2 DAYS BEFORE the unfortunate event.

I OPEN MY eyes suddenly and found myself laying on my bed, breathing heavily and now staring at the dark ceiling of my room. I look at my nightstand to look at my alarm clock. It's 1 hour before its alarm, like the usual I'm waking up one hour before 5 am, it's always been like this.

"Damn Ainoa..." I mumbled to myself and close my eyes tight before getting up.

I'm always waking up from strange dreams, but tonight the dream was about 1 year ago when I was 17 years old. I was almost violated by gangsters if the guy with chestnut colored eyes and golden brown hair didn't save me, but I can't clearly remember his face, only those two features and the logo on his hoodie. It's the logo of Ventimiglia AU gym's hoodie and only students studying there have that.

That's why when I move up to senior high, I transferred here in Ventimiglia AU to somehow find the guy because I never even thank him for that night.

I pull the curtain sideways and the view of Frias' skyscrapers and different buildings with its lights illuminated my eyes. I smile and look at the starry night especially at the brightly shinning moon. I open the sliding window to let the fresh air come inside.

This is the city of Frias. Tall skyscrapers, modern transportation, big malls, housing buildings and subdivisions... it's a pretty modern city. I think it is classified as one of the high end known city in Spain, known as the headquarters of the richest. To be exact; the best, popular, biggest, and largest company in the country or in the world is here. And this city is divided by tree.

Metro Frias, Frias downtown, and Ventimiglia.

I'm living at a simple 5 storey apartment building at the 3rd floor, first door, standing here at the middle of the Frias downtown. Outside this apartment building, there's a road and in front of it is a market plaza. It's the mostly busiest place here in Frias and if you will look at the back of this apartment building where I'm looking at right now, you will see the tall buildings of the city specially the 4 tall skyscrapers that's owned by the 4 most powerful and richest family in this city.

Most people living here in Frias downtown is what you called average type of people who is working their ass out to earn money for a living. While in the Metro Frias, that's where the corporate world works, if you're not a city person you will never live a day there without any help.

And last but really not the least is Ventimiglia. It's in the 2 non identical twin mountain, Venti and Miglia. Venti is a volcano looking mountain, because even it's not an active volcano there's a big lake at the top middle of it, while Miglia is like a big hill just beside Venti and if you will cross in this mountain you will found the Ventimiglia town near the sea, a simple town with simple life but you will usually saw the old historical mansions and establishments of the rich family in Frias there.

"Aurea! Are you awake?" I knock on Aurea's door while taking off my apron because I'm done cooking. "Aurea!"

"Yes! Mom! I'm awake!" She said in hoarse voice and I heard her groan.

I chuckled and go to the kitchen to hang my apron and go to out dining table to eat. I sit down on my seat and it's about the time when Aurea go out of her room with still sleepy face and lazy posture.

"Why do we even have to always wake up early and go to school to let our head ache at all the lesson" She sit down at the chair across me and start her usual rants about school. "Stupid professors who only want us so that they have a job. Dammt! Damn them! Tss!"

"You know it's not the case." I said slowly and start eating.

"Psh, so what's the case? If there's no students, they don't have a job." She said in a matter of fact tone.

I smiled in full understanding. "Yes that's right but if we have no professor, we can't learn anything."

"There's books. I can learn from it." She shrugged her shoulders and started eating.

"The books are made by some professors." I defend.

"So? I can learn from it." She said confidently and bite the hotdog that she stab by fork. Yes. She stab the hotdog and bite it mercilessly.

I grimace. She's missing the whole point. I just sighed, it's tiring to have a row with Aurea because what she believe is what she will believe, there’s no one can bend it. I smiled and just continue eating.

"Do you know Mr. Hansel of Math 3? I heard he's a pervert. Stay away from him." She said strictly and munch her food.

I nodded obediently. "Alright."

But whatever kind of person she is, I like her. Because even she's like this she's a good friend to me. I smirk bitterly. Yeah, right.

My eyes lowered on my food and I remember a terrible event. I am standing in front of many people, adult and kids like me, but they are all dark. I feel like I was standing in a cliff, I can't turn back but I can't move either because I fall into darkness. Everything is...

"Don't make that smile." Aurea's serious tone brought me back to my senses. I look up at her and saw her looking at me with her reading eyes. "I told you to stop making that smile, didn't I? How many times?"

I chuckled to make it light and shake my head. "I'm sorry."

"Stop thinking." She simply said and continue eating.

I tilted my head and smile a little while looking at her. No one knows me best than you, right? Aurea. So I should listen to you.

I sighed.

"Are you going to that club today?" Aurea ask me while we are going inside the Ventimiglia AU.

"As always, why?"

"I just want to remind you to go home early today because I have somewhere to go, I can't go home together with you."

"Are you visiting your home?" I ask curiously.

She roll her eyes. "I run from home, why would I visit there?" She tsk and put her hands on her pockets. "I'm sneaking inside to get some jewelries."

I wince like I'm hurt at what she said. She's not visiting but she's sneaking inside to get some jewelries. "You will steal at your home again?"

"It's not stealing, it's borrowing."

"Then you're visiting to borrow." I concluded.

"It's different. I'm sneaking to borrow some things at my home."

“Okay.” I grimace and chuckle to just forget the point because it really doesn't matter if you're talking to Aurea. Aurea's mind is really twisted, I can't understand it.

"Bye! See you tomorrow." She wave at me and go to the way where her classroom is.

I look at my wrist watch and slap my forehead. "Dammt, I'm going to be late." I whispered and run to the locker area and get the books I need and dash to my classroom but stop before going inside because I saw Ms. Philem, my teacher for this class.

She tilted her head and look at me intently. She is a woman in mid 20s, she's strict and a career woman, never have a boyfriend or any romantic stuff with anyone. How did I know? Because I'm close to her mother.

I hope she's not in the bad mood. I smile at her.

"Come inside." She said nonchalantly.

I immediately come inside and sit down at the nearest seat behind that I can grasp which is the vacant seat beside a guy sitting beside the window. His head in the desk, I think he is sleeping. I smoothly put my bag behind me and books in my desk while Ms. Philem is slowly walking to the middle of the class.

"Alright!" She put her module on the desk at the middle and stand in a strict position like usual. "Settle down."

The students slowly calm down and look at her in front.

I blew a relieve breath and calm myself from running earlier but it stop at the middle when I heard the grunt from the guy beside me.

"Ugh! The teacher is here?"

Oh... sht.

He slowly get up from his sleeping position.

I slowly sink at my seat. Should I run? Smoothly go to the other seats? But there's no more available. Argh! This guy will surely embarrass me in front of everyone again. I'm planning to avoid him forever but I'm classmates with him!

He look around.

"Mr. Santiestevan, good morning!" Ms Philem greet him sarcastically.

"Good morning!" He yawned. "Good night!" He dunk his head on the desk again to continue his sleep.

I sighed in another relief. Maybe he is going to sleep the whole time. I will just run outside as soon the class ended to avoid meeting him.

"Mr. Santiestevan!" Ms Philem shouted so loud that I jump from startle like everyone even we are not the one who should be startled.

And the one who should be startled is unbothered. I grimace at this lazy guy. What a jerk.

"Miss Landaverde, can you please wake up the person beside you?" Ms. Philem ask me kindly but in gritting teeth like she's trying to calm herself.

"Pardon?" Me?

If I wake this guy up, he will saw me and probably embarrass me saying 'Now you're not just stalking me, you're even waking me up to touch me'

Arrgh! I can't take his humiliation anymore!

"Miss Landaverde?" Ms. Philem arch her eyebrows up to me.

But if I don't Miss Philem will be angry at me. I need to pass this Contemporary arts. Ms Philem is kind of have a twisted mind to that if she doesn't like a student even she know it personally, she will give the student a hard time. Just like Aurea. She really give Aurea a hard time.

I cleared my throat. Either way, I'm going to die so what to do?

I look at the guy beside me. "Hey! Wake up!" I pat his shoulder lightly.

He groan and get up, immediately looking at my way. "What?!" He spat grumpily, his hair is so messy and his eyes is still sleepy but...

"Ahh! He's so handsome!" A girl not so far can't help but react.

Ms Philem glare at that girl while the other students look at her with judging eyes.

I look at the girl and cringe at that reaction. What the heck?!

"Hah! It's fun being young right? Squeaking like an idiot because of a boy." Miss Philem said sarcastically. "Woah, how nice."

"You..." I heard Leal sighed in disappointment. "You again?"

I slowly look at him and smile to loosen up. I need patience. "Hi!" I greet him quietly and casually then look in front, ignoring his remark while the other students is still busy and it seems like Ms Philem's attention drawn to the girl.

"Do you think you can fan girl someone in my class?" Miss Philem hit her module on the desk angrily. "Youth must be perfect for you girls because there's a lot of handsome jerks here, hah! Good for all of you... But studying is the main..." etc.

I can't help but be the one feeling the embarrassment for Miss Philem. What is she saying?

"Hey you... I'm not done talking to you. Why are you beside me?" The guy beside me ask.

I inhale and exhale to get ready. I should stop him before anyone look at us. "There's no any vacant seats anymore." I said while looking straight.

"Huh..." He stand his elbow on the desk, hold his jaw and look at my face. "Really? Or you just want to sit with me?" He smirk.

I wonder where his confidence is coming from. He surely have unlimited stocks.

I smile but like usual it's just turning into a grimace. "No." I answered simply.

He chuckled. "Really? Tss, fine. I'll let you slide for today. Izar told me to be good to someone who like me even just a little."

What? I slowly look at him. Izar told him? Can I die? I should die.

"It's a privilege so be grateful." He added.

What a narcissist…

"Thank you." I said in annoyance while grimacing in disgust.

He yawned and smile cheekily. "You're welcome."

It's sarcastic!

"But it's just one time. Once I saw you following me again..." He motion a killing sign to me; using his thumbs up, he act like he is slicing his neck. "You're dead." He said before going back in sleeping.

My lips and my left eyebrow twitch repeatedly.

Kill him first! Kill him first! Kill him first!

"Miss Landaverde! I told you to wake up Mr. Santiestevan didn't I?" Ms Philem exclaimed.

I hit my forehead on the desk. I give up! This day is worst than yesterday. I glare at the back of this guy's head. Every time I'm seeing him, worst comes to me. He is my arch nemesis! The devil in my life! Keep messing things up! Argh! I want to punch him so bad.

"Miss Landaverde!"

Just one punch! Please!

"Hahahahaha! Oh my God! I wish I'm on that class!" Fei is laughing her ass out while I'm telling her what happened earlier. "That idiot Leal Cano." She said while laughing.

We are at the music club. I'm sitting in front of the piano while Fei is standing beside the piano, watching me play earlier but now I stop because I lash out at her. I told her what happened this morning.

I frown and glare at her. "Stop laughing! I'm so annoyed at him!" I roll my eyes and look at the piano in front of me and just try to play but I'm so annoyed that I can't focus and Fei here is still laughing so loud.

"Oh my Gosh! Hahahaha!"

I glare at her intently. "Stop." I gritted my teeth.

"Okay fine, I'll stop." But she's still chuckling. She lean her elbow on the piano and watch me. "Do you want me to put ants on Leal's bed?" She grin so wide. "It will be so funny to see his lazy ass itching and his bored face contorting in annoyance." She giggle like a devil.

I stop and look at her with my full attention. "You can?" My eyes is twinkling in hope.

She smirk devilishly. "I can baby girl."

"That's bad. Don't." Izar's voice.

I gasp and look behind me, at the door. Izar is standing there, smiling at us.

"H-how long- how long have you been there?" I ask, obviously stuttering like an idiot and nervous.

He heard our conversation?!

Izar smirk. "Since I heard Leal's name and Fei's plan."

"Oh!" I'm relieve. I thought he heard our whole conversation. It's another bad luck if ever. But--

He heard Fei's devilish plan. He must be thinking that I'm... Ugh! I hate this day like yesterday.

"Leal did something embarrassing on you again?" Izar come closer to us. "I already told him to be nice to you since you like him." He sit down at the chair where the guitar is.

I feel like a dagger thrown and hit my heart. 'Since you like him' Ouch! I never like that lazy jerk! Who will want that guy? Only fool can be fooled! The person I like is you! You!

I sighed while I heard Fei chuckle a little, probably amused at my reaction.

In low energy, I play the piano piece in such a worst way. I'm not on the mood to play but I wanted to.

"Fei, Prestina said we should go home before 8 or she will not let us come inside." Izar said while plucking the strings of the guitar.

Fei moan her answer tiredly. "'right, I'll remember."

"What's that disgusting sound?"

I froze. I'm developing a phobia through his voice. Every time I will hear his sound, I will be stilled in my spot and not be able to move for a few second.

Tsk! I glare at the lazy brute coming inside this music room. You’re maybe confused why Leal is here when I said that he have no club but like what I said he really have no club, except here. I don’t know why but even he’s not a member of music club, he is always here. He’s not even doing anything or even playing, he is just here to sleep at the corner and why does the club president letting him do that? This insolent “I will do what I want” lazy brute.

He ignored everyone earlier and just sleep the whole time, leaving me with all the embarrassment that he caused. He's so shameless, overconfident, a jerk and a brute. He's so lazy and annoying! How can they say I like him?! Only a fool can be fooled by his face. Even you’re so handsome, substance and personality is still important. Just like… Izar. How come they are friends?

I put so much force on the last tile that I play and it made a very loud annoying sound. The brute covered his ears and groan painfully like it's a pain to hear that.

It's not even that loud! What an Overreacting reaction!

"What the fvck… is wrong with you…?" He ask angrily but he really sound sleepy and using his forefinger, he poke inside his ear like he is getting something annoying sound off his ear.

I stand up angrily. He didn't expect my sudden move that's why he shut up and look at me in confusion. I glare at him and I'm sure my face is saying "I'm going to kill you, you bastard!" And then I walk straight to him. He step backwards in startle, because my walk seems like I'm going to punch him but nope, I just walk pass him.

When I close the door in my back I stump my feet in annoyance like he is on the ground, getting stump with my feet so many times. I groan in too much frustration that I'm trying to control and mess my hair.

That fvcking brute lazy jerk! Argh! He is asking what's wrong with me. With me?! It is what's wrong with you, bastard!

"Aish!" I'm breathing fast so I slowly calm myself, then I heave a deep breath and close my eyes then repeat breathing like that.

When I think I'm alright. I come inside the music room. The 3 of them is talking about their dormitory rules when I come in, they grew silent and just look at me.

I calmly look at them and smile. "Why?"

Fei chuckled. "Continue your practice."

I nodded and face the piano, then try to play the piece in a calm way.

"She doesn't like me anymore?" I heard Leal ask quietly.

"As expected because you're a jerk."

That's right!

Wait. I didn't like him at the first place!

Leal huffed and chuckle in a bored way. "That's good. I will never like her back anyway."

What?!

Am I being dump by him again? And in front of the person I really like?!

My finger slide on another tile making me stop because of that mistake. I smile but full of controlling annoyance. I slowly breathe in and breathe out.

Assuming monkey! I never liked you!

I play again but this time I'm angry again.

"Uh... Ainoa you will break the piano if you continue playing like that." Fei said.

"I'm going to break his neck." I promised.

"Huh?" Izar and Fei ask at the same time.

I smile at them sweetly but my eyebrows are in frown. "Nothing."

The other members of this music club come in shortly so now Izar and Leal is busy, not because of the instruments but because of the girls flocking to them.

"Ainoa we are going home! Aren't you coming with us?" Fei ask me while I'm sitting at the corner with my pen and note.

"Uhm." I look at my music note. I'm currently working on my lyrics. I look at Fei again. "You can go first, I will come home with Aurea."

"Okay." She smile.

"Fei!" Samantha called her.

"Bye, see you tomorrow!" Fei wave at me and I wave at her back.

"Bye!"

I look back at my note when they come out of the room.

"We can change but never the feelings...

We can forget but never... Hmn..." What should I put? Never the...

Emotions?

I tried to complete the lyrics and then I come to the piano to find tone and music that will fit my song. I lost track in time, I just realize that it's late when I look outside, it's already getting dark.

I gasp and remember that Aurea will not wait for me today because she's coming to their home.

"Sht!" I slap my forehead and get my things.

Aish! Why did I forgot that?

When I arrive at Frias downtown it's already fully dark, I've been avoiding to go home late but I keep on losing track of my time that's why Aurea is always waiting for me, but I forgot what we talk about earlier.

I sighed when I come out of the bus. I have to walk for 15 minutes to reach the main market where there's a lot of people but the 15 minutes is walking at the dark street of Sidal.

I put my hands on my school blazer jacket's pocket and feel my surroundings. It's my fourth time of sighing. I'm near so I fasten my walk.

"Miss!"

"Ah!" I scream in too much startle and step backwards. I put my hand in my mouth because of my sudden scream. I feel like my heart jump out from my chest when the old man suddenly come out in front of me from the dark alley.

What the hell?