CHAPTER 2

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"Okay, that's it for today! Adios!" The lesson was over, and I didn't even comprehend what was covered. I had trouble concentrating. I could feel the weight on my chest and I wanted to get drunk to get rid of the pain I felt.

"Hey, let's go hang out! I'll text Ash." Liam remarked.

We are in the same class.

"No." I intervened. "I mean, sure. Actually, Ash has already made a reservation at the Elbert's. You go first. I will catch up!" I said. It felt like multiple stabs to my chest as I was saying those words. As much as I don't want to help Ash, I had no other option. Besides, Ash hasn't done anything.

Moreover, Ash's affection for Liam is completely reasonable. Ash's affection for Liam is likewise not Liam's fault.

"What? Why? Where are you going?"

"I just have to do something. See you, dude!" I reasoned and walked out in the room before him. Then, I texted Ash, telling her that I had already done the favor she asked me to.

I then switched off my phone.

—

CHASE's POV

"Shall we go have a drink? My treat!" Matt invited me after heading out of the room and making our way down the hallway.

"No turning back, man." I chuckled.

"Alright! Let's go! I have been thirsty for the whole class!"

"I know you're not talking about alcohol." He laughed. He knows what I mean. What a playboy!

He tapped my shoulder and chuckled, saying, "Dude, we should enjoy ourselves first while we're still young. Of course, we must enjoy it with girls!"

"With women? No thanks. I can vibe alone." I grinned.

He shook his head and said, "You're so boring! How can you get a girlfriend if you avoid girls?"

"I'm too busy with swimming, so I don't have time for that kind of thing," I said, and suddenly my eyes caught the man I had seen crying earlier in the pool area.

"You missed out on the beauty of the outside world, dude! I should blame your coach. Anyway, don't worry! Because tonight will be the night that you will experience a real pleasure that you will never ever forget in your whole existence!"

"Oh! I forgot I still have practice. I'll go next time!" I patted his shoulder, then I walked away in the other direction.

"Wait, what!? So suddenly? Dude!" He called me, but I ignored him. I focused my attention on that guy from afar.

Until I reached the pool area. There, I saw him, standing on the deck, looking at the water.

What is he doing? Is he going to jump?

Does he plan to drown himself just because his girlfriend broke up with him?

What an idiot!

—

AUSTIN'S POV

Just as I was about to head out of the university, I remembered that I had thrown the bracelet into the pool. My conscience was hammering at me. I mean, I can't really blame Ash for her affections for Liam, even though I'm pretty hurt.

Damn! I need my bracelet back. I can't lose it. It was precious to me.

I suddenly found myself heading to the gym and making my way straight to the swimming area. It was hard for me to spot my bracelet underwater as I stood on the deck and peered into the water.

Should I just jump into the water?

"Austin! No!"

I was taken aback when my name was abruptly called out and could be heard all across the pool area. I turned around and saw a man running toward me. He was running so fast as if he was going to save me from doing something terrible.

I gazed at him, my brow wrinkled.

This guy—who the hell is he?

When he was close to me, he extended his right arm, but we were both very surprised when he tripped and the surroundings seemed to be in slow motion. He was gradually tumbling onto me. I was unable to move away as much as I wanted to. I'm standing here rooted to the spot, staring at him with wide eyes, waiting for him to drop on me.

Then the next thing we knew, we both fell into the water. He was holding me underwater, but I pushed him and swam ahead of him.

As soon as I went up the water, I exhaled drastically. I was about to lose my fucking breath underwater.

"What the hell!?" I exclaimed at him. "Who the hell are you!?" I asked him in annoyance.

Damn! I'm completely soaked.

He swiped the wetness from his face with the palm of his hands. "What the hell were you thinking? Are you planning to kill yourself?"

I scowled, "What!?" "What the hell are you talking about? Why would I kill myself!?"

"What?" his expression seemed puzzled. "I thought you were planning to jump to drown."

"Are you crazy? Why would I do that?"

"Then why are you here? Why were you looking at the water like you wanted to end your life?"

"I was looking for my bracelet. I lost it in the water. It was important..." I stopped and thought for a moment.

Why am I trying to explain to this guy? I didn't even know him.

"Whatever. Just leave," I said, averting my face from him.

Just as I was ready to dive under the water when he spoke.

"Wait. Let me find it for you."

"What?" I questioned, turning to look at him. But instead of replying to me, he dove into the water.

A minute later, he came back up.

"There was no trace of your bracelet underneath," he remarked. "Are you sure you lost it here?"

"What? No way. I'm sure I lost it here. Maybe you missed it. I will find it myself."

"I searched the whole area and couldn't find it."

"That's impossible," I said in disbelief. "I just lost earlier in the morning. It's impossible that it just disappeared like that."

"Many swimmers practiced here this morning. Maybe one of them found it. Don't worry, I'll ask them if they found your bracelet."

"How will you do that? Are you friends with them?"

"Is it because I'm also a swimmer?" He asked with a chuckle.

"Come on. Let's get out of here before we get caught," he urged, and he came up out of the water.

I was left with no choice but to follow him.

"Shit," I murmured as I emerged from the water. I'm completely soaked. How am I supposed to go home like this?

"This is all your fault." I silently gestured to him.

"Follow me." He gave an order.

"Where?"

"Just follow me," he said, turning to walk away.

Without any other choice, I followed him. Until we got into the locker room. Is he really a swimmer?

He strolled up to the cabinet and took something from it.

After that, he walked over to me. "Here." Use this." He offered me a white towel and clothes.

"Is this yours?" I asked. I'm not comfortable wearing someone else's clothes.

"Yeah." Don't worry. "I haven't used that yet," he clarified, but I was still unsure about wearing it. I'm not sure whether he's telling the truth.

He laughed softly. "What?" "You don't believe me?"

"I'm not used to using someone's clothes."

"I know. I mean, neither do I. Trust me. I have never used that." He stated with honesty.

Fine. I guess I should believe him. He looks to be really sincere.

Without saying anything, I set my clothing on the bench and removed my own. I started by drying my body and hair with a towel.

"You have a nice body." He commented while looking at my body.

I raised an eyebrow at him. Is it normal to say that to another guy? Because I felt uncomfortable.

"I mean, for someone who isn't athletic." He made a correction. He also removed his clothes.

Just standing right here, my eyes began to travel down his body. I have a nice body, just like he said, but his body was absolutely perfect.

What did I just say?

Did I just make a comment about his body?

Wow! It sends shivers down my spine.

"Do you exercise?" He asked.

"Not really." I said succinctly as I got dressed.

"But have you tried exercising?"

He asks so many questions, but why?

"Of course."

"I see. Why don't you join swimming? I just think you're a great match."

"I don't like swimming. I'm not really into sports. Actually, I'm into music."

"Oh, I see."

"Thanks." I handed him the towel after I got dressed.

"No problem." When he was going to grab the towel, I recalled something that made me hold it back.

I gave him an intense look.

"Uh, what?" His expression became quite perplexed.

"How do you know my name?" I asked in curiosity.

He turned his back on me and asked, "What do you mean?" It required him some time to answer my query. He was using the drying rack to hang his damp clothes.

"You called me by my name earlier. How did you find out my name?"

He turned to face me once more. "Really?" he questioned, perplexed. "Did I?"

"Yes, you did." I cannot be wrong. I heard him call me by my name earlier. "I heard it clearly." I insisted.

"I don't remember calling you by your name. And how am I supposed to get to know you? I just met you." He chuckled softly.

I wrinkled my forehead in awe. "Really?"

"I didn't know that you could hear other things." He patted my shoulder and laughed. "Let's go." He then walked out of the locker room.

No way. But didn't he really call me by my name?

—

"How important is the bracelet to you?" He asked out of nowhere, shattering the silence between us.

We were currently walking down the hallway, heading to the exit gate.

I didn't give him an answer right away because why? Why would I tell him? And why would he ask that question? What does he care?

"Why do you want to know?" I responded.

"I'm just curious. It seems like you're willing to sacrifice your life just for that bracelet."

Of course. That was given to me by the girl I like.

"It holds sentimental value for me. That can't be taken away from me." I responded.

"That must be a gift from your parents to you."

"No. That's a gift from the woman I like."

Darn. I shouldn't have said that. That was meant to be a secret. What would happen if he met the woman I'm talking about and told her I liked her?

Besides, why am I talking to this stranger? I don't care if we study at the same university. He is still a stranger to me.

"The girl you like?"

"Never mind." I shifted the topic. "I'll return your clothes tomorrow. And don't forget to ask your friends about my bracelet." I remarked, and as soon as we were out of the gate, I parted ways with him. I walked to my car.

I just so happened to catch a glimpse of him through the mirror as I fastened my seatbelt. He was standing in front of the gate. He was staring at me, too.

What is he looking at?

Whatever. He is weird.

I started the engine and drove off.

—

CHASE's POV

As soon as he drove off, I took something in my pants pocket.

It was his bracelet.

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