~Recap~

Just as she walks past Theo, a masculine voice calls for her behind. “Hey.”

Despite Azura's utter unwillingness, her steps stop and her head automatically turns a little backwards.

Once again, Azura's eyes were locked. Like, basically locked that Azura could not blink, move or flutter her eyes. But something was definitely fluttering in her stomach if not her eyes and she did not even know why!

“Plesse, you can sit here. Next to me. With me.”

Not knowing how to react or what to say, Azura just kept staring in silence at the man. If one would be honest, she looked kind of creepy with that enormous gaze of hers. How was Theo still comfortable with her?

And why was Azura already thinking as if they were already together when they were not and they were nothing!

Nothing… Yet.

______

“Hey, hey. Are you alright?”

Okay but, was Azura that lost in her own thoughts that she didn't even realise that she was in the college campus, in the classroom alone with this very man and she was supposed to be reverting, reacting or acting. She could not just leave him hung there, right?

But guess what she goes with. Of course, with just acting like the silent saint she was.

And so, the lady just shifts her face straight ahead and begins walking forward.

The man on the other hand, was just struggling to raise a conversation with Azura especially when the girl was just a wisp. He couldn't get the chance to call for her again when more mixes of noises fill the classroom.

He glances at the entrance and a stressful sigh instantly releases out of him.

The group of girls, precisely the duo, reaches to where Theo was standing. “Good morning, Theo. Seems like you got a little early today.”

As the subtle scoff leaves Theo's mouth, he purrs, “I am usually an early bird, Cindy. I appeared by the half time yesterday just because it was my first day and I was instructed by the Dean to do the summit. So I hope you try asking people regarding their acts instead of just assuming nonsense which is literally a reflection of yours.”

Out of all things Cindy could think to reply to Theo's clarification was an elusive gasp. Her friend besides her was just as stunned.

Theo raises his eyebrow as he waits for the latter's response.

In an attempt to change her expression real quick, Cindy laughs awkwardly as if the man on her mind has cracked some joke. Well, even if he did, the jokes must be on Cindy. “You really like to make jokes, I see.” Perks Cindy.

Nodding at Cindy's remark, Theo snaps, “Well I do, of course. But that was not a joke. Jokes on you.”

Cindy hears her friend chuckling at Theo's joke as she glares at her. To avoid Cindy's terrifying glares, Leanne whispers, “Hey, Cindy. Did you notice that Theo is sitting at Azura's usual desk? What do you think? Is Azura trying to steal your man?’ Cindy follows Leanne's words and only then she notices the odd.

“Seems about right, Li.” The girl mumbles to herself before questioning Theo. “By the way, Theo. I believe you sat here mistakenly because this was not the place you sat yesterday, no?”

“You're right. We were unfortunately paired together because of no alternative or extra space but thankfully today, as I got earlier, I could find a separate and better place.” Beams Theo to the latter.

“Oh? Is that so? Well, no worries. I'll just get here then.” Cindy sparks as she tries placing her backpack next to Theo's but gets stopped by the young man himself.

Both Leanne's, Cindy's and even Azura's eyes widened at the scenario. “Seems like you are not able to listen and comprehend what I'm signalling but I'm trying to stay away from you because you're a total headache, Cindy. Which I can't bear anymore.”

Now almost everyone has their mouths agape. “Which is why you can't sit with me.” The audacity that Theo had was just enough to boil Cindy's blood and she didn't just sit up with it this time round.

The appearance on her face starts changing from gleefully to galled.

“You know what? Just have it on your own because you don't even deserve sitting with me. You're just an illiterate and undisciplined man from the lands of some village which doesn't even know how to treat elegant ladies like me because there are probably none.” Cindy spat her rage out while the boy just nodded his head to her words nonchalantly.

“Let's go, Leanne.”

“Actually, Leanne can sit here since she's not that much of a pain. Well yeah, she does have a persona like you but not as bad as you are, Cindy Sean.”

Now Leanne's both mouth and eyes were wide open and her steps began walking forward to actually have a seat next to Theo but she wasn't able to move after one or two steps when Cindy gripped her friend's hands.

“No, thanks. She's my friend and we'll be at peace without you.”

Theo chuckles. “Or more like, want a piece of me.”

“Shut up!” And with that, Cindy rushes away along with dragging Leanne to which Theo giggles and somehow he could even those subtle giggling noises from behind which he assumes to be Azura's.

However, it seemed to be a little late to look when he sees Azura just keeping her head down, avoiding any kind of eye contact, probably. But Theo will make sure to have that with her. Even if it means to be bolder than he already was.

______

A few batches were passed and students were once again now on break. Theo decides to explore the hallway rather than going to the canteen area for some obvious reasons. The best thing was, Cindy wasn't after him anymore so he could explore this place and person he's been wanting to explore more properly and with peace.

To his fortunate, it did not even take him much to find the one he was looking for.

______

While everyone has already grouped with their fellows to hangout or for lunch during the break, Azura is here at her locker nonchalantly placing and settling her stuff. Some of nostalgia and memorandums come across her hands as she picks them our and admires them.

She strokes her fingertips on the set of photographs she has in her hands as a smile of glee appears on her lips.

“Is this a good time to talk to you?”

Azura flinched at the sudden arrival of the noise and all the pictures in her hands fell down on the floor. She swifts back to look at the unexpected visitor and by now, she was not surprised to suspect this very person to be Theo anymore.