I woke up from what felt like an eternal slumber. Frankly, I wanted to cozy up in my heavenly bed a bit more, but my sleep was interrupted midway because I felt like I was forgetting something important. The first thing I heard in the morning was the extremely loud chatter of my family. I have three siblings, with me being the second child.
I have an older brother whose name is Anthony Dane, born on the 16th of September, aside from the fact that he is an alumnus of my school — he is also a genius, has been recognized by the embassy and multiple schools, totally an overachiever, currently in college, and lives in a dorm. I have two younger sisters. One of them is Althea Dane, her birth date is March 22nd and the youngest is Adrianna Dane, her birth date is June 7th.
While listening to the chatter of my vexingly lively parents and sisters, I started to envision a girl in my sleep and suddenly remembered I was going to have lunch today. And it was with Winter.
I started to have irrational thoughts while silently sitting on my bed. I feel butterflies. I can feel my face getting really red and my mind went berserk — my thoughts were all over the place. It went a little bit something like this:
"OMG! OMG! OMG! THIS IS IT! THE GREATEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE! SHOULD I COOK? WILL SHE COOK FOR ME? WAIT— DOES SHE KNOW HOW TO COOK? SHE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE TYPE TO COOK, BUT I HOPE SHE DOES, WHERE'S MY PERFUME? DO I HAVE HAIR GEL? WHERE DID I PUT MY COMB?!"
It's exaggerated. But then again, anyone would be, too, if you were asked so suddenly.
As I was still panicking. I fixed my hair, brushed my teeth many times more than I can count, and took a bath even longer than usual. I ended up not cooking because I planned to run as fast as I can to school.
I rushed toward school with adrenaline speed because of the euphoric excitement I felt. This wasn't normal for me since I never really told any of the girls I've liked before about my feelings, and here I am now, with such a beauty of a girl.
It almost felt like a dream honestly. Just days ago, I was staring at her from afar with no immaculate plan whatsoever.
I arrived an hour earlier at school and checked to see if she was in her class, but not a single person in her class had arrived yet. Classes were almost starting yet there were still no signs of her anywhere.
Weird, I'm starting to doubt that she'd even show up.
During the second period, I asked my teacher if I could go to the bathroom and pass through her class. But when I looked through the little window, she still wasn't there.
I went back to my class, I couldn't help it when I spent the rest of the time just thinking about her. Is she absent? Did I do something wrong? Is she sick?
Before I knew it — lunch came. I went to the roof with the faintest hope that she'd be there.
As I opened the door to the roof, I froze.
Little did I know my luck has given me sight for sore eyes.
There I saw Winter, she was gazing upon the distant skies. I felt relieved and happy as I approached her with a ghost smile on my lips. My pupils widened at the sight of her.
She's... crying?
Those tears that fell from her eyes, how her tears fell, her facial reaction, the way she stood while looking directly at me, and the rest of her still facing the clear skies. How that moment felt...
It was all painfully beautiful.
She rubs her tears away and fakes a smile at me, "Oh, you're here."
"Did something happen to you?" My brows were furrowed as a frown was displayed on my lips.
Her hair slightly waved when she shook her head, "Don't worry, that was nothing."
Disbelief was shown in my expression. "If it was nothing, you wouldn't be crying." I sighed.
Something momentarily flashed in her purple gaze but disappeared as fast as it appeared.
"I already told you it's nothing. Anyways, did you cook?" She changed the topic and approached me.
Can you believe this girl, she asks me to come here to eat lunch and she doesn't even prepare food??
I pursed my lips, "Huh? In this situation shouldn't it be you who cooks?"
"That's sexist." She frowned at me. "I even told my maids not to cook because I thought you would. You're awfully disappointing." She sighed.
"Huh!?" An irk popped on the side of my temple, "Never mind, I had a feeling this would happen anyway. Luckily I bought lunch at the cafeteria. Here have this," I said with a slightly irritated tone.
"Oh, thanks." Her hand shortly brushed against mine when she took the yakisoba bread from my hand.
I pushed away from the blood rush that was threatening to appear on my face, "So, I have a few things to ask you."
"Hmm sure, what is it?" She hummed in question as we both took a seat on a nearby bench.
I unwrapped the plastic around my melon bread, "First, wouldn't it be a problem if your family and the media finds out you're dating a guy without a single property to his name?"
"Eh?" Her head tilted to the side as she blinked.
Swallowing, I lightly sighed, "You recently asked me out, yes? Wouldn't it cause some kind of ruckus when they find out?"
"Oh, my family knows," She casually said and ate her food.
I felt my eyes widen, "Huh? Seriously??"
"Yup, they weren't really against it, but they also weren't for it either. Just take it and not leave it, I guess," She muttered.
I slowly nodded, "Right..."
"Second," I continued,"Why did you suddenly want to date me? We didn't even start properly as friends."
Winter hummed in thought for a while.
"If I'm being honest? I guess I wanted to lessen the marriage proposals I often get from the sons of other business families."
So I was just a scapegoat. "I see… third, if you only wanted that then why me? It could have been anyone else," My brow raised at her.
She shrugged, "Well, you were convenient honestly speaking. Don't even try to deny that you already liked me the moment you saw me. It was fairly obvious. Plus, I was interested in you and I heard from rumors you'd liked to pursue a course in business so like, it would have somehow made sense to date you."
"It was that obvious?," I said in embarrassment, "Alright then. Lastly— why didn't I see you in classes today?"
Winter shrugged, "Well, I had just arrived. I go to school pretty late. The usual."
"Huh? Your family has a business, right? Isn't punctuality, like, one of the main bases to cover in business negotiations?" A confused look dawned on my face.
She smirked a little.
"That's actually why I'm late, I had to negotiate on behalf of my father earlier today."
"Really? Your father trusts you, an almost 16-year-old, to help with a million-dollar company? That's… quite rare," I muttered at the end.
"Well, I have been studying the business since I was a kid and I've gotten used to it. It's not much effort when you're already familiar with the field," She simply said.
That's strange. If she's smart, then...
"Why are you in class D?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Aside from Language and Math my other grades barely passed." She slightly shuddered.
"Oh..." I nodded, "I didn't expect you to be good at Math. What's your grade?"
"C."
I blinked in confusion, "Huh? I thought you were some kind of math wiz since you've been studying business as a child?"
"Eh? In business, you only need the basics and the complicated things we learn from school are just excess." Winter sighed as she ate the last part of her bread.
This girl...
"How about in language?"
"Oh, I'm A+." she said with a little smirk.
"Yeah, guess negotiations need superb language skills. Makes sense." I nodded and finished off my last bit.
"What about you?" She asked and turned her focus on me after finishing her food, "You're in class A, right? So you must be super intelligent if that's the case."
I shook my head, "Well, I don't consider myself that smart."
"What's your grade in math?"
"A."
"Wow," Her mouth formed a small 'o', "How 'bout science?"
"B+. I'm not good at science."
"Huh? That's not good?" Her brows were furrowed as she slightly frowned.
Putting the empty plastic-wrapped away, I shrugged, "In my class, it's pretty bad"
"Oh..." She mumbled, "I feel sorry for you.."
She continued, "History?"
"A-."
"Language?"
"A."
"Oh, I'm higher, that felt like an achievement," She mused with a small, teasing grin.
"You know your voice is really not convincing," I frowned at her.
We start to stay quiet, staring at the empty skies together, feeling the breeze embracing us, and enjoy the remaining time after we ate our lunch together.
It all felt so natural... That scene looked so calming.
Even if this was something new, I can't help but want the short moment we shared to last longer. The bell's about to ring anytime now.
*School bell rings*
Called it.
"Guess we should head back to class," I said.
She nodded and stood up "Sure. See you later."
I waved at her as we both walked in our separate ways.
Happily walking in the hallways, my best friend approaches me. Astrio Zest, he is a straightforward fellow, his birth date is October 4th, a good digital artist, a part of the school's volleyball team, he's rich, and a student of class A like I am.
Pretty convenient and cool if you ask me.
"Glenn, you look suspiciously happy, it's creepy." He shuddered.
I raised a brow in confusion, "Huh?"
"If you don't want people to look at you like some weirdo stop smiling like an idiot. Seriously, stop." Astrio frowned.
"Oh, sorry didn't realize I was smiling." I muttered and pursed my lips. He walked by me through the slightly silent hallways.
"So, did something happen? Or have you gone crazy?"
A smirk was portrayed on my lips.
"The best thing happened today, so listen — at lunch, my girlfriend and I ate our food together on the roof." I cockily said.
"Huh? You have a girlfriend? What — are you sure you're alright?" He asked with wide eyes showing disbelief.
I scowled, "Oi. That's rude, I do have one."
"May the gods bless that girl and give her divine protection."
"You're making me sound like a bad person."
I shook my head and continued.
"Anyway, did you study for the quiz today?" Astrio asked.
"Huh? There's a quiz today?" I said nervously.
"I knew you weren't listening, oh well you'd probably still score pretty high."
I chuckled nervously, "I hope so."
We started to take the test after we reached the next class, I finished it early even though I wasn't sure about my answers. I just wanted to get it over with so I can start daydreaming again.
Damn. The test was kind of tricky.
Good thing the bell rang eventually.
School ends and I remember I have volleyball practice today, I went to the gym and we immediately started practicing. Dean, despite being only a first-year, is our captain, Arby and I are starters even if we're only first years as well.
We don't have third years on our team because none joined this year. We have second years but only a few though. Even so, we make a very solid team despite consisting mostly of first years.
Our team practiced for 3 hours straight. I left the gym extremely exhausted and felt as if I was going to die. I drank lots of water. My body isn't meant for sports because I'm scrawny, my flexibility is bad as hell, and I have a pretty slow heartbeat.
Somehow, I still managed to play and I haven't gotten injured or collapsed from playing.
After changing back to our uniform from the tiring practice, me, Arby, Dean, and Astrio all went out to it at a nearby restaurant. We had some BBQ and talked about stuff.
"So Arby, who's your current girlfriend?" Dean asked with his mouth full.
Arby snickered with confidence. "She's a 27-year-old widow."
"If only I could have a girlfriend, too bad 3d girls suck" Astrio dramatically sighed. "Speaking of girlfriend— didn't you say you had one. Am I right Glenn?"
"Yeah, I do actually." I said nervously.
"What's she like?" Dean asked.
"Well... She's pretty good in some areas and lacking in most, but overall I think she's great."
"How'd you guys meet? That's a pretty fast process considering she's a new student and you both just met." Astrio's curiosity takes over him.
I told them about the ceremony and how I bumped into her. They barely believed my story, even the stuff that's convincing.
"You had a date on the rooftop...? You guys are weird. Aside from eating lunch what did you guys do?" Astrio said.
"They probably did some lewd stuff." Arby snickered.
"No, we didn't!" I denied, but it was the truth. "We just talked about personal stuff and our grades in school. And you know, other normal dating stuff."
Dean laughed, "That's still pretty fast man. Imagine dating so suddenly after you both just literally met."
"So, did she cook for you?" Arby asked.
"She did not." I said.
"That's a real disappointment. Knowing you, you were probably expecting it." Arby said. The others nodded in agreement.
I shrugged, "Well, yeah. That's true."
"That's lame, she asked you to go on the rooftop and she didn't even cook you a meal. Isn't that rooftop dating 101?" Astrio said.
"Apparently, to her that's sexist." I replied irritatedly.
We continued to chat about lots of stuff about school until we finished eating. After that, we all said our farewell and headed home.
When I arrived home, I checked my phone just to check on my social media account for a while.
Wait. I haven't added her yet.
Might as well do it, since we're... dating now.
I lay in bed for a while wondering and started to think about how Winter was crying earlier. I wanted to know why she was crying on the roof like that and why she didn't want to talk about it.
It seemed like she was hurt real bad on the inside, but I don't know to properly approach her about this. I'm not good with girls and relationships.
Honestly, I wanted to interfere, but it looks like I'll just end up annoying her. I hope she's okay now.
There was a notification on my phone, "Oh, she accepted the friend request."
We started to chat all night long, but we didn't have a topic so the chat was pretty random, but it was fun chatting with her until eventually, the sleepiness was taking over.
It's the same situation for her. We both said our last goodbyes in text and I slept with only her face on my mind.
"Parting is such sweet sorrow." Both of them thought.