Chapter 1

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I gulped down my bottle of water hoping it would immediately restore my strength. I just donated 450cc of blood and I feel like I’ve been drained by a blood-sucking vampire. I don’t think I’m going to do this again. It’s mid-January and the sun can’t even compete with the chilling wind. I’m a third year Medical technologist student in my new school.

We just moved here in Baguio last September. Fortunately, the school shifted their school calendar to August so I was able to complete all the paper works before the start of the second semester.

“Hey Arriane, are you sure you’re going to be fine?” Ashly asked with a frown. We’re at the school’s giant steps where I decided to take a rest. 

Ashly is a fourth year IT student and she also lives at Aquilegia Ridge, the subdivision where we moved. She was just passing by with her new boyfriend when she saw me. She immediately looked worried. I must really look pale right now.

“Yeah. I just need to rest a bit,” I answered. “You should keep going,” I glanced at her boyfriend who is starting to look impatient.

“But…” she protested but I cut her off.

“I’m going to be fine,” I smiled.

She turned to her boyfriend before looking back at me. “Alright. Just rest here for a bit, okay?”

“I will,”

They left but I saw them arguing. I shook my head. Ashly is beautiful, awesome even, but I’m not really into her choices of men. I already met two of her ex. Believe me, they’re not that great. 

“Hey Arriane Faith,” I turned to the stairs beside Prince Bernhard Gym and saw Nate walking towards me. He’s from our subdivision too, fourth year Civil Engineer. “Ashly texted me,” 

I groaned. Great. I said I can take care of myself. 

“You’re looking pale,” he frowned.

“I’m fine,” I said. “I’m just a little dizzy.”

“You donated?” his face cringed at the bandaid on my arm.

I cursed when I felt my head throb again. I feel like passing out. Gosh. I swear I will never donate again. What was I thinking? I leaned my head on the step behind me and shut my eyes. I want to go home and sleep on my bed. If only I can teleport. I stayed in that position for minutes before I felt better.

“Hey,” Nate nudged. “You alright?”

“I’m fine,” I answered without moving. “You can go on ahead Nate. I can take care of myself.”

I felt him stiffen beside me. “Arriane, what happened?” he asked calmly.

I opened one eye to look at him. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve been avoiding us since the barbeque party,” he said.

I chuckled. “What are you talking about? I’m just busy these days,”

He didn’t say anything and I continued sitting there while massaging my forehead. I am feeling better actually but I am afraid that Nate would continue to probe.

“Was it Luke?”

I froze. Nate has always been straightforward but I was not expecting that. I stopped massaging my forehead and just looked up at the blue sky.

“What happened between you two?” he continued.

“What could possibly go wrong, right?” I forced a chuckle but it must have been too fake that even I stopped midway. I grabbed my things and suddenly stood. 

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