It was late when Andrea opened her eyes the next morning. She jumped out of the comfortable bed and rushed to the washroom to take a shower. With only thirty minutes at hand, she would definitely be late for college today. She wondered why Aries didn’t wake her up. There wasn’t a single noise from outside her door. Was he fast asleep too? Quickly getting ready, she opened her door and peered out. 

The whole place was eerily quiet as if no one lived here any longer. Where was Aries? She glanced at his closed door. Strangely there wasn’t a single sound coming from inside. She walked over to the kitchen and the smell of delicious breakfast hit her nostrils. So Aries had made breakfast for her it seemed. She checked the pan found bacon and eggs for herself. Quickly pouring the coffee from the coffee maker, she ate the food. There was only fifteen minutes at hand and she needed to rush. Maybe Aries had left already without waking her up. She saw a note stuck to the main gate just as she had worn her shoes.

 

Leaving already. I’ve never seen such a heavy sleeper all my life. I tried waking you up but failed, FYI.

 

PS: I’ve left a spare set of keys to the apartment for you. If you lose it, you’ll have to stay out.

 

Andrea’s ears flushed hot with embarrassment after reading that note. What he might have thought of her? She rushed towards the door and saw the keys in a bowl at the foyer. Picking it up, she walked out and locked the door after her. She ran out of the building towards the campus gates. By the time she reached her class, she was five minutes late but thankfully the professor hadn’t arrived yet and she was saved. She slipped into the seat next to Lisa who seemed to be bursting with curiosity. 

“”Why are you late?” she whispered, her eyes glinting with merriment. “Did you guys do it?” she asked in a whisper. Andrea looked shocked and gave her an exasperated look. 

“Are you out of your mind? I woke up late and I have no idea when he left. We were sleeping in separate rooms last night. And we fought as well. So please don’t form ideas in your head,” she explained angrily. Lisa giggled but soon her face paled when Superman II walked into their class. What was he doing here? She didn’t know his name and didn’t have the courage to ask anyone. He had saved her the other day and ever since she had named him Superman II. 

“Good morning, class. Today I will be taking five minutes of yours to discuss a very important issue. Self  Any questions?” asked Superman II. The other students were too stunned to react. 

“I’m Killian Bennett, Third year, Computer Engineering  and a Trainee at NYPD, Specialized Computer Crime Unit,” said Killian, making everyone sit up and give him respect. Lisa’s jaws dropped knowing that her Superman II was indeed that and much more. He was a cop in the making. Andrea glanced at her friend and nudged her. 

“You’re staring, Lisa and close your mouth up. He’s staring back at you,” she whispered to her friend. Lisa looked down at her hands nervously. With her heart hammering in her chest. She was sure that the whole class could hear it. 

“So, I’ve been observing a lot of you being bullied lately by your seniors. Of course, this isn’t anything new in college but at Steven Brooks, we want to get rid of it permanently. Today I’ll give you a few tips on how to save yourself under extreme circumstances,” he started. They all listened to him with avid interest. He explained everything very well. His body language, his confidence, his knowledge, everything seemed to impress the young freshman students very much.

“I’m conducting a workshop on this to train those of you who are interested in basic self defense. It’s absolutely free of cost. Contact me for details,” he said turning to leave. Then his eyes sought Lisa’s from amongst the whole lot and he stopped in his tracks. 

“Lisa, see me after your classes. I need your phone number so that I can enroll you. I think you and your friend need it the most,” he said, before striding out of the classroom. Lisa and Andrea were left dumbfounded and looked at one another. What just happened? Did he ask for Lisa’s phone number out of all the people present in the classroom? Everyone gave her jaw dropped stares and Lisa wanted to just hide from all the attention she was receiving.

“Did you hear that? He wants your number,” whispered Andrea.

“Just to enroll me in his workshop,” she pointed out. Andrea shook her head.

“I don’t think it’s only that,” she told her friend. The professor walked into the class and apologized for being late. Apparently he was busy in a meeting with the Dean. Classes continued and soon they forgot about Aries and Killian but did they forget the two girls? 

“I want you to help me in the workshop, dude,” Killian said to Aries. They both trained at the gym together and went for MMA classes during the weekends. Aries enhanced his skills in New York in Killian’s company. When he lived in Houston, Denver and the others pulled him along to the club where they used to train. 

“Sure,” said Aries. It wasn’t something new to him. 

“Say, there’s a vacancy at our Unit. Why don’t you join us, Aries? You’d be a very good cop indeed with your intelligence as well as your computer skills,” suggested Killian.

“I’ll think about it,” said Aries. He wanted to start a multinational software development company. The world of Crime and investigation did not interest him at all but he didn’t want to disappoint his friend. 

The whole morning he didn’t get the opportunity to see Andrea and talk to her. When they finally got free, they rushed to the cafeteria to fill their stomachs. “I just remembered that I skipped my breakfast today,” said Killian, munching his sandwich. Then he looked at Aries with interest.

“I heard that you took that girl home with you last night after a fight broke out at the dorm rooms?” asked Killian

“Where did you hear it from?” asked Aries. 

“Everyone is talking about it, dude. They’re making up stories about the two of you,” said Killian. Aries looked at him with shock. 

“What stories? I just saved the girl,” he said in defense. Killian shrugged and continued to eat. 

“They think that you’re whipped with her and taking advantage of her. They’re spreading rumors that you’re playing with her,” said Killian. Aries frowned and felt disgusted by the rumors but he didn’t want to unnecessarily stress himself. If he didn’t react, they would die down in a short time. 

“Let them say what they want. It doesn’t bother me. They’re just jealous,” said Aries. The rest of their friends joined them and they soon forgot the topic. Caleb and Vera had bunked college and gone out to a movie instead. Aries noted that Caleb lately wasn’t focusing on his studies at all. His entire time was spent in pleasing Vera and doing things she wanted to do. His best friend had completely changed. 

Suddenly an upset Andrea stomped towards his table and they all looked up at her with surprise. “Aries, I need to talk to you,” she said, her eyes and nose were red and watery as if she had been crying. Aries groaned inwardly. He had been reduced to a babysitter literally.

“What happened now?” he asked with concern. 

“Fred, Simon and Celina are calling me names. Please come out, I can’t say it in front of everyone,” said a very upset Andrea. Aries sighed and got up. He led her away and leaned in to listen to her. 

“Tell me,” he asked patiently. 

“Aries, what exactly did you tell everyone regarding us? Everyone is saying bad things to me. They’re saying dirty things about us,” said Andrea looking extremely agitated and worked up. 

“I haven’t told anyone anything. Why should I? They’re just trying to get under your skin. If you don’t react it will die down,” said Aries patiently. 

“How can you be so cool about it? They’re calling me a wh*re. Celina pushed me in front of everyone. I would have fallen and hurt myself had it not been for Lisa. Fred said he wanted to know how much I charged for one time. Aries, all this is making me very upset and I’m unable to concentrate on my studies. I feel like dropping everything off and going back to my hometown in Virginia. I’ve battled at home and struggled to come here to study. It means a lot to me, Aries. I can’t take this bullying any longer,” said Andrea as tears fell from her eyes. 

“If it means so much to you, why are you quitting already? Just because of a bunch of idiots? You need to be brave and face them, stand up for yourself,” said Aries, solemnly, feeling bad for the young girl who was just out of school.

“It’s easy to say, Aries. I can’t face them. They keep asking me what we do together. I have to look for accommodation for myself soon,” said Andrea.

“Do you think that if you stay alone, these people will stop bullying you? If you don’t stand up for yourself, they’ll bully you wherever you go,” said Aries. 

“Then what do I do?” asked a bewildered Andrea.