TRENT'S POINT OF VIEW

THE whole enrollment process became really awkward because of Marco. He kept on staring at me as if I was some rare specimen that he was really curious about. Good thing Mariella and his band mates were there to keep things light. They were so noisy while teasing her while me and Marco remained silent. I was just glad that they didn't notice the tension that was building between the two of us. I didn't want them to be suspicious or something.

"Are you sure you're enrolling for college? You still look like a high-schooler, baby girl," Clyde teased.

"Shut up!" Mariella rolled her eyes. "You don't even look like a student. You look like a scumbag."

"Hey, that's enough. You might end up killing each other before we even know it," Kurt said with a laugh.

"Then make that jerk friend of yours stop. He keeps on pissing me off! I don't know what's wrong with him!"

"He likes you, that's why. Pissing you off is simply his way to get your attention," Chris laughingly said.

"What the heck? No way!" Clyde quickly denied. "She's beautiful, yes. But I'm not into baby girls. I'm no cradle-snatcher, dude."

"And I'm not into assholes," she retorted with a smirk. "My standards are too high to like someone like him. Like, hell no!"

I couldn't help but be entertained by their argument. Despite their mutual "hatred" for each other, their chemistry was still undeniable. They really looked good together even though their personalities clashed. Who knows, they might end up together soon, right?

"So, what's your course?"

I stiffened when I found Marco beside me. He was so close to me and our proximity was really making me feel uncomfortable and giddy at the same time.

"U-uh... F-film Arts."

God! What the hell was wrong with me? Why was I allowing myself to feel nervous because of him? He shouldn't affect me in that kind of way. I barely know the guy, for pete's sake!

"Nice." He nodded. "I didn't think you're into film-making."

"W-well, it's kinda my passion eversince I was a kid."

"That's interesting."

"How about you? What's your course?"

"Business Ad."

"Cool."

He chuckled.

"There's nothing cool about my course. I'd honestly prefer anything else other than a business course."

"Then why didn't you take something else?"

"It's complicated."

"Family stuff?"

"Yeah. You got it."

He was the second person I talked to who was forced to study business because of their family. That honestly sucks. I wanted to help him the way I helped the other person I talked to earlier but I wondered if I could do that to him. I couldn't even talk to him properly because of his intense effect on me. So, instead of trying to encourage him to pursue his passion, I ended up being silent while listening to the eratic beating of my heart.

"Hey, we're planning to go clubbing tonight. You should come!" Mariella said while holding my arms tightly.

"Who said you can come?" Marco asked in a strict tone.

"Come on, don't be such a kill-joy! Your friends told me that you're gonna party tonight and you're not even inviting me? How rude of you!"

"Maybe because you're a minor?"

"Duh. Your band knows the owner, I'm pretty sure you can do something to get me inside."

"And do you think I'd do that?"

"Why not?"

"Because it's not the place for you."

"C'mon, dude, stop being overprotective. Your little sister can handle the wild scenes in the club. Let her be disturbed," Clyde said with a big laugh.

"Stop calling me his little sister, you idiot!"

"But you are his little sister. And can you please be nice to me? As you can see, I'm helping you convince your brother to let you join us."

"There's nothing you can do to convince me. She can't come with us and that's non-negotiable," Marco said with finality.

"But I've already been in a club!"

"That's the last time until you reach eighteen. Understood?"

"You're unfair!"

"You're my responsibility, so please stop being stubborn."

"Fine," she conceded. "Trent, we're going out tonight. Maybe we can have some coffee?"

I hesitated but then realized that it would be great to bond with her without Marco. It would be a great opportunity for us to have some time together.

"Y-yeah, sure."

Marco gave me yet another intense look as if I said something wrong. I saw him breathing deeply and then turned to Mariella with his brows furrowed.

"Fine, you can come," he coldly said.

"Why the sudden change of mind, dude?" Clyde wondered.

"She's still going out regardless. It's better if she's with me."

"You're treating her like a kid. I'm sure she can take care of herself," said Chris.

"He's right, I can take care of myself. I'm no longer a kid so please stop treating me like one," Mariella said in an offended tone. But then she suddenly grinned like a kid. "But since you already said that I can come with you, then I'm gonna have to take your offer. You're not allowed to change your mind, okay?"

"You're coming, right?" He turned to me with a stern look.

"W-well..."

"Of course he is!" Mariella answered for me with a cheery tone. "We're going to have so much fun tonight!"

"S-sorry... but... I don't think I can."

"Why?" His voice was too cold and dominating that I found it hard to form a good excuse.

"W-well, partying is just not my thing. I-I'd rather stay home and sleep."

"Booo-ring!" Kurt boo-ed. "C'mon, just come with us! You're young. You owe it to yourself to have fun."

"We have different definition of having fun. Sorry but your kind of fun isn't fun to me."

"Can you please come for me?" Mariella pleaded and gave me a puppy-eye look. It was so damn hard to resist and say no to her. "I promise you're going to have fun. If you get tired or bored, we can leave early. Just please come."

She was putting me under so much pressure. They were all looking at me as they waited for my answer. Marco's stares also didn't help me feel better. So I found myself saying "yes" even though my head my saying otherwise.

The situation was just getting more and more complicated as I allowed myself to be associated with Marco. He was bad news and I felt like he would dominate my life in no time if I wouldn't do something. I've heard warning bells telling me to stay away. But how? I was like a moth attracted to a flame.