Wow, 30 chapters completed! This is the last chapter in the year 1 series, i will be writing the
second and third years soon but it might take sometime as school comes first. Enough talk, here's
the last chapter!

Chapter 30: for now

Eden took a last look at his room. He would only enter the room again three months later.

Chad was already waiting outside his door. “Ready?” Eden nodded and pulled his luggage

towards the other boy. “We still have to wait for Kev.” At the mention of his name, Kevin

rushed up to the two, lugging two suitcases with him. “I overslept.” He explained, wiping

the perspiration from his forehead. “By the way, could you guys help me carry my stuff down?”

“No, why can’t you carry your own junk?” Chad asked. He was not too keen on the idea of

dragging three cases six floor down. Eden grinned and nudged Chad with his elbow, “Don’t

you remember? He has to carry Alicia’s luggage down for her.” A smile lit up Chad’s face; he

wagged his finger at Kevin “Now that you mention it, yes! He has to wait on her till school

ends in return for making her drink that stuff.” Kevin blushed, clearly remembering the night

Alicia had tackled him to the ground and then sat on him, refusing to get off until he told

her what ‘help’ she had provided them to win the track meet. “I’d never betray Eden!” he

had shouted to which she replied, “You just did. I’ll keep pulling out strands of your hair

until you tell me the truth!” and with that, she pulled out a single strand. He screamed and

struggled to get up but she threatened to yank out more if he moved. “Stop, okay, okay, I’ll

talk, just stop. ” He whimpered. Kevin scowled at Eden and Chad who were smirking at him.

He folded his arms; they’d gotten off easily, all she said to them was that she was

disappointed that they’d sink so low. Eden and Chad had bowed their heads, making of great

show of deep remorse and promising never to do it again. Kevin however, was forced to be

her personal butler until the school ended. So far he’d carried all her books, served her

lunch everyday and ran her errands for her. “Shut up! Are you helping me or not?” They stopped

laughing and looked at him before answering in union “NOT!” “Oh come on, you don’t expect

me to carry three cases down?” They pretended not to hear him. “I’ll give you ten bucks.”

Chad shook his head “Thirty.” “Both?” Kevin smiled expectantly at them. Eden returned the smile

“No, per person.” “That’s daylight robbery!” “Take it or leave it.” Kevin muttered under his

breath as he reached for his wallet.

~~~~~~~

The room looked void of life once Alicia had cleared up the mess. She ran her fingers along the

edge of the sofa, storing a mental image of the view before her. Alicia glanced down at her

watch; Kevin was supposed to be here ten minutes ago. She clicked her tongue impatiently and

tucked her fringe behind her ear. “Hey.” Ulric was leaning against the frame of the door. She

had left it open for Kevin. “Oh, hi.” “Why did you need to see me?” he asked. “I kinda need

another favour from you. Could you help me carry Peanut Butter out?” Ulric raised an eyebrow

“In my shirt I presume?” she nodded “Unless you have any brighter ideas?” Ulric shook his head.

They looked at one another in silence, both wanting to say so much but not knowing how to. “I-”

they began. They laughed nervously and Ulric motioned for her to speak first. She stepped closer

to him, flushing slightly “I just wanted to know if you were the one who wrote me that note.”

She paused and turned her gaze on him “Were you?” she said softly, her eyes burning into his.

Ulric felt his pulse quicken, he had to tell her the truth. He took a deep breath and opened his

mouth, “Alicia,” he said slowly “I think I’m in-” “I’m here!” Kevin yelled, shoving Ulric out of

the way. “With you.” Ulric finished lamely. “Where’s the stuff?” Kevin asked Alicia, looking

round her room. She sighed, “You really have great timing, you know that?” “But of course!”

Kevin answered happily, oblivious to the sarcasm in her words and tone. He grabbed her luggage

and dragged it out of the room. “What on earth did you pack in here? Weights?” they heard

Kevin’s voice echo along the hallway. “We better get going.” Ulric picked up the kitten and

tucked it inside his blazer. He left the room. Alicia started at the spot Ulric once stood.

There was a tiny smile at the corner of her lips. Though he didn’t get a chance to say it, she

knew what he wanted to say. How hard would it be to fill in the blanks? “I think I’m in with you?”

She repeated Ulric’s words, her smile growing wider. “See you in three months.” She told her

room, closing the door as well as her first year at Tech U.

~~~~~~~

Chad sat on the steps of the porch, watching the other students slowly trickle out of the school

gates. Eden stood beside him, leaning on a pillar. They were waiting for Alicia, they wanted to

say goodbye before taking the train home. Eden swept his eyes across the grounds; they fell on

a black Alfa Romeo that had been parked there for as long as he could remember. “I wonder who

drives that?” “Yeah. That’s one hot car.” He heard Chad reply. “And I thought my suitcases was

heavy!” they turned to find Kevin dragging Alicia’s luggage with Ulric following closely behind.

“Hi guys!” she greeted them brightly. “Yo. How’re you going home? By train or bus?” Alicia shook

her head “Neither, I’m driving back.” Chad’s eyes widened “Where’s your car?” Alicia looked

around, “Over there.” She gestured vaguely towards the car Eden and Chad were admiring a few

minutes ago. “That’s yours?” “Yup but I’m a little rusty at driving. Wanna go for a quick ride?”

“Can we?” Eden couldn’t keep the excitement out of his voice. Chad was already walking over to

the vehicle. “Sure, why not?”

~~~~~~~

“Mew.” Ulric looked down. Peanut Butter was inside his shirt. That was the only way they could

think of to smuggle the kitten out of school. He had declined joining the rest of them for the

ride as someone needed to look after the cat. There was a screeching of tires as the car swung

back into the driveway. It came to on abrupt halt in the middle of the road. The doors opened

and Chad and Eden tumbled out and hurried towards him. Ulric watched in amusement as Eden

embraced the pillar and Chad began kissing the steps. “I’m alive.” He heard Eden say to the

pillar. “Where’s O’rion?” he asked, noting that Kevin was nowhere to be seen. “Probably hiding

under the seat still.” Eden was becoming attached to his new friend. Alicia walked over, a

sheepish look upon her face; she reached out for Peanut Butter. “I take it you were more than a

little rusty?” he smiled at her as she blushed “Yeah, I was supposed to change to second gear

but the clutch sorta got stuck and I accidentally reversed instead.” Chad looked up from the

floor “The guy behind us almost got a heart attack when she suddenly shot backwards. Thankfully,

she didn’t hit anything.” Ulric grinned as Alicia squirmed at Chad’s words. “I told you I

haven’t drove since I got here.” She mumbled, clearly embarrassed. She turned towards the car

“Kevin! Could you get out please! I’m leaving and unless you want to follow…” Kevin literally

jumped out from under the backseat. “Allow me to help you with that.” Ulric grabbed her suitcase

and stuffed it into the boot. “Thanks.” She got into the driver’s seat and placed Peanut Butter

down beside her. She smiled at the boys and waved “I gotta get going if I want to reach home

before dark. You guys are awesome, we’ll meet up in July?” “Yeah, till then, you take care.”

Eden waved, one arm still wrapped around the pillar. “Drive carefully, see ya!” Chad grinned.

Kevin gave her a shaky smile; he was still recovering from her driving. Ulric didn’t say

anything, his expression emotionless. Alicia put her hand on the key but she didn’t turn it.

She looked up at Ulric and back at the key again.

~~~~~~~

“Why isn’t she going?” “Maybe there’s something wrong with the engine.” “Hey, she’s getting out!”

“Yeah and she’s running towards…” Ulric felt her collide against him. He steadied himself from

the impact. She was hugging him. Ulric was confused but he found that his arms already wrapped

around her. She pulled his head down and he heard her whisper in his ear “I guess this is goodbye.

For now.” With those last words, she released him and walked calmly over to her car, ignoring the

looks the guys were giving her. She started the engine and drove off, casting a backhanded wave

to them. Ulric watched the car head up the driveway and then finally turn out of the gates. Only

then did he speak “For now.”

To be cont'd?
Ulric is a name, serious, it evens had a meaning behind it, I checked it up. As to why Ulric
hasn't said anything, don't blame the guy, he isn't the sort that to spill his guts out and
he's not one for expressing emotions. I guess that's part of his charm. At least he did try...
Alicia's not that dense so she sorta knows and if I were to let them be together so soon then
I wouldn't need to write years 2 and 3... I promise you that they will before school is through.
You guys bored of the story yet? Heheh, I hope not, till then, thank you to everyone who had
the patience to read all 30 chapters, ardenz. =]