JADE'S POV
I dialed Elle's line several times, it was ringing but she wasn't picking up, also sent her text messages to which I've got no reply.
What's happening?
I paced to and fro the living room of my off campus apartment in anxiety, why won't she pick her calls? It's evening already and I wanted to ask her on a date with me, I'd also wanted her to meet some of my friends, but she wasn't picking her calls. I understand she already asked me to give up on her as she don't have any romantic feelings for me, but how could I, when I know she isn't with anyone?
Elle's single and have refused to date many guys I heard of that had asked her out, but why? It's either she doesn't love anyone of them or she isn't ready for commitment. So why let her go when I might one day be given a chance, as much as I know of, I'm the most closest male friend she have here in Sacramento.
I should call her again. I dialed her line and as usual, it rang but she didn't pick up. I guess I should go hangout with my friends then, she might call me later, she's probably busy or something right now.
Picking up my jacket from the couch, my car key from the glass table, I head towards the door.
DANIELLE'S POV
I laughed out loud as Alex held onto me firmly as we skate around the ice rink, it's the first time she'll be ice skating she's therefore a novice in the sport. I was teaching her how to skate but she was too scared and at the same time too excited to listen to me. I stopped us for a while so she could concentrate on listening to me.
"...Alex did you get all I've been saying to you at all?" I asked following her gaze. She was looking at some kids around her age and some even younger as they skated easily around.
"I can do this too right Diva, if those kids could do it then I can too." She said determinedly. I chuckled.
"First of all do not compare yourself with others because you are unique in your own ways okay?" She nodded. "Good. Secondly, becoming perfect in ice skating takes time and a lot of serious practice and if you put in a lot of good efforts, soon you'll be perfect just like them, like me. You want that right?"
"Yes!" She nodded vigorously.
"I wanna try it alone." She said in certainty before heading off in full speed, laughing along at her success, so far she's better than her previous trials. I smiled and took off after her, in no time I was very much closer to her, I noticed her trying to stop when she was still in high speed. No, that's not right..
"Alex, do not try to use the toe pick to stop or push yourself forward girl, you will f...." Too late she fell down with a thud, good thing I made sure she was properly covered with all the necessary safety pads, before letting her into the rink. I hurried to her, she was surprisingly laughing.
"Sorry dear, are you hurt?" I said bending down beside her and raising her up to sitting position.
"No, I'm good. I"m happy I was apply to skate for a while before I fell, that's good progress ain't it?" She said grinningly.
"Sure, very good progress Alex, I noticed you learn quite fast," I smiled at her. "that's very impressive. But next time pretty, to ensure your safety, do not skate at high speed until you feel comfortable stopping, alright?" She nodded."to stop safely, you push your foot firmly on the ice and gently push the blade lengthwise out to the side. You get that?"
"Roger that. Shall we try it again? I might get the stopping method this time." She asked. I shook my head negatively.
"No baby, come let's get some nice coffee and some French pies, I'll bring you here some other time alright?" I looked carefully at her body. "..and we also need to check you properly in case of bruises."
"Alright!" She nodded
I pulled off her racing skates, adjusted her Beanie and helped her stand up. I pulled off mine too and we walked out of the rink. A message popped in my phone, I brought it out of my purse bag and noticed several missed calls and messages from Jade. I shook my head in wonder, what does he wants this time? A date perhaps? I chuckled.
I took Alex to a canteen nearby _after we had slipped on our previous footwears and taken off the safety pads.
"Two cups of Italian coffee and two French pies please," I said to the waiter.
"Ok Miss." He walked off.
"Have this, you must be thirsty." I said handing her a bottle of water I had brought from home.
"Thanks." She opened the lid and drank from it.
I honestly feel so happy watching her, taking her on outings and taking care of her, it felt so good. After the meeting yesterday, I had ensured to get her a new car and a personal driver and some body guards; they'll be responsible for her whereabouts from on now, her school...well that would also be taken care of, her tuition fees would be taken care of by myself. The girls had also insisted I let them help too.
Alex will no longer be referred as the poor scholarship student but now as a new Star and an important member of DSD.
I made arrangements with my personal manager _the one my parents assigned to me, for a bigger and better accommodation for her family, one that's much better than their previous home and one that's rent free.
Her guards and driver would be taking her to school starting tomorrow and they must never leave her sight. Now that's she's been announced to the world, envious foes may start flocking around her and that mustn't happen. I also got a car for her aunt too who was super elated at all that was happening, she couldn't stop thanking me at every little opportunity.
"Your coffee and pie Miss," the waiter said as he dropped them on the table.
"Thank you," I smiled and he walked away.
"Go on Alex, don't let your cappuccino get cold." I urged as I picked up mine. She smiled and started with her French pies, I smiled from my coffee cup as I watch her eat.
CILIA'S POV
I jogged down the pavement, my headphone over my head as I listened to one of Jay's music. I miss him badly, I miss him showing up suddenly in front of me, I miss his smiles, I miss everything about the few moments we encountered. Honestly if I could turn back the hands of time, I wouldn't have walked out on him that day, I would've stayed back, swallowed my jealousy and listened to what he wanted to tell me. Now I've chased him away, I chased my long time crush away with my unreasonable attitude and to make it worse, I haven't seen him for a whole week even when we're in same department, Jay's possibly avoiding me.
I increased my tempo, I decided to head out without my car today and possibly do some thinking. The girls were out, Elle went ice skating with Alex and Tania went on a date with some guy I can't remember his name. I was the only one around so I decided to jog down the street for a while before going to my favorite place _the ice cream shop.
I got tired after covering some more meters, so I stopped, drank from my water bottle and wiped out the few sweat beads off my face. I stopped a campus taxi and boarded it to the ice cream shop.
I arrived at the ice cream shop few minutes later and walked in after settling the cab man. I bought two cups of my favorite flavor before settling down on a table set at the end of the large shop. I noticed someone whose face was  covered by a magazine sitting down at the table set beside mine. I rolled my eyes to my ice cream cup and after opening it, I began to scoop it into my mouth sadly. I hate being alone but right now, I am.
"Missing me?" I heard Jay's voice? I chuckled at myself, I'm suddenly hearing his voice too? I'm going crazy....
I scooped more spoons into my mouth, faster this time.
"Have mercy on the ice poor cream, it's done nothing wrong." I looked around quickly and my eyes landed on him, he was showering that beautiful smile on me again, my heart skipped beats. He was the magazine guy beside me?
"Jay!" I called excitedly.
"You missed me? I know, I've missed you too." He chuckled beautifully. I just stared at him speechlessly, I suddenly lost my voice. Did I just hear him say he missed me or am I hearing things?
I watched him stood up from his sit and in few secs covered the distance between us, he drew out an empty chair and sat down facing me. I quickly paused the music and lowered my headphone.
"Can I have one of those?" He asked cutely looking at my ice cream cups. I nodded and pushed the other cup to him, if it were someone else I wouldn't have parted with my ice cream.
"What are you doing here? Cause I didn't imagine you as someone who visits an ice cream shop." I asked when my voice returned to me. Jay was already scooping creams into his mouth, he looks so cute as he ate. I'm still trying to believe that this is reality, it's just so good to be true. But then, i know it is.
"It's actually pleasing to know I'm in your imagination." He said flirtatiously.
"Can you be serious?" He chuckled.
"I came here hoping to meet you after you left me without a notice the other day, and I'm happy I did meet you again." He said matter of fact. I dropped my spoon and looked at him apologetically.
"I'm really sorry about how I left the other day, it wasn't right I know but I just couldn't help it." I apologized.
"If you're really sorry then you have to make it up to me." He said smilingly.
"What would that be?" I asked staring into his pretty brown eyes.
"Ah... thanks for letting my sister in your dance crew. She's so happy thanks to you guys." He said instead. It was obvious from his smile that he cared about his younger sister so much.
"She's good, that's it." I said simply.
"Oh my goodness, Jay! Wow, it's really you, I never would have thought you visit such places." I looked up at the bearer of the voice.
Katie? what's she doing here?
"And who are you?" Jay asked not sparing her a single glance. I wanted to laugh at that. She walked around to my side so that he would see her, since he wasn't looking at her, just sat there playing with his spoon and ice cream.
"It's me Katie, Lucia's friend. I'm bothered about the impression you have of me because of my friend's action." She said and Jay finally spared her a glance.
What's she blabbing?
"Why should you be bothered about my impression of you? That shouldn't be your problem?" He said staring emotionlessly at her.
"I...em..er..I like...well, em.. just...I like you that's why." She stuttered through her words, while playing with a strand of her black hair. Is she really trying to flirt with Jay in my presence? She's really got guts I tell ya, telling Jay she likes him, I feel like slapping that silly smile off her face. I looked at Jay, he just stared at her mirthlessly before suddenly letting out an amused chuckled.
"Young lady I was busy before you came here to utter your gibberish, thanks for liking me but I would appreciate you don't. Quietly excuse yourself before I help you." Jay suddenly said in all seriousness.
One thing I've noticed and admire about him is this, Jay can be happy, cute and playful when he wants to be but he also becomes very serious when it's required, like right now. I looked at Katie, she glared at me before walking away. There's nothing you can do petty... I mocked inwardly. Jay chose me not any of you bitches.
"Wanna get outta here?" He asked me gently.
"Gladly," I said. "...but not without this." I smiled as I picked up my already melting strawberry ice cream. Jay watched me with smiles, seems like he finds me amusing. He stood up when he saw that I was done packing up. I smiled and stood up too and we walked towards the exit. I gave Katie a cold glare as we walked out, she was sitting with another girl, probably her friend or coursemate, I actually don't care. Anyway, she returned my stare with a warning or should I say threatening look.
Oh poor baby, he chose me already and I'm gonna make the best out of it. And like Elle had said, Jay won't come to me if he doesn't have anything serious he wanna say, there must be something, a sincere reason behind all this. Let's go find out shall we?.....
KIM LISA'S POV
I stared at the almost empty bowl of kimchi before me, then I looked at the guys. Dan was silently feasting on his bowl of black ramen, Roe was scooping kimchi  from the big bowl into his plate.
"Ajuma gimchileul deo gajyeo oseyo(ma'am please bring more kimchi)" I shouted to the waitress.
I made us come eat at this Korean restaurant not because of me but because of them, Dan especially. It's been long he tasted Korean food, Roe also loves kimchi so he didn't object to coming here. I brought out my phone to take a photo of us.
"Hey guys, say kimchi." They looked up from their food and did as instructed.
"Kimchii!"
Click!! I smiled at the beautiful photo and decided to send it to Jian. I login my Twitter account and sent it to her, luckily she was online.
     'What do you think of this?' I said Immediately I sent her the photo.
     'All I know is that I'm missing you, Seoul is boring without you girl. Jae Young won't stop whining in my ears.' she replied.
I chuckled, Jae Young is my boyfriend and like Jian he's a popular K-pop singer. I sent her a laughing emoji.
     'I miss you too Jian, don't mind him we finished conversing barely an hour ago.' I sent.
    'The picture is beautiful, say hi to the idols for me. I'm still very happy you got in your dream Dance group.' she replied.
    'Me too love' I sent her.
    'I'm going out with my sister, let's talk later okay?' she sent.
    'Alright, bye.' I replied and looked up.
My eyes widened in consternation, Dan and Roe were having chopsticks fight over my ramen, with Roe stylishly scooping from the newly served kimchi bowl. When did the woman bring it in? Was probably so engrossed in my phone I didn't notice.
"Hey! You tiny little screwballs! Get your hands outta my ramen." I hurriedly retrieved it and shield it from their reach. Dan pouted at me while Roe gladly faced the kimchi bowl.
And they say I eat too much.... Psst!
I sighed in surrender when I couldn't resist his cute childish pout anymore. Among Korean dishes, Dan loves the black ramen most, it's his favorite.
"Fine!" I said, and pushed the bowl back to him. He grinned boyishly in jubilation as he dipped his chopstick in the bowl and scooped hot ramen into his mouth, closing his eyes dreamily as he savoured the taste. I smirked and took a photo of him.
"Just look at you both, who eats more now, huh? Danny bunny?" I asked. They didn't reply, I smiled and scooped a spoonful of soup into my mouth. My phone beeped almost immediately. I picked it up and scrolled through.
"Omo(oh my), Diva seems to be having lot's of fun with this beauty." I smiled at my phone. Someone must have taken photos of them secretly at the ice rink and uploaded it on the internet, and Zappp! It went viral, lovely photos I tell you.
"Huh?" Dan looked up from his bowl, the chopstick few inches away from his lips. I smirked.
"So now you hear me as soon as I mentioned her name?" I laughed.
"Somebody is seriously glowing this days." Roe added in a singsong. Dan ignored and faced his food again, trying to hide his smile.
Silly boy...
"Where did you say that brother of mine went to again?"
JAY'S POV
"Why won't you just tell me?" She whined again. I smiled in amusement. She's been that way since I brought her to my private music studio at a building I bought outside the campus. She wanted to know why Katie talked to me in that manner.
We were sitting by the piano as I sang softly while teaching her how to play the keys, she knows how to play the piano but she wasn't perfect yet, when she suddenly stopped playing and asked me again. I should just tell her right? Since she insists on knowing. I can't risk her leaving me again like the last time because of a girl's name.
"There's something you don't know or you probably would've guessed already." I began. She stared at me with inquisitive eyes.
"Remember that guy that started the meme on Lucia?" she nodded positively.
"Johnny Davis." She said
"You also know he is hospitalized right now but can you guess who's behind his attack?"
"Lucia?" She asked unsurely.
"Yeah, she sent the bandits. But the main reason behind Katie's talk was this. A week after our resumption here, our janitor was changed to someone else. And since then, Lucia and her friends always happened to show up wherever we go to except the dormitory.
"Woah" she mouthed.
"Yeah, we didn't bother about it placing it as mere coincidence until the very last one. That day we suddenly showed up at the music hall and performed, no one knew we were going there except ourselves, but we were so surprised when we saw Lucia and her friends again and they even had the guts to climb up the stage," I chuckled in remembrance of the incidence. "...we needed no one to tell us something wasn't right, in no time, I discovered it was the new janitor that's been leaking out our info to her. The guy was one of her father's head guard whom she subjected to the level of a janitor because of her selfish interest. Anyways, I went to Mr Caden's home to report his daughter that was when I Stubbled on her and her father having a heated conversation over Johnny Davis hospitalization,"
"Her dad knew?" She asked with wide eyes.
"Yes, and of cause she was being punished when I walked into his office and laid down my complaint. The poor man was so ashamed and sorry for what she did that he promised to deal with her. When I was walking out of his office, I caught her friends eavesdropping so I gave them a simple advice. That's the reason why Katie thinks I'm having any impression of her. She's sick, I have better things to worry of than to think about her and her friends." I explained. Saline smiled.
"Thanks for telling me Jay." She said.
"It's a pleasure," I smiled at her.
"Can I ask you one more thing?"
"Sure."
"Is there any sort of connection between Daniel and Lucia? Because with the way she announced to everyone before you guys came here that Daniel was hers and even with the way she's been going about it, one can't help but ask. I remembered she even ate at the general cafeteria for the first time since I knew her, that very day you guys came to the cafeteria. Now I understand why it all made sense. Is she betrothed to Daniel or what?" She asked curiously. I chuckled.
"Question for another day my lady. Now shall we talk about us?"
"Huh?"
"Yeah, remember I was gonna say something to you that day be..."
"Yeah I remember. What was that again?" She interrupted while putting on her mesmerizing smile.
"What if I tell you that you've been my music inspiration for the past two years."
"Jay please don't flirt with me, I'm gonna break." She said with a nervous laugh.
"I'm really serious Salina, ever since I knew of your existence through my sis, I just watch your videos and look at your photos and inspirations and lyrics flows in. Can you explain the reason behind this to me, because honestly speaking, I'm clueless." I finally said it. She was looking at me in shock, her lips parted and eyes slightly widened. She was speechless. But then I noticed her eyes becoming teary, I reached out to hold her hand but she withdrew it.
"I must be so pathetic and easy to you males, I'm finally going crazy." She said with a faraway expression, next thing I know she stood up and headed towards the door. Acting quickly on my instinct, I ran after her and blocked her path.
"Get out of my way Jay! What did I do so wrong, that you all find pleasure in making me so pathetic? Sweet words all the time only to finally break my heart into miserable pieces. Do I look like one of those girls you brainwash you playboy?" She cried. Her last words hurt but I understand how she feels, she is having trust issues with guys.
"Saline I'm so...."
"Don't you dare lie to me!" She roared as tears ran down her cheeks. "All you people do is go around breaking hearts of so many people after making fake promises that you never keep. I'm done falling for such traps, you are all the same." She cried. I fell to my knees quickly and grabbed her hands.
"I'm so sorry for all you had been through Saline, I understand how you feel but please give me a chance and I promise I won't hurt you. I've asked myself countless of times about the reason behind this pull I have towards you but I'm yet to fathom it. I want to be close you in ways I've never imagined with other girls, I want to be there for you at all times, I want to care for you and be a shoulder on which you can lean on at any situation. Geez, I'm not here to break your heart like you think but I'm here to permanently heal your broken heart," she stared at me in uncertainty as the tears continued to stream down her cheeks.
"Yes I know I've been a Playboy but I would be the most wicked person on Earth if after all that's happened to you, I show up only  to bruise your heart and open up your healing wounds. Despite being a Playboy, I never flirt with the same girl twice, I've never experienced the kind of feelings I'm having for you, which I'm yet to understand. But one thing I'm very certain of is that I didn't bring you here or show up in front of you only to deceive you, I'm not lying to you please, give me a chance and I'll prove that to you. Saline, you are not pathetic, you are a lot more than you've ever imagine. You are a sweetheart and every thing about you is beautifully unique and pleasing.
    I'm not asking for much but please don't leave me, I'm new to this kinda feelings, please stay by my side and help me understand this and I promise you won't be heart broken. I've never confessed to a girl before, you are my first in this and I want you to teach me how to understand this. All I'm asking for is a chance to prove myself to you, to prove that i would never do anything to hurt you again. Please...." I looked into her eyes with my already glassy ones. Her eyes had softened and she's no longer tensed up.
"Jay get up, why are you even on your knees?" She sniffed.
"Please!!" I begged again as a single tear trickle down my left eye.
Geez! I can't believe a tear just came out of my eyes, I can't even remember the last time I saw my own tears. My mind flashed back to the guy I saw Diva with. So this is how bad it hurts...
"Jay!" She gasped as she saw the tear. "Get up please, it's alright. I'm sorry for my previous outbursts, I wasn't expecting you to say something like that to me. I'm sorry for overacting huh? Please get up, I promise to give you the chance you seek. Get up." She forcefully tried to pull me up. I let out a small smile and stood up. She hugged me immediately.
"I'm sorry for trying to push you away when in reality I really wanted you close. Sorry for lashing out on you when you were completely innocent. I knew you haven't been in a relationship before but I still went ahead to accuse you of heartbreaks. I'm sorry for seeing you as one of those guys, you were a casanova but never a heart breaker because you never committed. I'm sorry for e..." Her voice broke as she sobbed into my shoulder. I smiled at every word she uttered.
"It's okay. Thanks for giving me a chance, I promise never to disappoint you." I drew her back from me and wiped out her tears with my thumbs while she stared into my eyes.
"Thank you." I muttered before pulling her to me again. "I'll protect you from now on." I whispered gently into her ears.
"Will you sing for me?" She asked softly. I chuckled.
"Gladly. I'll sing the last one I wrote _not yet released though, but it's also dedicated to you, my mystery woman." She giggled.
"I would love to hear it." I smiled. There's more to talk about but as it's said, one step at a time. At least I can say we are almost an item now and that's good progress. Time to sing for my sweetheart....
Music......