.

"Ava, I got tickets for the newly released Z movie next week. You guys want to come and see it with me?" Hardin asked, doubtfully. He felt very guilty about leaving her in the middle of lunch the other day.

He thought that guy Tristan was so domineering. He felt like for some reason. He somehow offended Tristan. He felt like Tristan was picking on him.

"Sure let's go. Have you heard anything about the reviews for the movie?" Ava asked.

"Yup, I checked online, and the reviews are good. I was eagerly waiting for the movie when I saw the trailer," Kelly replied.

Hardin knew he had to take Kelly if he wanted to go out with Ava. He was thinking, once his relationship with Ava was established he wouldn't need to invite Kelly to tag along and disrupt his plans.

Hardin was talking, but his gaze was focused on Ava. Ava and Kelly started talking about the movie and completely ignored him.

Hardin didn't care they were ignoring him. It gave him more time to stare at Ava.

He saw Ava's hand on the grass. "I wonder if it's okay if I accidentally touch her hand," Hardin thought to himself, planning his move. He was going to try to pretend to take the camera that was next to Ava's hand. 

Hardin went to touch her hand, but Ava's phone rang at the same time. So she stood up and took the call. He saved himself by still reaching for the camera.

Ava was lying in between Hardin and Kelley, so when Hardin panicked, he placed his hand over Kelly's hand instead. They were both reaching for the camera at the same time.

"Sorry," Hardin apologized to Kelly and removed his hand. He was a little sad that he missed the chance to touch Ava's hand.

Kelly, on the other hand, started blushing. She thought Hardin had reached out to touch her hand.

Kelly wasn't really thinking of starting a relationship with anyone. She knew how hard her parents were working to support her studies, and she was going to make sure she finished studying before she settled down. 

She was just another of Hardin's fans. He was such a handsome guy, and just like any normal girl, she blushed.

"Is that her boyfriend?" Hardin asked Kelly. He wanted to clarify if she had one. He knows Ava was beautiful and rich, so it's understandable if she had many suitors.

"Nah, she doesn't have a boyfriend. She is a very pampered princess and her parents are extremely against her being with anyone until she completes her studies," Kelly said as Ava was busy talking on the phone.

They wanted both their girls to have the best education before they had families. 

The Wesley daughters had everything. Their parents took care of them and made sure they did not fall prey to people who would take advantage of them. They wanted their daughters to get married off eligible men who would make them happy. 

"Her mom always calls her to ask about her well being and tells her to come home often," Kelly replied.

Ava's mom was very affectionate and took great care of her family. Sometimes Kelly was jealous of Ava having such a loving mother.

Hardin was relieved that Ava was not dating anyone. He thought he should act fast before somebody comes and snatches her away.