"I don't think I can tolerate that old pig anymore." Kate huffed, speaking of the maths teacher.

"He really is a pain in the ass." Ace supported her statement. Five of us were standing in the corridor busy talking among ourselves when we were interrupted by a very soft , gentle voice.

"Excuse me." My eyes fell on a brunette. She had a tall and thin frame, her brown hair let loose in waves but what was really captivating was her eyes. Her eyes were a beautiful shade of blue.

"Can you tell me the way to the office? It's my first day, so…" She trailed off looking at Avery, a hopeful smile on her face.

"And you're asking your seniors for help ? Risky, isn't it ? I may just be the bully here." Ace grinned at her. I swear this guy could never stop grinning.

But the sound of her chuckle took my breath away. The large and bright smile on her face had me dazed. My lips too were stretched into a lazy stupid smile and I was literally gawking at her. The way her lips curved up into a smile, the way her hair bounced when she nodded to Ace's words, everything about her was so mesmerizing. I strangely wanted only me to make her smile like this.

"Well, I just took the risk." Her voice felt so soothing that I was tempted to hear more of her.

"I will take you to the office. " I volunteered and for the first time she looked at me. Her eyes roamed about my face . She was taking her own sweet time in checking me out. When her eyes met mine, I smirked , having caught her but instead of being embarrassed, she gave me a shy smile causing my smirk to drop.

She was so fucking beautiful!

"I'm sure only telling her the directions to the office will do. You don't have to take her there." Ace smirked at me teasingly while others looked strangely at me. I normally never really showed any interest in any girl.

I glared at him for his unnecessary comment. I felt her eyes go from my face to Ace's and then back at me like she was contemplating her decision.

"I think it will be nice." She smiled at me and I unknowingly smiled back.

"Did he really just smile at her ?" Ace gasped. This guy!

Shooting him a glare, I started leading her to the office. I had my hands thrusted inside my pockets, a strange nervousness settling in. Why? I didn't know. After some seconds she decided to break the uncomfortable silence between us.

"Why did he say that? Do you not smile at any girl?" I blinked, unsure of what I should say. Now what was I supposed to say? I just shrugged, accepting the statement.

"That means you're rude." I clicked my tongue in annoyance. This definitely wasn't the impression I wanted her to have of me.

"No , Ace just said anything that came to his mind. It's not like that . I do smile at them— girl — I mean girls. Always." I frowned at myself not knowing what I was even speaking. I always smile at girls!? What am I, a clown ?

"You always smile at girls? You mean you smile at every girl you see?" I halted in my steps and turned to look at her. This was getting worse. Ace really had to screw this up for me !

"No . Not at all. I mean not always—sometimes. I mean—" Her chuckle cut my rumbling off.

"Relax ! I was kidding. Your face though!" I scratched my neck, embarrassed. Why was I so damn nervous? I was eighteen crying out loud!

"By the way thank you for helping me uhm..." she trailed off for me to fill in once we were outside the office.

"Evan. Evan Lewis." I put my hand forward for a shake. She brought her dainty hand forward and shook my hand, flashing a large dazzling smile at me.

"Braelyn Taylor."

………………...

"Evan? Are you fine?" Ryan's voice broke my chain of thoughts. I hadn't realised when I had zoned him off.

"Yeah. Absolutely." I poured the whiskey in the glass . Bringing it to my lips, I gulped it down, the liquor burning its way down.

"Are you sure you want this ? Do you really want to see her?" He looked at me with furrowed eyebrows,skeptical of my decision.

"Of course I am. And I ain't taking over a company for her. She is not that important to me." I chugged down the rest of the drink before slamming the glass on the counter.

"Sure. Whatever you say." I couldn't care less about the sarcastic tone of his words, not now at least when I was high on past memories, hurt and past betrayal.

……………..