"Get up!!!" My little brother shouted from the top of his voice, shaking me up from my good sleep.

"Ah!!! What's up you idiot?! I screamed.

"Do you even keep the track of the time?" he asked.

I looked at the watch. MY GOD!!! It's 3:35pm. I have to go to my chemistry tuition which is going to start from 4pm. It takes 20minutes to reach there.

I jumped out of my bed and got ready within 5min. I came out , saw my father waiting for me outside with the car.

"Alice, you look like you haven't taken bath since a week", my dad said looking at me.

He was right anyways. I did took bath but I don't look like have taken. I spent the entire morning painting my exibition model, a human heart, and all my hands and legs kissed the paints and hence they look colourful. I tried to wash them off, but soap didn't really work out.

"I will wash up as soon as I'm back dad"

"Alright let's go now. You are getting late".

I entered 10 minutes late. Fortunately, sir also entered the the classroom as soon as I reached. Quite relieved coz I didn't miss anything.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Williams." my dad said to sir.

" This is my daughter Alice Saforia" , he added pointing towards me.

I smiled at him.

All the benches were filled up , except the first one. I hate first benches. I have always been a backbencher. Well, I gotta co-operate with the first bench today.

Sir started the class with resonance. I'm happy that I learnt it at San Diego.

"Can anyone draw the resonating structure of phenol?", Mr. Willams asked the class.

"Alice , can you?"

I nodded.

"Good!", Mr Williams said loudly, smiling at me after I completed drawing it.

"Did you learn it at San Diego earlier?"

"Yes, I did."

Mr Williams taught 1 hour continuously without break. Then he went out to drink water. Someone patted my back. I turned around.

"Hi. I'm Mike . U are Saforia, right?". A thin boy with blond wavy hairs asked me.

"Alice Saforia", I corrected. " Call me Alice", I smiled.

"You are new to Los Angeles?"

"No, I have been here before. My dad is doing his job here since 6 years. Now my family shifted here permanently". I said.

Well, I'm Alice Saforia , 17 , ivory skin and I'm a neither that short nor that tall . I'm skinny and I don't regret about it although some people says , "God! how can you be so skinny?! Are you suffering from any disease?!". It's because my body fits into the sexiest dresses and it looks quite cool , lol .With my looks I guess I should get a average boyfriend in Los Angeles.

"Class over. See you all tomorrow." Mr Williams said after 2 hours of his class.

I came out waiting for my dad to come and take me home.

Mike came out with his friends.

"Waiting for someone?" Mike asked.

"My dad. He's gonna take me home."

"Meet my friends Steve and Chloe"

I smiled at them. Steve didn't even look at me, how rude! He is quite good looking, with his black straight hairs, fair skin , muscular and tall. The other one Chloe looks cool with her mini skirt, crop top which was showing her cleavage and curly brown hairs.

Chloe came by my side and touched my hairs.

"I like your hairs." She said.

Did she just mock at me ?

"oh , thank you." I smiled.

My phone buzzed up.

"Alice, go home on your own. I have not finished my work yet."

"Okay dad."

"Go fast. Don't hang around."

I agreed with him and hanged up the call.

"Which street is your way towards your home?" Mike asked me .

"Street 3." I said.

"Steve's home is that way. You both can go together. I gotta go now. Bye , see you at the school." said Mike and he went away with Chloe.

It was too awkward with Steve. We walked till the bus stop, but he didn't talk a single word. Too boring. I thought of starting a conversation.

"Do you play anything?"

He nodded.

"What do you play?"

"Tennis".

"Oh"

"You don't talk much right?" I asked again.

"I talk but less than you."

Damn he's too rude. I want to kick him now. I'm just forgiving him for his good looks.

We didn't talk the entire way. He walked with me till my home after getting down the bus. Kinda caring though.

"This is my home. You can go to your home now. Thank you for coming all the way." I smiled.

He didn't say anything and stared at me. Then he walked to the next house of mine.

"You live here?!" I asked.

He nodded and went inside the house. I've never been so embarrassed. I thought that he just came with me to show how caring he is.

Too much expectations lead to disappointment.

"Alice, get up, won't u go to the college?" My mom called me up.

I looked at the watch. What?! It was already 7:30 and I need to go out of my house at 8.

I jumped out of my bed and rushed to the bathroom , I came out in 15 min. I need to look good today. It's my first day. Mental Breakdown! Why am I always late.....

I'll put on an alarm from tomorrow. Won't forget!!!

I took out my plain blue straight jeans and a white t-shirt. Tied my hairs into a ponytail with a twilly scarf, my favourite one with small black and brown flowers. I look good!

Mom prepared toasted bread and milk for me. I hurriedly ate it.

"Alice, I won't be able to go to drop you to the college. I'm really sorry for that. I urgently need to go out of states, due to some work. I'll be back after two days." Dad told me while I was wearing my shoes.

"It's okay Dad." I smiled.

"You'll go with Steve. He is waiting outside for you already." Mom came out of the house saying.

I went out and saw Steve waiting outside. He looked at me , his brown eyes met mine... I couldn't help myself staring at his face. He is so handsome. Coincidentally, he was wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans too.

"Couple goals." Alex whispered from my back. I immediately blushed and I pinched him hard.

"Truth is bitter, I know that." He said laughing and ran away inside my home. I ignored him. We ain't couples, so I shouldn't mind. Calm down, Alice.

"Steve, take care of my daughter." My mom told him as if I were a kid and he is my dad. LOL!

"Sure, Mrs Saforia." He said smiling. He is so hot smiling. I die.......

Like yesterday we were quite till we reached the bus stand. When the bus arrived, I went in first and sat on the window sit. I thought he will sit with me.... but.... he sat behind me. Fine. Okay. Is he shy? Or I look weird? He got a gf? Or he is just an introvert? Or too arrogant maybe because he looks good... Ah! All these questions are eating my head. Let it be... I should not care an arrogant guy.

There are four stoppages to the college. At the second stoppage, a boy, who looked like mine age, came near my sit.

"Can I sit?" He asked.

Before I could answer him Steve came and sat next to me.

It was so awkward. But I'm happy. Very happy!

The boy the sat on another sit.

"Anything wrong?" I asked Steve.

He looked at me for a moment then he again looked front without saying anything.

I thought he will reply something. But he is DUMB!

I reached the college and the college was too big. I'm sure I'll get lost if I'm alone.

"St. Peters College." I read the name. I saw Mike came with Chloe coming.

"Hi Alice" Mike said waving at me. Atleast some human present in the college unlike the alien, Steve.

"Hello Mike" I said smiling at him. Chloe was busy fixing her hairs although it was much better than mine. She was looking pretty today with a short red flower printed dress. She has beautiful beige skin and brown curly hairs with a perfect figure.

"Steve, let's go to the class." Chloe said going near him holding his arm.

I'm so so so jealous. But what can I say? (feels sad) I'm no match with Chloe(sigh). They both walked away.

"See you in the class Alice and Mike." Chloe told us while going with Steve.

"Hey Mike. Are they in a relationship?" I couldn't hold my curiosity.

"Of course no. They are just friends and Steve won't like her anyways." He said laughing.

"Why? She is beautiful and maybe smart as well." I said surprised.

"I don't know Alice. We have been friends since we were kids. But I never saw Steve showing interest in her. To be honest he has never been close to any girl." I said thinking seriously.

"Then, is he a gay?" I asked.

Mike started laughing hard. I joined him too.

"Don't worry. Maybe he'll fall in love with you."

I immediately blushed. "Oh come on Mike!"

"Haha, I can see someone's blushing. You like him right?" Mike asked laughing.

"No, of course I don't. How can I like an alien who don't even talk. Proud man he is." I said with my face red like tomatoes. " Let's go to the class Mike, we will be late."

I do really like Steve a bit. But I know nothing will be ever possible between us. I'm happy with whatever I'm am now. Being single, I can look a lot of handsome boys. Haha!

We have biology in the first class. I saw Steve and Chloe sitting together in the fourth bench. Steve looked at me and I don't know why I started staring at him.

"You okay?" Mike asked patting my back.

"Yes yes " I startled. Gosh! Why did I just stare at him?!!

Mike took the third sit, exactly infront of Chloe. "Alice, come and sit here." Mike said pointing at the sit just infront of Steve. I went and sat there silently.

After two minutes a young lady around 30 came inside the classroom.

"Good morning my dear students. I'm Ella and I'll be teaching you'll biology. Hope you will enjoy the classes. So let's start with 'Cell Cycle and Cell Division'. Take out your books and copies and write down the important points." Mrs Ella said. She looks damn gorgeous.

"Do you have extra pen?" Steve suddenly whispered in my ears. I looked back immediately. DAMN! His face ... so ... close to mine ...

I blushed and looked front quickly. I took out my pencil bag and gave him the pen without looking at him. I'm afraid, he will see me blush and that will be embracing!

I'm happy he talked with me. *cries in happiness*

"So that's all for today. Revise the notes at home. Thank you all." Mrs Ella said after an hour and went out.

"What class now?" I asked Mike.

"Chemistry practical. It will two students in a group." He said. "Will you be in my group Alice?" He asked me.

"That will be decided by the teacher Mike." Chloe said from behind. I was about to agree with him.

The college is too big. It has five blocks for the classes. Block A is for the students. B for the others. C for the practicals. And I don't know what's block D and E for. That's of course for students, but don't know which subjects. There is a big canteen behind block B. Grounds for different games are also there. I'll discover the whole college when I get free time. Hope I don't get lost.

"Alice, nice to see you again." Mr. Williams said.

"Good morning, Mr Williams." I smiled.

Mr Williams started dividing the students into group of two. Chloe was given with a girl with a cute face, blond hairs, brown eyes, with a fair skin. She was much shorter than Chloe. Mike got a partner with a boy named Garry( I heard Mr. Williams called out his name). He was tall with lot of poke marks on his face, probably suffered from chicken pox.

"Alice, since you are new, Steve will be the best partner for you. He is good in the practicals. I'm sure you won't face any difficulties." He said.

I looked at Steve. He face showed no sign of happiness or disappointed. I went and stood near him. He went to the shelves and brought burette, burette stand and pipette.

"Can you bring two beakers, a conical flask and a funnel from the third shelve?" He asked me when he came back bringing the apparatus.

"Okay." I said.

I brought them and I was about to keep them in the table but Steve suddenly came close to me and took the beakers from my hand. Jis hands touched mine. I looked down at the floor because I BLUSHED! Why do I blush so much when I'm near him. Ah! I'm angry...

Mr. Williams started explaining the practical.

"We are going to start today with acid and base titration. One member of each group come with the breakers, I'll give you dilute NaOH and HCl."

"I'll go." Steve told me.

"Okay."

He came back with the beakers and asked, " Do you have marker pen?" I nodded and gave him the pen. He then wrote the name of the reagents. His handwriting is very nice unlike mine.

Mr. Williams explained everything and showed us how to do the titration. "I guess you all can try it now. Be careful with the pipette. Don't let the HCl go inside your mouth.'' He said.

"Can I use the pipette first?'' I asked Steve. He nodded and gave the pipette. I then tried to suck the HCl slowly. I looked at Steve for a moment. His face! God ! Damn! It was so funny like the way he was watching as if he was five year old kid. I couldn't help myself laughing and guess what?! BOOM! The damn acid, HCl, went inside my mouth!

I almost chocked. Mr. Williams came running. "Steve, take her to the washroom! Fast!''

Steve hold me by my waist. His right hand on my waist and his left hand holding my hand. ''Hey?! Don't panic. It's gonna be fine.'' He said. I nodded and walked fast with him to the washroom.

"Try to vomit, if you can.'' He said patting my back gently

''Hmm.''

I took almost 10 minutes in the washroom. I looked at him. He looked like as if he was angry with me. Of course he should be, I wasted his time. It would have been better if I had let him use the pipette. I feel guilty.

''I'm sorry. I shouldn't have used the pipette.'' I said.

'' That doesn't matter.'' He said seriously and came close towards me. I don't know what to do, I'm scared. I started to walk back and he didn't stop moving forward.

I back hit the wall and now I know that I can't move any further. He stood very close near me. There's only two inch gap between our face.

"What made you laugh? Do I look like a jocker?" He asked.

''Huh?'' I said surprised

"Tell me?''

''No, you don't look like a jocker. You are handsome.'' I said, scared.

He looked at my eyes and moved back. Did he blushed? Oh shit Alice! How can you say at his face that he is handsome?! Oh! How shameless I'm!

''Let's go back to the lab.'' He said.

"Okay.'' I said. I'm confused with what he is thinking.

I came back to the class with him.

"Are you okay now, Alice?" Mr. Williams asked me.

"Yes Mr. Williams.'' I smiled.

''Then let's continue with the classes.'' He said.

Mike was asking me from if I'm fine using facial expression as he is afraid of getting scolded for talking. I nodded at him.

"I'll use the pipette, you fill the burette with NaOH." Steve told me. He is afraid that I'll drink HCl again.

"Okay.'' I smiled at him.

"Have you both finished?'' Mr. Williams asked us after half an hour.

Steve was super fast in doing the practical. Without him, I would have taken around 2 hours to complete the titration.

"Yes professor." Steve said.

"Very good. Let me check your answer."

I handed him the copy, where I scribbled with my ugly handwriting. I can say from the look of Mr. Williams that he was finding it difficult to understand my writing.

"That's correct. Well done both of you. You can go back to your classes now." He said after observing my copy for two minutes.

"Thank you Mr. Williams." Steve and I said together.

I don't know what to do now. Mike was inside the class and... Steve... I don't know if he will like if I follow him till Mike comes out.

"Let's go.'' Steve said me.u

''Where?''

He looked at me and came close.

''You tell me, where you want to go.'' He said.

Steve please don't come close, I'm shy. I really want to say this to him.

"Let's go to the canteen. I need to remove the taste of HCl." I said.

He gave a big smile at me. Like I saw him smiling with his teeth out.

"You look good when you smile. Smile more " I said laughing.

He smiled again but this was a little different. I felt like he was blushing.

I took one hamburger, french fries, cola, two sandwiches and fried chicken. Steve was just looking at me ordering.

''Why don't you order for yourself?'' I asked him.

''These food are all yours?'' He asked.

''Of course.'' I said confused.

He then took one hamburger and one cola. There were only a few students in the canteen.

''Do you usually eat so much?'' He asked me.

'' Yeah, I do. Lot of food gives me happiness. All my sorrows goes away when I eat.'' I said eating the sandwich.

''Is it effective?'' He asked.

''What?''

''Like all the sorrows goes away?''

''Of course it is. I can tell you by my experience. As long as you are a foodie, it's effective.'' I explained him.

''I have to try then.'' He sighs.

''Yeah, you should.'' I smiled at him.

A girl with short hairs enters the canteen. She looks cute with her white glasses and fair skin. She was wearing a pastel pink coloured knee length dress. She looked like she was searching for someone.

"STEVE." She called out loudly.

Steve looked at her. She came walking fast towards the table we were eating. The table were sitting was for four persons. Steve sat in front of me in the table.

"Hi, can I sit her?'' The girl pointed at the sit next to mine.

I nodded.

"Steve, I finally found you!'' She told him. ''My dad bought it! I got two for you. Garry said he won't be able to go. So, he asked me to give both the tickets to you.''

I don't know what she was talking about. It was going all above my head.

She took out two tickets from her black bag pack and gives to him.

"Thanks.'' He said. She smiled at him then looked at me.

''Hi, I'm Mia Smith.''

''Alice Saforia.'' I smiled and said.

'' I'm Steve's cousin. You are ... his ... girlfriend?!'' Mia asked me looking me from top to bottom. I looked at Steve and he looked at me.

"No." We both said together.

Mia started laughing. '' Actually I never saw my brother eating with a girl so I was confused. Don't mind.'' She said.

'' It's okay, Mia.'' I said smiling.

I was so damn shy when she asked if I was his girlfriend. I really want to be his girlfriend though. Till now I found him perfect. I don't know what will happen in future but if not girlfriend but I would be satisfied with being a good friend with him.

'' I'll go then now. Bye Bro. Bye Alice.'' She waved at us and went out the canteen.

'' What tickets are those?" I asked Steve.

'' Do you read books?'' He asked me. Did he just ignore what I asked him? I cry now in pain (feeling pain deep down).

''Yes I do.'' I said.

''Who's your favourite author?''

"John Green." I said. "What about you? Do you read books too?"

He nodded. "Are you free this Sunday?" He asked. I was about to ask him his favourite author too but he interrupted. Anyways let it be.

"Today is Friday. Tomorrow I'm busy. Well Sunday ... it will be 24th March, right?" I said thinking.

"Yes." He said.

"No event is there .... I'm completely free that day." I said. "But why?" I added.

"Would you like to go to a place with me?" He asked.

What?! Like seriously?! From yesterday till today morning he was behaving rude with me and now he is asking me out! What if he has some bad intentions !

"Are you okay?" Steve asked again waving a hand at me as I was looking at his face and thinking like a dumb ...

"Do you sell humans?" I asked him. Actually it slipped out of my mouth. Oh shit! How can you be so foolish Alice! Control your mouth !!!

"Huh? What?" He laughed. Thank God he is not angry!

''I mean that till today morning you were cold with me and now you are suddenly asking me out ... so I'm ... just asking you ... I'm sorry for saying like that.'' I said.

''No problem. I saw someone dancing in terrace at night yesterday screaming saying, 'I got new books, YES YES!' '' He said laughing.

What? He was actually talking about me. My dad got me some books of Paulo Coelho. I was very happy to get them. I then felt like to go to the terrace and then I remembered my books again and I started singing and dancing there. I didn't expect that someone was looking at me. I'm so shy now. Steve actually saw me!

''Fine.'' I laughed. ''See you on Sunday.''

He smiled.

"Oh, you both are here." Chloe called out from the door of the canteen looking at us. She was with Mike. Mike looked at me and gave a big smile. Chloe walked fast and sat next to Steve. Mike sat with me.

'' What are you both doing?'' Mike asked giving me a teasing look.

''Eating and talking. '' I said.

Chloe suddenly put her arm around Steve and placed her head on his shoulder then she looked at me. I'm jealous, really, I'm very jealous. Steve wasn't even doing anything, he was too comfortable with that. And of course he won't feel bad coz they are childhood sweethearts.

''Steve usually isn't close to any girl other than me. Now I guess he is interested in you.'' Chloe said giving a weird smile.

I looked at Steve, he was like he didn't care what she was saying. He suddenly looked at me and I immediately looked away.

'' We are neighbours and friends as well so ... '' I said.

''YOU BOTH ARE NEIGHBOURS!'' Mike shouted.

''Calm down Mike.'' Chloe said. I laughed. and Steve joined me too.

''I will visit your house then.'' Mike said.

''Sure, all of you can visit my house.'' I said smiling.

But deep down I want Steve to come ... And Chloe ... I want to break her head as well as her hands which are touching Steve!