Chapter Two

Trinity chuckled watching Kehlani toss another squeezed paper into the trash can, a frown marred her very beautiful features. It was kind of funny watching ‘Cambridge Legend’ fumble over something so easy.

 She had met Kehlani at a workers retreat years ago, though they hadn’t been workers. She had been there to interview some distinguished guests present that day, while Kehlani was in charge of doing a review of the retreat. She and Kehlani hadn’t immediately clicked, especially with Kehlani calling her a ‘Color accident’ and sincerely Kehlani was intimidating.

 Kehlani was perfection, always calm, collected and everything under her was nothing less than perfect and then she suspected Kehlani of being a ‘Witch’, she was just so creepy. And then Kehlani won the writing and creativity competition the school organizes, three times in a row. Her interest in Miss Perfect increased. Everyone adored her, boys literally bowed at her feet and the lecturers all adored and respected her. She soon began stalking Miss Perfect hoping to get some nice scoop on the ‘Cambridge Legend’ for the school newspaper but instead she made a friend. Because that day, when she had seen her in the park, Kehlani hadn’t been feeding some pigeons like she imagined, Kehlani had been crying in the deserted park.

 That day she had taken another look at Kehlani, finally seeing the imperfections she had refused to notice. Starting from the freckles rested right above her nose to her home.

 She glanced at Kehlani and found her already staring. She flashed Kehlani a small smile but the smile was gone as fast as it appeared, as Kehlani lips quivered, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears. She quickly shot up her feet, rushing to her friend.

 Kehlani had her head against the table, her body shaking violently. Trinity bit on her lower lip, caressing her friend’s back cursing herself for having no comforting words for the moment.

 “Let it all out honey. It will be fine.” She cooed, squatting before her friend pulled her into a tight hug.

                                ……….

 Trinity and Kehlani both sat by the balcony, in silence staring up at the sky. It was at the tip of Trinity’s tongue to ask about earlier, but she knew Kehlani she’d just blame it on her period like she always does.

 She glanced at Kehlani who was now focused on whatever she was typing down on her phone, her hair shielding her face.

 “Trinity” Kehlani called her attention still on her phone.

She hummed in response.

“You know not all love story ends with a happy ending”

 Trinity gave her words some thoughts. “Yes but then again a little more effort can change that upside down smile into an upright one”

 Kehlani chuckled. “You always see everything in bright light Trinity”

 “And you Kehlani refuse to see pass the clouds”

 Then the silence again, then she realized she got Kehlani thinking and probably reconsidering.

 Jackpot, she smirked, taking a sip from her glass of cold mango juice letting the cold tropical drink perform wonders.

 New plan, she thought. Get Kehlani a life aside from the one she has burying her head down every time.

……………………………..

 Kehlani tensed as Trinity waved at a familiar person as he walked into the library. She should have known something wasn’t right when Trinity offered to come with her to the school library and without having to do any convincing. Especially with the way Trinity had been so focused on her after their conversation yesterday.

  She recognized who Trinity waved at as ‘Cambridge Super Nerd’ Hardin McDonald. He was well known for his smartness, although he was called a nerd he looked nothing like one. He looked taller up close, looking really good in a blue shirt folded up his sleeves and well ironed tailored trousers, with a matching black sneaker.

 Hardin smiled at Trinity.

Holy cow, he was coming this way and for some reason looking at her. She rubbed her arm anxiously pinching her skin to see if this was some crazy dream, but nope she’s awake.

 Sweet mother of Cambridge this hunk was really smiling at her.

 Oh no she was freaking out. She gulped down nothing, digging her fingers into her palm. Remember calm and collected, she told herself but as soon as Hardin got before her desk her plans went out the window.

 “Certainly Kehlani standards” 

 She heard Trinity squeak. She frowned trying to process what Trinity said but her brain went completely blank when her eyes met with Hardin’s who flashed her a knee weakening smile.

“Hey Kehlani,” Hardin greeted, settling down across from her.

  She screamed mentally. Hardin freaking fucking knew her God damn name.

“Hey Hardin” Trinity responded when she was quiet for too long.

 Hardin kept looking at her expectantly. 

 “Hello” She forced herself to say looking anywhere but at him.

 Trinity chuckled. “Great. Gotta go”

 Her eyes widened. Did Trinity say go? As in, leave her alone with this perfect guy?

 Trinity placed a quick peck on her right cheek, before rising to her feet.

 “No Tri…” She started, already panicking. But too late Trinity disappeared behind the large bookshelves.

 She almost cried. That color accident had set her up. She rubbed her sweaty palms against the surface of her dress. Does she look okay?

 “One minute” She told Hardin, picking up her phone she quickly clicked on Trinity’s number.

 “Trinity, help me please” 

She typed hurriedly, hitting the second button.

The reply came almost immediately. “Sorry sunshine, but you got to get a life. Have fun and I love you”

 She read the reply over and over and almost busted into tears, if not for the dude before her she actually would have.

“Are you okay? You went pale” Hardin asked, actually looking concerned.

 She dropped the phone and managed to force a smile.

“Yes. Thanks for asking” Thankfully she didn’t stutter.

 Hardin smiled at her then grabbed the book on top of the book pile on the table between them.

“Trinity told me you were having trouble with this morning topics and asked if I could help”

 She was going to skin Trinity or maybe knives would do, but either ways work.

 “Actually I got it handled” She said not wanting to look like a dummy and besides she had a reputation to keep up.

“Oh” Hardin's face fell.

 Is something wrong?

“So I should be going then?” Hardin asked with what seemed like a forced smile.

“No you can stay,” She asked hurriedly. “I wouldn’t mind the company”

Hardin smiled then. “Great” 

 He glanced down at the book in his hand then opened it. It took about two minutes to go from admiring Hardin to recognizing the book with him. Too late he was reading it, reading her failure of a prologue.  

 “Wow this is nice and different” Hardin finally said looking up.

 She raised a brow at him doubtfully.

“Nothing like your usual but it’s great, giving some tragic ending vibes though”

 “Is it that obvious?”

He raised a brow at her, studying her keenly. “You know Kehlani happy ending do exist”

 She looked away from him. “Yeah of course,” She muttered nonchalantly.

 “So you have any plans tonight?”

 She nodded. “Sleeping over at Trinity for…” She trailed off, interrupted by her phone vibrating against the table.

She glanced at her lit up phone and make out some words from the notification bar like, ‘canceled and free for tonight’

 Maybe she should feed Trinity to lions, she thought. She glanced at Hardin, staring expectantly at her.

 “Did Trinity put you up for this? Is she forcing you?” She asked suspiciously.

 Hardin frowns, a confused look on his face. “No, is anything wrong?”

 She sighs. “I’m free tonight it seems”

Hardin smiled, surprising her when he reached for her hands rested on the table and gave it a little squeeze. His hands were firm and warm.

“You won’t regret this I promise” Hardin told her, and then he dropped her hands after giving it another squeeze. “See you after school”

 She watched him leave without sparing her any glances. Once he was out of sight, she sighed deeply, finally breathing properly.

                                ……….

 Kehlani tried to suppress her smile as she shoved more beef into her mouth savoring the taste, just as she likes it a bit salty. Today with Hardin had been fun, more fun than she had expected, and although she had been tense and extra cautious, she allowed herself to have some fun. 

Hardin had been gentle with her and so keen on finding out what she liked and is capable of besides writing tragic ending novels. And the real surprise was, when he kept telling her she was beautiful every chance he got, and although she doubted it.

 He had dropped her home around seven, and she hadn’t been so sure her parents were in since everywhere was dead quiet when she had stepped into the house.

 “So Kehlani, who was that boy that dropped you off?”