Alana

Alana - Chapter two

Alana came to a halt in front of her department's parking lot. She didn't pull any stunts here.....no one to impress.

Just as she got off to head to her first class, she heard people calling her. She didn't have to turn to know who they were. It could only be the Starr twins. Alice and Alex Starr. They were literally the only people she talked to.

"Not so fast eh. Missed me?" Alex wrapped an arm around Alana.

"Alana!!!" Alice gave her a full hug.

"Guys, what are you doing? We have lectures to attend" Alana tried to wiggle out of his grip.

"Oh come on, you didn't miss us even a teeny bit?" Alex pulled her cheek.

Alana forcefully pulled away from the clingy twins. She hated skin to skin contact because it always made her nervous.

"Let's get going. Shoo!!" She jokingly drove them away as she turned to hide the blush slowly spreading out on her cheeks.

Alice run away playfully as Alex took a few steps and lingered around. Alana looked away and pretended she didn't notice him waiting. Alice claimed her brother had a thing for Alana but Alana always brushed it off.

Alex gave up when he noticed Alana wouldn't take the hint and went after his sister.

"Well, that was awkward." A voice whispered to Alana, making her jump.

"Calm down." A guy with the messiest yet prettiest hair Alana had ever seen giggled.

She frowned, hoping he'd go away. That usually worked when she wanted to avoid conversations or simply drive people away.

He didn't budge. He just stood there, a goofy smile on his face.

Maybe she wasn't doing it properly.

She intensified her stare, frowning so hard her eyebrows almost touched.

He just took a step closer. "You could've just told him you didn't wanna walk with him. Poor guy was standing there waiting......" He bent over to meet her eye level "........waiting for you" He ended with a little tap on her nose.

Alana froze in her spot. She felt her face burn from the 'less than a second long' skin contact. She turned and did something so unlike her. She fled, as fast as her feet could carry her...... from a boy.

Alana packed her books as quickly as she could. Today had been wasted. She should've just gone to work. She couldn't focus the entire day, partly because she was annoyed and partly because she was confused.

She'd always taken pride in her ability to notice even the slightest details. How did she not notice a stranger standing next to her? How long had he stood there? Was it because she was distracted? Yes, that should be it.

Meet me outside the department!!! A text from Alice read.

Alana smiled a little as she walked out. In her own way, she loved the Starr twins. Not in their bubbly and energetic way, but she still cared. She'd been a loner before Alice walked to her that fateful day, and although she loved her solitude, it was low-key cool having a few friends.

"Hey" Alana said coolly

"Heyy. How were your classes? Our second class was so boring, half the class slept but guess what? The professor kept talking!" Alice laughed

"Oh pleaseee. You slept as well, you lazy bum." Alex teased.

"Only for a minute. I swear I heard more than half of the lecture." Alice defended.

"I'm sure mum and dad will be happy to know they're paying for you to listen to 'more than half of the lecture' huh?"

"You should've read a different program. You're telling on me all the time." Alice whined as they walked to the parking lot.

"If you didn't have anything to hide, I wouldn't have anything to tell." Alex shrugged

Alana shook her head as she listened to them. She'd become used to them now.

"Ooh so you have nothing to hide?" Alice poked his chest slightly.

"Nope, I'm clean." Alex said calmly and Alana believed him. Alex was as calm as could be, well mannered, smelled amazing, dressed decently and he was pretty smart too. Any girl would hit the jackpot with him.

"So you wouldn't mind letting little Lana in on your secret? Alice stepped in front of Alex, forcing him to stop walking.

"I don't have secrets Al, keep moving." Alex said shyly and tried to side step her.

"I see." Alice looked at Alana, whose eyes were obviously begging her to stop whatever games she was playing.

Alice decided she enjoyed the looks on their faces and continued.

"So you wouldn't mind me telling her you-"

"Hello runner..." a male voice said loudly beside them.

Alana sighed in relief, grateful Alice's show had been interrupted. Then she creased her brows, she recognised that voice.

She looked up and sure enough, it was him. Messy hair matted to a sweaty forehead with a goofy grin. He must've run to catch up with them.

Alana cleared her throat. Their first meeting caught her off guard. She was ready to assert her dominance this time.

"What do you want? Oh, and kindly don't touch me again"

Did she just plead with him?!

"Noted." He smiled and looked her straight in the eye "I just wanna be friends."

She took a quick look at her friends. Alex had a confused expression while Alice seemed intrigued with this guy.

"I don't do friends. Kindly back off."

Why was she being nice?!!

"I think you do now. Liam, Liam Johnson, nice to meet you." He waved at her and smiled at the twins. "Nice to meet you guys too."

"Pleasure is all ours." Alice smiled and waved.

Alex just nodded.

Alana took in the scene playing out before her. Alex was eyeing Liam suspiciously and occasionally casting annoyed glances at Alice, who couldn't seem to take her eyes off Liam, who had his eyes fixed on her as well.

She sighed. New Year, please be good.