Haden Merrick

o - Beauti

arly having a conversation with me which causes him to scoff before taking a bi

their undying love, '' He adds, not agreeing with Joanne who has this whole other idea in her head; she enjoys living in a world where people are easily expected. Joanne likes to

anyone in bed, girls or boys because she's confidently pretty, in a way of saying. For instance, she's sitting on the bench with us right now

y causes me to roll my eyes and Seth to laugh-as annoying as she is, it's true. I'm too scared of confessing my silly crush to Haden because looking back at myself and looking

'm not scared. I'm just being ca

g my hand and play with the tips of my fingers, ''It's now or never-he's a senior and you're a junior. He'll graduate t

ding up, taking a few steps back and for some reason, Seth and Joanne has their eyes wide but before I can question

the ground. The familiar smell of his cologne confuses me for a few seconds as I open my eyes, meeting a pair of beautiful brown

own and right through my

. Yet, the pressure of his arm around my waist feels real, as if I'm being held into the arms of an angel-not literally but you get the meaning. Everything around me seems to fad

finally letting go of my waist; and for some reason, I already miss the

ittle bit raspy and deep which makes me feel l

apart. Joanne on the other hand, is gripping hard onto Seth before giving me looks to try and start a conversation wit

w my brows, forgetting ho

smiling. ''Be careful next time. Okay?'' He turns around after sparing one last glance at me and walks away until he's

oth say in unison, shaking my hands a few ti

appened?'' I blink a fe

whole campus to know about my crush. ''Oh god, I panicked. We panicked. You panicked! We were just staring at him. Did you even see how quick he moved to grab y

ace a hand on my chest to

inally on my side and my life has gotten lucky, even by that small gesture. Even if his full intention was to prevent a

e been anybody else or I could've faced the embarrassment by falli

the time stopped as well and it was just us. A little space of our own. There was no one else surrounding u

n in the slightest, it felt surreal but perfect. It was as if my

n replaying the previous scene of Haden wrapping his arm around my waist to prevent me from falling and using his strength to pull me

w what to say

ng about him. If only we were given more time to relive that moment, if only I was able to grab onto his face and kiss him right there! If only I was given the st

as we enter our class, seeing the roo

r Rodriguez's teachings up front. My mind keeps on wandering to Haden and it keeps replaying his voice in my head, the way he asked me 'are you o

says from behind, ''I can't wait to meet him

my life is even on Valentine's Day-there's no need for condoms, for money or for romantic dinners because I know at the en

ed his toned abs or when he laughed with his friends and for some reason, he glowed. Ever since I first laid eyes on Haden, everyone and I mean every other guy on campus

e calling out my name. ''Ms. Collins. Excuse me, Ms. Collins?'' I look up, finding the re

his early thirties, he has an exceptional view on Science and even on himself. The way he'd walk the campus grounds with confident as if he owns half of it yet stay humble through

riguez?'' I immediat

ntally curse in my mind; knowing better that I did not hear a single word

.'' I s

leans back on his desk, making me feel all eyes on me before glancing at Seth who has already turned to look at me with worry. ''I want to h

re and see him mouthin

nowing whether the words I might say will have anything to do with it since we're far ahead in the topics. ''Is it

lenches his jaw, waitin

s can all be separated by means of an electric fiel

ollins. In fact, we're nowhere near the basics. We're not even talking about gel electrophoresis. What make

nswer because I don't have the slightest clue of what to say; it feels as if my mind is corrupted and I'm left alone to finish it. Not even Joanne or Seth can help me. Jo

feat, pressing my nails deep into my p

at the front, leaving me to groan-immediately face palming myself

outside, yeah?'' Joanne says, walking out with Seth after glancing a few times at my direction just seconds before I make my way towards Professor Rodriguez who appears to be wai

n, Ms. Collins?'' He asks,

would fall asleep every few minutes but we were surprised to find him as our professor. Not only is he young but he's the main cause for the girls to focus in his

. There was just a lot

tudents who are struggling to make sure they be the top of the class. If you're simply uninterested, then you can drop this subject off. I

fessor. I'

ack to the board, writing something on

stumble back a little as he places his hand on my waist to steady me. Both sides of his lips cu

fact, it makes him look more attractive in a way; makes me want to run my fingers through his hair and j

ually-''

e.'' Professor Rodriguez says from insi

rofessor Rodriguez for interrupting me but being frustrated at myself for not being able to utter words properly in front

e and Seth who have wid