"Are you in her class again?" Julius hunched over my shoulder to peek at my portal, squinting his eyes as he looks to find my girlfriend's name on the list of my subject professors. Finding none, he gave me a fist bump. "Nice, now you don't have to drop her class if ever she's your professor again."

"Yeah,", I sighed happily, feeling a bit of relief from this lessening one of our worries.

"Are you really planning to transfer?" He asked the nth time since I told them. The others were sad about it but they understood, this dude however is acting way too clingy. Despite me choosing a university just 30 minutes away from them. "I'm gonna miss you, bud."

I rolled my eyes at his ridiculousness. "I'm still here for another four months. Don't be dramatic."

The dumbass gasped. "So, you won't miss me?"

Lexie, on my behalf, smacked her boyfriend in the arm. "Stop being so clingy."

"Let him act like a little bitch," Zoey commented in the midst of painting her nails, earning a glare from Julius and a laugh from us.

"Rude fuck," Julius nudged her foot.

Zoey gasped. "Hey! You made me mess up my nails!"

"You deserve it."

"Come here, bitch. I'll show you what you deserve."

"Try and chase me, short stack."

Vera shook her head in amusement and disbelief. "Children."

"Honestly don't know why I'm dating that guy," Lexie joked.

Vera and I chuckled. A ping coming from my phone then grabbed my attention from the conversation. It was my girlfriend.

I frowned sadly at her message, but I understood. She is a professor after all, one in the medical health department for that matter. I'm just a tiny bit upset that class started again, which means we'll both be busy soon enough.

I pursed my lips, thinking if I should argue or just drop it. In the end, I decided to drop it, knowing she's one stubborn woman. I'll just do what I planned, she doesn't have to know.

After sending a few heart emojis, I put my phone down and went back to talking to my friends. Our schedules were released earlier after we enrolled 3 days ago, which means on Monday the following week, class will be starting again. Amayah, on the other hand, already started hers with a different block section.

"I can't believe we're back to studying. That 1 whole month felt like a passing dream," Zoey groaned in dispair.

"Well, that passing dream was your only academic break because second semester doesn't have that," Vera said, totally crashing our hearts into pieces.

"Fuck that, I'll create my own break. It's called mental health week," Lexie rolled her eyes. "My wellness comes first."

"As a nursing student, you're right," I agreed at Lexie's statement.

"You know what I think?" We all turned to Julius with a 'what' look. "I think we should be hitting the bar right now before hell starts."

"Aiden–"

"–doesn't have to drink," Julius clarified. "Only if you want to, "He reassured me.

Biting my lip, I contemplated. It's not like it would be my first time. Besides, I might need this for the upcoming hell of a semester. Nothing could go wrong again, right?

"Let me tell Amayah first," I decided and took out my phone. I went for a call instead of a text, hoping she's not busy at the moment. Silently cheering when she answered after a few rings. "Hey, not busy?"

The beauty hummed over the phone. "I will be in 10 minutes, why?"

"So, uh... Julius wants to hangout in a bar later and I was wondering if you're okay with that."

"Will you be drinking?"

"Probably not, but I might take a shot or two. Nothing strong though, just to join in," I answered honestly. Getting drunk isn't really a good decision.

"And what time will you be home?" She asked and I turned to my friends for an answer. They didn't say what time we'll go and when we can go home after.

"They said around 10."

She hummed again. "Alright, take care and have fun."

We exchanged 'I love you's' before she hung up. I glared at my friends' teasing looks, covering my ears when the taunting started. Mostly from Julius and Zoey, they're both idiots.

"Not you needing your girlfriend's permission," Julius snorted, earning a glare from his girlfriend.

"I'm not asking for permission, I'm just informing her of my whereabouts," I rolled my eyes. I didn't want Amayah to guess where I am and worry something might have happened.

Julius surrendered when Lexie pinched his side.

As soon as we finished everything we needed to do, they didn't waste time dragging me to a bar at exactly 6 pm. Already knowing that I'll be the designated driver, I only ordered a pint of beer I probably wouldn't finish. They don't really taste good.

Surprised to see the bar already packed with a lot of people despite the early evening, I would've expected people partying late at night until dawn, I guess. Finding a table for us, I sat down in the corner as they went on with their own businesses after hanging out as a group for a bit. Julius and Lexie dancing their hearts out, Zoey probably making out with a girl and Vera flirting with the bartender as she ordered herself a drink.

I let my eyes roam, making sure my friends are still in my line of sight, particularly Zoey who seemed to be enjoying herself too much. Sighing, I had a little over half an hour of me time with my beer when a figure suddenly blocked my vision, standing right in front of me. I frowned, looking up at the person.

"Yes? May I help you?" I questioned, trying to be polite.

"Just wanted to talk. May I?" The woman smiled, pointing the empty space next to me.

Although hesitant, I nodded. It's not like I own the table. Scooting a little further away, I motioned for her to sit down. With a bigger smile, the woman sat down next to me, her body slightly facing mine as she looks at me. I sipped my beer awkwardly due to the unwanted stare. I hate being stared at. Unless it's from Amayah of course.

"Bea," the woman named Bea introduced, offering her hand.

I accepted the handshake. "Aiden."

"So, what are you doing here all alone?" She asked after letting go of my hand.

"My friends are drinking their asses off. I'm the DD," I answered briefly. "What about you?" I asked dumbly, deciding to ask her as well to not seem rude.

The side of the woman's lips turned upward into a smirk. "I'm not alone, I'm with you right now."

Flabbergasted at her blunt reply, I let out a rather awkward chuckle. "Ah haha, I see," I nodded slowly, tapping my hand against my thigh.

She's flirting, right? This is definitely flirting. I'm not that oblivious.

I almost thanked the heavens when my phone suddenly rang. Bea heard it too, her smile fading when I immediately stood up to answer the call. Although it wasn't from Amayah.

"Girlfriend?" She questioned with a raised brow.

She doesn't have to know it's my aunt.

"Wife, actually," I replied briefly and excused myself, going straight out of the exit.

I walked towards where Julius' car is parked, which is on the other side of the parking lot. I frowned, seeing my aunt's name on the screen. Confused as to why she's calling at this hour, I'm pretty sure it's like 4 am or something there.

"Tita?" I answered.

I could hear her rushed breathing and panicking voice. "Your mother was rushed to the hospital! The chief called me saying she fainted in the middle of cleaning her cell."

"What?" I could practically feel the chills climbing up my bones, my heart beating erratically fast at the thought of something bad happening to my mama. Tears pricked my eyes almost immediately.

"I don't know her condition, I haven't arrived at the hospital yet. Oh God, please let her be okay."

"P-Please make sure she's okay, tita–"

Distracted at the sudden news, I didn't notice that I stopped in the middle of crossing the parking lot. The sound of a revving vehicle reaching my ears and its continuously loud beeping before I felt pain hit all over my body.

"Oh g-d! Miss!"