The Wretched Redemption

Chapter 2- His Sudden Interest

Isla's POV

After our brief encounter, a week has passed by, my daily life continued. I went to University peacefully after that incident with him. My mind was about to forget him when I suddenly saw him pass by in front of me with a woman.

They’re talking so closely and it’s safe to assume she’s her girlfriend.

She has this pink pastel hair beautifully paired with a rare green eyes, her nose and lips perfectly complimented her small and delicate face. She's wearing this small white dress that wraps around her waist emphasizing her petite but s line figure underneath and a white sandal that has an inch heel which made her taller. She has this innocent childlike smile.

As they walk past me it’s obvious in her demeanor she's in love with him, but when you look at that guy he looks irritated and not interested.

'A beauty is obviously flirting with him but what a jerk, bet he thinks he's too good for her huh' as I think to myself. I saw them walking further down the ha while people are staring at them.

As they are gone insight I heard people talking about them.

"Isn't that Eirian? She's so pretty! and oh hoo! looks like he's with Gavin! Omg the beauty and the handsome snobby guy what a pair" She squealed.

"duhh! they are perfect for each other. Our lovely Eirian looks so adorable in her white dress today!" the other girl squealed back.

‘Eirian, even her name means beauty. She lived up to it.’ My thoughts while walking past them. This feels like a scene in a drama when extras are having they’re extra lines. They look like they're in love with the pair. As I walk down the hall a lot of people are still talking. I then heard the group of guys sitting talking.

"Did you see that Gavin? That guy is acting like he deserves the beauty's attention!" The short guy exclaimed while spit is flying out his mouth.

Another guy speaks up

"Bet he's so happy inside he just wants to rub it in our face" As he wipes his face from the other guy’s spit.

'eww wth? why don't he tell him about his spit showering his face?' my thoughts passing by them. I then continued walking out of the building.

I saw them again outside talking while the guy is sitting down and with her standing in front of him laughing. 'looks like she's having fun even though he looks disinterested' as I think to myself that guy turned his head and it perfectly landed in my direction. I then quickly walk faster ignoring his glaring eyes once again.

As I entered the opposite building. I saw Ruby standing in front of the entrance waving at me. I then run up to her and meet her.

Gavin's POV

As I enter my class I’m greeted by this pink haired girl again. Eirian Collymore, I met her when we were in freshman. She's bubbly and talkative like the complete opposite of me. But I’m not bothered by her instead I’m grateful to her, She’s the only person who doesn’t hesitate to approach me. Even with my personality she stayed. She’s refreshing to be with, always smiling and laughing, she brings positive energy to this University life. As I pulled on an empty chair, she also sat down at the empty chair besides it.

"Good morning Gavin!" She greeted me so happily her eyes curved

"morning" I replied while putting my things down

"What’s with your long face?" Her eyebrows going up and down like a worm dancing. I suddenly let out a chuckle.

"Did you just laugh? That’s a first" She said with her eyes wide and her toothy smile beamed. She looks like a baby rabbit. I don't know why she went her way to me since the first day of my UNI but I'm thankful I have a at least a friend like her

I quickly changed to my poker face.

"I didn't laugh so that’s not a first." I said back I made it sound stern but it’s no use she's already grinning and giggling.

"Sure sure Mr. Poker Face" she replied still laughing and a full of sarcasm ad she wiped her happy tear away while lightly smacking my left shoulder.

She continued to talk until the professor entered the classroom.

After 1 hour my first class ended. Our class has a 30 minutes break before the 2nd class starts.

"You want to go to the benches outside?" her eyes twinkling

"Please? the professor was so boring" she continued as she wiggles her eyebrows again.

I stared at her with my poker face and said, "No" sternly.

But she suddenly put her face closer to my face aggressively wiggling her eyebrows "Pretty Pleeeease? See! look I know you find it funny my eyebrows!" as her face came closer.

"Pfft! Ok you won. I don't find it funny. It looks like a wiggling worm" As I push her face away with my finger and stood up and her still sitting down looked at me dumbfounded.

"Hey!!! My eyebrows are pretty see? You’re the one who looks like a worm" her voice sounds annoyed. She then stood up and moved her bangs to show me her eyebrows.

"Yeah, yeah I was kidding. Do you still want to go outside or not? 30 minutes is short" I snorted then started walking out of the door.

"wait for me!" She replied suddenly giggly again.

As we walkout in the class I saw a lot of other students in the hall staring at us so I walked faster.

"Eirian walk faster I don't like people staring at us again" I know other people thinks we are something but I didn’t correct the rumors because it helps stop other people from approaching me and Eirian since she’s also well pretty and guys might approach with bad intentions. She’s like a little sister to me so I want to protect her since I didn’t had anyone before. I do have list of people I know but I don’t consider them as friend. I don’t like people because I was always alone since my Mom died It was hard for me to open up to other people.

I can tell I look like a jerk right now. I don't like socializing so I always wear my poker face. But Eirian never once got bothered by my attitude so I didn't even realize when I accepted her as my friend. She's friendly and childlike so people tend to get attracted to her. And her face gives off a welcoming vibe that must be why.

"Ok ok!" She's grinning "When will you learn to look around you? they are looking at the beauty and the beast that’s why!" She replied while she look at me innocently,

"yeah I’m the beauty you’re the beast?" I replied back

"you sound pissed Gav pffft!" She replied giggling. "Ok let me rephrase that the beauty and the snobbingly good looking handsome perfect anti-soc-"

I glared at her halting her last word "just walk faster" I replied annoyed.

"Pffft! Haha! Okay okay" she replied patting my shoulder we walk out of the building with her non-stopped talking. I just listened to her. As we sat down on the bench.

"sit down Eirian, you know I look like a jerk when I'm the only one sitting down" I interrupt her rambling about her favorite drama.

"Standing after sitting down for an 1 hour is good to your body you know" she replied and continued her rumbling. As she was busy talking I saw a familiar face coming out of the building. Its her, the one who don't know how to apologize properly. I don’t know but she gets on my nerves. I glared at her but she didn't look back. I got interrupted when Eirian smacks my shoulder.

"Oi!! Are you listening?" As her eyes turned towards the girl I was looking at.

"Are you glaring at her?" Pointing her finger to that person.

"who's looking who? I just turned my head that’s all." I replied

"reaaaally? or do know her?" she replied as she twirls her hair with her finger.

"yeah so let’s go back" I replied as I stood up and took a last glance at that woman as she enters the engineering building with the same girl she's with when I saw her in the first day. As I look back at Eirian I think I saw her face got dim like she got pissed all of a sudden but as soon as I notice it she put her big smile again. 'That’s weird did I saw it wrong?' as I was thinking this, she clung her arms to my arm and we walk back to our class.

Isla’s POV

The day passed by slowly because of the boring classes. Me and Ruby are now at a café after our last class the café in front of the University.

“Isla what do you want? My treat” She asked with a smile.

“Really? Next time it would be my treat ok?” I replied.

“Nah, I’m just happy I have someone to do things like this besides were friends, right?” She ask with expectant face. She looks cold in the outside but she’s a fluffy bear on the inside. With the week spending time with her I got to know her a little bit.

“Yes we are! but next time it would be my treat. You’ve already bought me snacks all week. Friends are always sharing you know?” I replied.

“Is that so? Okay” She replied as she lightly chuckled.

Ruby came from the US and because of some circumstances’ she was homeschooled since she started her schooling but when her Grandpa passed away her parents let her do what she wanted. She just fallowed her grandpa before because he’s her favorite one and only grandchild he’s very protective. Ruby loved her grandpa so much that she undergone with the homeschooling.

“One Americano and blueberry cheesecake and for me a cup of espresso and a red velvet cake a slice” She ordered and I took a seat next to the window of the café. She came back with our food. And we started eating I saw a familiar guy making his way inside the café. He became taller and more mature since the last time I saw him. He dyed his wavy slightly curly hair dark brown that complimented his slightly slanted grayish eyes and pointy nose. His skin whiter than mine and his lips bright red. As I stared at him Ruby noticed it and tapped the table.

“You look like you just had fallen in love at first sight?” she asked drinking her coffee as she stared at that guy too.

“No! He’s someone I knew in high school. We were pretty close but we suddenly lost contact when we graduated high school” I explained and it came out like I’m guilty.

“Is that so but it didn’t sound like that though.” She replied slightly grinning while she takes is fork and took a bite with her cake.

As soon as the guy entered the café I took my eyes off him. And started to eat my cake.

“I think he recognized you Isla” Ruby suddenly speak as she’s staring at my back.

“Hi Isla” I heard a manly voice from behind me and I thought it was someone else because his voice got deeper since that last time I talked to him.

I was in the middle of eating cake and as I quickly glance to whom she was staring at the cake in my fork dropped in my gray hoodie. I look up and saw him smiling at me and his head slightly tilted.

“hello to you!” I smiled and grinned at him.

“I thought you will act like you don’t know me” He said teasingly.

“Nah! My best bro why would I?” I replied and his smiling face suddenly flashed a sad smile and as soon as he notices I saw it he smiled again brightly.

“Can I sit with you ladies?” He asks and smiled to Ruby. Ruby nodded and she smiled politely.

“Yes sure if you treat us?” I replied

teasingly. Ruby widened her eyes at me like. Her eyes speaking like ‘you got to be kidding me I’m full’ I smiled mischievously. And wiggled my eyebrows up and down.

“Well Isla if you and your friend aren’t full yet we can order more or got to a restaurant” He said grinning.

“My friend here is Ruby my precious gemstone” I looked at Ruby slightly blushing. ‘is she interested to him that’s why she’s blushing?’ As I think to myself Theo offered his hand to her.

“Theo Whitford, my lady” he said teasing Ruby who got redder. Ruby shacked his hands slightly and letting it go abruptly.

“Hey Dev! Stop it she’s my precious friend don’t you dare take her away from me!” I jokingly slapped his hand and chucked. As he sat down beside me the precious pair entered the café.

Gavin’s POV

Me and Eirian are walking outside of campus to go home when I suddenly saw that woman sitting down inside the café laughing beside Theo. I knew him because Eirian introduced him to me. We met him in the summer when he was applying in the University.

I don’t know why I’m so annoyed with that girl. But the more I saw her the more I want to get to know her. She has this wavy brown hair, thin glasses that makes her eyes a bit smaller than they are. Her brown bright eyes and small but pointy nose sitting perfectly in her small face, her figure is always covered by her hooded jackets and her white bulky shoes makes her tall height taller.

She’s has a pretty face but she doesn’t show it. She’s has this vibe that she knows herself and she doesn’t care what other people thinks of her. She’s the total opposite of Eirian. I probably saw her a couple of times around campus but she didn’t notice me at all. I don’t know why I suddenly have this feeling of urge to get to know her. There’s been only countless of female figure in my life. My mom and grandma who already passed away early. This feeling is foreign to me, to me who is always been alone. Even when I met Eirian, I didn’t felt this way. But after that incident, all of the things I do are calculated but then she came like sudden storm on a bright sunny day. But after her storm she gave me a feeling of rainbow. The moment I pulled her, she pulled something out of me. The smile she gives to other people is sincere, It’s her eyes the ways it brightens whenever she smiles. I want those eyes to smile at me. All my life, I never gave a second thought about other people, all the people that I’ve met other than Eirian, are all useless to me. I didn’t want to include them in my memory. Not because I have prejudice with them but I always thought having people around me will create bonds that will soon break after the time we spent together. I already experience being abandoned and I don’t want that anymore. But after meeting her, I unconsciously made her the exception to it all.

As I was lost in my own thoughts. I didn’t even notice I pulled Eirian’s hand inside the café and we are now standing in front of them. I look at her and she looked confuse and I look back at Eirian and she is smiling and she hold my arm.

“Hi Theo! Gav and I saw you outside and I told him I want to say Hi! Nice seeing you! How are you adjusting? And who are you with? Girlfriend? And friend?” She saved me from my rash action.

“Theo, won’t you introduce us?” I second I saw a hint of sourness in Theo’s eyes like he knew I’m interested in her.

“She’s Isla my high school friend and Ruby her friend. It’s my lucky day, I got the chance to have a reunion with Isla” As he looked at Isla and winked at her.

“Isla and Ruby this is Eirian my childhood friend and Gavin” He sounded annoyed when he mentioned my name.

“Ruby” she offered her hand to me and Eirian.

“Hi Ruby! Nice meeting you, I like your hair by the way” She said acted as friendly and welcoming but Ruby just nodded and smiled.

“Isla, nice meeting you Eirian, I heard a lot about you and YOU nice meeting you too.” Her voice sounded annoyed at the end and she offered her hand as I was about to accept her hand, Eirian suddenly hugged her instead.

“I feel like you’re my younger sister. I hope we can become close” After her sudden action she let her go and she suddenly got embarrassed.

“I hope I didn’t make you feel

uncomfortable” she said with her sweet voice as she smiled innocently.

“It’s okay, you’re so sweet. Nice to meet you Eirian” She replied smiling back to her and sat down. I think she forgot to offer her hand to me again because of the sudden action of Eirian.

“You said your greetings already. Go on your date, I know you’re on your way.” Theo suddenly said, as I was about to correct him Eirian suddenly pulled my arm and replies,

“Of course we won’t disturb your reunion” She replied to Theo and as she winks her left eye,

“We will be going first now Isla and Ruby, see you next time” She smiled and waved her hand. She pulled me out of the café and as soon as the café is out of view she looked at me,

“Hey Gav! You should give me some warning when you do things like that, I was shocked I thought you pulled me inside to eat some cake and you just wanted me to say Hi to Theo?”

“yeah” I end up agreeing because I’m still confirming my feelings.

After that we went home.

Isla’ POV

Well that was unexpected.

“Theo I didn’t know you knew Ms. Dream Girl of Business Department?” I look at Theo teasingly.

“She’s my childhood friend” He said blankly like it didn’t matter.

“Ruby what do you think?” I ask her while she’s fiddling with her phone.

“Well, I don’t like the feeling I get from the both of them” She said blatantly. Like Theo she said it like it didn’t matter.

“You, what do you think?” they ask at the same time. They looked at each other and let out a chuckle.

“Well, Eirian is sweet but I don’t like the guy. He looks like a jerk. Remember the guy I told you about when we first met Ruby?”

“oh! The guy who you bump into? That was him? I didn’t recognize him.” She said nonchalantly.

“Why what happened?” Theo ask his eyebrows creased as he ask.

Then I narrated what happened.

“Well he’s a jerk, that’s for sure.” Ruby suddenly shouted.

“Why would he pull you like that?” She said her voice sounded angry.

“Well it was my fault too.” I replied back.

“You did good Isla” Theo said as he pats my head. I didn’t react because he always does that to me when we were in high school.

“Get a room guys!” Ruby suddenly shouted and I got so embarrassed I glared at her.

I look at Theo hoping for him to say something but he stayed silent and smirked.

“Woah, woah, woah!” She said as a she put both her hands up to as if telling me to stop glaring at her. “I was just joking!” She said as she burst with laughter.

And after that day, my daily routine changed. Having those two who always came to that café whenever they had the time. But I wished we hadn’t met them.