*Jessica's P.O.V. *

I didn't need to open my eyes to know who did it, but I slowly opened them and found a very angry Max.

His eyes were dark and jaw clenched. He was just a few inches away from me, and our noses were almost touching.

I bit my lip nervously and he groaned loudly, "Don't do that."

"What?" I asked, getting confused.

He shook his head. "Never mind. Just tell me what's going on between you and Noah," he said staring at me.

My blood started boiling. How dare he? I pushed him back and gave him a death glare. I started walking away. He quickly grabbed me by my waist and pinned me again. He put his hands on my shoulders and looked at me angrily.

"I asked you something," he hissed. "Answer me."

"Mind your own business and leave me," I said trying to escape, but his gripped tightened. Tears fell from my eyes as the pain stung. "Max, you are hurting me."

What's happening with me? I was never this weak. I've to control my emotions. I couldn't let him know about my feelings. His eyes softened, and he quickly removed his hands and scratched the back of his neck nervously.

"I'm... sorry. Shit, I screwed everything up," he muttered angrily and punched the nearby wall.

I gasped looking at his hand. His knuckles had started bleeding. I was about to touch his hand but he took a few steps back. His face was serious and expressionless. I tried to search his face for any kind of emotion, but there was nothing. It was like he had worn some kind of mask to hide everything. He crossed his arms and leaned against the opposite wall.

"Do you like him?" he asked, lifting his eyebrow.

It took me a minute to understand his question. "Seriously, Max? After doing this stupid stunt you expect me to answer that question? Your hand is bleeding, let's go to the dispensary."

He shook his head. "First, answer me."

"Will you come with me after that?" I asked and he nodded.

I sighed, "No, we are just friends. But, I'm not sure if we are anymore or not," I mumbled the last part.

"What did you say? I didn't heard the last part," he asked, taking few steps in my direction.

"Nothing important, now let's go," I said as I started walking and grabbed his hand.

I was expecting more arguments, but nothing happened, so I turned to face him and found an amused expression. I mentally slapped myself for giving him signals that I cared for him.

We reached the dispensary and I released his hand, signaling him to go inside.

"You're not coming inside with me?" he asked, disappointed.

"I've more important things to do," I lied, hoping he didn't catch my wavering voice.

He was taken aback with my response, and without responding, he rushed inside. Guilt started forming inside me, but I reminded myself what happened in the classroom.

Don't fall for the jerk!

*******

"Mahi, for God's sake, just shut up," I growled.

After finishing my dinner, when I came back to my room, I noticed a missed call from my best friend so I decided to tell her everything.

"Whatever, you're still telling me if anything happens between you and Max, understand?" Mahi asked.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, but nothing's going to happen, so you're never going to get anything. I barely know him, and it's not like he is going to ask me out or something because he doesn't date. So, please drop it."

"I didn't say anything about dating. Wait a minute! You're denying this whole thing because of his stupid rules, right? Well, didn't you say that he already broke it for you?" She asked, teasing me.

"I'm not denying anything," I huffed. "C'mon, yaar, it's not about rules. I just don't like him." I tried to convinced her.

"Yeah that's why you missed him so much, right?"

"I didn't-"

She interrupted,"What will you do if he tried to contact you or if he came to meet you?"

I groaned in frustration. "This won't happen. Did you forget I told you how I left him outside the dispensary?"

"Yeah, and how you got burnt when you saw him with that girl."

"Alright, this conversation is over. I'm feeling tired so let me sleep."

Mahi laughed at the end of the other line.

"Don't laugh." I sat on the bed.

"Why so? You're being so funny, Jazz!"

"Ok then, bye," I replied, getting annoyed.

"Bye," Mahi chuckled and hung up. I put my phone beside my pillow.

I checked the time and decided to sleep as it was getting late. So, I changed my clothes and snuggled into my sheets waiting for the sleep, but in the back of my mind, I kept thinking, wondering, what would happen if Max called me tonight?

I shook my head and cursed Mahi for always doing this with me. Why would he call me? I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.

*****

Beep... Beep... Beep!

My phone buzzed, echoing throughout the whole room as I let out a groan. Snatching my phone off my side table, I clicked the end button placing the phone back down.

Beep... Beep... Beep!

Letting out another frustrated groan, I buried my head further into my pillow trying to block out the horrid noise. As soon as the call ended automatically, the caller called once more as I felt myself growing agitated.

What do you expect? After such a hectic day at college, I was tired beyond belief. Now, I can't sleep peacefully with the caller calling constantly, trying to disturb my sleep with their annoying calls.

Sitting up, I felt the covers pool down by my waist as I rubbed my eyes trying to get rid of the fuzz blocking my view slightly. Grabbing the phone once more, I glanced down at the caller's name.

Max.

Ending it without hesitation, I put it on silence before laying back down in bed. I couldn't fall back to sleep. I glanced over at my phone as I watched the phone light up once more.

What the hell? What did he want from me at this time of night?

Ugh, Jessica, you need to sleep. This call can wait until the morning.

Snuggling my pillow, I felt my eyes begin to droop and I eventually closed them. As soon as I felt I would finally be able to have a good rest, a loud thud sounded throughout my room. Switching on the light, I lazily looked around the room and nothing seemed out of place. Everything was normal. I tried to tell myself to go back to sleep, that there was no reason I should investigate, but the Nancy Drew in me couldn't help but be curious beyond belief. I carefully got up from the bed and walked towards my balcony. I slowly opened the door.

Peeking my head outside, I looked back and forth trying to notice something-anything out of place-but everything looked perfectly normal. Letting out a sigh of relief, I turned around about to go inside when I felt something slap the back of my neck harshly. I immediately turned and began to look around noticing some small stones lying on the floor. Leaning down, I grabbed the rock gripping it with all my might. I was ready to launch it at the culprit.

Who the hell is doing this?

Walking over to the edge of the balcony, I peered my head over looking all around the garden, but there was not a single soul in sight. Then, suddenly, in the corner of my eye I noticed something shining near one of the small marigolds. Behind the yellow flower was a small box that resembled a box of chocolate.

What was it doing here? Who brought it?

Should I go downstairs? But what if it's a trap?

Contemplating all the possible situations, I eventually made a decision. Mustering up all the courage I could, I strutted down the staircase. I mean, who could resist chocolates?

Walking into the garden, I moved swiftly, not wanting to crush any of the small plants as I reached the box. Opening the silver box, I was greeted with assortments of chocolates. My eyes widened. They were all milk chocolate; my favorite kind!

Dairy milk!

My mouth began to water slightly, but I quickly stopped when I noticed a note taped to the inside of the box. Lifting it slightly, I read the letter:

I'm sorry for everything. I regret doing what I did, and I know you may never forgive me. Can we start over again, please?

Did... Did Max come and leave me these chocolates? Wait a minute, my name wasn't on them, how am I sure these are even for me? Maybe someone else left this there for a girl to surprise her, and he mixed up our rooms.

It has to be, I mean why would Max-

The chain of my thoughts were interrupted by someone.

"They're for you," I heard a voice whisper in my ear, as their arms snaked around my waist.

I shivered slightly, instantly recognizing the voice as I felt his warm breath on my neck. His cologne filled my senses, and my heartbeat accelerated; it even skipped a beat. I bit my lip anxiously, I felt him take a step back before turning me around. He looked so handsome, like a true god in the moonlight-no one could deny it. The corners of his lips turned up slightly, as he then flashed me a sexy grin.

"Like what you see?"

Gulping slightly, I took a step back, but because of my clumsiness, I lost my balance and began to fall quickly towards the ground. Squeezing my eyes shut, I waited for the impact, but I felt two hands grab my waist. Seconds later, I was pulled against his chest and my arms were in front of me touching his lower abdominal region.

Stunned, I just looked up into his eyes getting lost in his stare. He licked his lower lip, staring directly into my eyes as I felt my gaze flicker down at his lips. Before I knew it, he leaned forward causing our lips to brush slightly. Then without hesitation, he smashed his lips onto mine. I gasped with the sudden movement, and he then began kissing me softly. I was there standing like an idiot too shocked to even respond.

He bit my lower lip, seeking the permission to enter, but I quickly got my senses back and pushed him forcefully. I didn't know what came over to me, but I slapped him hard on the face and wiped my lips furiously. His eyes widened, as his hand came to his cheek. He looked down at me in shock, like he wasn't expecting that to happen.

"Jessica, please, let me tell you what really happened-"

"Just... Just shut up! Don't try to talk to me ever again, you hear me!" I yelled, pushing him away once more when he tried to get close.

"Jessica, listen-" He reached towards my hand, and I choose flight over fight as I booked it, running towards my room faster than I ever had before.

Once again, he had kissed me without my permission. Last time when he did, I told him not to do such things ever again but it looks like he didn't get the memo. I was such a fool for thinking his intentions were pure last time. Boys like Max want the same thing from every girl. They couldn't be changed.

I still can't believe what he did! He thought that he could just bring chocolates and kiss me, no questions asked?

Ugh! I pulled my hairs from frustration. Why was he making things difficult for me?

How would I survive two whole fucking years with a boy like him?

I went to the bathroom and turned on the tap, beginning to wash my dirty face. I glanced at up at my reflection,, and I had to admit I was looking horrible. Probably because of all those tears I cried. I splashed cold water on my face and began to walk back to my room. Sitting on the bed, I began recalling everything. His lips had touched mine, and it was so sweet, so soft. His lips were so perfect... It felt like they were made for my own-

Stop.

You shouldn't be thinking about the kiss. It's not good for you. I groaned in frustration, burying my face into my hands. After my few moments of silence, I pulled up the covers before sliding under them placing my head on my pillow. I couldn't sleep with my mind somewhere else.

Why Max? Why did you have to make this so much harder for me?

Tears fell down once more down my cheeks, landing into my hands. I was surprised, I couldn't control my emotions anymore.

I couldn't take it, as I let out a small sob. I wasn't even sure why I was crying like this. I was just feeling so lonely, so afraid, so... vulnerable.

For the first time in forever, I started regretting my decision of coming here, and it was in that moment I realized, I wasn't as strong as I thought I was.

*****

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