Chapter 1

~~~~~ He can't see me. "You have to live a little," Roxana says. She is seated on my left. Her seat is near the window. I can't take my eyes off him. I nod, "Mmmh." "So you are coming tonight?" Her voice is full of excitement. He runs his hand through his hair. His eyes fixed on his phone. "Where?" I have no idea what she is talking about. "Back to school party, duh!" "No." "It's our last quarter on campus, you should have fun. Otherwise, you will be graduating still a virgin." He can't even lookup. He never looks at me. "Did you hear what I just said? And what is that you are looking at?" She moves to get a better angle. She follows my gaze. "Quinn, such an eye candy. Don't start fantasizing he is out of every girl league except her." She tips her head towards the door. Courtney Emerson. The sole heiress to Emerson company. A multinational company She walks in with grace, her hair freely flowing on her shoulders. Her steps are calculated and intended. Her presence demands attention. The entire class watches her, except Quinn who never bothers to lift his head. She walks straight to him. He lifts his head, bored. "You didn't show up last night." She attempts to whisper but everyone hears. Quinn's head swivels in my direction, our eyes lock. "Let's settle down." A male voice announces. I am forced to take a double look just to confirm. Mr. Marcelo's eyes are staring back at me. I thought I won't have to face him this semester. "Cara make sure to see me after the class," he says. Everyone turns to give me a sorry look. The class starts. I keep my head low though I can occasionally feel the burning stare of Mr. Marcelo through my skull. The entire period is a blur and is relieved when it ends. I pretend to be packing my stuff as the class slowly empties. I look up, hoping Mr. Marcelo gave up, and left. He is still waiting for me. I might just have to face him now than traveled I take slow strides toward him. We are just the two of us, in the room. "You didn't show up for our coffee date." He goes straight to the point. Mr. Marcelo is the youngest lecturer in the entire institute. He has an angular body posture, his baby face makes him look younger for his age. And his dimpled smile makes him very attractive. "I travelled to visit my family during the break." I lie. He raises his eyebrows, as if not believing me. "Okay. Let's reschedule it to this Saturday." I take in a sharp breath and nod. "Great. See you then." He happily states. Roxana is waiting by the door; obvious she has been eavesdropping. She gives me a mischievous look. I walk past her and she closely follows. "I have known you for close to four years, but you are as mysterious as the first day I met you." She says behind me. My phone beeps. It is a private number and I know it's Quinn. I open the message. Doctor's appointment. Quarterly check-up. Be there in the afternoon. I shove the phone back into my bag. "I have to go. See you later for our fries tradition," I say. Roxana rolls her eyes. "Where are you going?" I hesitate to try to find a good lie. She speaks, "See, this is what I mean. Secrets and lies are what you are good at." I laugh a bit as I hug her. "You think too much." It's all I can say before saying goodbye. I rush down the hall to the bathrooms, I text my brother, Oliver. After some minutes of him not replying. I decide to call him. "Need me?" He taunts me. "I texted you a few minutes ago." "So now you want to be seen with me?" I know he is wearing a smug as he says this. "No. Just met me at our place." I end the call before he starts saying the kind of family we are if we can't be seen together on campus. The walk to a secluded part of the campus is slow and agonizing. For I have to occasionally look back to see if anyone is following me. Oliver's ragged car is seated by the end of the road.  It looks like it's held together with baling wire and duct tape, and running on prayers and borrowed time. Dark smoke is coming from its exhaust pipe. I can never understand his love for the old rusty thing of a car. "I shouldn't be doing this," he says when I board the car. " It takes a while for his engine to run. "I am sorry, but we are almost there Oliver. We will have our old lives back," I say. He doesn't respond, he only reaches for the radio and tunes to a rock and roll station. The then increases the volume. I know it's his way of shutting me out. I turn to face out as he drives. He kills the engine a couple of buildings away from the doctor's plaza. I immediately spot Quinn's jeep. I step out. "I will be back," I say. "I am not waiting on you. Am sure you will find other means and a brain to make you see what you are about to do." He doesn't wait for my answer nor reaction. He just drives off. I shake my head before starting to walk towards my destination. It is a short walk and doesn't give me the luxury to think. I push the doors and walk in. I spot Quinn seated in the waiting area. He is wearing an impatient look. "She's waiting," he says, at a hearing distance. He never waits for me. Not that I care, the feeling is mutual, for now. He heads towards a door written by Dr. Anika. I can never get used to doctor's visits no matter how many times I get to experience it. She is seated on her desk. She doesn't look up when we walk in, despite Quinn slamming the door to get her attention. She finally closes the book she was writing. She wakes up. She has the posture of a soldier. Every action she takes is precise and purposeful. She smiles coldly and distantly professionals do. I can never relax around such expressions. She goes through her files looking for ours. It is a routine procedure we go through three to four times a year. She sits down and starts with the normal regular questions. Do we have other partners we are sexually involved with other than us? She asks when I last had my cycle, blah blah. We both answer, she takes our blood samples to test for any STIs and serology. She goes further to test me for the presence of HCG hormone. My booty call agreement with Quinn is that we don't have other sex partners. Of course, Quinn gets to date. He has a playboy name to live to but he never beds his playthings. We get checkups regularly. And the important part is our relationship is purely sexual. Out there in the real world, we don't know each other. We are total strangers. "We are clean." The doctor comes back with the results. Quinn stands up ready to go. He barely acknowledges either of us as he walks out. I give her a fake smile. "It was nice working with you. As per Quinn, he said this is your last check-up. Be safe." The doctor says. Last checkup? I find Quinn about to leave.   "Why is this my last check-up?" Am feeling all confused. Because I know what this means. He wants to end our agreement. "Yes, it is." He doesn't answer what I asked. His demeanor is that of a bored person. And his attitude is 'I am Quinn I can do what I please, I don't care.' "Why?" I ask frustrated. "I don't I owe you any explanation neither do you. I will call you when I need you." I watch in horror as he gets in his car and drives off.