Chapter 4

Ryan's POV

For nine days I always approached Alina to talk at least briefly but I always failed, whether she quickened her steps, ran, approached her friend, entered the toilet and was reluctant to come out. It felt ten times more troublesome than taking care of someone else's crying baby. This time I can't fail again, this is the first time a woman dares to stay away from me like a cockroach.

"Very weird." I talked to myself while speeding up my steps, hoping Alina wouldn't walk away.

I've arranged a plan so that when I approach Alina no one messes up, yesterday it was just Mark who messed up, this time no one can bother me. When I saw Alina starting to walk to enter her class after the bell rang, I immediately grabbed her hand and took her a little away from the class.

"Come with me for a moment." I said while pulling it.

“Ryan, what are you doing? I want to go to class!” Alina tried to fight back but her strength was no match for mine.

"Just a moment." I then took her next to a dark blue locker and held her there so she wouldn't leave, "Meet me at eleven in the afternoon at a cafe near campus and if you don't come, I won't forgive you." I said to Alina then left quickly before my classroom was locked at the other end.

Alina looked at me with a mixture of confusion and anger. I knew I was taking a big risk this way, but I didn't see any other option. I've been waiting for the right moment for too long and every time I try to approach her, there are always obstacles. Before entering class, I glanced back at Alina who was still standing near the locker. I know she doesn't like being treated like this, but I really need to talk to her. Hopefully she will come this afternoon.

When class started, my mind kept wandering to the meeting later. What will I say? What if she doesn't come? Those thoughts kept haunting me throughout class. I could barely concentrate on what the lecturer was teaching. The clock showed five minutes to eleven. I immediately packed up my books and rushed to the cafe. When we got there, I looked for a strategic seat, making sure I could see the entrance clearly. Every time the cafe door opened, my heart beat faster, hoping it was Alina.

At exactly eleven o'clock, Alina appeared at the entrance of the cafe. She looked hesitant, but finally stepped in. I stood up and waved at her. With slow steps, she approached the table where I sat.

"Alina, thank you for coming," I said, trying to hide my nervousness.

"What do you really want, Ryan?" She asked directly, without further ado.

I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry if my way was rude, but I really need to talk to you. About that night, I know we were both unconscious so please stop avoiding me and I don't like being ignored or shunned like that."

"Only that?" Alina asked in surprise.

“Not yet, I want to know why you are avoiding me? Am I too handsome? Did you take something from me?”

“Nothing, I didn't take anything. I'm just doing what's best for me, you're famous among the students here and definitely liked by a lot of girls, I'm staying away from you because I don't want to compete." Alina explained at length.

I nodded in understanding, “I understand but what you did was too much. Of all the women who have pursued my love, I have not reciprocated any of them and now I am trying to approach you. Do you realize how important my efforts are??"

“Look, that's not the root of the problem. Firstly, I'm not looking for love and my complete reason for staying away from you makes more sense. But you don't need to know everything, Ryan. I stay away from you, that's my right and it doesn't harm you."

“It took a toll on me, I had trouble sleeping thinking about your ridiculous excuses. I want to help you because we were both unconscious that night, what if," I brought my face closer and lowered my voice, "I let it out inside, it could be serious before it can be prevented, my reputation, your reputation."

“My reputation has indeed been damaged! What do you care?” Alina emphasized her voice.

"What do you mean?" I asked, who didn't quite understand, had his reputation been damaged? Why?

"Never mind, I'm tired, I want to go home." Alina then got up from her seat and immediately left.

"Wait a minute, Alina!" I stopped her from leaving.

"I have to go now." Alina kept moving away then walked away leaving me alone.

I don't understand why she is so stubborn, I want to be kind enough to help her. At least let me be responsible for my behavior that night, I'm afraid that Alina is actually still a virgin and she's not mentally ready. What if she does something crazy? That's what I'm afraid of. I just stayed in the cafe while watching her shoulders which were getting further and further away from my sight. Instead of getting a headache just thinking about Alina, I'd better go over to my friends to play field hockey while practicing my skills.

I left the cafe and went straight to the place where my friends often practiced field hockey. I saw Tom, Jake and Dylan there who were having fun playing. I walked closer to them, letting go of all thoughts about Alina.

“Hey, there's room for one more person?” I asked with a smile.

Tom was the first to see me, waving enthusiastically. "Of course! Come on, we need one more player on this team.”

Jake and Dylan also smiled and greeted me, "It's been a long time since I saw you play, Ryan." Dylan said while handing me a hockey stick.

I took the stick and felt the warmth of their friendship which always managed to make me feel better. "Thank You. Let's begin." I answered, trying to forget all my doubts and anxieties about Alina.

We started playing and as time went by, I could feel my enthusiasm returning. Every time my stick hits the ball and I run on the court, all the worries about Alina slowly fade away. My focus is only on the game, on tactics, on being together with my friends.

Tom passed the ball to me and I quickly dribbled it past Jake who was trying to block me. Dylan's shout of support made me even more enthusiastic. I looked at the goal then with all my strength, I hit the ball. Goal! The cheers of my friends filled my heart with joy.

"Extraordinary! That's just a game!” Tom exclaimed while patting my back.

I smiled broadly then lay my body down because of fatigue mixed with joy at victory, I felt the warmth and happiness that had been by my side for a long time. "Thank you, friends. It really helps to eliminate useless thoughts.” I said.