"Okay, I will give you guys a hundred if Tate would get to tap that girl over there. Agnes Aimes. I heard she's a freshman and she's never been with anyone before." Dylan spoke.

“I would never tap anyone Dylan, Catherine will kill me if she finds out I was messing around with younger girls and plus I am dating Catherine.” Tate replied to Dylan.

“Oh screw her, she’s a bitch. Why are you even dating her?” Dylan asked.

“That bitch you’re calling is my sister you dickhead.” Ericson said as he came in, throwing the towel at Dylan. JC shook his head and continued doing his little routines before he put his shirt on, he checked his phone to see if Ava had texted back, no text came from her. JC just let out a sigh and continued packing up his stuff.

“And I am a hundred percent sure, she fucked more than ten guys before you came to her life. I mean no offense to your sister Ericson but I’m just stating facts.” Dylan said.

“Right, look who’s talking. You slept with your ex’s sister and cousin, you did the same thing with Rebecca and now she eats pussy because of you.” David replied, the rest of them started laughing.

“What about you, JC? Have you fucked Ava yet?” Dylan asked.

“Bro, what the fuck?” JC asked Dylan, he was offended by it and because it is about him and Ava.

“What?! It was just a harmless question, it’s not like you are going to jail for it, geez.” Dylan said.

“It’s none of your business whether me and Ava had sex or not, it’s between me and her.” JC replied.

“Let me guess, you guys haven’t done it yet.” Dylan said.

“Nah, nah. My boy here will take that beautiful woman out, he already made a reservation at Hamilton Hotel because he will be taking their relationship to the next level.” Hale replied right before JC had a chance to do so.

“Oooh, I can imagine how freaky this will get. I mean our boy here had to wait for months to even touch her.” Tyler said, smirking while the rest giggled.

“No, I am not going to touch her not tonight. Not unless she initiates it first. I can’t force myself with that girl, she’s too fragile for me to do so. And plus, you guys. I really, really love Ava and I am not going to ruin this chance I have with her.” JC said.

“You're a man, JC simply if she cannot give you what you want and need. Other options are waiting in the line.” Dylan replied.

“I’m not an asshole like you Dylan. See you guys around, I still got a class.” JC said. The rest of them just burst out into laughter. JC swung his bag around his shoulder as he pulled out his phone out of his pocket, texting Ava to remind her about the dinner date for tonight. JC was thinking about what Dylan had said, he knew damn well Ava will not give herself just like that.

JC: Hey baby, I want to remind you about the surprise tonight? I’ll pick you up at your dorm room. Be careful and have a great day, okay? I love you.

He pressed send and put his phone back in his pocket, heading to his last class for today.

////

Beatrice and Ava entered the shop to which Ava was easily fascinated to the place, it was cozy and the colors of the interiors were really pleasing in the eyes. Ava was smiling while her eyes wandered around the shop and Beatrice took her seat to her usual spot. It was not near the window, it was surrounded by two bookshelves, left and right. A wall and the only only way in and out of that private place.

"You really like sitting somewhere hidden, huh?" Ava asked. Beatrice shrugged her shoulders. Ava took a seat while her eyes kept wandering around.

"I like it private, Ava." Beatrice replied.

"Hmm, I seem to notice that." Ava said.

"Stay here and I'll order something for us." Beatrice replied. Standing up from her seat.

"Wait, you don't know what I want to get yet. Let me come with you." Ava suggested. Beatrice just nodded her head and let Ava walk out first while she followed her behind. When they got to the counter, Beatrice was greeted by the old lady who is familiar with her as she is the regular customer of the shop.

"Beatrice! It's nice to finally see you here again. I've been waiting for you since forever to make you your favorites." The old woman said to Beatrice while giving her a genuine smile.

“Who is this beautiful young lady? Your girlfriend?” She asked.

“Annika no, she is not my girlfriend. She is a childhood best friend and thank you, it's nice to see you again too. Ava this is Annika, Annika this is Ava Silva.” Beatrice replied. Smiling at the old woman.

“Aww, really? This is the Ava you were telling me before? Wow, she’s beautiful, Bea.” Annika said. Ava couldn’t help but blush at the sudden compliment of the old woman.

“Hello, Annika. It’s nice to meet you, this is my first time here. This is a great place.” Ava replied. Smiling sweetly at the old woman.

“I apologize if I mistaken you for being Beatrice as her girlfriend. She used to bring this beautiful girl too, I forgot her name but she made our Beatrice happy so much but I felt sad when they stopped coming here.” Annika explained.

“It’s alright, Annika. I mean I cannot blame you if I am prettier than Moon’s ex girlfriend.” Ava said, winking at Annika who broke into laughter while Beatrice looked at Ava with a serious look, she gave her a gummy smile and returned her attention to Annika.

Beatrice and Ava told Annika about their order and proceeded to go back on their table to start doing the activity that they needed to do. Ava was wondering who was her ex girlfriend, she wondered how long they were together. Ava couldn't picture Beatrice dating a girl before but as she observes her little moon, it is quite possible and is confirmed.

She noticed this whenever she's around Beatrice she will not see Beatrice even look up to any man she would see in the hallway that will pass by Beatrice. But whoever or whatever she is, she is still her best friend. The girl who would always protect her from any one who dares to touch her and Ava will do the same thing.

"Is there something rumbling in your mind, Ava?" Beatrice asked.

"Huh? What?" Ava replied.

"You're quiet. Is there something wrong?" Beatrice asked, while she was busy scrolling down to her laptop, reading the whole plot again to get more ideas in answering, she read the book two years ago and she barely remembers what happened.

"I'm good. I'm just thinking about something but yeah I'm totally fine." Ava replied.

"You're curious about who my ex-girlfriend is, am I right?" Beatrice asked.

"Now that you've started the conversation, care to tell your best friend who the hell is this ex-girlfriend of yours and why didn't you tell me any of this?" Ava replied.

"You didn't ask." Beatrice said, crossing her arms.

"Now I'm asking so talk." Ava replied.

"I don't think this is the right time to do that. Open your notes so we could start our discussion." Beatrice said, it was more of commanding her to do so.

"Oh shush don't give me that superior voice or command whatsoever. I want to know. I want to know why my best friend is acting all cold to everyone, especially to me." Ava replied.

"Please, Ava not now." Beatrice said, it still sounded like a command, Ava crossed her arms this time and glared at Beatrice. Beatrice couldn't help but scoff at the girl's action.

"Why are you suddenly curious? You didn't even ask questions before." Beatrice said to Ava.

"I've been wanting to ask you about those certain things but I don't even know where to start. Or you simply just don't talk to me, so I don't bother trying. But here we are, in one place." Ava replied.

"Look, Ava there are things that are meant to be kept as a secret. I will be honest with you but not today, not now. Please." Beatrice pleaded. Ava saw in Beatrice's eyes that she wasn't really into talking about certain things, she desperately wanted to know what really happened to Beatrice and yet, this girl in front of her didn't want to talk about anything.

Ava kept her mouth shut and didn't want to push the older girl to tell her what she wanted to know.

"I'm sorry. I was just… It's been bugging me, I guess I'm worried. I just don't want you to feel alone and burdened by your own dark memories. But I just want to let you know that I'm here Bea, I'm not going anywhere and so if you're ready. I'm open ears." Ava said.

Beatrice didn't say anything, they proceeded to do the activity instead. They started with writing down the possibilities they both have thought about. After that they started doing the PowerPoint slide that they both agreed on.

Spending most of their time fixing the slides and studying it. They spend their hour in the shop. At some certain point, while the two were busy with their own duties they couldn't help but make a little commercial breaks. Ava would make Beatrice crack up or a little teasing would happen between them.

"You really didn't grow, huh? Your height just stayed the same way when you were 14." Beatrice teased the young girl.

"Did you just call me small?" Ava asked.

"I didn't say anything, Ava. I was actually asking you." Beatrice said.

"No, no, no. You are calling me out because of my height. Excuse you, giraffe lady! I'm not small, you're just tall." Ava replied.

"Ava, I didn't say you are small. I mean cute size?" Beatrice said.

"So you think I'm cute." Ava replied, smiling at Beatrice.

"I don't sorry not sorry." Beatrice said.

"Annika agreed with me that I am pretty and suitable for you. Am I right, miss Annika?" Ava replied, smiling widely as she waited for Annika to respond.

"Yes dear!" Annika replied.

"Don't make her head grow bigger. I mean if it will benefit her height, sure but it won't." Beatrice said. Annika just laughed at Beatrice's statement while Ava glared at the older girl. They continued doing their activity again until they managed to finish it, both PowerPoint slide and their little speech.

Ava excused herself to use the restroom, Beatrice agreed while continued cleaning up their mess on the table. Beatrice decided to also fix Ava's things, she first placed the pens and highlighter inside the little pencil case, she then stacked the paper and one notebook and slid it all properly inside the bag. While fixing everything else, she heard a buzzing noise, Beatrice quickly searched for it and saw Ava's phone ringing. She saw the name who was ringing the phone.

It was JC. Beatrice's mood suddenly changed, she left the phone ringing and put everything away. She sat down, she waited for Ava to come back. She did come back after five minutes, Ava was all smiling and being a little silly while she walked back to Beatrice.

"Your boyfriend kept ringing your phone." Beatrice said. Ava's smile suddenly faded when she heard Beatrice say that. Ava immediately went through her phone and saw a few texts from JC and she checked the time of his last message which was fifteen minutes ago.

"Shit! I forgot!" Ava exclaimed. Beatrice noticed the frustration of Ava but she somehow finds it funny. She got Ava where she wanted, it was kind of a selfish move but at that moment she got to glance at the young girl from time to time whenever she would go through her notes and write some details down or while typing down to her laptop.

"Is there any problem, Ava?" Beatrice asked. Pretending that she didn't know anything, acting innocent.

"Bea, we have to go back to the university asap. JC was waiting for me, he's been waiting for an hour and I didn't check my phone, oh my god!" Ava replied, the panic in her voice was clear enough to pissed Beatrice off. The mood she was having at the moment wasn't the best.

"Don't worry. I'm sure he's fine. Let's just drive back to the university, try contacting him." Beatrice said. Standing up from the chair, Ava just grabs her stuff and dial JC's number. Thanking Annika for the wonderful servings and quickly went out while Beatrice just took her time to walk out of the shop.

"She likes you but she doesn't know it yet." Annika said to Beatrice. Beatrice stopped halfway to the door entrance. She just smiled at the old lady and thanked her, she found Ava talking to JC.

"I'm so sorry baby. I forgot to check my phone, I was so busy with doing the activity with Beatrice in arts. I didn't know we'd take this long." Ava said. Beatrice rolled her eyes as soon as she heard Ava called him baby. Beatrice unlocked the doors of her car while putting her stuff back inside.

"I'm coming, okay? Yes I'm still down for that surprise baby, you know how much I love surprises as long as it's with you. I'll see you in a bit, I love you." Ava said then hung up.

The two just drove back to the university without saying anything at all, Ava was concerned for JC while Beatrice was being moody at the moment, mostly it was because of JC but also the feeling of going back to the university.

They reached the university a few minutes later, Ava hop out of the car and thank Beatrice for today. Beatrice was quite disappointed to see the girl that she loves walk away to go to the person that she belongs to. Beatrice shook her head and sigh as she went to park her car with the rest.

Ava, on the other hand, was running hysterically up the stairs because she just realized that JC was waiting for her outside the dorm room, she forgot about the surprise that JC had prepared and because she forgot to check her phone. She felt bad for leaving Beatrice just like that, wanted to personally hug her but JC was waiting for her for a long while.

Ava finally reached the floor where her dorm was, she saw JC sitting down on the floor in front of the dorm room. JC glanced up to Ava and immediately pouted at the younger girl, Ava couldn’t help but shake her head and chuckle at how adorable her boyfriend is.

“What took you so long?” JC asked.

“I was really busy, baby. But I’m here now, aren’t I?” Ava replied.

“Are we still down for my surprise?” JC asked.

“Of course baby. Just give me a few sec to drop all of these.” Ava replied, referring to the stuff she carried with her. She unlocked the door of the dorm, setting the stuff down on her table, she grabbed the nearest jacket she could grab and held JC’s hand right before they left the room. Ava didn’t realize that she grabbed something that doesn’t belong to her, Beatrice’s varsity jacket.