The following day, a few hours after class ended, Nicholas and Adeline decided to dawdle around the campus while waiting for Jacob and Molly to come back from the nearby park.
"Where's Ella? I thought that she'd always come whenever we're together." Adeline rubbed her neck, swaying slightly.
"Her schedule's quite hectic lately." Nicholas looked at the sky. "Why? You jealous?"
"I-I was just asking! She just might misunderstand us again."
"She always does. She lacks trust in me."
"Maybe I should just—"
"You're not the one at fault here. Let her be." Nicholas patted her back. "She'll get used to it soon."
Adeline glanced at him, her eyes tight and worried. "I want you guys to have a healthy relationship. I don't want to be the cause of your break up."
"As long as we give her some time to adjust, everything will be—"
Without even letting him finish what he was saying, Adeline rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. "Let me rest for a while. It's been a long time since we've done this."
Nicholas titled his head. "Aren't you apprehensive about doing this? Are you taking the opportunity?"
Adeline shook her head. "I don't always get the chance though. She's quite grumpy when I'm around."
"Hey, I'm sorry if I kept my relationship with her a secret. I just wasn't ready to tell you yet."
"Didn't you apologize already? It's better than being mendacious."
"Was that the reason why you were acting unusual last month?"
"Haven't I told you—"
"That day when you told me the reason why you started acting different, you lied to me didn't you?"
Adeline stood up. "D-Don't you trust me? Why would I keep the anger to myself?"
Nicholas held her arm. "If you're not comfortable with Ella, I could just break—"
"Are you out of your mind? You're going to end your relationship with her just because of me? We're just friends, Nic!"
"I thought that'd make you feel better..."
"Like I said, I am only a childhood friend. If you break up with her, you'll regret it soon enough."
"If I had to be honest, I started feeling irritated ever since the day she came back from abroad. Almost everyday, we would brawl about trust issues. It's becoming a weekly thing."
As soon as Adeline heard that, she didn't know how to feel nor react. Should she rejoice at the fact that they often fought or should she just be bothered about it? At that moment, she wanted to tell him how she felt, but something hindered her from doing so.
Everyone knew that Nicholas treated her differently compared to other women, but did it mean that he had feelings for her too?
"It's really infuriating when you date someone like her." Nicholas leaned back on the bench.
Adeline held his arm. "Nic, sometimes when you love someone you will get tired of them, too many fights, misunderstandings and arguments, but the time will come where you will realize that all of the sacrifices and tiredness will make your relationship stronger."
"You seem to know a lot. Do you already have someone that you like?" Nicholas smirked.
"N-No, I don't. My standards are high." Adeline smiled while the voice in her head thought, "Its you, stupid! Isn't it obvious?"
"What's your ideal type then?"
"Someone who's sweet and loyal."
"Am I not?" Nicholas brought his face closer. "Do I not meet your standards?"
"I've spent my whole life waiting for you, you fool," Adeline thought.
"Are you still denying it?" Nicholas asked.
"We-Well, you still lack something and I won't tell you what it is."
"Why? Your shy??
"O-Of course not! Why would I be shy of a guy who's already taken?"
"It doesn't matter if I have a girlfriend or not. I'm just curious."
"I'll tell you." Adeline beckoned. "You might be surprised if I say it out loud."