19 Ways To Keep Her

Chapter 1

Astrid

I have only seen him a few times around the campus. Up close, I've only seen him once or twice when he was inside my dorm room because of Peyton and in those times, I've never really taken a good look at him. I guess it was my fault, judging him based on rumors but those were rumors that go the same no matter who you ask so I will not blame myself for believing them.

I put the down the drink I was holding with my right hand onto the counter. I shifted my posture a bit, resting my chin on my propped up arms and slightly tilting it towards his direction. I peeked at him from the corner of my eyes. Peys was right- Something about him was incredibly alluring. And incredibly creepy. His cool dark eyes held a steady gaze forward. He stretched his legs out in front of him. He had always looked tall but now I am guessing he is about six feet. I felt him lean toward me. He's sitting too close.

"Enjoying the view?" I jolted up a bit but I didn't turn my eyes away. Maybe the alcohol had started messing up my brain, but I held my gaze. He sounded pleasant enough, but he kept his eyes trained on me and squinted. It appeared he does not like being watched.

"Kind of," I answered without thinking. Immediately I wanted to take it back. I didn't want him to get the impression that he interests me... because he doesn't- usually. It doesn't take a smart person to realize he was trouble, and I already had enough load of trouble in my life. Inviting more is not an option. And he just broke my best friend's heart! "Anyway, about the deal." His eyes connected with mine. "There are '19 Ways to Keep a Girl' which I will be teaching you. If you do not manage to prove yourself a 'love expert' as you claim to be, you are going to apologize and get back together with my best friend."

"And what will I gain from this deal? If I win?" He flashed a wide grin, as if he is genuinely enjoying the turnout of events.

"Hmm... I don't know. Maybe I'll be yours."                

***6 hours ago***

"To fall in love with a person who does not love you back, is the cruelest, most unforgiving heartache I have ever experienced."

It has gotten worse. It's been a couple of weeks since Peyton broke it off with her boyfriend. She shouldn't have been feeling so miserable since she was the one who ended it but she said it wasn't a choice. She felt it. Whenever they talk she can hear his thoughts- away from where she was; Whenever they were together, he was always looking towards her- but not at her; whenever they kiss it's like he was saying 'forget it' instead of 'you are mine'. She couldn't have stayed in that relationship. Not only was she torturing herself. She was also keeping Maxwell from finding someone who will give him everything.

"I knew it. He didn't love me." Then why didn't he just dump you like he did in his past relationship? I could have asked Peys that but how can I? In her current state, one wrong nerve touched may shut her whole system down.

"Peys, you did not have to destroy yourself just to give him the chance of being whole with an unknown person." I walked to my closet and pulled out a pair of black fairly short shorts- but not too short, and a black tank top. Then I slipped on my long silver necklace and my silver strappy sandals to complete the look. I looked over myself in the mirror. I had a pretty nice figure. Toned, not too skinny, and curved in all the right places. Long legs and slim waist. I feel comfortable with my body but insecurity was keeping a close relationship with me.

"I know that. The problem is, his love for me when we were together did not make me whole, yet when we broke up it was like a part of me was taken away and I'm not sure if I can ever have it back." I've known Peyton for as long as I can remember. I know what her life was like and what she has been through. She really loved Maxwell- a lot, and her reaction to their breakup makes me quite surprised. It was too... light. But I'm thankful for that. Though it is getting worse day by day. She is just good at hiding it. Hopefully, she will not come back to the way she was, before we lived together- no one would want that. "And Astrid, you do know you look good even with only a garbage bag on, right? You are the most popular girl around here, come one. Now, push your unnecessary thoughts away and step back from that mirror."