1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,400 When I graduated valedictorian in high school and found out that I had won a full scholarship 2 00:00:04,400 --> 00:00:10,400 to one of the prestigious universities in my country, I was on cloud nine. My parents aren't 3 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:16,160 well off and I'm the only one to graduate high school. My two brothers, Carrie and Destin, 4 00:00:16,160 --> 00:00:21,840 have all chosen dark, dangerous paths. Destin is currently locked up for possession, 5 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:25,920 and Carrie has bummed out of school and has joined a gang. My little sister, 6 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:31,120 Erin, is already pregnant at 17. Let's just say that I'm giving hope to my family, 7 00:00:31,120 --> 00:00:35,920 that we aren't all defective. My dad works at a factory, but he's also a drunk, 8 00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:40,560 which means he can't operate heavy machinery unless he's sober. And if we're lucky, 9 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:46,640 he'll be clean for three out of seven days. Most of our money comes from my mother, 10 00:00:46,640 --> 00:00:51,760 who works as a maid for a rich family. She travels two hours by bus every day just to 11 00:00:51,760 --> 00:00:55,760 make sure that she keeps the lights on in the house. And now that I'm no longer there, 12 00:00:56,400 --> 00:01:03,600 it's one less mouth to feed. Thank God. This is all the reason why I'm doing this, 13 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:09,120 so I can help her retire early and give her the lifestyle she deserves. Growing up hadn't been 14 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:14,480 easy. We barely had food on the table and clothes on our backs. Going to school had been hell with 15 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:19,920 the bullies. My brothers protected me, of course, but they could have done more by actually getting 16 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:25,120 a real life. Seeing how my brothers have chosen different paths and how my dad has never really 17 00:01:25,120 --> 00:01:30,720 contributed to anything substantial in our lives makes me want to change it. I want to break the 18 00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:36,000 family curse. And now that Erin is pregnant, I want to make sure that her kid doesn't go through 19 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:42,160 what we did. So you see, winning a full scholarship and graduating at the top of my class in high 20 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:48,240 school was a big deal for me. So big that over the last two years, I dedicated my life to keeping 21 00:01:48,240 --> 00:01:55,440 my GPA above four and making sure that my scholarship stays solid. I don't party, I don't drink, 22 00:01:56,000 --> 00:02:02,960 I do not have a social life. I work on campus so I can buy clothes, whatever I need, and that's it. 23 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:08,880 However, at the start of my third year, everything took a turn. My professor said that I needed a 24 00:02:08,880 --> 00:02:15,120 hobby, that I needed to engage in something to make myself look good on paper. Basically, I have 25 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:23,040 the brains but not the humanity aspect. I don't seem likable, marketable. According to my professors, 26 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:27,680 I need to build skills that will help me become my full self, whatever that means. 27 00:02:29,200 --> 00:02:34,880 Anything outside of working and studying is a complete setback, but sadly, joining a society 28 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:40,960 of some sort is now a stipulation to maintain my scholarship. I mean, joining a club isn't all that 29 00:02:40,960 --> 00:02:47,280 bad, it's just that it'll take away time from studying. Now I'll have to juggle work, schooling, 30 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:53,680 and an extracurricular activity. In addition to that, I'm not much of a people person. I hate 31 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:59,200 social gatherings and interactions, and I know I probably need that to be a great doctor, but I 32 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:08,240 am planning on rectifying that after my degree. Not now. Anyway, so I'm in my second term of my 33 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:13,280 third year and after signing up for this charity event thingy, where we raise funds for sick kids 34 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:17,840 and visit them at the hospitals and other stuff, the group has decided that I should be president. 35 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:24,960 Why? I have no freaking clue. I just started and now they want me to run the damn thing. 36 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:31,680 No worries. As usual, I'll become the best there is, and it'll look great on my resume. 37 00:03:33,040 --> 00:03:37,840 You should definitely take part in the event. Jessica, my new friend and secretary to the 38 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:42,640 SCAPC Foundation says, it'll be nice for the bidders to see a new pretty face. 39 00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:49,120 No thanks. I think I'm gonna pass on that. Besides, I'm the president. I should be doing 40 00:03:49,120 --> 00:03:56,400 presidential stuff behind the scenes. Jessica sighs out loud. Every year we get the same people, 41 00:03:56,400 --> 00:04:02,000 and if we are lucky, the freshies to volunteer. But with your presence alone, we may have a fighting 42 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:09,760 chance. I roll my eyes. I know you're just saying that to butter me up, Jess. Well, I believe I'm 43 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:14,160 pretty, but to say that I'll have the guys fighting to bid for a date with me is an overstatement. 44 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:19,280 No, I'm not. I bet you used to get all the guys in high school. I shake my head. 45 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:26,800 No, actually, it was the opposite of that. I was the geek, the nerd, the one who cared for 46 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:33,840 nothing more than her grades. Jessica touches one of my loose black curls. Curls I've inherited 47 00:04:33,840 --> 00:04:40,320 from my father's lineage. I'm the only one to come out with curly black hair. My brother and 48 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:45,280 sister's own are straight as a pin. It's also the reason why they call me the black sheep. 49 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:51,920 Back when I was small, and my dad had it together, he said his grandmother had curly hair and that 50 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:57,920 I was probably her reincarnation because I looked just like her. Well, you certainly don't look like 51 00:04:57,920 --> 00:05:05,120 that now. I look regular, like Plain Jane. We'll see about that, Miss World. I narrow my eyes. 52 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:10,400 I am not going to be a model for the charity, Jess. I have other things to do. 53 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:15,280 Jessica waves her hand in dismissal. Yeah, yeah, we'll see about that. 54 00:05:15,280 --> 00:05:22,240 We are a day away from the event, and lots of people have signed up, mostly boys, but that's 55 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:29,600 okay. Maybe if we can get five more girls, then we can be even. And ever since our last conversation, 56 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:35,120 Jessica has been in my ear about signing on to be a participant. The last thing I want is for 57 00:05:35,120 --> 00:05:40,720 anyone to throw judgment on me. I don't want to lose sales because no one knows who I am or thinks 58 00:05:40,720 --> 00:05:48,080 I'm not popular enough. Ugh, we are short on girls. Sarah, the head of the marketing team grumbles. 59 00:05:48,880 --> 00:05:53,040 There are so many guys out there waiting to bid, and we have more men than women. 60 00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:58,960 I take a peek through the backstage curtains and she is right. More guys are sitting in the 61 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:04,800 auditorium. I guess we are going to have to triple up. We'll have to send the same girls out hoping 62 00:06:04,800 --> 00:06:11,600 they can score some more bids. And maybe Jessica and I can go. Currently, Jessica is on stage as 63 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:18,800 the MC hyping up the crowd. She's good at that. Damn good. Sarah walks off and disappears in 64 00:06:18,800 --> 00:06:24,800 front of the curtain. She's on stage with Jessica. I dart around the side and stop at the front of 65 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:32,000 the stage just to get a peek at what's going on. Sarah is whispering in Jessica's ear. A large grin 66 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:38,720 fills Jess's face. Great news, guys. She announces. We've got two additional ladies for you to bid on. 67 00:06:39,360 --> 00:06:46,080 The crowd cheers and hoots. We have our lovely Sarah here. I smile when Sarah struts about the stage 68 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:51,760 and turns around as if she's wearing a gown. It doesn't take long for the bids to get heated 69 00:06:51,760 --> 00:07:01,200 for Sarah. She's already at 600 bucks. Jesus. Now she's at 800. Sold at $950. 70 00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:04,880 Jessica bangs the gavel on the podium and then clears her throat. 71 00:07:05,760 --> 00:07:10,960 Don't forget, everyone, 70% of our proceeds go to children in need and the rest to the club. 72 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:15,760 I smile when Sarah takes a final bow and struts off the stage. 73 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:22,640 I move to return to the back when Jessica says. And now we have a special guest contestant. 74 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:29,040 She is the president of the SCAPC Foundation and also a great organizer. Had it not been for her, 75 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:33,920 this event would not be what it is right now. I pause, eyeing Jessica on the stage. 76 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:39,600 What the heck is she doing? I want to make eye contact with her, but she's avoiding me at every 77 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:45,760 turn. Please welcome our next contestant on the stage, April Francis. Jessica and the students 78 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:52,880 clap, but I haven't moved an inch. Come on, April. Don't be shy. I'm gonna kill her. I plaster a 79 00:07:52,880 --> 00:07:59,360 smile on my face, albeit fake and stretched, and footed up the stairs at the side. Was this part 80 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:06,800 of Sarah's plan? I bet. I fucking bet. The last thing I need is attention. I didn't sign up for 81 00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:15,760 any of this. What if no one bids for me? God, I'll die of embarrassment. I'll quit. Yes, 82 00:08:15,760 --> 00:08:19,280 I'll quit the foundation. My professor will have to understand. 83 00:08:19,280 --> 00:08:23,680 Jessica grabs my clipboard and shoves me to the center of the stage. 84 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:30,240 God, why are the lights so bright? I can barely see the crowd. What am I supposed to do? 85 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:35,760 Right. So this is April, our lovely president, and we'll be starting at $20. 86 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:40,160 I stand with my hands tucked in front of me and smile some more. 87 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:46,800 This is so embarrassing. Two people raised their cards and now I'm up to a hundred. 88 00:08:46,800 --> 00:08:50,320 I feel like cattle. Maybe this bidding thing is a bad idea. 89 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:58,400 Do I hear two hundred? Another card is raised. Remember, Jessica says, a win will get you a 90 00:08:58,400 --> 00:09:02,400 date with your prize and the highest bidder for the night will have the honor of two dates. 91 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:08,800 She glances down at her paper. Right now that prize goes to Ebron Delcott at $1,500. 92 00:09:09,520 --> 00:09:16,320 Three hundred. Someone shouts. Three hundred. I tilt my head to see a brunette guy wearing a polo 93 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:22,960 t-shirt lifting his card. I mean, he isn't that bad. And when I think this will be over sooner 94 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:29,520 than I can blink, the bids get competitive. Like, what the fuck? Jessica glances at me and tells 95 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:37,360 me to move about. We got five hundred, five hundred, six, six fifty. I strut across the stage 96 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:43,600 like all of this is effortless, but in reality, my heart is beating fast. Why are they still bidding? 97 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:51,840 1,200. The brunette guy yells again. The crowd whispers. Now it's a clear rivalry between him 98 00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:57,680 and another guy. And then there's the captain of the football team. I should feel good because 99 00:09:57,680 --> 00:10:03,680 three handsome popular guys are fighting to go on a date with me, but honestly, I'm terrified of this. 100 00:10:04,560 --> 00:10:11,840 I've never really dated anyone, much less go out alone with a guy. Good god. Now it's up to 2,000. 101 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:18,080 Who has this kind of money? There's loud chatter in the crowd and a little bit of unrest. 102 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:26,400 10,000 dollars. Everyone grows silent when placard number 44 raises. I can barely see with the 103 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:31,440 bright white lights and how dark the auditorium is. Plus, the person is sitting in the back. 104 00:10:31,440 --> 00:10:44,320 Uh, 10,000 dollars. Whispers fill the room. Going once, twice, sold. Jessica bangs her gavel. 105 00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:50,480 Two dates and a hefty donation to our foundation. Number 44, we thank you. I swallow hard. 106 00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:56,000 Give it up to our president April for scoring our highest bidder. The students applaud, but 107 00:10:56,000 --> 00:11:03,840 all I hear is ringing in my ears. 10 grand? Who would pay $10,000 for me? Jessica stands next to 108 00:11:03,840 --> 00:11:12,240 me and then hugs me. Take a bow. She says through gritted teeth. I bow, still in awe. Now we call 109 00:11:12,240 --> 00:11:17,920 on to stage our second to last contestant, Hailey Gregg. I exit the stage, but it's like my soul 110 00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:26,400 is still there. Sarah collides with me, squeezing me into a hug. 10,000 dollars? Whoa, that is the most 111 00:11:26,400 --> 00:11:34,240 we ever made in three years. Damn. Do you know who it is? I shake my head. You will never guess. 112 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:43,760 I blink at her. Read McIntyre. My heart skips a beat and a lump forms in my throat. Read? 113 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:49,520 Who would have guessed? He is like a ghost at this school. Marie said he bought the last placard 114 00:11:49,520 --> 00:11:58,240 20 minutes ago. I blink again. Tell me I'm dreaming. This cannot be. Sarah rubs my shoulder. 115 00:11:58,240 --> 00:12:09,520 Good luck, Chick. Jessica hands me an envelope. What's this? An incentive. For? The work we've done. 116 00:12:09,520 --> 00:12:15,200 You should be dead, Jess. I should have killed you yesterday for putting me on the spot like that. 117 00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:22,080 She laughs. Thanks to you, we've got a lot to donate. I roll my eyes and then peek at the 118 00:12:22,080 --> 00:12:30,480 envelope. There's cash inside. What is the money for? As I said, incentive. I thought we were 119 00:12:30,480 --> 00:12:38,160 putting it into the foundation's account. We are, just 10%. I lift a brow. She sighs. 120 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:45,760 According to our foundation's rulebook, 70% for charity, 20% for the accounts, and 10% for us. 121 00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:52,720 We pool everything and divide it equally. Oh. Yes, it's not much, but it's still something. 122 00:12:53,360 --> 00:13:00,720 I smile. Thanks. Now, about that date. I roll my eyes. What about it? 123 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:06,240 So since everyone has already paid in full, including Reed, I just want to say that he 124 00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:14,560 has already asked for you. Ugh. Jessica narrows her eyes. What? Nothing. Expect a call. 125 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:21,680 Fine. And don't forget, it's two dates. See ya, darling. Later that evening, after I finished at 126 00:13:21,680 --> 00:13:26,720 the library, I'd gotten a call from Reed. He wanted to meet with me for six to discuss our date. 127 00:13:27,440 --> 00:13:31,520 I didn't know what there was to discuss. It's just to choose a place and we show up. 128 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:35,920 I'm already frazzled about all of this. I don't do dates. I don't do socializing. 129 00:13:36,480 --> 00:13:42,480 I get a text from him saying to meet him outside my apartment. I head downstairs, and there he is, 130 00:13:42,480 --> 00:13:47,840 dressed in a leather black kit on a motorbike. I raise a brow at him because if he thinks that 131 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:52,640 I will go out with him on the back of his motorbike like some floozie, he should think again. 132 00:13:54,240 --> 00:13:57,040 I didn't get all this way in life to die by a motorbike. 133 00:13:57,040 --> 00:14:05,120 I fold my arms, stopping in front of him. Yes? He searches in his jacket and pulls out 134 00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:12,960 four pieces of paper. Reed holds them out. Pick one. I eye him. It determines our date. 135 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:19,600 I choose the one on the end and open it. Well? It says pizza at Luciano's. 136 00:14:19,600 --> 00:14:29,040 Great. Is tomorrow good? I scratch my neck. I guess. The quicker I get this over with, the better. 137 00:14:30,160 --> 00:14:35,360 It'll have to be in the evening, like seven. I have my studies and I have an assignment thing. 138 00:14:36,400 --> 00:14:40,640 No worries. Do your thing. I guess I'll see you at seven. I'll pick you up. 139 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:45,120 I don't do. It won't be a bike. Okay. 140 00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:51,120 Okay. Reed revs his bike and speeds off. Is he not going to acknowledge the fact that we know 141 00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:56,000 each other? Or does he already think I'm fine with everything and pretend that everything is okay? 142 00:14:57,440 --> 00:15:04,480 I sigh out loud. One thing I know about life is that it's unpredictable as fuck. So unpredictable 143 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:09,200 that I never in my lifetime thought I would cross paths with Reed McIntyre ever again. 144 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:16,320 Back in middle school, I was the nerd, the geek. And as I said before, bullies loved me. 145 00:15:17,120 --> 00:15:23,840 They also loved Reed McIntyre. Since I've known him, he has always been a loner. He would wear 146 00:15:23,840 --> 00:15:29,680 these super thick glasses that magnify his eyes. Even though he probably wears contacts now, 147 00:15:29,680 --> 00:15:36,960 his gray eyes are still a bit huge from before. Huge, but cute. I remember the day two bullies 148 00:15:36,960 --> 00:15:41,920 ganged up on him punching him out. When the teachers showed up, the guys ran away, leaving Reed on the 149 00:15:41,920 --> 00:15:46,640 floor coughing and clutching his stomach. His glasses had been thrown across the hallway. 150 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:52,400 I knew because it landed in front of me. I waited until he was alone outside the principal 151 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:59,040 office to return his glasses. I even cleaned it. He never said thanks. He never even looked at me. 152 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:05,120 Just took the glasses and ignored me. The next day, I heard that his parents had taken him out of 153 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:11,920 school. No one knew what happened after that. However, in my second year at uni, I spotted him 154 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:18,400 in one of my classes. It had been the first time since we were 13 I saw him. Reed looked nothing 155 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:24,240 like himself. His hair had turned from straight blonde to a dirty mix of golden brown. He wore 156 00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:29,280 hoodies to classes and never spoke to anyone unless needed. So for him to bid such a large 157 00:16:29,280 --> 00:16:34,160 amount on me for two dates, I'm not sure what to think of it. And where would he find that kind 158 00:16:34,160 --> 00:16:41,280 of cash? Is he a drug dealer? A criminal? Whatever he is, I just want the two dates to pass quickly. 159 00:16:42,080 --> 00:16:47,600 It's 10 minutes to seven and Reed is already outside my apartment waiting. I put on my shoes and 160 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:52,320 head downstairs thinking he's going to show up with his bike or something weird, but I'm blown 161 00:16:52,320 --> 00:16:59,520 away by his ride. What the hell? Reed McIntyre is driving a Porsche. A yellow Porsche. Now I'm 162 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:06,160 intrigued. Is he rich? If he is, then it would make sense why he never stays on campus and why 163 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:11,760 he vanished without a trace back in high school. He exits the car wearing a black hoodie and matching 164 00:17:11,760 --> 00:17:19,280 sweatpants. Now I feel overdressed with my green milkmaid dress. Usually I wear jeans and an oversized 165 00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:24,320 t-shirt because it's comfortable. But I figured since it's a date and it may never happen again 166 00:17:24,320 --> 00:17:31,280 for a long time, I'm thinking why not? But now I should have stuck to the jeans and a jersey. 167 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:42,880 Reed opens my door and smiles. You look pretty. Thanks, but I feel overdressed. Never. I give him 168 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:54,560 a small smile and hop in. Nice, um, car. Thanks. It was a university gift. Oh. The rest of the ride 169 00:17:54,560 --> 00:18:01,440 remains silent and it's really awkward. What am I supposed to say? We literally don't have anything 170 00:18:01,440 --> 00:18:08,400 in common, but the silence isn't bad. It's just weird. We arrive at the pizza place in less than 171 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:13,440 five minutes and I feel like we should have walked or something. Pulling up with a Porsche is a bit 172 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:18,640 over the top and I don't know why, but my nerves are jumping. People are staring at us, making me 173 00:18:18,640 --> 00:18:25,200 feel absolutely naked. Reed takes my hand and leads me into the restaurant. I don't know why, 174 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:33,040 but having him take control like that makes me feel safe. Like he cares. But I know my feelings 175 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:38,720 are pointless because Reed McIntyre is a stranger to me. After the waiter seats us at a corner 176 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:43,840 booth away from everyone, it doesn't take long for Reed and me to order our meals. A little over 177 00:18:43,840 --> 00:18:48,720 two hours later we are stuffed, but I must say that the Luciano's pizza date was way more than I 178 00:18:48,720 --> 00:18:57,920 expected. It was... nice. As we head back to the car, all I can think about is how a guy like him 179 00:18:57,920 --> 00:19:05,360 can go misunderstood and unseen. In two hours, I learned that his family is wealthy with a capital 180 00:19:05,360 --> 00:19:11,760 W. His father is the heir to a major airline company and he would be too. When Reed left 181 00:19:11,760 --> 00:19:16,480 high school, his parents had him homeschooled because of the excessive bullying. And despite 182 00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:21,280 pleading with his parents to return to public schooling for some exposure, they had shut him 183 00:19:21,280 --> 00:19:26,080 out completely, not even considering private schooling. They had said it was to protect him. 184 00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:31,600 Protection had turned into isolation and then resentment. Somehow I felt bad for him, 185 00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:36,560 but I understood why his parents did what they did. Reed had sustained a lot of bruises because 186 00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:43,120 of that fight, so his parents wanting to protect him is plausible. Reed pulls up in front of my 187 00:19:43,120 --> 00:19:51,120 apartment complex and puts the car in neutral. I... uh... I just want to say that I enjoyed our date. 188 00:19:51,120 --> 00:19:58,000 He says. Me too. It was good. The pizza was delicious and it was nice getting to know you. 189 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:04,400 I loosen my seatbelt and Reed taps his fingers on the steering wheel, then faces me with a constipated 190 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:13,280 look. If you're wondering about the next date? No, um... What's up? I... I know you're probably 191 00:20:13,280 --> 00:20:18,720 wondering why I paid such a lot of money just to go on two dates with you. Yes, I am interested. 192 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:24,720 Ten thousand bucks is quite a lot. Aside from you being one of the prettiest girls on campus... 193 00:20:25,440 --> 00:20:29,120 I roll my eyes at him. Maybe you need to get those contacts checked. 194 00:20:29,840 --> 00:20:37,040 He laughs. Speaking of contacts, it's actually about that. I peer at him. I don't think I ever 195 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:41,600 got to say thanks for fetching my glasses off the floor back when we were in, uh, high school. 196 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:48,480 Everything had been chaotic with me. Never coming back and all. Oh. I've been trying to find a 197 00:20:48,480 --> 00:20:54,080 way for a long time without coming off as creepy and then I heard about this charity thing. I was 198 00:20:54,080 --> 00:20:59,440 glad to see you as one of the contestants. I literally bought the last placard. To think that 199 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:06,240 he was trying to get my attention all this time is wild. Reed McIntyre interested in me? Yeah, 200 00:21:06,960 --> 00:21:12,640 I heard about that. I just thought that contributing to the foundation and getting to go on a few 201 00:21:12,640 --> 00:21:19,680 dates with you was more than enough. It was a combo, really. What? Why? Because I never expected to 202 00:21:19,680 --> 00:21:26,640 ever get a date with you. Me? He nods. Before yesterday, I couldn't even fathom getting a date 203 00:21:26,640 --> 00:21:32,480 with you April. It's like you're in your own world. I mean, I can be like that most times, 204 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:38,800 but you don't do anything besides work and study. That's because I have a goal. I have a plan in 205 00:21:38,800 --> 00:21:45,520 mind and I need to stick to it. You are young. You should enjoy it and live a little. That's easy 206 00:21:45,520 --> 00:21:50,800 for you to say. You don't have to worry about money a day in your life. I have my family to take 207 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:57,360 care of. I need to become the best I can be so I can live like you. I don't even think I should 208 00:21:57,360 --> 00:22:02,320 be explaining any of this to him because this is none of his business. What I decide to do with my 209 00:22:02,320 --> 00:22:08,160 life at my leisure is up to me. And how dare he question my social life when he isn't even living 210 00:22:08,160 --> 00:22:13,760 on campus? Anyway, I've got to go. I have to get up early in the morning for class. 211 00:22:14,960 --> 00:22:22,640 But tomorrow is Saturday. It's, uh, an additional thing. I lie. I'm just going to the library. 212 00:22:23,520 --> 00:22:30,160 Read nods and gives me a small smile. All right. I pull on the door handle and just when I open it, 213 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:39,200 he stops me. Wait, uh, you can always text me about the second date. Oh, okay. Cool. I exit the car 214 00:22:39,200 --> 00:22:45,600 and wait at the main entrance until he disappears down the street. I exhale a choppy breath, read 215 00:22:45,600 --> 00:22:52,640 McIntyre is hot. He is straight out of the ugly duckling storybook. And now he might just be the 216 00:22:52,640 --> 00:22:57,680 guy I would date when I get my life together. But right now I can't even think about that. 217 00:22:57,680 --> 00:23:03,680 The last thing I need right now is a distraction and read McIntyre is an entire disco ball. 218 00:23:03,680 --> 00:23:21,360 You have met the end of the highest bitter part one. Stay tuned for part two by.