Everyone was trying their best getting as much knowledge as they can before the mid quarter ranking in Northern Star University. Ohh nope, lemme put it this way. Almost everyone were trying their best by doing the review while some were just taking things easy and of course we have those under a very small percentage who are just that good that they no longer need to check their books or notes for a quick review.

Girl 1 – “Hi Andrean!” A girl in a pink ponytail approached Andrean after their major subject ended. She looks determined but obviously shy to talk to Andrean.

Andrean – “Hey there Gail!” he gave her a sweet and approachable smile looking like he is ready to answer for whatever questions Gail would ask. He was too good in hiding the fact that he was eager to move out of the classroom and just do his own thing.

Gail – “I don’t mean to take off so much of your time. But I would to ask for your help, Probability Theory is just too impossible for me.”

Despite of the urge of going home Andrean stayed after the class for an hour to help Gail. Helping her out and even prepared a handout for her to review when she got home. Instead of going home and have some alone time Andrean drove straight to Monarch Corp to attend the scheduled meeting regarding the business status, not only in the country but globally.

After the meeting Andrean stayed after reviewing some files for the company projects. A girl with a long soft curl ash gray hair looking like a model hugged him from behind giving him a soft kiss on his head got his attention.

Andrean – “I thought you would be heading out after this. You are looking good today Clarence!” he set his laptop aside and faced the girl to have a talk.

Clarence – “That was my initial plan. But since Gail snatched you earlier I feel like I gotta stay for a bit just to check on you Mr. Nice Guy.”

They went out for a dinner, had a quick talk and grabbed a drink or two.

Clarence – “So tell me, what was that all about?” she asked Andrean with smirk on her lips. Obviously having fun teasing him.

Andrean – “Gail just asked me to help her regarding Probability Theory” he took a sip while trying to explain what had happened after their class.

Clarence – “She asked your help? Ei!!! You are not even checking out your notes for a quick revision”

Andrean – “So are you Miss Straight A Student”

Clarence – “I have a feeling that things would escalate between you and Gail if you would continue helping her… -“

Clarence took a certain pause while looking Andrean in his eyes.

“Look at you Mr. Andrean Monarch, a gentlemen with a beautiful face, those gentle eyes, delicate lips, pointed nose, tall and a top notch student with a knight in shining armor act can be easily mistaken as Mr. Loverboy and a girl like her would definitely fall”

Andrean – “Clarence, where are you planning to take this conversation?” he asked while gentle taking away her drink. She is well boozed to be talking about such things that are totally off topic.

He was looking at her and notice the tears starting to roll down from her eyes. Clarence was too emotional to explain things that is why he did not pry. They ended the night without any further words, they were friends for as long as they can remember. Long enough for Andrean to understand the look on her eyes while saying how Gail would fall for him. Long enough for him to know that the tears in her eyes were not meant either for him.

Andrean’s POV…

After my last drink with Clarence nothing has changed. She is naturally hugging me whenever we bump into each other in the University (I figured she would not recall anything from that night). Few days before the mid quarter ranking Gail was still asking for my help and just like the good old days I was willingly helping her out. The only difference is that I am inviting my dear friend Clarence whenever I would stay after class to help Gail out.

I feel like it was a win-win situation for the three of us. Gail can get all the help she needs, Clarence seems to be really enjoying her time helping her out and I, I was just there doing some reports for the company and other investments. I was not really helping Gail doing her review, it may not seems obvious but Clarence got it covered 😊

The night before the start of the MQR I got a text message from Clarence.

Sender: Clarence

Msg: Thnx for letting me help her!

I knew there was something, I just figured when I got this message from her.

MQR Day, test after test after tests… It was kind of draining but it was just because I got some other things that I need to manage. On top of that Gail was still asking for our help so Clarence and I gotta stay after class, this time I can’t really multi-task because some of our classmates were joining too.

Overall, it was just a usual experience for Clarence and I.

End of MQR Day!!!

I’d been waiting for this day. Most of the time everyone are fund of going out to call for a celebration after announcing the result for MQR. Surviving the MQR Week and just having fun after all the stress and sleepless night. I on the other hand would normally go to the top deck of the old building parking lot and would just stay there for as long as I can.

After almost an hour of staying on my safe place I got a text from Clarence.

Sender: Clarence

Msg: I bet u already figured this…

Congratulations for maintaining the Rank 1!!!

I am making it look like we are both

Surprised hahahahaha. I know u don’t want

the world to disturb you.

 I am popping a bottle of wine for you!

I think it is my time to celebrate then. I took a can of beer from the cooler at the back of my car and toast for my simple success. A quiet world like this is what I have been yearning for.

I got lost track of time and same goes for the can of beers I have knocked off.

Boy – “Sure a bottle of Champaign or wine is good to call for a celebration. But this, this calls for an iced cold beer in can!” he handed me the beer and called for a toast.

I can’t see him clearly but I know he was smiling back at me. I can’t recall why we were celebrating but I know I was genuinely happy.

Boy – “I will be looking after you! We will be together…”

I felt him hugging me and I was legitimately crying. This time I felt confuse, was that tears of joy or was that because I was sad? I was trying to have a clear vision of his face just so I could recall who he was and where did I meet him. Was he even real?

I woke up during the wee hour composing myself. I am still here in the Old building parking lot, I probably dozed off after knocking off a dozens of beer in can. While driving, I keep myself busy remembering about my dream. This is not the first time, who is he? Where did I meet him? Or does he even really exist?

After the MQR Week most of the students from Northern Star University turns back to their corporate life. That is how they are being trained to be well versed and prepared in taking over their family’s businesses and managing their wealth.

If you were to imagine things let me make things easy for you, it is just the students out of their usual uniforms and all dress up for a corporate world. Some are helping out the family business as a regular employee assisting customers, some are working as part of the marketing team, and some are already doing the business talks and representing their realm to get the deals.

Andrean has been dealing tons of workload for as long as he can remember but his dad Victor is still letting him do what he wants and making sure not to take him by force.

Victor – “So what are you up to this time Andrean?” his dad handed him a cup of coffee while they are finishing some paper works after the business meeting.

Andrean – “You know what dad, I am not really certain. I’ll take any of your suggestions” he gave him a soft smile while doing his tasks.

Victor – “How about going out on a date?” he casually gave what he has in mind.

Andrean was caught off guard. It was just so random for his dad to suggest this idea. He was so uncertain on what to response nor was it even required to respond.

Victor – “Kid I was just suggesting, this doesn’t mean I am forcing you to do it. Do your thing make sure to complete everything and by tomorrow I want you to venture out. I don’t want to see your face in any of our companies here” he gave him the order in a very commanding tone but ended up giving him a smile after.

It is not as if he is not ready to go out for a date it is just that he doesn’t know who to go out with. Andrean was just too busy with school and handling the business, when he has the time he normally go out with his friends just like Clarence.

Sender: Clarence

Msg: You r such a no good and no fun!

Meet me @ Click Bar 8 pm.

Gang would be there 😊

I mean Andrean sure can do fun it is just that getting his attention in a romantic way is quite a test. He was set up for multiple dates before but girl can’t just stand by his side simply because he is Andrean Monarch.

@ Click Bar

DJ Screaming (Hype Up peeps on the crowd!)

Clarence and Edward approached Andrean. Looking like a hot model on his plain colored shirt, black denim jeans, kicks and a midnight blue varsity jacket.

Edward – “Hey Mr. Good looking ***! Welcome to the night life!!!” he gave him a quick hug and show him the way to their sweet spot.

Yuri – “Long time no see Andrean!” she gave him a soft kiss on his cheeks and a hug

Everyone was having a good time while they were checking on what they are all up to and what makes them busy during the school break. They were all just having fun and relaxing despite of the loud crowd when they heard a group of people on the dance floor starting a fight.

Edward grab Clarence and Andrean took their other friends. They noticed after a few seconds that Yuri was not around. She was taken by the pool of people and unfortunately brought to the stage where there were people fighting. They knew that it was just a random usual alcohol influenced fight but it is impossible for them not to get involve knowing that Yuri was taken their by accident.

Clarence – “Out of all the people, Yuri is just aarrrgggghhh!” Clarence may have seems upset because of what happened but kinda expecting it because they all grew together witnessing how Yuri always get involve to random fights.

Andrean took off his jacket and handed it over, he was surprised because he figured that he was giving it to a random guy. Andrean was about to apologize but unable to talk when the guy grab his waste and their face turned out to be too close that he can’t even breathe. He then noticed that there was a guy holding a broken bottle behind him that is why the guy in front of him grab him without any warning.

Andrean – “Thanks!”

Guy – “Too early to say Thanks, they are all still up!”

They continue with the fight and kept their eyes on the target. Edward and Andrean were aiming for Yuri while the guy who just helped Andrean got involved because… Why not? 😊

But seriously it was a casual Bar War, you would get involve even without doing anything.

After almost an hour in the battle field they were able to get Yuri, who was so frightened that she can’t even move her feet. Clarence was comforting her while Andrean and Edward was escorted for a quick investigation with the police together with the rest of the folks who got involved.

Edward – “Officer thank you for helping us out and we are really sorry for the mess” he handed his cash offering to pay the damages at the Click Bar.

The owner of the bar was found guilty for not having enough security and for letting the minors enter the club who happens to start the chaos.

It was an absolute mess and a total opposite of their daily lives. They all went to the parking lot and planning to grab a coffee for a quick relief after what had happened. When Andrean was about to hit the engine a girl knocked his car’s window and handed him his Midnight Blue Jacket. She said someone asked her to give it to him but did not give any further information.

While driving and up until they are already in the café Andrean was lightheaded and kept on spacing out.

Yuri – “Hey! I am really sorry for causing you this.” She was clinging to his shoulder resting her head to Andrean.

Andrean caress her head as an assurance that he is not feeling anything against her. It was an accident, they should all just charge it to the experience. The important thing is that she is safe and no harm done to their group. As for the media, Clarence already contacted her right hand official to take good care of it.