Chapter 2 U.

Arielle POV.

He lets go of my arm, taking his warmth with it. I felt empty like I was missing something. It was absurd but that was how much he affected me. I've done so much, when will he see me. When will I be perfect enough?

"Can't you fucking watch where you are going". He snarled out, but I expected it. He was sexy even when he got mad, his deep voice became deeper, resonating, making whoever it was directed at reacting in two ways, fear it or smolder in the heat of it.

I attempted to apologize. "I'm sorry, I just-just ha-had a lot..." He stopped me, his eyebrows dipping further. "Save it, just watch where you are going next time" he walked past me muttering under his breath. "I don't know why people are so stupid". I stared after him, my stomach in a twist. His cologne lingered around me, I trailed my finger over where he had grabbed me... We had a connection, no matter how brief it was. He was rude to me, but it didn't matter, it was because he was in a bad mood. He was kind, most of the time.

It was unhealthy, but I've loved him for so long that I tended to defend all his actions. I did change my whole life for him anyway. It started when I heard him saying he liked skinny girls_ that conversation I overhead was when I was thirteen_ and from then on, I'd become obsessed. I read like crazy so we could go to the same university, applied for a course I was sure he was going to study, but he changed course after the registration. I wanted to change too but I forced myself to stick to what I'd chosen, I was good at it anyway. I was getting better now at killing the urge to follow him everywhere or watch his every move, I'd stopped stalking him, I was trying to ban him from my heart. But it was hopeless, cause in my head, it's always been him.

"Are you just going to stand there staring after him" a deep voice rumbled beside my ear, startling me? I turned around to see the culprit. He was in my department, but I couldn't remember his name. I avoided his cheeky grin and probing eyes.

"I'm gonna go.." I got out, pointing past him. I felt off. He nodded, following after me as I trudged away from him.

"Let me accompany you then". I nodded, it was not like I could stop him when he was already coming after me. It was weird that he was talking to me. I only knew him because he was the hottest guy in our department, girls were always talking about him at one point or the other. No one ever went out of their way to talk to me, especially not a cute guy like him. I peered at him curiously from the corner of my eye. He was better looking up close, his curly brown hair agreed with his dark eyes, dozens of freckles were littered on the bridge of his nose, and his jaw was chiseled to perfection. He took hold of my arm making me jerk my hand back. He'd ruined Keenan's touch. It was stupid, absurd but it hurt that he ruined the connection I'd shared with Keenan. I didn't like it one bit.

"I am Liam by the way. Liam Hashubah" he said making me blink as he stretched his hand for a handshake.

"Are you joking, that's not your real surname is it?" I asked, curious. It was a unique name but it was also funny. He stared at me calmly, pulling back his offered hand, his face dead serious.

"It is" he answered. I stopped smiling.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to assume you were making that up. It's just that it's a Hebrew name, and you don't look like you're from that side". He smiled, his hand ruffling my hair. He pulled back before I could do anything. I just stared at him, stunned.

"Good brain, that's the reason I like nerds, they know everything," he said, adding a wink.

I just gaped at him. I'm losing my mind because this Liam guy was flirting with me right. He said he liked nerds, as in me. But no one liked me, at least not in that way.

"My dad is Hebrew, mom met him when she went on a vacation. One thing led to another and she had me, dad wasn't in on the news, but she still chose to give me his last name tho, and that's because she's still crazy in love. I don't know Hebrew so don't ask me to say any words or recite anything" he warned playfully. I nodded wondering why he was looking into my eyes as he spoke. He was also telling me stuff I would consider private information.

"I wasn't going to do that, but I think your mom is pretty cool", I said before mentally slapping myself. What was I saying, can't I just keep my mouth shut and act dumb.

He nodded. "Yeah, she is" he agreed still smiling. " So when do I get the honors of knowing your name".

I jerked as if electrocuted. "It Arielle, Arielle Santos Rivera". He grinned."That's a mouth full".

I smiled nervously. "We both need new classic last names don't we?" I attempted, warming up to his easy bright smiles. He nodded vigorously.

"Yeah, cool sweater by the way. We're super early, so the lecture hall will probably be empty. Wanna see something cool" he asked all excited, but even tho he was a poster guy, I didn't trust him. He could be a serial killer looking for his next victim, I was paranoid, but it was better to be safe than sorry. I shook my head, watching as his smile faded until he looked pretty sad.

"I'd like to, but not today, maybe another time" I rectified, and watched as the smile returned.

"That's fair. Let's be friends Arielle. I like you".

I got shocked a lot, but he was so blunt about everything that he had my anxiety sparking out of control. It was hard when it seemed I was faceless, but such glaring interest felt suffocating. I wanted to talk to Scarlet, she was the only one I could be free with. He leaned toward me, invading my space. I stepped back instinctively, looking at his unwavering gaze. His aura was pure, shining around his smiling harmless face. I nodded. The smile got wider, making him more gorgeous.

"Great. I'll walk you to class". He said and made to take my hand but I evaded it, there was only one guy who had the right to hold my hand. He took notice but just kept walking. I smiled, I just made a new friend. I couldn't wait to tell scarlet.