NO,ADRIAN NOT AGAIN
Adrian's POV
After dropping Elena home, I reached my place. It was around 8 p.m.
I threw myself on the couch, scrolling through my phone when Rowan walked in, fixing the strings on his guitar — like he always does when he wants to say something but doesn't know how to start.
I looked up at him.
"You wanna talk about something?" I asked.
He shrugged. "Not really… but I wanted to ask you something."
"What?"
He looked everywhere except at me, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Are you, um… dating someone again?"
I frowned. "Why are you asking that?"
He hesitated before saying, "I saw a girl in your car today… you were putting bandages on her foot."
"Oh, that." I leaned back. "She's my classmate. She got hurt, so I helped her out. Nothing else."
Rowan smirked. "Oh really? Just helping her, huh?"
I threw a pillow straight at his face. "Shut up."
He started laughing. I couldn't help but chuckle too.
"Anyway," I said, "you're doing pretty great yourself. Girls literally buzz around you like bees."
He grinned proudly. "Well, that's true. I even have a fan club, you know? Full of girls… and a few guys too— the gay ones." He burst out laughing again.
I rolled my eyes. "Now I get why you don't have one specific girlfriend."
He waved his hands in protest. "Hey, no, no— I'm not gay! It's just… none of them are really my type."
"Whatever, Romeo," I said dryly. "Where's Mom?"
"She's at her college fest. Said she'll be late. Told us to cook or order something."
"Fine, order dinner," I muttered.
He jumped a little. "Yes! Pizza!"
"No. Absolutely not. Order normal food," I said firmly. "You already eat too much junk."
"Ugh, you're such a health freak," he groaned.
"Yeah, yeah, do whatever you want," I replied, half-smiling.
We ate dinner, argued over toppings, and eventually went to our rooms.
I changed, lay on my bed, and was about to fall asleep when my phone buzzed.
It was a message from an unknown number.
[Hey, it's Elena.
Just wanted to say thanks… for helping me today.]
I stared at the message for a second.
And without even realizing it, a small smile appeared on my face.
Then I froze.
What the hell are you smiling for, Adrian?
"Don't make the same mistake twice," I muttered to myself and put my phone aside.
Within minutes, I drifted off to sleep.
The next morning came slower than usual.
Sunlight slipped in through the half-closed blinds — sharp and lazy at the same time. I blinked twice before grabbing my phone. 8:42 a.m.
Great. Another late start.
I sat up, rubbing my eyes, and reached for my phone again.
Elena's message from last night was still there.
Right. I forgot to colse my phone to home screen.
I didn't think much about it and got up to freshen up quickly. After fixing my messy hair in front of the mirror, I headed downstairs for breakfast.
Mom had just placed a plate on the table when I entered.
"You're home early, Mom. When did you get back?" I asked, sitting down.
She smiled tiredly. "Late — around 3 a.m. There were some issues at the fest, it took longer than expected to fix things."
"And Dad? He's still on his office trip?"
"Yeah," she sighed, pouring me coffee. "He didn't mention when he'll return. Now eat fast, or you'll be late again."
On the couch, Rowan was busy fixing his guitar strings.
I took a sip of coffee and glanced at him. "By the way, what were you doing yesterday at that place — when you saw me and Elena?"
He looked up briefly. "Oh, that. I went there to get my guitar string repaired. There's a shop nearby."
I just nodded, not saying much after that.
After breakfast, I grabbed my car keys and drove off to school.
[After reaching achool ]
The classroom was the same as always — half the students solving problems, some gossiping, and others scrolling through their phones.
Mr. Elias Grant, our math teacher, was explaining something on the board.
Mike sat behind me, scribbling in his notebook, while Jaiz was busy showing him random reels.
I turned my head slightly, my eyes landing on the seat beside the window.
Empty.
She wasn't here.
Should I ask them if she's coming today?
Before I could say anything, Mike spoke up from behind.
"Elena's not coming today," he said casually. "She got hurt yesterday — her leg's swollen pretty bad."
I just nodded, trying not to react.
The classes went by slowly. During lunch, I was sitting with Tyler as usual when he smirked and said,
"So... I heard you and Elena were together yesterday after school. That your 'important work,' huh?"
Oh, crap. How does he know that?
I frowned. "No, man. She fell down near the place whereI had gone and I saw her sitting on the road and crying so I just helped her. That's it. Nothing else."
Tyler raised an eyebrow. "Then why does Rowan say otherwise?"
God, this guy never shuts up.
Before I could reply, someone called my name from behind.
I turned around — a girl stood there, holding a small envelope with hearts printed on it, a box of heart-shaped chocolates, and a bouquet of roses.
Oh, wow. Am I getting proposals now.
She took a deep breath and said, "Adrian, I... I like you. Will you be my Boyfriend?"
I froze.
Half the cafeteria turned to look.
"Look, I'm not interested in any of this. Please, go back," I said firmly, but she stepped closer again.
I stood up, annoyed, and began to leave with Tyler, but she followed us out.
"This is ridiculous," I muttered.
Tyler chuckled. "Relax, I'll handle this. You go."
He turned back to talk to her, but even he couldn't stop her — she started following me again.
I was about to lose my patience when suddenly, someone pulled me by the wrist from behind a wall and dragged me into an empty classroom.
It was a girl — someone I'd seen before in class.
She said,
"Hi. I'm Chloe. Chloe Valerio."
I frowned, confused.
"I can help you get rid of her... but you have to be friends with me in return."
I looked down at her hand still holding mine mine, then stepped back.
"I don't do friendship with girls so don't waste your time."
She tilted her head. "Why not? If Elena can be your friend, why can't I? I'm richer, prettier, and my fashion sense is better than hers."
I clenched my jaw. "Elena is not my friend," I said, voice dropping low.
"But I saw you both together yesterday—"
"Think whatever you want," I cut her off. "Just stay away from me."
Her eyes welled up, but I walked out without turning back.
In the washroom, I splashed water on my face, trying to calm down.
Mike was there too.
"Bro, what's up? You look done with life," he laughed slightly.
I shook my head. "Man, what's wrong with this place? Do people here not see anyone else? Why is everyone behind me?"
Mike burst out laughing. "Because you're like honey, dude. And they're all bees. Chill — it's normal here."
I couldn't help but smile a little at that.
Afternoon classes dragged on. Just as I was packing up to leave, Jaiz ran in, breathless.
"Mike!" she shouted.
"What happened?" he asked.
"It's Elena… she's in the hospital."
"What?!" Mike's eyes widened. "What happened to her?!"
Jaiz was already halfway out the door. "Just get the car — I'll explain on the way!"
They both rushed out.
I just stood there for a moment, frozen.
A strange panic rose inside me — the kind I hadn't felt in years.
I wanted to go with them, but something stopped me.
Even on the way home, my thoughts were a mess.
Tyler kept talking, but I wasn't listening.
"Yo, dude — what's wrong? You seem lost."
"Nothing," I lied.
After dropping him off, I drove home.
Restless. Uneasy.
I opened my phone, typed a message to Elena — Are you okay? — but then deleted it.
Why was I even thinking about her this much?
By 10 p.m., I couldn't take it anymore.
I remembered the hospital's name from when Jaiz had mentioned it earlier.
Without overthinking, I grabbed my car keys.
Mom saw me leaving.
"Where are you going at this hour?"
"A friend's hospitalized. Just checking in," I said.
"Alright, but don't be too late — dinner's getting cold."
"Yeah, I'll be quick."
At the hospital, the receptionist told me to her ward.
She was asleep — peaceful, her breathing steady.
I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
A nurse nearby told me her ankle was fractured but nothing serious — the doctor had advised full bed rest.
I nodded silently and walked back toward the parking lot.
Driving home, I kept thinking —
What's happening to me?
Why am I feeling this way?
No, Adrian. Stop it.
You're not doing this again.
Just focus on your studies. That's it.
I reached home, ate quietly, and lay down on my bed.
But even before I could finish that thought — sleep pulled me under.
----------------