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Chapter 7 - So hot!

Fiza arrived back on campus with a lingering sense of unease. She considered reaching out to Shahana for support but quickly realized that her friend would likely be in class at the moment. She was temporarily distraction when she remembered all the classes she was missing.

Now in a state of complete panic, she decided to text Alan instead.

"Wru?" she typed out, her fingers swiftly tapping on the screen.

"Cc," Alan responded promptly, indicating he was at the Community Center.

Fiza glanced down at the towel still wrapped around her waist. She contemplated changing at the hostel before heading to the Community Center. But the Community Center was on the way to the Hostel and she decided to make a pittstop there to talk to Alan.

"Heading over," Fiza typed. She stifled a laugh at the thought of Alan's reaction if she had conveyed her genuine desire: "I need you." Fiza knew that such a candid statement would likely scare him and have him running for the woods.

"Hey," Fiza greeted him with a pleasant tone as he jogged over to her. She noticed Mownika's proximity and that Alan appeared happier than he had been earlier. When he came closer though, she caught strong scent of weed that emanated from him. Although tempted to reinforce her rule about not engaging with him while he was under the influence, she decided to withhold her comment.

"Hey, you," Alan responded, his smile fading as he caught sight of Fiza's frown. He noticed her crinkled nose, realizing that his odor must have given him away. He didn't need further judgment and yet another person reminding him of being a "waste of potential" or a "disappointment."

"I'm going to have to break rule number 6," Fiza said abruptly, without any preamble. "Because I need you right now." She decided that if he was going to run away from her when she needed his help, it wasn't worth it to invest in their friendship.

Alan led her into a small room cluttered with piles of costumes, beer bottles, and cigarette butts. He searched her eyes, "Are you okay?"

Fiza was surprised by how worried he looked. Was this the real Alan or just the influence of marijuana? She shook her head.

"Kinda, not really," she replied, avoiding his gaze and staring at her feet.

Alan's eyes fell upon the towel wrapped around her waist. His heart raced, and a surge of fear sobered him up instantly. He reached out and took both of her hands, causing her to lift her face in surprise. His eyes widened, and worry painted his features.

"Did someone..." he began, then cleared his throat. "Did someone hurt you?"

No," she clarified immediately, wanting to ease his concern. She saw his face transform from worry to relief. There was so much more to him than the facade showed the world! "I'm just... kinda scared, I guess," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly

As she spoke, she became aware that her hands were still nestled in his. He rested his forehead briefly against hers sending her heart into a flutter, stirring up all sorts of confusing emotions within her.

She looked up at him, taking a step back to create a bit of space.

Alan calmly slipped his hands into his pockets and patiently awaited her to speak.

"Abhishek has been trying to get me to go out with him," she revealed, her voice tinged with a hint of frustration. "I thought I made it clear that I'm not interested, but I don't know if it's me or if he just isn't getting it."

Alan's smile flickered on his face. "Don't tell me this is the first time someone has asked you out," he remarked, his tone light with curiosity.

"Of course not!" she replied, slightly offended. "But that's the thing, it's not like the others. Something just feels off about this situation." As she verbalized her thoughts, she felt slightly foolish. Maybe she hadn't been clear enough in her rejection. Maybe all she needed to do was find him and have a direct conversation.