SIX YEARS AGO
~~~
Ashley was a marketing student majoring Retails and Fashion Design. She was in her second year in college when she got to meet her first love, Zeke Ackerman.
Zeke was a senior engineering student at that time and because their building was just right across from each other, Ashley often got a chance to see her crush. Zeke, at that time, was in a relationship with the campus' belle, Celine Avelarde. But that did not stop Ashley from having a big fat crush on him.
"Look who's here? Migo!"
Alliyah beamed the moment she spotted her boyfriend.
"And guess who he was with, no other than, your Mr. Dream Boy."
The other party added afterward and deliberately whispered right next to Ashley's ear to tease her. Alliyah and Ashley were bosom buddies so it only goes without saying how the girl knew for a fact that her good friend was totally head over heel to Zeke.
Before Ashley could even react, Alliyah already pulled her towards the direction where the two guys were.
"Hey, sweetie."
Alliyah greeted Migo the moment she got close to him then she leaned closer to give the other party a kiss on the cheek.
"Would you mind introducing us to your friend right there?"
Alliyah insinuated and Migo was more than willing to comply.
"Sure, babe." He muttered before turning to Zeke.
"By the way, this is Alliyah, my girlfriend. I used to mention her a lot to you before, remember?"
Migo started introducing his girl first then he gestured to Ashley afterward and added,
"While this girl, on the other hand, is her friend, Ash."
"Nice to meet you guys."
Zeke replied with a slight nod of his head. The guy did not even bother to smile at them, let alone cast a look in their direction. Nonetheless, the fact that she heard the other party's voice was enough to send butterflies to Ashley's stomach.
"Anyway, got to go, Bro. I still have things to do."
Zeke clasped Migo on his shoulder before excusing himself. He left right after that and Ashley watched his departing figure with her eyes that almost turned into a heart shape.
"Now, tell me you still like that snob after experiencing how aloof he was first hand."
Migo commented as soon as Zeke was out of earshot. One glance was all it takes for him to tell whether a girl was infatuated with his friend or not, and Ashley definitely belonged to the majority of the female population that was bewitched by Zeke's charm.
"That is part of his charm."
Ashley replied without tearing her eyes away from Zeke's back.
"You are hopeless."
Migo muttered under his breath while shaking his head, but then Alliyah butted in.
"You can never be so sure about that. I heard from the Art Department that his relationship with Celine was drifting apart."
"Is that for real?!"
Ashley's lit up when she heard her friend's word.
"I can never be more certain."
Alliyah replied with a wink.
"I have enough of Celine!"
Zeke blurted out just in time as Migo passed him another glass of whiskey.
"That girl is nothing but an empty-head spoiled brat."
The other party added before downing another shot of the liquor at one go.
The two of them were having a boy's night out at Migo's place. His parents were often working abroad so most of the time, Migo was left alone in the big house. So after hearing the news from Alliyah, Migo decided to invite Zeke to have a blast with him.
He wanted to distract his friend in case he was heartbroken. But, at the same time, he also wanted to know the score between Zeke and his girlfriend. Because he knew for sure that such juicy news would earn him some brownie points to Alliyah.
"So does that mean you are breaking up with her?"
Migo asked Zeke after the other party finished his drink.
"We are never ever getting back together."
"Oh geez, man. Don't tell me you are a swiftie."
Migo commented in order to make light of the situation because he could already see the veins popping at Zeke's temple as he spoke.
But when Zeke heard him, he only glared at him and said,
"Shut up, dude."
"Anyway, move on, dude. It was not like Celine would cry over you. No offense meant, bro. But she is not that kind of girl. We both know how many suitors were lining just to get a chance to date her."
"Well, they can have her for all I care!"
Zeke snapped but Migo did not buy that.
"I don't think so..."
He made it seemed like he was only talking to himself but he spoke loud enough to be heard by Zeke.
"I am telling you, I am over her. I won't be tolerating any of her antics anymore. Not a chance!"
Zeke tried to convince his friend to believe his words. However, the more he spoke, the more it seemed like it was himself that he was trying to convince.
"She is a playgirl."
There was unmistakable pain at the edge of his voice when he said those next words.
"I thought you don't care about that? Did you not told me before that you don't really like her and you just dated her because she is famous and being in a relationship with her would win you more votes for the pageant?"
Frankly speaking, Zeke did not love Celine. However, it was the fact that he caught Celine cheating with him that made him angry. It hurt his pride as a man.
He only used the girl for some publicity because he was aiming for the scholarship offer that came with the pageant once he was crowned the King of the Campus.
As expected being a couple with the reigning 'Queen of the Campus' helped Zeke won the crown of his own. They were dubbed as a royal couple of the campus. But that did not mean anything to Zeke.
All he cared about was the scholarship grant that came with winning the school pageant. Because that would mean that he no longer have to worry about paying his tuition.