n

n

nEd lowered his head at Adrianna's protest. He didn't know how to convince her, as he knew that no matter what he said, she would only rebel more. It was becoming increasingly difficult for him to send her to her father's place.

nSince college was in full swing, theoretically, it was better that she stayed at the cottage because of its proximity to the college, but it wasn't a practical approach, as leaving her alone at the cottage would only result in her getting into danger. He wondered if he could ask Howard to watch over her for a few days.

nAdrianna reached the college right on time for the first class to start. As usual, Niiya was waiting for her, but today he looked different he was smiling at her foolishly.

nAdrianna tilted her head to the side a little and asked with a frown,

"Niiya, do I look like a clown? You are smiling so stupidly.

"

nNiiya laughed at her cute joke and replied,

"Well, you always look like a clown.

"

nAdrianna puffed her cheeks and sat down beside him.

"You are the one who looks like a clown,

" she said in a low tone after a while as the professor had started teaching.

n

"Don't tell me you couldn't think of a retort just now.,

" Niiya laughed softly at her.

nAdrianna narrowed her eyes and felt like smacking his head, but she had to restrain herself.

nThe professor heard their light banter and he pointed at the duo,

"So, Adrianna, tell us about the applications of ionization enthalpy?

" While asking, he had been walking and had reached their table.

nAdrianna was at a loss of words for she hadn't listened to the professor.

"Sorry Professor, I don't know what you said...

" she answered.

nSome girls started sniggering at her.

n

"She is always talking.

"

n

"She hardly comes to class, and leeches off Niiya's notes all the time.

"

n

"Niiya is too nice. He always looks out for her.

"

n

"Had it not been for Niiya, she probably would have never even passed the internal exams.

"

nThe professor started laughing, and said,

"That's why you should pay–

"

n

"But, one can detect relative reactivity of metals through ionization potentials, and the lower the ionization potential, more reactive the metal,

" she replied before the professor could complete his sentence.

"There are more applications though…

"

nThe professor stopped mid-sentence after he heard Adrianna, and became quiet after that. He walked back to his table and resumed teaching the class.

nAdrianna sat back in her chair, wondering if she had offended the professor. She decided to sit quietly in class for the next hour until the class was over.

nOnce the class was over, they collected their notebooks and bags, and went outside. The sky was clear and the sun was shining brightly. They saw that Okashi was sitting on a stone bench under a tree waiting for them. As soon as she saw them, she shouted,

"Hey! Twit! I am here.

"

nNiiya looked in her direction and threw his book at her for yelling 'twit' so loudly. Okashi ducked, saying,

"Why are you so riled up? I wasn't calling you a twit!

"

nNiiya gritted his teeth, much to Okashi's amusement. She burst out laughing and handed each of them a lunch box that she had bought from the cafeteria.

nWhile eating Niiya said,

"Adrianna, that was one great answer. When did you read about ionization potential? We have barely covered it in class.

"

n

"I read about it when the professor started teaching about it ten days back. It's not my fault that he goes on leave for such long breaks and thinks that his students are dumb,

" responded Adrianna with a shrug.

nNiiya smiled and continued to eat his noodles. Okashi seemed bored of their conversation, so to break it, she asked Adrianna,

"Hey, who was that handsome dude who asked you for a dance?

"

nOkashi was salivating at the thought of him.

nAdrianna felt a pang of jealousy all over again and didn't answer Okashi. Okashi insisted.,

"Come on. Tell me, tell me. He is so hot. That is the kind of guy I am looking for!

"

nNiiya hated to hear about it. He stopped eating and waited for Adrianna's answer with a held breath.

n

"I don't know his name…

" replied Adrianna rather curtly.

nNiiya was happy by her answer and he continued eating, whereas Okashi was a little offended, so she became quiet and ate her noodles in silence.

nAdrianna realized that she was being rude and didn't know how to make it up to her friend. She finished her noodles and rose from her place.

"How about some ice cream Okashi?

" She extended her hand to help pull her up.

nOkashi's smile returned, and she took her hand. As Niiya had also risen to accompany them, Adrianna said,

"Sorry this is only for girls!

" They walked away, leaving Niiya gaping.

nThey left the cafeteria and headed for the admin block of the college to take a quick pitstop, as Okashi had to know about some discrepancy in her tuition fee. They walked across the garden and hopped over the fence in order to get to the main wing rather than taking the road. When they reached the entrance, they saw that there were quite a few girls gathered there, giggling and tittering away.

n