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    ~CLARA~


    "You''re trying to impress someone today." Jenna teases me as she wiggles her eyebrows.


    I roll my eyes, "It''s not a secret that I enjoy wearing the prettiest outfits.”


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    I''ve been really into fashion for years, however,  she was right. I was indeed trying to impress someone. However, I nned on denying it as much as possible.


    She quirked a brow; she could see straight through my lie.


    I wasn''t trying hard enough to hide it. The truth was, I didn''t want to hide it from herpletely. I needed someone to speak to about my crush. Maybe if I confided in her, she could snap me out of it. I needed someone to give me a wake-up call. I couldn''t keep being this bloody delusional.


    As we walk into the ssroom, I breathe a sigh of relief when I don''t see ric even though a part of me was slightly disappointed.


    I checked my watch; I was too early. He would be here between five to ten minutes. In the meantime, I had to prepare myself to see him again. I couldn''t keep making a fool of myself in front of him. I''d done that enough.


    I felt my cheeks turn red at the reminder of what happened yesterday in his room. I didn''t mean to see him naked but I couldn''t get the image out of my head.


    Why would Nicole mess up her marriage with a man like him? I don''t think I''ll ever be able to understand her.


    As Jenna and I take our seats, I open my mouth to tell her about my little crush even though she already had a good idea about it. However, I don''t get to say anything when Matt pulls a chair next to mine.


    I look at him, waiting for him to say something.


    "You look breathtaking today, ra." Hepliments me. "Any special asion?"


    Jenna looked at us, and she could quickly tell that I was not interested in Matt, not in the least.


    "Nope," I answer him dryly. I didn''t want to entertain a conversation with him when I had no interest in him.


    With him next to me, it would be difficult for me to spot the exact time that ric walks into the ssroom.


    I had to find a way to get him to leave my side before I could miss my opportunity.


    "Really?" Matt asks as he leans into me. "How about we change that?"


    Was he asking me out on a date? His scent made me wrinkle my nose in disgust.


    "I don''t think that''s a good idea," I answered him.


    He sighs, "Come on. You aren''t dating anyone now, are you?"


    I shook my head. "I''m not, but that doesn''t mean I want to date you."


    He takes my hand, "I promise I won''t mistreat you like Carter did. I''ll treat you better."


    I look down at his hand on top of mine. It made me very ufortable.


    I was about to pull it away when I felt ric''s presence. I looked up, and I was right; he''d just entered the ssroom.


    I inwardly sigh. I''d missed his entrance just like I predicted.


    He ces a few books in his hands on the desk and looks up to scan the faces of everyone present today.


    He doesn''t stop until his gazends on me.


    His eyes pause on me for a good few seconds before his gaze moves to Matt''s hand on top of mine.


    I saw a strange emotion sh in his eyes before he picked up something from his briefcase and turned his attention towards it.


    I bit my lip to hide the look of disappointment on my face. I don''t think I was doing a very good job at it.


    Why was I hoping for a better reaction than that?


    Grow up, ra. Did you expect him to walk over here and push Matt''s hand away? Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "Matt," I say in the calmest manner possible. "Please remove your hand. I''m sorry, but I''m not interested in dating you. I know I''m single now, but I''m totally happy that I am and I''m not looking for anyone.”


    I''ll only consider dating ric, and since that was never happening, I would probably stay single for the rest of my life.


    "Are you sure, ra?" He asks me. "I''ve heard the rumors going around; if you date me, we could end them all."


    My eyes widen a little, "what rumors?"


    "Can everyone return to their seats so that ss can start?" ric''s voice echoes throughout the room.


    Was there an edge to his voice, or was I imagining it?


    Matt looks at him and finds him ring in his direction.


    He doesn''t say anything else as he quickly returns to his seat.


    "I know I might be just as delusional as you are, but I''m pretty sure ric looks annoyed that Matt was speaking to you," Jenna whispers next to me.


    I sigh, “You''re right, you''re just as delusional as I am.”


    There was no way that he was actually upset Matt was speaking to me.


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    Oh, how I wished it was true.


    However, I was not that lucky.


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