Chapter 3

Days passed like a blur. One week from the day I got rejected from Stan but it didn't reprimand me to continue my admiration towards him. Specially now that the competition of the basketball in the campus nearing.

This is a big event that the school has. A competition between varsity players in different department as a preparation for the upcoming competition between school against other schools. And Stan will represent the Engineering department. Even though I'm in different department its not a hindrance really, cause I'm not the only one betrayed my department though. I chuckled at myself.

I went inside the library and log-in my name in the log-in section. I scanned the book shelf searching for a book that I want to read, well, its an excuse to sit beside Stan and my chance to talk to him as well. After getting a book mindlessly from the first section I immediately search for Stan, his in the middle part, there's no one there except him and my smile widen because of the thought that I might solo him for now. What a lucky day!

I walk towards where he is and stared at his face how he furrowed his brows as he focused his attention towards the book. I cleared my throat, "Is this seat taken?" I asked him, he turned his gaze at me and raised his brow, "Did you see someone there?" He answered sarcastically and continue reading his book. I pout, never minding his remark as I sit in the chair facing him and opened the book I grab earlier.

My eyes widen when I saw numbers after numbers as I scanned my eyes in the book. What the fuck? How am I suppose to read this fucking book? What a careless move Prim. How would I understand this? I'm not that dumb in Math but it really makes my head ache every time I scanned at it longer.

I sighed then turned to the next page of the book. I took a peek at Stan and remembered that his from Engineering department. I'm pretty sure that his good at math specially when he received a Latin Honors.

I continue to scanned the page, not reading the words and numbers in there, just eyeing them caused I really don't care about the book. I'm thinking how to strike a conversation towards Stan.

"Its not a magazine you know," My hand stilled when Stan talked. My cheeks suddenly felt hot when I realized what he just said. I know that damn well Mister.

"Ah, I just searching something. Specific topic." I said as an excuse. He don't bother to gaze at me but continue reading his book.

"That's why there's a thing called table of contents," He said sarcastically. I slightly let my head bow down as I stared at the topic that I don't know. I know what he meant, he really thought that I'm that stupid? So annoying!

"I'm just looking for something," I cleared my throat, "Don't worry, I already found it," I said while smiling at him trying to saved myself from humiliation. It's fine Prim, I know your smart and you can do this!

I stared at the book, well, let me rephrase that. I glared at the book letting myself poured all my irritation to Stan. I pout and rolled my eyes at him still staring at the book. If I will given a chance I would love to slap him in the face. But then I can't do that, I can't hurt him like that. Its better to slap Max than slapping this guy in front of me. I giggled at the thought, but stilled when Stan's gaze turned to me and raise his brows questionably.

"Is there something comedy inside that book?" His forehead creased while asking me. Tsk, so strict but sinfully handsome.

"A-Ah nothing, I just remembered something." I said as I continue reading the book and cleared my throat.

"Tsk," he hissed and continue reading his book as well. Is he annoyed? I pout. But wait a minute, I just noticed that he keeps on talking to me. Is he observing my moves? I smirked because of the thought.

I bite my lips to restrain myself from smiling because of the sudden thought. He doesn't knew that he secretly making a conversation between us two and he also observe my every move. Why Stan? Are you hook to me now? I shake my head as I try so hard to stop myself from smiling and continue reading the book even though I can't understand the content itself.

I don't feel like eating and its lunch break. I will consider this as a diet. Yep, that's good Prim. Your so smart my dear.

I slowly open my eyes when someone shake my shoulders lightly. I blink several times because of the man's silhouette.

"Prim,"

I rub my eyes and stared at the person in front of me. The face of my friend is what I saw first. "Hey," shaking me lightly, Max trying to wake me up. What is he doing here? and where am I. I blink twice as I scanned the place. Wait, where the hell am I?

I let my eyes roamed around and I saw plenty of books and book shelf around as I realized where I am right now. Why am I inside the library? I creased my forehead as I stared at Max.

"Are you hungry? I bought sandwich. Your favorite of course," while placing the sandwich and can juice in the table beside the book that I used as a pillow.

I look at the book's cover. My eyes widen when I remembered what happened. The Math book, Searching for Stan, Stan's always remark at me. I blink my eyes as I realized I just fell asleep.

"Where's Stan?" The first question I asked towards Max as he sit in the chair facing me. He raised his brow and stared at me seriously. "What?"

"Where's Stan? Did you saw him?" I asked him again while scanning the place hoping to see Stan's face around but I didn't saw him even his shadow.

"Stan's not here," he answered coldly. I heaved a deep breathe as I heard his answer. Did Stan leave me alone here?

"Eat this, I know your already hungry. It's 3:00 PM already." Max said while staring at me. My eyes widen when I realized what he just said.

"What?!"

"Ssshhh," I immediately covered my mouth when the librarian scold me. Max chuckled a bit and shake his head then stared at me still laughing. Does he think its funny? tss.

"Yes Missy, You're already late in your classes. Luckily my prof for the last subject was absent so I'm looking for you, you didn't eat lunch." He said while shaking his head disapproving then open the book that I failed to noticed he brought.

Oh this is fuck up. I'm absent again, I don't know what will Quine's reaction to this if she know. Well, its not my fault that I fell asleep in the first place. Yeah that's right, its not my fault at all.

I get the food that Max bought and took a bite.

"Thanks Max," I mumble as I stared at him.

"Hmmn," He answered and continue reading his book. I scowled when I remember what happened. Stan never even bothered to wake me up and he just leave me and let me skip my classes. What an asshole. But, yeah whatever, his still handsome. He must be grateful that his handsome if not hmp... never mind.

Max didn't give me any attention because he was too focused at the book he read. I look at the cover page of the book and my forehead creased when I saw that it was very familiar.

"Danger and desire run deep.."

BELOW THE SURFACE

By Karen Harper

I smirk when I realized that Its the book I already read. I smiled evilly when I thought something. I cleared my throat as I stared at Max, still too focus at the book

"Twin. Mermaids II," I said then Max's gaze turned to me. Now I get his attention.

"What are you saying?" He furrowed his brows while staring at me. His trying to figure out what I'm thinking, my grin wide.

"You know what Max, The one who killed Daria which is one of the twin is--"

My eyes widen, surprised when Max automatically leaned in front while holding my nape with his right hand and the left covering my mouth. His too tall that it was easy for him to cut the distance between us even though there's a table.

His face was so near and I feel his murderous eyes towards me. But it didn't stop me. "Shut up Priscela," He warned seriously. But then I think I anger him more when he feel my smile under his mouth.

"Hmmm mmm hmmm, hmmm" I continue to talk even though both me and him didn't understand what I'm saying because of the hand that still cover my mouth.

"Don't provoke me, your being annoying," I chuckled of his reaction. Max really don't like spoilers specially the books he wants to read or movies he want to watch.

I raised my two hands as a sign of surrender. Max didn't let me go yet and he study me for a good ten seconds. After that he pulled his hand away from my mouth, his forehead creased when he saw me smiling evilly, still determined to tease him.

"You know Daria's ex? His be--" My eyes widen in surprised when Max lean forward, didn't let me finish what I'm saying. Now his face is serious, my heart pound out of nervousness specially the little distance we have right now. He didn't even bother to pull his hand in my nape.

"Did you say something? Hmm?" And leaned more. My face felt warm while staring at him widely. He stared at me seriously while I stare at him surprised. Shit, his being serious now. I cleared my throat, gone the teasing mode.

"N-Nothing..." then divert my eyes to something else. I feel his hot breath in my cheeks as I gulp my nervousness. He stayed there for a minute, the personal space was gone and I feel the awkward tension starting to rise up. Max suddenly straightened and cleared his throat as he sit back to his chair when he feel the sudden awkward atmosphere. What the hell?

He mindlessly open his book as he sit properly. "I told you don't provoke me, stop being annoying," he commented and didn't glance back at me. I sheaved a deep sigh when he talk, I'm just going to forget about it.

I just smirk at him and take a bite of my sandwich.