Arizona sat alone at lunch, reading a book and eating his sandwich. He's completely lost in his book, not even noticing the other students around him.
And then, so suddenly and unexpectedly, someone drops a tray of food on the table, next to him, startling him out of his reading. He flinched a bit, almost dropping the book he held in fact.
And when he looked up, he saw a blonde beauty with bright green eyes, standing there, looking flustered.
She blinked "I'm really sorry about that! I didn't mean to startle you."
Arizona shook his head, a small smile making way to his face," it's okay, Areum."
"Uh.. May I?" She gestured at the space beside him and he nodded awkwardly, wondering why he was too dumb to ask her to sit in the first place.
Areum smiled, gently settling beside him, her heart picking up its silly beating.
The silence between them was pretty awkward though.
"I hope I'm not disturbing. I just wanted to... um... talk about our project. "She began awkwardly,peeking at him through her thick lashes.
Arizona smiled," Yes. About that... "He trailed off, feeling eyes on him. He turned to see few students gaping at them, obviously wondering why Areum is sitting with a nerd.
Arizona hated it. He frowned," I don't think this is the right place to talk. "
Areum narrowed her gaze," I have time only now. Why are you saying that? "
Arizona flushed," I... I don't like being stared at. "He hates it infact. He hates attention!
She blinked, looking around to see a group of students staring at them and whispering amongst themselves.
She frowned, standing up and walking up to them." Don't you guys have anything else to do than to stare at others with your creepy eyes? "
The students looked away. Messing with Areum could earn you a broken arm... Ask Mr David.😪
Areum eyed them," Get out." immediately, they scrammed.
She sighed and went back to Arizona, who was sitting in surprise. She sat down and said, "So.. About our schedule."
Arizona said," Yea. About that. We have 3 weeks and your first week is tight. So, we'll both put down one or two ideas for the novel and then meet during the weekend. "
Areum didn't know why she felt like whining, 'so I won't see you for the rest of the week?'
Arizona noticed her expression and frowned," isn't that okay? "
Areum said, looking down at the hem of her short skirt," Well... It's not... Bad...but don't you think we should work on it during lunch time? "She asked, now staring at him.
Arizona didn't like that idea because ," I don't like attention and you attract attention. "
Areum blinked, feeling somehow."Oh"
was the only thing that she could mutter.
Arizona glanced around and said," We'll do something about it. " and he stood up, picking his book with the intention of putting it in his bag but it slipped and fell.
Areum frowned,bending to help him pick it up and standing up to give him.
" So you're just going to leave? I came over here for nothing? "It's annoying.
Arizona looked down at her and her heart lurched. Geez...
He said gently," Let's meet at the café tomorrow." Areum pursed her lips with the intention of stopping her smile but it came out anyways, "What café?" Does he remember her!? Eek!
Arizona cleared his throat, adjusting his nerdy specs, "Yul's "
Areum smiled, nodding, but then froze, "What time?"
Arizona shrugged, "Anytime you are ready."
She smiled smugly, "How would I get through to you then?" She asked, her green eyes sparkling excitedly.
Arizona's face twisted into a thoughtful expression before he suddenly said, "Have my contact." and he fetched his phone out of his pocket.
Areum collected it and put her number on it, feeling quite giddy. It's like your crush is collecting your phone number. Yh. The feeling.
Arizona saved the number and called it. She smiled, feeling her phone vibrate in her pocket. "Done."
Arizona nodded, picking up his bag, "Alright then.Goodbye. "
"yeah! Bye! See you in class?" Areum grinned cutely.
Arizona looked away, wondering why she's so smiley around him. "Yeah. See you." and he gave a very clumsy head bow before walking away.
Areum smiled, sitting and picking the sandwich on her plate.
Some of the students around began to whisper to each other. WTF!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐
⭐
She sat eagerly. She'd called him earlier before she left Melody Institute so he should get here very soon. To be frank, she couldn't wait to see his face and hear his low, soft voice.
She checked the time. 6:12pm. She sighed impatiently. Anyways, he's worth the wait.
Almost immediately, she heard footsteps and looking up, she saw him walking up to her, his face holding a small, flushed smile.
He sat gently, saying, "Sorry I'm not on time. I had somethings to take care of."
Areum said, "It's okay."
They stared at each other, probably wondering who is going to talk next.
Arizona looked away awkwardly and Areum cleared her throat, "So..." She brought out her jotter, "Where should we start from?"
Arizona brought out his own book, "I drafted somethings out. We need a genre and a theme before we can start thinking of the story itself."
Areum nodded in agreement, "Ok... Let's go with romance!" She grinned.
Arizona blinked, "romance? "
Areum nodded," Yah. Most historical novels are based on either love or war, or both. So... "
Arizona said," Yeah. That is right. Ok then. Romance it is. "
" yes. A love story between the Princess and the Knight. "Areum grinned dreamily.
Arizona found himself smiling at her cute, excited face," A romance lover? "
She nodded," Yes. It's my favorite genre. How about you? "
Arizona said," I prefer adventure and sci-fi. "
Areum nodded," It's not bad either."smiling.
"Yeah. So... Let us start."He said, picking his pencil. She did the same, that smile not fading.
⭐⭐⭐
The next day was casual. After practice, she called him and he came over.
Actually, she met him already seated, reading a book. She grins," Hi, Ari. "
He placed the book aside ," Good evening Areum. "
" Hope i didn't keep you waiting for long. "She took a seat.
" No. "
Her eyes fell on the book he'd dropped. She smiled," You do robotics?"
Arizona blinked, a small blush rushing up his cheeks, "Y.. Yeah."
" Aw. That's cool. So, what's your latest gadget? "Areum grinned at him.
Arizona looked away shyly, adjusting his specs.
Guessing he's reluctant or shy, Areum quickly said," never mind that. Let's pick it up from where we stopped yesterday. "
Arizona nodded," Ok. "
After sometime, Areum spoke up," Ari, how about we go to the city library? Then we can do more research on our project. "
Arizona smiled at that," That's a good idea. So when should we go? "
She grinned," Are you free on Saturday?"
Arizona nodded. " Alright. Let's meet there by noon. Okay with you? "Areum asked.
" It's cool. "
Areum smiled beautifully.
⭐⭐⭐
Since Areum didn't bring her car, she decided to walk home. It's just 7:58 pm. She'll be home in less than 20 minutes
Her day was good and she'll sleep peacefully tonight, thinking about Arizona... As usual.
It's like an addiction. Like he's stuck in her head. If she's not thinking about his cute face, she'll be thinking about his shy smile and flushed face whenever he's unwilling to say something. He's just so cute. And even though he doesn't dress flashily like other boys do, it didn't lessen her attraction towards him.
"HEY YOU!!!"
Areum suddenly heard a deep voice behind her and she screamed, jumping in fear. Her heart pounded crazily as she turned to see whoever the hell did that.
To her astonishment, it was Kanye. He grinned at her pale, fear stricken face,"Hey! sorry, did i scare you? "He asked smugly.
Breathing out in relief, Areum threw a playful punch at his chest," You're such a jerk, Kanye. "
Kanye laughed. He's seen her walk past his friend's store and decided to join her but then she didn't even notice he's been trailing her so he decided to give her a scare.
" I'm so sorry, Miss beautiful. But someone needed to bring you out of your dreamland." He chuckled, digging his hands into his pockets.
Areum rolled her eyes, "Yeah."She agreed," And that 'someone' didn't have to give me a heart attack while trying."
Kanye laughed again. She sneered before she turned and began to walk away. Kanye jogged after her, "Where are you coming from this late? Alone."
Areum replied, "My uncle's cafe. I was working on my literature project."
"Oh! But still,it's too late for a damsel like you to walk alone. Next time, you should get company." He suggested in concern.
Areum raised a brow, "You sound like my dad."
He chuckled, "Nah. I'm just saying. Anyways, just so you know, i can be your Knight in shinning amour."
Areum smirked," Why? "
He smiled cockily," because i am very handsome. "
Areum burst out laughing and he joined." Yeah. You'll fight off the big bad wolves with your dashing look. "Areum teased playfully.
Kanye smiled, ruffling his ebony locks," You gat me, baby. "
Areum giggled...
⭐⭐" So... This is where we say goodbye. Thanks for walking me home, Mr handsome. " Areum grinned as they reached the front of her father's mansion.
" Anytime, Miss Beautiful. "Kanye smiled at her.
She nodded.
" Go in now. "He added.
" Oh.. Okay... Bye! "She said, waving at him.
He waved at her," bye. "
Areum smiled and turned to enter her house.
.
.
.