Mondays are universally declared as the worst day of the week. But this Monday is a tad bit more special because technically my best friend bailed out on me on my first day of college in a totally inexperienced place. That's not even the special part. The fact that Michael is my college mate is the icing to the cake. Thank god we aren't the same major. But still I have a feeling that I might have to spend a lot of time around him.

Sam had work early today, so she left already. I picked out the first dress from the closet and wore it, not minding about the combination. Michael was supposed to be here by 7:30. So I walked out to the balcony to check if his car had arrived. But it was no where in the vicinity.

I leaned on the railing with the support of my hands. Cars passed the avenue every once in a while. Black sparrows chirped from the branches of the large tree that reached upto the balcony. The chill breeze brushed against my face. I closed my eyes and a smile crept on my lips. In that moment nothing else mattered. I was jealous of the wind. She can go wherever she wanted, with nobody to stop her. I didn't know how long I stood there because it was one of the rare moments when I was really happy.

I went back inside and saw the time. It was 7:48. Shit! What was taking him so long? I pulled on my black sweater, grabbed my bag and ran down the stairs. Daniel was on the couch, flipping through the TV channels.

"Hey"- He smiled -"Haven't you left yet?"

"I'm waiting for Michael," I replied.

"He has been here for the past half an hour."

"What? I didn't see his car," I shrieked.

"It's right outside," said Daniel.

I blast open the door and find the car parked in the driveway right below the balcony. How did I not see that? I face palm myself. He laid on top of the car hood with his hands crossed below his head and his legs on the windshield. He grinned when he saw me.

"What the hell are you doing? I was waiting for you!" I shouted.

"Aww, you missed me baby? I was right here admiring my Juliet in the balcony." He smirked.

"What?" I blinked.

"I must say you looked beautiful with a smile in the wind. You must learn to do that often."

I ignored his comment. "Why didn't you tell me you came already?"

"Like I said, it's not often to see a smile on you. I just didn't want to miss the opportunity." He winked.

"Do you know how long I've been waiting for you?"

"Me too. Now that the wait is over, let's begin our life together." He jumped off the car and held out his hand in a dramatic manner.

"You are such a jerk!" I ran inside and slammed the door. I threw myself on the sofa and closed my eyes. How am I going to survive with him?

"It's not that hard," said Daniel. That's when I realized I said it out loud.

"I wish." I sighed and bit my nails.

"Wait a minute, I'll be back."

I nodded  and he ran upstairs. Michael came in smiling and sat across me.

"I'm sorry," he said but didn't seem the least bit apologetic.

"You don't seem to be," I said.

"What else do you want me to do? Fall on your legs? Since when did you become this serious?" asked he.

Since when?

I raised my eyebrows. "Don't talk like you know me."

He opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by Daniel, who came running back.

He opened a small red box and handed it to me. "You seem very nervous. This will help you." It contained a delicate silver chain with a crystal embedded heart locket. The white crystal shined, reflecting light. I looked up at Daniel.

"Open it," said he. I carefully lifted up the chain and opened the locket. A writing was engraved in red inside it.

"Don't worry about everything around you. That's my job."

I could not contain my smile. "It's beautiful," said I and he smiled back. I closed the box and handed it over to him. He withdrew his hands.

"No, it's for you. Keep it." 

"Are you serious?" Michael exclaimed. "You can't give her that!"

Daniel glared at me. "I can if I want to."

"No, I can't take this." I shook my head.

"Please, accept it." He pleaded with his eyes.

By instinct, I turned towards Michael. He signaled me to accept it.

"Thank you." I smiled and placed the chain along with the box inside my bag.

"Don't forget what it says, that's my job," said Daniel.

"Great! Now that gift time is over, shall we leave?" Michael said in mock enthusiasm.

I glared at him. "I'm not coming with you."

"Why?"

"Because I don't trust you!"

"Oh yeah? Well news for you, there is no other choice." He smirked.

He was right. I had no other choice but...

"Do you want me to come with you?" asked Daniel. "If you want I can accompany you today."

"No Dan, you have to-" Michael started only to be interrupted by Daniel. "I'll be fine."

"Whatever!" hissed Michael and walked out, slamming the door behind him.

Daniel still looked at me with expectant eyes. I didn't know his intentions. Why is he doing all this for me? Is he just trying to be nice or does it mean something more? Whatever it was, I'm more comfortable with Daniel accompanying us than going alone with Michael. So I agreed.

Michael drove the three of us to college. We didn't speak at all. I was actually grateful for it. The car stopped in front of a large  black gate. We got off it and Michael tossed the key to Daniel. "Take the car, I'll call you when I need it." Daniel nodded and started the engine. "Have a great day." He smiled and waved at me. I smiled back at him and he drove away. I walked beside Michael.

"Why do I feel like we're back to kindergarten?" He smirked.

"What is your problem?" I rolled my eyes.

"You not trusting me is my problem. I'm not a monster, trying to eat you."

"How would I know that?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" He raised his eyebrow.

"Look it's not about you. I just am not ready to trust anyone."

"What about Daniel?"

I blinked, "What about him?"

"Do you at least trust him? Or are you toying with him just to escape from me?" 

I didn't answer because it was partly true.

"Can we just stop talking?"

"Yeah, I can see that you are pretty good at that." He smirked.

"You know what? I'll just find my way around myself. Thank you so much for your help." I faked a smile and walked ahead.

"It's a very big campus. You might get lost," he yelled.

"Well, be happy if I do. You need not have to deal with me then right?"

Before I could move further, he raced ahead of me and grabbed my wrist. He literally dragged me. I struggled to loosen his grip around my hand but it got firmer. I screamed getting the attention of a few students walking nearby. They glanced at us for a second and turned back to what they were doing. Thanks guys, for showing that I can always depend on you! "Shut up, I'm not kidnapping you!" Michael yelled. I didn't know for how long he dragged me into the never ending campus.

Finally he let me go when we reached my class. "I'll meet you after college," he said and walked away. The whole class stared at me. I avoided all eye contact and took a corner seat on the last row. A girl was in the seat next to me. She was short with brown hair. Her skin was slightly tanned like Michael's.

"Are you his new girlfriend?" She narrowed her eyes.

I sigh at her stupid question. Why the hell does everybody ask me that?

"No, you can totally have him." I shrugged.

"Puh-leez, as if I like him! He makes me want to puke," she huffed.

Michael was tall about 6'2'' with black hair and a well built physique. I'm not the kind of person who checks out other people. But I could say that he was a fairly good looking guy. He could almost make any girl drool over him. Any girl other than me. And to know that another girl shared the same feeling surprised me. Finally, someone who understands me!

"Believe me, the feeling is mutual," I said.

Her eyes brightened. "I like you already. I'm Angela and you are?"

And that's how we started talking. She helped me get along with what was going on as I had missed the previous semester. She gave me a tour of the campus. The rest of the day passed quickly. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The final bell rang and I grabbed my bag, ready to leave.

"Hey, can you wait here for a second with me? There's someone I need to meet," Angela asked.

"Sorry, I need to go."

"Please, it won't take long," she said.

"Fine." I sighed and sat back on my seat. Everybody else left except me and Angela. I rested my head on the table with my eyes on the ground. The soft sound of foot steps emerged in the silent room. I lifted my head. A blond guy stood near the right door. Angela ran towards the guy and hugged him.

It took me a second to recognize who he was. He was the one who hit on me in the party. Our eyes met for a second and I quickly glanced away. He smiled and walked towards me. I grabbed my bag and clomped to the other door.

He blocked me in between the two columns of chair in the front. "I'm Kevin and you are?"

"Catherine," said Angela.

"Move, I need to go." I looked down.

"Just give me a minute. We need to talk."

"We have nothing to talk."

"Just hear me out will you!"

I stand there and stare at him. "What?"

"I'm sorry for what happened at the party. I didn't mean to scare you like that. I was drunk and didn't know what I was doing."

"That doesn't mean you can throw yourself on me," I hissed.

"I know what I did was wrong."

"You better. Now can I leave?"  I started to move but he blocked me again.

"There is just one more thing."

"What?"

"Friends?" He held out his hand to shake.

"No!"

"Please?"

Before I could reply, Michael shouted, "Catherine!" He stood near the other entrance. The look on his face was something I've never seen before. His eyes were red and he clenched his fist. Kevin turned to look at him. They both glared at each other for a minute.

"It's nice to meet you Catherine. But I have to go now." With that he and Angela left.

Michael grabbed my hand and pulled me out. But this time his grip tightened harder cutting off my blood supply.

"Ouch! Let go of my hand, that hurts!" I wiggled my hand. He let it go and scowled at me. "What the hell were you doing with the two of them?"

"You know them?" I raised my eyebrow.

"You still didn't answer me." His stony expression didnt change.

"Angela is in my class and he came to meet her"

"Stay away from them."

"Why?"

He opened his mouth to say something but stopped. "Just do what I say."

"I will do whatever I want or talk to whoever I want to. I don't need your permission for it."

"Can't you for god sake just listen to me once?"

"I don't find the reason to," I said dismissively.

"I'm telling it for your own good."

"Since when did you care about what's good for me? He at least apologized for what he did in the party. But you- " He cut me off,"He apologized? And you accepted?" He laughed but there wasn't any humour in it.

"Yeah, he at least knows how to talk with a girl!"

"You're comparing me with him?"

"No, he is far better than you!"

He shut his eyes tight and clenched his fist.

"You know nothing about me or my bloody life. So shut up!" He bawled and stomped forward, leaving me alone.

I took out the chain from the bag and reread those words. Somehow it made me feel better. Like it's really not my job to worry. Daniel's gift can never be better timed than this. I smiled and clutched it in my hand.

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