... underneath my sheets that night. Sleep was knocking at my door but I refused to open it. The minute I fall asleep, I fear those dreams will take me back. I thought about Hedan's look of pure hatred in the dream. Despite the negative influence, it was almost refreshing to see him feel something other than the cardboard emotions he plasters on or the inky looks he gives Cass.
Oh, Cassie. The walk back to her dorm was awkward to say the least. I managed to explain that I was just tired and didn't have my head screwed all the way in today. She had taken it with a grain of salt, but nevertheless, she took it. I popped my head out for a breath of fresh air, the stuffy heat of my under cover protection was a double edged sword. There was nobody in my room, the window was locked, everything was perfect, but I still felt uneasy. I grabbed my lava lamp, unplugged of course, and squeezed it between my arms, tucking it into my chest. The cool glass felt like a connection to me and the outer world, like there was still something to hold onto. I drifted to sleep, dreaming of a paper due next Wednesday.
I was early to my first class the next morning. Late brought too much attention. I decided to wear a scarf, I'll slowly expose my neck more and more and maybe one day, I'll finally get this ick feeling off of me. Hedan was also early. I cursed underneath my breath. He was looking at the door, waiting for Cassie. I'll just pretend I don't see him. I finished my physics homework and dreamt about that class. It seemed that it was the Yin to this classes Yang. The craziness that Cassie and Hedan bring ceases for just long enough for me to take a breath of fresh air. Maybe I'll just leave early today.
As students began streaming in Cassie walked in the door and was immediately greeted by Hedan. She awkwardly said good morning back and then pushed past him, sitting next to me. She sighed loudly.
"I honestly wish he would just leave me alone. I'm not interested and I don't know if I'll be able to keep rejecting him over and over again all by myself."
I stared blankly at the projector as the professor set up some educational video.
"Yeah." I mumbled. I felt her gaze linger on me for a bit before eventually turning around and staring at her notebook.
"So you and Hedan we're here alone for a bit it seems. He didn't say anything about me did he?"
"Er, no we didn't even speak." I shrugged. She stared for a bit, her mouth opening to say something. Just then, the professor began speaking about the video. A few kids were already passed out on their desk. I laid my head down for a second but that's all it took to knock me out. The sleep deprivation was catching up on me.
When I cracked my eyes open, wincing at the bright overhead lights, the classroom was empty. The professor was staking some papers and such.  I sat up like a zombie, still unsure if this was real or not, causing my desk and chair to creak.
"SHIT!" My professor jumped "You're still here? Class ended 3 hours ago!" I stared for a second before the lightbulb went on.
"Ah fuck!" I ran down the stairs and checked the time on my watch. I had already missed my next class and by now the third was halfway done. I deflated and decided maybe I needed to take an early lunch.
The cafeteria was large and loud. The architects who built the place must've loved asymmetrical, glass ceiling, minimalism because, other than the 4 foot tall faux palm tree in the middle of the lunch room, there wasn't much to look at other than the white table below you or the glass ceiling above you.
"Hey!" Cassie came bounding up. "Good morning!"
I gave her a look and went back to picking on my ham and cheese sandwich.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" I muttered. She giggled.
"Sorry, I totally forgot."
How do forget about you friend sleeping right beside you? I thought to myself. I shook the thought away and smiled at her.
"How's your day been?" I chimed. She smiled back.
"Great, considering. I got an A on that test I was super nervous about." I high fived her.
"Alright!"
The silence settled in and I continued to eat, my thoughts stirring a storm. Cassie was drinking a chocolate milk tentatively. I watched the straw drop from her lips and she turned to me, grabbing my arm.
"He's back." She whispered. I felt an exhausting dread wash over me. I caught myself wishing that Cassie had just left me alone so I wouldn't have to deal with this. I turned my head reluctantly to see Hedan giving Cassie a smirk and wave. He turned and began coming our direction. My eyes seemed to trail off as I prepared for another rendezvous. Out of nowhere, Kitas smiling face broke my line of sight, cutting off Hedan.
"Hey!" He waved at us and jogged to our table. As he walked by I saw a glimpse of Hedan's face, limp with shock and eyes full of unfathomable anger. His knuckles turned white as he clenched his lunch tray.
Cassie stared in bewilderment as Kita sat across from me, slightly pushing her to the side.
"I didn't see you in class today!" He smiled.
"Yeah, I ended up sleeping through it." I laughed dryly.
"Having trouble sleeping?" He stared at me inquisitively, a curious glimmer in his eyes.
"You could say that." He glimpsed down for a moment.
"A scarf..." He muttered. I looked up from my half finished sandwich.
"Huh?" He looked up in response.
"Oh, sorry, I just noticed your wearing a scarf today! You haven't worn a scarf before."
Cassie scooted away from him, taking a generous sip of milk.
"Yeah I guess I'm just trying out new things." I tugged at my scarf, suddenly aware of it's presence.
"It looks cute!" He said sweetly. A shot of heat went through my face. I had almost forgot what it felt like to be complimented by someone. I stammered a thank you out and kicked myself under the table for being so obviously flustered.
"Who are you?" Cassie finally spoke up, her milk already dried to the bone.
"Oh, hi, I'm Kita, I'm their physics partner." He shook Cass' hand enthusiastically and smiled. She seemed to almost cower at his radiant positivity.
"Oki Doki, I need to head out I'll see you later partner!" He shot finger guns at me before jogging out of the cafeteria. Cassie and I both stayed quiet for a moment, awkward tension building in the air.
"He sat rather close to me." She whispered. I looked up.
"Huh?"
"Nothing, don't worry about it."
A menacing shadow fell over us, it's presence seemingly sucking the energy out of the room.
I felt a chill run down my spine as a hand placed itself on our table. Hedan bent down and spoke in a husky whisper.
"Who was that?" He hissed, eyes pointed at Cassie. She plainly pointed at me.
"It was her physics partner." I looked up in surprise at being put on the spot so suddenly.
"Keep your 'partners' away from Cassie." He turned to me. Anger built up inside me. I stood up, grabbing my lunch and stared Hedan in the eye, inches away from his face. I could feel his breath on my skin and his eyes piercing into mine like lasers.
"I lost my appetite." I said bluntly in a dark monotonous tone. I turned away and stormed out, dumping my lunch tray in the trash on my way, not taking a second to look back.