The class about Commercial Contract this morning was challenging and caused us to be busy with projects. Since Stacey, Derek and I take the same class, we've decided to be in the same group. We have to create a database of oil and gas monetisation key terms conducted in some regions in the country -- which is quite demanding. And that's why the three of us are at my house now, in the living room, surrounded by books and papers.

I glance at the clock hanging on the wall, my back leaning against the sofa as I sit on the rug. 3 PM. A sigh leaves my mouth. This is going to be a long day.

"Have you checked the consultant's website?" Derek asks Stacey, his fingers typing on his laptop in a fast mode.

"We have to be their clients to obtain such information." Stacey shrugs. "I'm sure many major companies have done that, because they have enough money to make the subscription. But unfortunately, we don't." She sighs, flipping through some pages of her book, lying down on her stomach.

"Well then, let's see the data we've got from these articles," Derek says, his eyes scanning the content on his laptop screen.

A chuckle escapes my lips. Derek might seem a little bit off sometimes. Dark, mysterious and usually awkward around people. But he's now being talkative when doing this project with us. I guess that he's indeed a nerd, just like me.

"Anyway, you're quite good at programming," Stacey says, watching in awe as Derek creates the database on the screen.

I shift my attention back to my laptop while my mind wanders somewhere else. About what happened this morning. I can't help the smile on my face as I think about it.

Too bad that Vaughn left without finishing what we were doing earlier. He looked really annoyed.

Oh, I already miss him.

I shake my head, laughing in disbelief. Since when did I become such a naughty girl?

When I look up from my laptop, I'm surprised to find that Stacey and Derek are looking at me with a lost expression.

Shit. They must be wondering why I've been smiling to myself, daydreaming while listening to their arguments about the project. This is strange because I usually get caught up in my studies.

In short, I've been acting like a lovesick fool.

I quickly avert my eyes from them. Back to the laptop, girl.

The doorbell rings, making me wonder who it is. I get up and trudge to the door. When I open it, my eyes widen as I find Vaughn standing in front of me.

He looks at me with the kind of stare which can make any girl drop to her knees, his eyes smiling as a smirk creeps on his lips. "Hey, beauti--"

"Vaughn!" I exclaim. My voice is so loud that Derek and Stacey must have heard it, just as I intend to. "Just in time!" Excitement fills my voice, my eyes telling Vaughn to act along.

He frowns. Right. He doesn't know that we have company.

And I'm not telling anybody about what happens between Vaughn and me. Yet.

Not until we figure out how to deal with Jake.

It's not that I don't trust Stacey and Derek. With how famous Jake and Vaughn on campus, a word spread about us will travel to every single soul in Boston University. And Jake will surely find out.

I drag Vaughn to the living room and let out a fake laugh. "Surprise! Here comes the tutor."

Stacey and Derek stare at Vaughn in disbelief.

I grin sheepishly and throw a meaningful glance at Vaughn. He quickly gets the point and sighs.

"You didn't tell us you would bring a tutor." Stacey smirks, her eyes filled with mischief, as if mocking me for trying to fool her.

"Like I said. Surprise." I let out a burst of nervous laughter before turning to Vaughn. "We're having a project about the commercial database," I tell him.

He smirks. "Right. How can I help you guys?"

Stacey watches in awe as Vaughn teaches them about the complexity of energy commercialisation, pointing various sources where they can get enough data. No matter how bored you are or how lazy you are... when you have Vaughn Cooper as your tutor, you can't miss it. And it's not about his looks -- which, I must say, help -- but it's about how you can gain so much knowledge from him. You wouldn't want to skip such an advantage.

As for now, Stacey keeps bombarding him with more questions. Derek, however, is glued to his laptop. I notice that he's back to his shell again when Vaughn is around. Just like when Jake popped up before him last time. That's strange. Vaughn hasn't even talked to him, but maybe his aura is already intimidating Derek.

"I've got this covered in the previous project I worked on with Jake," Vaughn responds to Stacey's question. "You can get a lot from that. I think Jake put the book somewhere in his room." With that, Vaughn stands up.

"Thanks, Vaughn." Stacey giggles as he walks off to Jake's room.

I raise my brow at her and smirk. "See? You guys should thank me later."

"He's brilliant," Stacey gasps. "I learn more from him than from the professor."

"He's good at explaining," I say.

"Are you sure there's nothing going on with you two? I smell something fishy." A smirk touches Stacey's lips.

That makes me alert while I'm hovering my mouse, and my hand accidentally knocks Derek's coffee on the table that it spills on some papers in front of me and my clothes.

I yelp. "Shit."

"I'm sorry, Melanie," Derek abruptly rises from his seat as I stand up, staring at my now soaking shirt.

Why is this poor guy apologizing? It's not even his fault. Silently, I scowl myself for being clumsy.

Stacey clears her throat, suppressing a laugh, like she just caught me. I guess that I'm so easy to read.

"It's not your fault, Derek," I assure him. "I'll go change."

I walk into the hallway and enter my room, not even bothering to turn on the lights, leaving the room dim with a little ray of sun coming from between the curtains.

Once I open my closet, I let my hair loose from the messy bun before taking off my shirt. Luckily, my bra is still dry so that I don't need to change my underwear. It's when I pick one of my t-shirts that I feel something off.

Like a pair of eyes are watching behind my back. I snap my body around, but there's nothing. Only my door, being slightly opened the way I left it just now. Somehow, the hair on the back of my neck stand -- which is why I'm not feeling good. I should have turned the lights on. I've never been a friend of darkness.

I hurriedly wear my t-shirt and shut my closet. My bedroom door creaks open, and that startles me to the core. I let out a small scream, turning around, my back smacking the closet.

My heart thumps, and my eyes widen as I catch a glimpse of shadow behind my door. The lights from the hallway begin to fill the room as the door moves, and my vision starts to recognize a silhouette of a tall and thin figure with curly hair.

"D-Derek?" I echo.