It has been a whole week since I last interacted with Adam. The whole time, he ignored me like a plague. Neither did I try to cross his path. Emily was with her grandma so that explains why I was sitting in one corner of cafeteria, silently chugging the orange juice down my throat. I looked around the place and my eyes landed on Chloe who was busy sucking the soul out of Justin. Beside them was settled Noah, who was running his fingers up and down a blonde's milky white arm. "Where is Emily?" Sophia said as she walked towards me and sat down. "She is on leave for three days." I told her and made space for her. "Is everything alright? You seem off." she asked with a kind smile. "Uh... Nothing important." I shrugged. We sat there silently, observing our environment. One thing that I observed about Sophia was that she didn't have many friends. Although I was sure many girls would want to be her friend, considering she is the captain of cheerleading squad. Still, she chose to wander alone. "Hey Adam!" she called someone, more precisely Adam and never in my life did I turn my head so fast. There stood Adam, holding a sandwich in his hand and a book. In other. He was wearing a black T-shirt that hugged her muscular body perfectly. His hair was a disheveled mess and I so desperately wanted to run my fingers through them. Wait. Do they both know each other? "Hey Soph." Adam smiled, more like one corner of his lip lifted a little and a strange pang of jealousy whorled through me. Soph? Are they on nickname basis? "Come on. Sit with us." she offered and Adam's frown returned when he noticed me. "No thanks. Miss. King needs to stay away from me." he gritted. His words hurt me very deeply and I felt my insides clench with grief. Without casting another glance towards me, he left the cafeteria. My hunger died down and I pushed the glass of juice away. "What was that?" Sophia asked in confusion. "Nothing." I shook my head and forced a smile on my face. "How do you two know each other?" "Adam used to babysit my brother two years back." she answered and my eyes widened in surprise. "Babysitting? Adam doesn't look like someone who would be interested in babysitting." I said. "Well, that's a fact." she chuckled. "I guess you have heard those rumors." I nodded. "Not every thing they say is true Alicia." she spoke softly. "It's highschool. They are all a bunch of liars." ... The next day, I flopped down on the seat beside Adam in Biology class. He didn't look much pleased with me when I greeted him with a weak "hello". "There are other unoccupied seats. You don't need to sit with me." he said without looking at me. "But I want to." I muttered under my breath and by the look of surprise, I was sure he had heard me. He would have retorted back but Mr. Walter entered the class on time and we both turned our heads towards him. He started his boring lecture on Thyroid gland and I stiffled a yawn. "So class, you all do know about the upcoming project on Endocrine system?" he asked and everyone shouted No. "Well, all of you will divide into pairs and each pair will have to submit a model showing the location and function of each gland within one week." he announced. "The partners will be chosen on the basis of alphabetical order." he added. According to the alphabets, my name was between Adam and Asther so I would be paired with one of them. Mr. Walter started distributing the partners and I prayed to God silently to make me partner with Asther. Adam was already angry with me and I didn't want to provoke him further. "Adam McArdle and Alicia King. Asther Grams and Cynthia Grey. Fiona Dane and Henry Stewart..." the list continued further yet I didn't listen. My thoughts were focused on my name which was spoken with Adam's. "I'll work alone. Assign her another partner." Adam said when Mr. Walter stopped talking. "All the other students already have a partner so whether you want it or not, you both have to work together." he replied and Adam groaned. "Shut it Adam. Don't create a scene." I whispered to him. Without answering, he picked up his bag and left the classroom in a swift. The whole class froze at his action, including the teacher. After a moment, Mr. Walter let out an awkward cough and started the lecture again. After the class, I rushed outside in search of Adam. This time, he would have to explain his behavior. Just because he has some weird issues doesn't mean he can behave this way with me or anyone else. I searched through the cafeteria, library, gym area and every other classroom on the first and second floor but I couldn't find him anywhere. By the time I reached the third floor, I was already gasping. Most of the doors were locked except the chemistry lab. When I entered inside, my eyes landed on the standing figure of Adam against the glass window. I slowly tiptoed towards him, trying so hard not to make any sound. Before I could nudge his shoulder, he gripped my wrist and jerked me forwards in a way that I ended between the glass window and him. "You don't get it. Do you?" he fumed with so much annoyance that I felt smoke coming out of his ears. His grey eyes were boring holes in my forehead with his piercing gaze. "Get what Adam?" I retorted, trying to ignore our proximity. He was standing too close to me and I could feel his breath on the side of my face. From this close, I could even see the adorable small freckles covering his cheeks. "Just leave me alone." he whispered, leaning closer so that his lips were inches away from mine. My own skin tingled with a strange feeling and I felt like closing the distance between us. No. Don't you dare Alicia. For a moment, he didn't speak further. His breaths were ragged and his pupil was dilated with anger. "I don't want you anywhere near me. You make me feel suffocated." there was so much hatred in his voice that I felt tears pricking the back of my eyes. I won't cry. I won't. I won- I cursed myself when a traitor tear left my eyes and trailed down my cheeks. Adam's frown disappeared from his face when he noticed the tear and guilt filled his grey eyes. "I-" he started but I stopped him in time. "I'll leave." I said through trembling lips and pushed him away. I walked past him and shut the door behind me. With heavy steps, I trudged towards the washrooms and locked myself inside one of the toilets. His words stung badly. He said that I made him feel suffocated. I never expected him to say such a harsh thing and I didn't know what I did to deserve it. Am I really that bad? ... Breaking down Breaking down I am breaking down Falling hard Falling hard I am falling hard Pull me closer Hug me back Kiss me harder Don't hold back O o o Kiss me harder Don't hold back O o o "Alicia." Adam's voice hit my eardrums and my fingers stopped instantly. I put the guitar aside and walked towards Adam who was standing in the doorframe. "What are you doing here?" I asked dryly and he heaved a sigh. "We need to work on the project." he replied in a straight voice and disappointment filled my heart. I thought he felt bad for his behavior and was here for apologizing. "Just go away. I'll complete the project by myself." I said, irritated. He made it perfectly clear that he didn't want me anywhere near him. Then, what was he doing here now? I turned around and walked back inside when I heard him whisper softly. "I apologize for my behavior." "What?" I asked again, unsure of what I just heard. "I said I am sorry," he scoffed dryly. "For taking my anger out on you. You didn't deserve that." "Is Adam McArdle actually apologizing?" I couldn't help but taunt. "Do you want to work or not?" he asked in an emotionless voice. "No." I answered and his eyes widened. "Not like this." "What do you mean?" he asked, glaring at me with his dark eyes. "This time, we will do this on my terms." I crossed my arms in front of my chest and said sternly. "Don't push your luck Miss. King." he smirked slightly and walked past me inside my room. I mimicked his hard stare and slouched down beside him. "No taunts and sneering or I am out." I ordered stiffly. "Only one taunt for each mistake. Deal?" he argued like a businessman. Just for the project Alicia. Once I am done with it, I will never cross path with him again. Not at any bloody cost. He can take his mood swings and shove them up his a**. "Deal." ________________________