06 - Invitation

- New York | Ten years earlier ]

(Sebastian's POV)

As soon as the bell echoed around, the students started to wrap up with a heavy sigh. Since the semester was close, the classes turned more intense. Especially with Professor Scott, there was no escape.

"Wait!" Professor Scott raised his hand in the air. Everyone halted; some groans filled the room. Professor Scott's jaw bunched up. "What's the rush for, young people?" He retrieved his hand from mid-air and leaned against the desk. "Back in my days..."

No sooner had he spoken those three words than the room filled with another riot of groans and protests. Nevertheless, he started speaking about the old days out of habit. Professor Scott would always bring his past up to set an example. He, however, changed the path into another boring lecture.

Aaron dropped his head on the desk and sighed. His head turned to me, and I could see the complaint written all over the scowl on his face. "Aye..." I motioned to him and pushed the notebook toward him. "Don't be lazy in the classroom." His jaw tightened as he stared at me.

"He―" Aaron pointed his finger in Professor Scott's direction. "―will unalive me someday." His eyes traveled back to the said man, and his scowl deepened. "He has no mercy for us, the youth of the country, who will lead the country in the future." With each word, his voice raised to the point it reached Professor Scott.

"Exactly. . . Aaron Stone, you are responsible to lead the country." Professor Scott straightened his back. A wicked smile adorned his face. "But the determination is too high contrary to your performance."

Aaron sat up straight, eyes widen and mouth opened. Professor Scott narrowed his eyes at him. "The result from last semester is not nice. Stop sleeping in my class." He scoffed and took his belongings. "The class is dismissed. Don't forget the homework." With a final scoff and an eye roll, he left the classroom.

Everyone heaved a sigh. Aaron's sigh had to be the longest and heavier than the others. He closed the book and slid it aside. "Bro," he began. And by the tone, I could tell that he had some plans. "What are you doing tonight?"

I put the books in my bag and sighed. "I will be in the café," I told him the truth. I didn't need to work an extra hour there, but the extra money I earned was needed. As we slipped out of the classroom, Aaron draped his hand around my shoulder. a simple gesture a friend would do casually. However, his gesture warmed my heart. "What are you doing tonight?" I asked him.

"I have plans with my friends." He paused, in which his eyes roamed around the hallway. As if he was waiting for someone there. And when he found that person, his free hand rose in the air. "Over here!" He shouted.

I looked in the same direction. And Jesus, did my heart a stunt, skipping a few beats as my eyes stuck on the pair of hazelnuts. The last time I saw those eyes, filled with tears and grief, and now, they smiled at me.

In a heartbeat, Stella stood before me. Her hazelnut eyes shone under the sunlight. There were a few more people who accompanied her, but my eyes only focused on the girl. Her lips parted, and the soothing voice reached my ear, calming my nerves down.

"Hey," she beamed. "We met again."

I nodded. "We did." I wasn't surprised to see her on campus, as I already knew her. But seeing her in the department surprised me. "How come you are here?"

"You mean the business department? Or at Sierra University?" Something mischief shone in her eyes. I couldn't understand the meaning behind it. However, her soothing voice drove me back to reality. "You are not surprised. As if you know me being here is normal." Her smile grew wider. "Which one do you want to know?"

I stifled a laugh. Of course. She was trying to get me there. And I was more than okay to be there with her. "What if I say both?" I arched a brow.

Stella nodded her head. Her hands clasped before her. "Let's start with a proper introduction." She looked deep into my eyes. "I know we agreed to remain strangers... " she said, tilting her head to the side, her eyes piercing into my soul. "What if I want to be something more? More than strangers. More intimate."

Her open confession tore something in my chest. The crack opened, and the feelings grew inside. A newfound emotion I never had. I tucked my trembling hand in my pocket and leaned on the wall beside me. I didn't want to give away the impression I might have created for her. Only for Stella.

She looked at me with the same interest. Her eyes simmered when I looked deeply into them, anticipating my next step. As if she wanted something from me. Something so intimate. Something I had never given to anyone before.

"Hi." I stretched my right hand out to her. "I am Sebastian Martin. Student of Sierra University, business studies department."

Stella's lips twitched. "Hi." She held my hand, giving me a gentle shake. And my heart was melted by her soft touch. "I am Stella Karts. Student of Sierra University, drama club." When she didn't retrieve her hand, I took the opportunity to make the most of the moment.

I realized her hand was smaller than mine, and that perfectly fit in my hold. Her hand was soft, like a plushie. If I could, I would have traced my thumb along the back of her palm, feeling the milky skin under my gasp. trailing a line down to her wrist and planting a small kiss there.

"Ahem." A familiar and husky voice broke my thoughts. Eventually, it broke the moment between me and Stella. She retracted her hand from my grasp and stepped back. A flush crossed her cheeks. Aaron focused his gaze on us. "Where were you?"

"Here." I turned to Stella with an amused smile. We both synced the word, and much to my delight, I saw the tint on her cheeks deepen. She averted her gaze from me and returned her attention to Aaron.

Aaron's lips twitched in the corner, and a lopsided smile formed there. "Oh." His tone was full of teasing, and I didn't mind that. I had been in his place, teasing him throughout my high school years when he dated a girl. None of them were serious about the relationship or happy about it. The beginning of their relationship was all happy and lovey-dovey. Fortunately, they ended up on good terms, a mutual decision, and they decided to stay friends instead. But the first time I received those glances with a smile. It felt different. It felt nice.

"As we were saying," he pointed at three people there. Only then did I realize that I was not alone in the hallway with Stella. They were also present there. Those three eyes remained fixed on me. "Jude is taking us out for clubbing. It's Friday night and hard to get passes. Would you like to come?" When I didn't say anything, Aaron smiled and walked up to Stella. His hand draped over her shoulder—a gesture to show he liked the person—and he pulled her a little closer. "Stella is also coming, right?"

My turn was there to zero my attention on Stella. I didn't think she'd be into clubbing and all. However, she nodded her head and confirmed my doubts. "I will go there as well." She'd said. Then, her eyes bored into my blue ones. "It would be fun if you join us, Sebastian."

Maybe it was because she invited me; perhaps it was the way she pronounced my name that had my heart jumping. She raised a brow, and I felt my head tilted with a nod. And before I could make it out to realization, Aaron already dragged me down the hallway, away from Stella.