Before you start reading the first chapter, I would like you to know that English isn't my first language, but I'm trying my best to update and fluently write in English. So please bear with me.

This is the proofread version of this book so some of the chapters might have some slight adjustments.

Happy reading everyone!

T H E B E G IN N I N G

"Mom, don't disturb me, alright? I'll just be up in my room. I'll be reviewing for the finals." I yelled towards the kitchen where my mom probably is.

I wasted no time in running upstairs to get in my room.

It's funny but the stairs seemed to be longer than how I remember it to be. It only has 10 steps but it seems to me like I'm climbing to reach the summit of Mount Everest!

Yup! I am just super stressed.

I nearly forgot about the finals. How could a straight A student like me forget all about the freaking finals?!

It is already the final semester of this school year and the final examinations will be held three days from now and I haven't even reviewed a single topic, even the simplest of the chemical reactions and computations and mutations of organisms in this world and the meaning of PNEUMONOULTRAMICROSCOPICSILICOVULCANOCONIOSIS for heaven's sake!

Darn! It's all Andrew's fault.

I shouldn't have gone swimming with them.

And the finals is in three days! How the hell would I be able to pass cover-to-cover exams by studying in just 3 days?!

You heard that right, COVER TO COVER- that is how kind my teachers are in school.

"Go ahead honey!" My mother yelled back.

I reached the second floor of our house as I pant heavily. Staring at the mirror beside my door, I look at my reflection for a while. My brown locks are already looking like a bird's nest. And my face looks like a mess... well, I do look like a mess, there's nothing that changed except my blonde hair now turned to brown, and look, the dark rounds under my eyes are still there!

I dismissed the entire negative compliments I just told myself and got inside my room.

I never really considered myself as the girl who is pretty. I am a nerd; just throw the braces and huge glasses in the trash bin because I don't use or wear those things.

With plain brown locks like this and plain blue orbs, who in their right minds would even be friends with an anti-social nerd like me?

-In short, an introvert. And I am proud to say that!

I quickly threw my sports bag to god knows where and quickly got my books, notes and reviewers out from my school bag and plopped myself on my bed. I sat up, Indian sit, on my bed.

Today's Saturday and it is still 7 in the morning, I got tons of time, so I can still review Science and Chemistry, English literature, and History.

Yeah, I can do this. You can do this Azaria.

No disturbance, no chores~ just me, my brain, and my books.

Stress won't bring you anything good.

I closed my brown orbs as I inhale and exhale slowly, savoring the calm environment around me. I slowly opened them and smiled at my book, preparing myself for hours of reviewing and memorizing.

"Chemistry is a branch of science that---"

"Honey...."

"Moooommmm!!!!" I yelled, with full irritation evident in my voice.

I turned around to face the door.

I was just starting to concentrate!

Why do people always disturb me when I am studying?!

Mom quickly opened the door and stood in front of me while she was carrying and petting Mr. Snow, my cat, and gave me a me a stern look.

...and by stern look I mean the look that means // listen to me or you are definitely grounded! //

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Trust me, you won't like the aftermath of rolling your eyes at mothers.

"What?" I asked, irritated by the fact that I was disturbed while I was focusing on my studies.

I hate being disturbed while studying my lessons. I just hate it.

I mean this always happen. If the guys aren't disturbing me, it's Mister Snow, and sometimes Mom. And it's not cool. Even a ruler can disturb me, I am not kidding.

"Mrs. Perez, from the family that lives just across the street, asked for your help to tutor her son. You know my nature, I can't say no---"

"But mom----" My whine was cut off when she glared at me. Bad move.

Mothers' glares can kill you. Learn from me, it can. If I was an ice cube, I would simply melt by just looking at her sadistic eyes.

And so the best thing to do right now is to shut up and pretend to listen to her.

"You know my nature, I don't say no, so obviously I said yes."

Duh! You can't say no but I can if I really don't want to do it1

"You're a smart kid, Azaria, and I know you can help her son pass."

"W-Wait, her son?"

No No No No No No No

No baby NO!

"Yes, her son. Cameron. You are still friends, right?"

I gave her a blank expression. Really?

Yes mom, we used to be friends. Used to be friends.

"But the examination is in three days, and I haven't read a single topic! And we don't go to the same school." I whined as I try to make excuses and look pitiful.

And yes, I did emphasize the word 'three' just so she'll let me be at peace and review.

"You see, Carrie told me that Cameron always fails his exams. I thought that maybe you can help him study."

That's not surprising at all, mom. Cam was always like that. He takes things way to... calm. Easy go lucky!

"But how about my finals!"

"You are smart, you can do that!" that's a both an insult and a comment, thanks mom.

Without further explanations, she quickly got out of my room with Mr. Snow trying to get off her and probably go to me.

And just like a normal teenage girl, I begin to grumble childishly to myself.

Why can't he just review for himself? Like seriously; he's smart when we were younger but he did change when he entered high school because teenage life is different.

How will I even help him when I can't even look at him without wanting to kill him and marinate his bloody body in alcohol or drop in a volcano in an island?

Just keep this in mind: I HATE CAMERON PEREZ.

I dismissed all the nonsense grumbling I did in my head and proceeded in reviewing.

All I want to do right now is to indulge myself in studying.

...but before I could even read another word from my book, she yelled something that I really regret hearing.

"You're tutoring him now!"

Ugh!!!!!!!!

Why must mothers be like this all the time?

************