Mine Alone

Chapter 2

The next day, I was rushing to my first class because I got up late. The hallways are empty because the first class is almost halfway through. I stopped in front of the elevator and push the button. It's still in 11th floor. I waited impatiently for the lift to go down.

I saw from my peripheral view that someone entered in the glass door. I turned to look at another late student, but I was caught off guard when I saw Zander in his uniform. I cleared my throat. This heart has always been a traitor. It's jumping up and down as soon as Zander stopped beside me. He pushed the button and rest his right hands inside his pants pocket.

"Good morning," he greeted without smiling. He looked at my reflection in the doors of the elevator. I tried to smile even when my heart was pounding fast.

"Good morning, Zander," I answered back and just decided to look on the floor. Meeting his eyes was too much for me.

When the elevator opens, my classmates from 1 course went out boisterously. All of them are boys and they made a loud noise as they greet me good morning. From what I saw, Zander found them annoying. I smiled to greet them back. I went in the lift and Zander followed still wearing his poker face.

"What floor?" His raspy voice sounded like a spell to me. I can't stop cursing in my head. Even I'm late, it's worth it to be alone in the elevator with him.

"8th," I answered.

He pressed the 8th floor button so I presume he's on his way to Student Council Office. Now that we are near to each other, I can smell his manly perfume that's dominating the elevator. I looked at him once again, but he's looking straight at his reflection in the elevator door.

The elevator stopped in 3rd floor and I was staggered to see Dylan waiting outside. His eyes grew dark, but his face is about to gash from a smile. I raised my brow. I am not doing anything wrong.

"Where are you going? I didn't know you're already close." He asked playfully as he faced him. I looked at his displease with his question. He's always making fun of my feelings for his friend just because he's older. Actually, my brother is the main reason why it is so awkward between me and Zander.

"W-we just bumped i-into each other in the ground floor." I hate myself for stuttering. Damn. I saw Dylan pressed the 10th floor button. Maybe he has a class there.

"Where are you going, Zander? Not going to attend the first class?" Dylan asked his friend. I looked up to Zander's face to see his reaction. This is the disadvantage when I am talking with them. They're so tall that I have to exert this much effort to look up.

"I have something to get from the SC Office," he answered casually.

"Oh okay." Dylan took a deep sigh as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder. I tried to push him away. He's being clingy again.

"What about you, little sis? Don't tell me you're heading to the SC Office too?" I rolled my eyes even he won't see it. He's teasing me in front of Zander. Actually, I was originally going to class, but since I'm so late, I'd just go to the SC Office to arrange some papers.

"Yeah. I'm going there, why?" I saw him smile wider.

"I see. You're both working hard, huh?" He let me go because his phone rang.

"So how was the party last night?" I asked sarcastically, but instead I received a smile from Dylan.

"It was fun. There are many pretty girls. Right, Zander?" He loves pushing my buttons. I always worry that they might influence Zander of being a playboy. He's the only one who remains single in his circle of friends despite his popularity among the girls.

I want to kick Dylan's butt, but I can't act rashly in front of Zander. We haven't started anything, so I am being careful to avoid him from getting turned off. But I really can't help myself, I stepped on Dylan's right foot. It was so rewarding to hear him scream in pain.

It surprised me to see him raised slightly a part of his lips as if he was amused. He looked at Zander with that reaction. Is he trying to preclude a smile? That made me blush. Thank goodness, the elevator opened.

I walked as fast as I could. All the offices concerned for the extra-curricular activities of students can be found in this floor. Right now, it's empty.

I was about to hold the door open, but Zander opened it from my back. I am not startled with how long his arms are, but with the fact that he's so close to me I could actually hear and feel his breath on my ears. I tried to suppress the good feeling of butterfly on my stomach. He's just born a gentleman.

I went directly to our adviser's table and put the folder containing the letter and agenda of the meeting later. She looked at me and also to the person at my back. Zander greeted her.

She gave me a frisky smile as she raised her brow.

"It's too early and yet you're here together. Don't tell me there's already a development in your relationship after the party last night?" Ms. Cernia whispered as her eyes focused on me.

My mind is still fuming for missing that party. I took a deep breath before looking to Zander who's now in a serious conversation with the vice president. It looks like they're deciding for the meeting time later. I smiled. This is the first meeting of Student Council, and also the first time I will get to be with Zander for a long time.

"I hope what you said is indeed true, Ms. Cernia. But he's still cold to me." I answered despairingly.

I waited in the sofa while our adviser is reviewing the copy of the letter and the agenda. After she endorse it, the signatory must be completed before distributing it to the SC members and the guest professors who will help in planning the activity for the whole academic year.

Is it the lights in the office or Zander is just dashing that even he's wearing a school uniform, he stands out? His triceps and trapezius muscle are flexing with the movement of his arm while discussing something with the vice president.

He is nice to everyone which I don't entirely like. He's the type who gets attention without having to exert effort. I hate it when he smiles to other girls. Why am I an exception? He's nice to everyone but me. I don't have the right to be jealous, but I can't help feeling that way.

"7 PM is too late. Can we set it earlier?" I overheard their conversation. He's blessed in every aspect. His raspy voice was his asset because when he talks, it feels like he's seducing the person because his voice is too damn sexy. He is also a former football varsity player. He just had to give up that to make way to his position now.

When Troy, the vice president, caught me looking at them, I immediately withdrew my eyes. Oh no. He might think I'm watching them, but I'm actually watching them. It's just embarrassing if they think that way. When I looked at them again, Zander is also facing my way. I bit my lower lip and looked at the LED TV that plays the old promotional video of Stallion University.

"Good morning, Ms. Grumpy!" He's giving me a playful smile. I rolled my eyes and focused on Zander, but as usual I can't stand looking directly at his eyes. It gives me millions of voltage.

Instead of greeting Troy back, I pretended not to hear what he said. It's just awkward because he's with Zander.

"Won't you even greet me good morning too?" He said teasing. My eyes widened when he even went to me and sat beside me.

My eyes stopped at Zander whose brows now are in one line. He seemed upset because Troy turned his back while talking. I remember what Dylan told me, Zander has a short patience.

My heart was thumping fast when Zander walked to sit in the sofa in front of us. Gosh! His eyes looked at us like he was about to devour us for making a big sin. He's scary and hot at the same time.

"As I was saying, maybe we could start the meeting at 5:00, so we can finish it at 7:00." He was talking to Troy, of course, but he gave me glances using those sharp dark eyes.

I don't want to meddle with their conversation, so I took my phone from my bag and pretended to be busy with something.

"Are you even aware that you're more attractive when you bite your lips, Viel?" I raised my right brow and about to disagree with his compliment, but I realized that he's just expressing his appreciation for me. I looked at Zander. I wish he would say something like that too. I would be dead if that came from him.

"Thank you. But stop calling me names." I said while smiling. He rest his head on the sofa as he stared at me.

There was an awkward silence between the three of us. I feel hot all of a sudden. I hate to admit it, but I am intimidated with the way Zander looks at me. Who won't be intimidated, anyway? When they remained silent for another moment, I took the courage to break the silence.

"Troy, aren't you talking about the meeting later?" I drastically asked him with my eyes widened.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Zander. I forgot we're talking. Sorry." He even shrugged his shoulder that made me lose my temper too. How dare he forgot that he's talking with my Zander? I can see from Zander's reaction that he's slightly irritated too.

"I'll make the announcement that the meeting starts at 5." He turned to me as he continued. "That's the time that will be indicated in the letter for the professor. If anything goes wrong while distributing the letters, contact me immediately or in case some won't make it to the meeting." There is a finality in his voice. I nodded.

They discussed for further arrangements like the food and presentation of their initial plans. I didn't attempt to join in the discussion.

"I don't tolerate tardiness." I instantly looked up to him and just like what I thought; he's giving the warning to me. My face heat up again, but I gave him a definite answer.

"Don't worry, I won't be late." Enough with trying hard, I still ended up biting my lower lip.

He nodded.

"Okay! So I think that's all for now. I need to catch my class. Bye guys!" He was rushing to get his things.

I cursed a thousand times in my head when I realized that it's just me and him again. He's just sitting in front of me, but it felt as if I am losing myself. But he has a class, so I think he will leave soon too.

"What is wrong with my eyes, Francesca? That you are always avoiding my gaze?" My jaw dropped because of his question. Doesn't he really know the reason? My heart is racing with the intensity of look that he is giving me.

"You don't have to know, Zander," I answered.

I watched him took a deep sigh before speaking again. What a sight.

"Just like now. You can't look at me in the eye, Francesca. Dammit!" He's catching my eye. I bite my lower lip harder because of the feeling he's waking. He's the only person to call me in my second name, but I never asked him why. I am frustrated that he has to ask that obvious question. He even cursed.

I composed myself then I met his eyes. I forced myself to be firmed by concealing the affection I was trying to give him all these years. His darn eyes are screaming confidence, and like challenging me to stare until I can. I smiled before looking at the sofa where he's sitting.

"I am not used to stare at your eyes. You see. You've been avoiding me for years like I am someone with contagious disease." I used all my strength not not stumble while saying that.

I glance at his reaction, and saw his jaw moved like he was angry.

"That's lame. Whatever your reason is, I want you to get used to look at my eyes while talking. I am uncomfortable conversing with people who can't even meet my eyes." He stood after blurting that out. Without looking back to me, he left the office.

At exactly 12 noon, the professor left the room. Shaye was yawning during the whole class.

"Let's go Japanese for lunch, Viel!" She nagged. There's a pool of restaurants around the campus, so it won't be hard to satisfy one's cravings.

I received a message from Dylan inviting me to have lunch together. That's unusual. Normally, he would just ask if I already take my lunch. What's wrong with him? Nevertheless, because I am a good sister, I replied to him that we are just about to go to the Japanese restaurant across the school.

Within two minutes, I received another message from him. WTH! Why not just call if he has so many things to say? I read his message before calling his number.

"I am with Shaye, why?" My voice is slightly irritated. Shaye watched me.

"With boys? There are two Japanese restaurant in front of school. Where exactly, Viel?" He asked from the other line.

"Damn it, Dylan. I am no longer a highschool student that you should watch for!"

Shaye started the engine, but I caught her smirk when she I said my brother's name. I don't know why she hated him so much.

"I'm just asking if you have men with you. I didn't say you're a highschool even if you act that way sometimes.." I rolled my eyes even he can't see me.

"So what if we go with boys? I would like to remind you that we are adult. Do you want me to spell that..." He didn't let me finish what I'm saying.

"Which restau are you heading again?" His voice became cold.

I really don't know what trick he's trying to do this time. But I am not going to fall for that. He loves to play jokes on me, but not this time. We want a peaceful lunch.

"I'm not telling you. You're going to follow us just to annoy!" I almost shouted.

"What is he up to this time?" Shaye asked while driving. I shrugged my shoulder.

(Zander's with me.) Oh gosh! He said the magic words. I guess it's not so bad to have lunch with my brother and his friend.

"The one in front of the main gate. See you there." I was even smiling when I said that. That's how he gets me all the time- by using Zander.

"What the hell, Viel! Why did you tell him? He'll pester us!" Shaye is now freaking. She hates my brother a lot.

"You hate him so much that I already start to doubt what's going on between you and him."

She seemed disgusted with what I said.

"Don't go to me one day telling that you and Dylan are in some sort of romantic relationship."

"Eeew." I guess she won't.