The classes went on back to back with Iris sitting with every Tom, Dick and Harry but never with Nick. It made him pissed off with everything and everyone around him. He snapped at everyone who spoke to him.

"Nick shift your fat ass," said Ken, pushing him a little to sit beside him.

"Must you sit on my lap?" Snapped Nick, and Ken grinned.

"Why? Do you wish someone else would?" Said Ken.

"I don't know what you mean," said Nick, fiddling with his mobile, waiting for the professor to come in and the lecture to start. Iris turned from her chair and got up and slowly walked up to Nick.

"Nicholas can I sit beside you please?" Asked Iris with a pissed-off expression.

"Sure," grinned Nick, with a glorified look on his face. He shifted with too much enthusiasm to make room for her and Ken fell off from the bench.

"What the fuck, man? I was sitting beside you," said Ken glaring at Nick. Nick pulled him to his feet with a shit-eating grin. Ken rolled his eyes and went to sit with Darren at the back. Iris sat down with a giggle.

"Thanks," she said with an embarrassed expression.

"What happened? You were happily sitting with farty Bill," laughed Nick.

"Very appropriate name. Seriously what does he eat?" Asked Iris with an eyeroll.

The professor entered and the class went on as usual. Nick's mood improved a lot throughout the duration of the class. After class Iris rushed out to her dad's chamber. Nick walked out with Darren to the main gate.

A gorgeous young girl, who looked like a fresher from the first year batches rushed towards Darren and hugged him. "Hey boyfriend, missed you so much," she said and Darren stood like a statue with wide eyes, not knowing what was going on. Nick's jaws dropped at the ongoing drama. "What's your name?" She whispered.

"Darren Wilkinson, " whispered back Darren, very much interested by now.

A few boys who were juniors stood watching with their jaws dropped to the floor. The girl held Darren's arm and led him towards them. "Meet my boyfriend Darren Wilkinson. He's a blackbelt in MMA. He's too hot-headed and performs karate chops on whoever pisses him off. He's very possessive about me, aren't you baby?" Asked the girl. Darren watched her with his mouth hanging open. He had no idea what MMA was, let alone be a black belt in it!

"Yes, baby," he said eyeing Nick who was now watching the fun, enjoying himself immensely.

"She's right about my best friend here," supported Nick. The other boys gulped with fright, licked their dry lips, steadied their nervous breaths and looked at Darren and Nick.

"Sorry boss. No offense please, we're not interested in Miranda anymore, " said one of them and they all agreed. They ran off as fast as their legs could carry them.

Darren turned towards the girl. He could see that she was too beautiful for her own good. "So, Miranda, can I drop you home?" He asked her hopefully.

"No thanks for the help. I'll head off, " she said, walking away to her motorcycle and fixing her helmet. The two friends watched her with their jaws dropped as she started her motorbike and sped off.

"I'm hot, need a cold shower," said Darren. Nick grinned at him knowingly.  After Darren was gone Nick loitered around to see what Iris was upto.  He knew Porty never left the campus early. If luck favored him he could drop her home. He just hoped Porty didn't buy her a car of her own!

Iris came out of the building with a displeased expression, stomping all the way to the main gate. "Hey Iris, wait," called a pleased Nick, silently thanking God for listening to him.

"What do you want now, Nick?" Asked a disgusted Iris.

"Nothing, how are you going home?" Asked Nick curiously.

"I'll have to run after the bus if I miss it, bye," she said, walking off.

"You're dad's not dropping you home?" He asked with interest. Iris turned to give him a look.

"No, can I leave now?" She said in a more pissed off mood, walking towards the bus stop.

"Wait," called Nick, running after her. "Please can I drop you home?" He asked hopefully.

"I thought you'd never ask," she said, with a faint smile tugging at her lips. Nick grinned at her sassy remark. He led her to the parking lot and opened the door to his black Ford Explorer and helped her inside. He jogged to the driver's side and climbed in.

"Nice car Nicholas. I thought you were a poor wage earner's son!" She laughed, and Nick scratched his stubble at being caught.

"So where do I drop you?" He asked her, studying her minutely within the small confines of his car. She gave him her address and Nick drove on, glancing at her every now and then. He was so glad that Porty didn't buy her a car.

"How did you happen to join mid-semester?" He asked her with curiosity.

"I had to shift to Houston due to unavoidable circumstances," she said formally. Nick was bursting with curiosity.

"Where did you live before?" He asked with more interest.

"In New York with my mom. She's remarrying a man who already has three grown up children from his previous marriage. I would never be able to fit in with them," she said. Nick looked at her with disbelief.

"But you're twenty. You could live on your own," he suggested.

"I wanted to but dad didn't allow. Till I complete my studies and become financially independent, I have to live with him, " she told Nick. Nick mentally muttered curses at Porty for being a dictator dad.

They reached Porty's two storied house and Nick parked his car. "Why don't you come inside for a cup of coffee? Granny will be so happy to see you," said Iris. Nick did a happy dance inside his head and climbed down from his car. He followed her to the doorstep excited to be able to spend more time with Iris. Iris rang the doorbell and a sweet looking old lady opened the door with a cheerful  smile. How could Porty's mom be so sweet?

"Granny, meet my batchmate Nicholas Taylor, " introduced Iris. Granny's eyes danced with excitement, seeing her grand daughter bring home a guy for the first time in twenty years. Granny was actually having second thoughts about her sexual orientation but now seeing Nicholas she was satisfied that her grand daughter was straight after all. It was a day to celebrate. "Nicholas,  this is Sarah Davenport, my granny."

"Hello granny, call me Nick please," requested Nick. "They both won't," he said whispering into granny's ear. Granny chuckled and pinched his cheek.

"Sure, dude," she said and Nick's grin widened.  Iris rolled her eyes at the two of them and went inside. "I like you already boy," said granny. A loud woof greeted them as they went inside and a ferocious looking German Shepherd came hounding towards them at top speed staring at Nick as if to eat him alive. Nick covered his crotch and climbed onto a couch. He had seen dogs bite it off you!

Thankfully the dog was too busy with Iris, licking her and greeting her to notice him. Then to his dismay, he saw Nick. "Granny save me please," squeaked Nick.

"Pilot, no, he's my friend. PILOT," yelled Iris and Pilot looked at her and just trotted towards Nick and smelled his feet. Then he made a face and walked away disinterestedly. Nick was about to thank his lucky stars and get down when another woof greeted him and a vicious looking tiny pit bull puppy came rushing out to greet Iris.

"Hello baby Duffy," Cooed Iris, picking him up but to his horror Duffy saw him. He climbed down and then trotted towards Nick with interest. They both stared at one another and then to his horror he easily climbed onto the couch and bit his toe. Thank God he had his shoes on!

"Duffy no. He's my friend. Let go else no dinner for you," said Iris, coming to get him. But Duffy was a stubborn little pup, he didn't let go.

"Let go you son of a bitch," muttered Nick, trying to extricate his toe. Finally Iris was able to pull him away and lock him up in some room. Nick sat down to inspect his toe.

"There's one more," said granny and Nick stared at her with shock.

"One more what?" Asked Nick with dismay.

"Dog," said granny and Nick paled. He hated Iris's dogs.

"Why so many?" He asked with fright.

"Dogs are her second love," said granny with a sigh.

"Oh and what's her first?" Asked Nick with curiosity.

"Why? Books," answered granny and they both rolled their eyes.

"Any third love?" Asked Nick wanting to know whether she had any boyfriend or not.

"Of course. Food" informed granny and Nick grinned. Now he knew how to win her over.

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