"What the hell do you think you're doing!?" I whisper yelled at CYNRIC! He was following me here too!? What if one of my brothers caught me with him!? I will be interrogated and the whole world knows that I'm the worst liar on the planet!

"You don't leave me no choice! I tried calling you a heck number of times! I thought something happened to you!" I was taken aback by his explanation. I thought he was stalking me...

"Then I saw all of you rushing out and knew something was wrong. I don't know the details but I'm glad you're alright." The revelation hit me hard. He was here because he was concerned for me, not because he was stalking me...?

"Well, my grandpa isn't keeping well— wait, why am I telling you all this? I'm leaving." I said and tried to turn away. But he grabbed my wrist and dragged me into the storage room discreetly!

"Amy, please hear me out. I'm- I'm losing my mind. I- I don't know what to do with my life anymore since you left me like that. My body isn't even listening to me." He stuttered out, which was so unusual for him.

He pointed down to his pants and I was disgusted by his leaking bulge.

"That's that effect you have on me, Amy. I'm going crazy, trust me. I even flunked several tests because all I could do was think about you." My eyes softened for him.

"Cynric, you're going through something which is beyond my understanding. You need mental health support. You're not mad or psychotic, you're just incredibly stressed and a little too attached to me. Get help, please. I'm wishing you luck." Saying, I tried to walk past him but he hugged me from behind with shaking hands.

"I'm...I'm scared, Amy. I need you to heal me, please. There's no other doctor or psychiatrist who can heal me but you. I promise I'll be fine if you just let me be your lover."

"I'm...just as scared as you are right now," I revealed after him, in a slow voice. Realization dawned on him as he stuttered again,

"I'm so sorry, oh my god. I didn't mean it—" The metal sound of the nail hitting the ground made me flinch. We both didn't realize when he even picked it up from the storage.

"You scared me..." I turned around and broke down crying. Cynric hugged me. At that point, with whatever was going on with me, I needed that hug. Cynric's hugs were always so warm and tender. Like the autumn was personified and was hugging me tenderly with world full of affection.

"Shush..." I tried to calm him but really, I was calming myself down.

"Please leave me for the sake of yourself, Cynric. You're hurting yourself."

"I'm fine with it." I closed my eyes briefly. I really, really couldn't understand him.

"Why are you so...persistent? Why do you want to court me so hard? What do I ...make you feel?" The questions came out one after the other. I wanted answers from him. Staying in the position, he caressed my hair and told me,

"I'm persistent because I'm in love with you, and I want to court you so you'll love me back. And you...make me feel like I'm on top of the world."

Something about his genuineness moved me to tears again. I hugged him tighter, but the actions that followed contradicted my mind.

I leaned back, looking into his darkened and bloodshot blue eyes. They're so oceanic like they're filled with melancholy. The pupils are just inchcapes.

I got on my tippy toes and pecked his lips. The moment lasted for a brief second, and I pulled myself back.

"Ha..." I exhaled, my eyes were still closed.

"I- I love you too..."

****

After what happened in the storage room, I ran back to room 304 without refreshments. I washed my face in the bathroom, Crystal was standing behind me.

"Babe, are you okay? Something happened there?"

"No. Its nothing. I- I forgot my wallet. Can we go together?" I asked and walked back out. There, we watched as Dane and Nick were talking about something with seriousness.

"I don't understand. The test results are out and our class lost a high ranker. The teacher is going bonkers on this guy." At once, my heart dropped.

"What's happening?" I asked Nick.

"So the guy we compete with? He did so shit this exam season and our class is being punished for losing the streak. The professor is close to quitting because of that loser. Dumbfuck." Nick had his hand resting on his waist as he cursed this person out. In my head, I started dotting the events.

"Is this guy...Cynric?" I asked to confirm.

"Yes." Dane was pissed as he growled out. I took a deep breath in. Maybe, i should talk to Cynric and lift his spirits. Nick and Dane told me that he was being chewed out by the entire class. I can't imagine the pressure put on him.

But isn't that his fault anyway? He was too invested in me and caused harm to himself, yet again.

Thus Christmas is just filled with chaos at this point. Ugh!

I pulled my phone out and texted Cynric in anger.

-Look, whatever is going on with you is starting to affect others too now. Better bring yourself back up. Or I'm going to see you as a loser.-

Texting the harsh words and spitting in his soup, I joined Crystal to get the food.

After awhile as we were gathered in grandpa's room, we heard Nick sighing at his screen again.

"Ugh, the dumbfuck agreed to taking a retest for his scores. I didn't believe he'd take it, given his shitty attitude."

"Maybe our words affected him. He might be a jerk but he's human too." Winter retorted with Nick as he fell silent. When I lifted my gaze up, Dane had an indifferent look on his face as he looked at Winter. His eyes were speaking to her, but Winter wasn't listening...