Couple?

From that day, I left my fears behind and decided to move forward without them. And, honestly, Doris's, harsh words helped me a lot. It's been only a few days since then, but I've already started making progress.

It's Saturday today and since we don't have classes on weekends, I'm all free. I've been looking for Doris the whole morning but still haven't found him. Nevermind, I'll just study for some time and try to find him again later.

Hahh, I haven't rested well for the past few days; it's hectic doing extra morning exercises, attending classes from morning to afternoon, training with Doris till dusk and then revising everything again at night with Marques .

I originally planned to tell him that I don't want to bother him with studies anymore, but he wouldn't listen to me. He said that I have the intelligence of a peanut which, definitely, is a huge exaggeration!

I know that I'm not very intelligent, but he could've put it in a better way. I was quite good in studies in school too. Wait, come to think of it, my parents suddenly hired a tutor for me when I was in highschool.

I don't get it, my grades had always been good, but as soon as I got that tutor, I realised that I wasn't as intelligent as the test results showed me. How did I manage to score that much when I was on my own, but need help to achieve them later?

When I finally look at all of the things, and the boy I dreamt of a few days ago, they don't fit in after all. So, what all did I forget? And how?

As I'm cooped up in my thoughts, I reach my room and am about to open the door in a daze when somebody suddenly blocks my way with their arm.

Ciara:..!

Wh-Who? I raise my head to look at the person. Huh? It's Marques..? He's all dressed up too. He must be going out.

Ciara: Um...?

What does he want?

Marques: Go get charged, you have 5 minutes.

Huh? Get changed? For what?

Ciara:... What for?

Marques: We're going to my place.

... I didn't hear that wrong, did I? Um, he wants me to go to his house... But why?

*Flick!*

Ciara:..! Ow!

Marques flicks my forehead when my imagination starts to run wild.

Marques: What's going on in that tiny brain of yours? We're going there to get the book you wanted.

... Ohh. It's the book we were talking about that day, the one with the gun and bullet instructions. He considers me as a "little girl" anyway, why was even worried? Wait a second...

Ciara: Why do *I* have to go with you?!

He can get it on his own!

Marques: 'Cuz there're other books y'might need.

That's right, but the fact that I have to go to his house is just...

Ciara: Can't you choose them yourself?

Marques: No, can do.

Ciara:...

What the hell?! He's making it seem like it's my duty!

Marques: You have 4 minutes and 8 seconds left.

Ciara:..!

Marques looks at his watch impatiently and then back at me. I haven't even agreed to go yet! Hmph! I don't have any reason to refute though, we should be back in some time. That way, I won't waste much time and come back and study.

Maybe it's good if I take a little break once in a while, I do need some fresh air.

Ciara: Fine!

And so, I unwilling get inside and rummage through my clothes. I really don't have anything that can be worn outside, all these are mostly training suits or pajama sets. Oh! This purple oversized t-shirt and these denim shorts should make do, right?

Whatever, it's not like I have any other suitable clothes. Even Momo has more clothes than me! Speaking of which, where IS she? She always prefers to stay indoors, but has missing all morning. I guess she went to visit her friends or family outside NDIA.

I wash my face and and change into the clothes. Ugh, my lips have gone dry, where's that chapstick? I don't own any makeup because I don't generally like to go outdoors or hang out with others as much as I did back then so, I never doll myself up.

I'd almost forgotten this feeling. I guess I'm still paranoid that the ones close to me might get hurt because of me again just like Ron. They couldn't even find his body, what in the world did JJ do to him? My heart aches so much that I'm about to tear up, it was all my fault.

*Knock knock*

Marques: It has already been 5 minutes, how much more time do you need?

Ciara: Ah, coming!

As I'm lost in my thoughts, Marques knocks on the door, complaining. I can't get rid of the guilt, but I will surely bring justice to him! And to do that... I quickly grab my phone and a hair tie and rush towards the door, tying my hair.

*Click*

Ciara: Okay, let's go!

Marques: You...

I open the door and Marques's eyes widen when he sees me.

Ciara: Wh-What?

Why is he looking at me like that? Wait, could it be that I'm looking good in this? But, he has never complimented me before (for anything). I await his next words, slightly blushing and expecting a praise when...

Marques: Do you even know how to tie a ponytail? It's not even in the correct position and half of your hair is even sticking up. You look like an idiot.

Ciara:.....…...

... HE SAID WHAT?! Ugh, how could I forget that you can never get a compliment from this guy? I mentally sigh, having my expectations crushed.

Ciara: It's because you told me to hurry up!

Marques: I gave you plenty of time to change. Is it my fault that you girls take too much time to get ready?

We start walking towards the stairs while arguing. I start fixing my hair as I fume over his remarks.

Ciara: How can you say that! And I don't think that I needed to change my clothes anyway!

Marques: Oh yeah? With what you were wearing before, you liked you'd just escaped a mental hospital!

Ciara: WHAT?!

..... I may not have very good fashion sense for a woman, but that one hurt! He's such an assh*le! Can't he mince his words before spitting them out?!

Ciara: Can't you ever say something good?!

Marques: Nope.

How can he say that with a straight face?! I should get back at him too! I finish tying my hair and point my finger at him, trying to look for a blemish. Huh? There aren't any! There's nothing wrong with his clothes, face or hair!

Is that why he's so cocky? Because he's perfect?!

Ciara: You..!

???: My, my, do I see a lovers spat here?

????: I didn't even know we had couples here.

Marques and Ciara: Huh?

While we both are busy bickering, someone suddenly comments this. Marques and I look towards the source of the voice to see two members of Team H, who we share this floor with. They are smiling teasingly at us but something feels off. Wait, did they say "lovers spat"?!

I don't know them, but I must correct them! There's no way that we are an item!

Ciara: We're-..!

Marques: Yes, she's my girlfriend. Do you have a problem?

Ciara: ?!

Marques puts his arm over my shoulder and looks straight at them. My face flares red in response. He's just going to accept it?! However, my gut tells me that he's not doing this for fun. Why is he doing this then...?