"Matt Duncan is…" Ms. Elle said in a low voice, "He's a-"
Suddenly, Ms. Elle's phone rang.
"Sydney and Lenoir, you can go now, but let me know what song you're going to sing for the concert. One song for each of you… Sorry, I have to take this call, it's the principal." Ms. Elle explained and waved at them.
The two gave her a nod, stood up from their seats, and stepped out of the room.
While walking side by side in the hallway, they started chatting about music. Lenoir knew Sydney's talent in music, especially in singing. He loved how her low vibratos resonated in his ears, and how she flawlessly reached all the high notes.
For Lenoir, Sydney was his dream girl.
He's still keeping it to himself, though. He assumed that things might get awkward as soon as she knew it because he knew the bashful side of her personality. He then decided that, for as long as he could spend his remaining time in highschool with Sydney, he'll be happy.
They reached the school gate and Lenoir noticed that Olivet wasn't with her. "You're going home alone today?"
"Hmm, yeah. Olivet had some family matters to attend, so she left early," Sydney replied.
"Then… Can I walk you home?" Lenoir asked. "I have to drop off something to… my friend's house." He didn't know if his lie was obvious or not.
"Oh, it's on the way, too?" she said, "Let's goooo!"
Sydney's house was only a few blocks away from the school. While they walked, they talked about what they wanted to sing for the concert.
"I think I'm going to sing a love song," Lenoir told her. "Something that can make your heart melt, Sydney." He stared at her, and he meant what he just said!
Sydney chuckled, not taking her senior's words seriously. "Geez, you're a sweet talker! I am so not going to fall for that!"
Lenoir laughed at her reaction. She's really fun to be with, he thought.
"I think I'm going for a powerful song, like… a song about failures and not giving up," She suddenly went to her music lover mode, "I'm still looking for some tracks, though."
"Do you need help?" Lenoir offered.
Sydney nodded, "Thank you, Senior."
"There you go again… Call me Lenoir, please?" He looked at her with puppy eyes, hoping it would be effective.
And it was effective, "'Kay, fine, but..." or so he thought when they stopped in front of her favorite sweets store. "Buy me ice cream!"
Lenoir chuckled, then messed Sydney's hair, "Alright, come on." He flashed a smile at her.
Lenoir didn't buy anything for himself, but he bought her a pint of vanilla ice cream, and Sydney's eyes sparkled with delight. But before she got it from her senior's hands, Lenoir told her, "Wait. How about our deal?"
Sydney replied, "Le… Lenoir!"
"Again, you stuttered," he said. He seemed to enjoy her saying his name!
"Len...oir…"
"I can't hear you… Louder, Sydney," Lenoir told her, chuckling.
"Lenoir! Lenoir! Lenoir!" Sydney exclaimed, "There, I said it clearly! Now gimme that!"
Lenoir laughed out loud while giving the pint of ice cream to her. The sweets store had some sets of tables and chairs outside, and the two of them decided to sit there for a while.
"This is heaven!" Sydney said. In her mind, she was already in Vanilla Land, eating unlimited vanilla ice cream and building a vanilla snowman.
But in Lenoir's mind, he felt like they're having a date, and that moment was like heaven to him!
Lenoir stared at the happy Sydney while she scooped out the vanilla ice cream. She didn't care whoever passed by the store, even if they looked at Sydney, judging her big appetite. There was ice cream on her cheeks, and Lenoir noticed it.
"Sydney, come here," he gestured to her to come forward. He then pulled out tissues from the small tissue box in front of them. He also moved forward to reach her.
Carefully, Lenoir wiped the ice cream on Sydney's cheeks. "There you go…"
"Thank you, Lenoir!" she said with a sweet smile, and then continued eating.
Oh my. It's really like a date. And Lenoir felt butterflies in his stomach!
Soon after, they walked towards Sydney's neighborhood.
"I'll go inside, now," Sydney told him. "Thanks for the ice cream… L-E-N-O-I-R!"
Lenoir chuckled as she spelled out his name. "You're always welcome, Sydney."
"Always? Then next time I want the chocolate flavor!" she said, then waved goodbye to him before entering the door.
"Next time, huh…" Lenoir couldn't help but smile.