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Chapter2:

My love life so far only contains three things: reading romantic books, watching movies, or writing stories. Whenever I read the scene: “He pinned her against the wall and locked her between his arms”, I felt the butterflies in my stomach, and that would be enough to fill my romance fantasy. Moreover, I could say there’s really nothing special in my life besides being a good student.

“Ryan Mcguffin? You are a girl? Oh no, what to do? We put your name on the men’s lists by mistake.”

When I heard that report from the university that I am going to attend, I realized that my simple life, peaceful and quiet, will be in a stormy situation.

After I was informed that my name was mistakenly placed on the men’s list, what came next was the news that I had to live with men in the same boarding house. Since then, I’ve been on a roller coaster for days.

Anyway, my new room in the boarding house is a princess-like room. It’s big and I also have my own bathroom.

“I won’t doubt why the tuition fee is so big,” I whispered while shaking my head.

Before I enrolled at Champese University, I was aware of the rules that only students who will agree to stay at the school’s given boarding house will enter the university. For that, I felt guilty for using my parent’s money for my own.

‘It seems I need to study harder.’

But before worrying about my studies, I had to take note first and foremost about the five men with whom I will live together under the same roof.

Knock, knock~

Someone is knocking. I could feel my knees slight tremor as I set my eyes on the door. Staring at it, the images of the five men I met a moment ago flashed back inside my head.

First, the man holding the guitar. Second, the man reading a book. Third, the bastard I met in the bar. Fourth, the guy who saved me from the fountain. And last, the jerk who freaked out over a dot of ice cream on his polo shirt.

Although I am an emotional person, I have never been a fan of destiny. I believed that people don’t have a string of fates that decided one’s ending. However, meeting those men, my belief wavered for a moment.

‘Should I be happy that I encountered them before coming here as their new board-mate?’

After taking a deep breath, I stood up from sitting on the bed and approached the door, then opened it. What welcomed me was the satisfying view of the handsome brokenhearted guy I met in the rain.

‘Okay. Seeing a handsome guy like this is truly good for my heart.’

“Hi,” he greeted me with a smile.

Rounded sleepy eyes, pointed nose, and heart-shaped lips; the memory I had with him before meeting him in this house flashed back inside my head:

I was on my way to the workplace where I will bet my luck on getting accepted as part-timers. There are still some days left before my college life will start, therefore I thought that it would be good if I gained some pocket money.

Truthfully, our family is financially stable, so I don’t have to work. Mom and Dad have businesses and I never experienced getting tight on budget. If I ever asked for an allowance, they would surely give me a lot.

‘And that’s the problem.’

Deep inside me, somehow, I feel guilty for always taking for granted the things which were given to me without much effort. And since I am entering the world of adulthood, I hope I can mature both mentally, emotionally, and FINANCIALLY.

My parents won’t give me work, that’s for sure. So, with the help of my friend, I found some ways to apply for part-time jobs before school starts.

‘The second problem is I was so used to living like a princess.’

Another sigh escaped from my lips. Then, my pace halted as soon as I saw people swarming around there from a great distance.

“Maybe there’s a celebrity there,” I guessed. My curiosity hit its peak and thus I also approached the place.

“I am begging you, Sharmaine. Don’t be like this.”

“Kyle, what the hell are you doing? Let me go!”

The drama before my eyes were heavy, but this isn’t a film just like I thought. There are no cameras and directors around, that’s why.

‘So this is an emotional break up between couples.’

Since I rarely see a dramatic scene like this in real life, I stayed at my place and continued watching, while other people took videos from their phones. They will surely post this to Fcebook or YuTube.

‘This is the reason why many lives were ruined. Tsk tsk.’

As I clicked my tongue, I settled my eyes back on the couple at the center.

“This is so embarrassing,” the woman murmured, covering her face. “Stop this sh*t and stand up!” she told the man who was kneeling in front of her.

I tilted my head to see the face of the man. To my surprise, he has a visual that’s one of a kind!

‘Why is she breaking up with this handsome guy? What a waste!’

“I won’t stand up, not until you take back your decision,” the man said.

‘Even his voice was so sweet. I could feel my heart being sweetened with honey.’

“Please, Sharmaine, don’t leave me alone,” he begged.

This is the reason why I don't want to be in a relationship. You can only feel the butterflies in your stomach during the first phase of dating. But in the end, only heartbreaks and painful memories will be left. That’s the bitter reality far from the novels and fairytale stories.

‘Loving can hurt,’ a famous line from a song.

Indeed.

“You are annoying!” the woman shouted before she pushed the man’s hands away. Everyone gasped because after she pushed him, the back of her head accidentally slapped the guy’s face.

‘Omg!’

The girl turned pale as she looked at the spectators. She must be so embarrassed at her rude behavior, which does not seem so intentional.

Covering her face, she murmured, “Kyle. We’re done, okay? Don’t ever call me.”

She jolted away without looking back. Left in the scene, the heartbroken ex-boyfriend stayed kneeling on the ground while looking down.

The majority left the place, but some continued taking videos of the man.

‘What are they waiting for? To see him cry so their footage will gain more viewers? People nowadays are so thick-hearted.’

Fortunately, the heavy rain poured down, smashing onto the heads of the crowd.

I quickly got my umbrella inside my bag and used this to protect myself from getting wet. People ran here and there, looking for places to take some shed.

I am not a person who loves to butt into other businesses. However, the reason why I could not move out from my position is that I pitied that guy who was still kneeling on the ground amidst the rain.

‘Should I give him my umbrella instead? My mom only got this for free. And I still have an extra umbrella in my bag. My destination isn’t far too.’

After contemplating for a short time, I walked towards the man with cold sweat. I thought he would not notice me, but he instantly looked up as soon as I shared the umbrella with him.

Staring upon me, I saw and was mesmerized by his round eyes that maybe witnessed the depth of the Earth. His brows are not thick, not also thin but they are arched up.

It was too embarrassing for women like me to say this, but his brows are far much prettier than mine. And his nose? It is so sharp that he can use it to cut an onion. He has heart-shaped lips with small moles at the left side of his upper lip. His skin is tanned, like gold. And even if he’s not standing, I could say that he has long legs. Oddly, he’s a stranger but I can sense that he is kind.

There are people like that, right? You don’t know them, but they emit an aura that is as bright as angels.

I took a deep breath and snapped my senses.

‘Okay. So, what will I say to this man who’s looking at me as if I’m a weird folk?’

If I am in a story, maybe I will say this: “Don’t worry. Soon, you will find the right person for you. Just think of this as a book, and you are just in the introduction of the story. Your chapter one.”

However, this is reality, not my fantasy.

“I am giving you a free umbrella,” I said instead. “Go and get this.” I put the umbrella in his hand and dashed away.

There are real actions and words that we cannot do or say in real life. Comfort words were invited to say at the right time, place, and person. And since I am completely a stranger to that man’s life, I don’t have the right to be like a fairy godmother who came at a time of distress.

Anyway, he will surely think that I am a weirdo because I gave him the umbrella out of nowhere. But nah, that wouldn’t be a problem.

‘We won’t see each other next time so there’s no need to feel shy.’

Or so I thought.

It was my mistake to conclude that we won’t see each other again.

‘I didn’t know that he would be one of the five guys whom I will live with under the same roof.’

Damn it.

Back to the present, I looked at the guy to whom I gave the umbrella.

Forget handsome face! My reputation comes first!

“Bonjour~ Comment vais-je vous aider?” I spoke in French, pretending that I can’t hold a proper conversation with him. Although, it will be hard to believe because my face does not say I am someone from France.

“Oh? You know how to speak French?” he responded. “Je suos venu ici pour vous demander si vous vous souvenez encore de moi.”

Darn. He can speak very well that I could not understand everything he said. Thankfully, he translated his words before I could ask him what the hell he just said.

“I came here to ask if you can still remember me.”

Do I have a choice to deny it? Hell no.

“You gave me a free umbrella before,” he already introduced himself. However, he did not laugh and displayed contempt. Therefore, I think he looks cool about our bizarre encounter.

I laughed sheepishly, covering my mouth and then twinkling my eyes. Then, I answered, “Ahh, right. I remembered.” I bit my lower lip then caressed my arms as I looked away.

‘Please. Just go away and leave me alone!’

“My name is Kyle,” he continued, so my eyes went back to him again. “Your name is Ryan, right? When Vincent and I saw your name on the list, we thought you were a guy.”

A sweet smile was like a honeydew painted on his lips.

‘This guy sounds very friendly.’

It only took him a minute to make me at ease.

“Because of my name, the management put me on the wrong list. My parents paid for the tuition fee and there is no vacant room available at the girls’ boarding house. So, I would like to apologize if you all feel uncomfortable with this setup.”

He hastily waved his hand mid-air.

“Oh no no no!” he said in a needy tone. “It’s fine with me, actually. I guess, Slyvester is also okay. I am not sure if Vincent is fine with this but…” He stopped for a moment, then continued,” The two guys who came here with you. There are also new.”

‘He’s talking about the two men who came after me, right?’

“But if you ever need something, don’t hesitate to ask me,” he changed the topic.

We smiled and nodded at each other right after.

“Okay. Thank you,” I showed my gratitude.

“Ahhhmm, yeah. Then, I will go now,” he said.

Finally!

“You need to arrange your thing so I won’t dist…”

“Kyle!”

I was wrong to think that he’ll be leaving right away after saying goodbye because another visitor came.

He put his arm around Kyle’s shoulder and dropped:

“You’re hitting on a girl that fast?”

This gentle guy named Kyle had his face painted in red. “W-What are you saying?! You crazy bastard. I was just welcoming the newcomer!”

I looked at the blue-haired man and our gaze met. Among the five, it was him that I wanted to avoid as much as possible.

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