"Areum!" She heard a familiar voice call her name. She turned and she smiled in relief. He's here.
He rushed up to her, "I'm so sorry. You must have been here for so long. Gosh! I'm..."
Areum held his hand,stopping him by saying, "It's okay, Ari. Are you good?"
Arizona nodded, "Yh. I'm fine."
Areum nodded. She noticed his bright blue eyes aren't so bright. He looks different... Downcast...
"Ok. That's nice. I was actually worried when you didn't come..." Areum said to him as they walked over to the small ice-cream kiosk.
Arizona blinked, feeling a tiny flutter in his heart, "Y.. You were worried about me?"
Areum sent him a strange look, "Why not? We are friends after all. And even if we aren't, it's good to care for others."
A smile spread on Arizona's initially black face, "You are different you know."
Areum made a funny face, "Different? How do you mean?"
Ari smiled, "Well,girls in your shoes are usually proud and pompous and bullies. You know, you proved to me that High school Diva's can also be humble and kind."
Areum pouted playfully, "So you used to think i was a bad girl. Ouch! I'm hurt!" She sighed dramatically, placing her hand on her chest.
A soft chuckle escaped his pink lips. She grinned, "What flavour would you like, Ari?"
He smiled, "Chocolate"
Areum beamed, "Yay! That's my favorite!"
Arizona nodded a bit,smiling. She's always so cheerful. Facing the ice-cream vendor, Areum said, "We'll have two chocolate ice cream with syrup and sprinkles and cherries and here is my card..."
Arizona interrupted, "I'll pay."
Areum eyed him, "I asked you out. Let me treat you."
Arizona rolled his eyes and brought out his wallet, fishing out a black card from it.
Areum gaped at the card he held. Woah.. Wait a sec.. "Ari... Wha.. Is that yours?"
Ari sent her a strange look now, "Of course. Isn't that obvious?"
Areum blushed a bit, "Sorry.. I just didn't expect it."
Arizona smiled, giving the card to the vendor, "No one does."
Areum smiled at him, "So is your dad like a multi Billionaire or something! Or are you a multi trillionaire!"
Arizona chuckled, "Uh... Maybe."
Her eyes sparkled, "Woa. So cool."
"Here miss and Sir." The vendor smiled at them, placing their orders on the counter. Areum carried the two ice creams and turned to Arizona.
Areum grinned, "This looks delicious. Here!"
As he stretched his hand forth to collect it, Areum's face fell. Why are there bruises on his knuckles? He couldn't have gotten into a fight. Doesn't seem like the fighter type.
What happened to him? He forgot about their outing, came looking so blue, and now bruises...
She was concerned but decided not to pry. He might not be comfortable telling her.
"Thank you! Let's go." Areum smiled and they walked away.
"So. How long have you been in Crystal Academy? Because i didn't know you existed until last week." Areum began as they strolled.
He smiled, "Well, two years."
Areum's lips formed a 'o' playfully, "So you've been my classmate for 2 years and I don't know you? Wow! Way to keeping a low profile Arizona Hart."
He laughed a bit, "I don't feel comfortable with popularity."
Areum smiled, "It doesn't matter. Being popular isn't an achievement. It's bothersome sometimes infact. I like you like this. Cute, unknown, quiet ... Except to me." Her heart fluttered as she said that.
Arizona laughed, "Selfish little girl."
She pouted cutely, handpicking the cherry on her ice cream, "I am not little."
Ari smiled at that," Oh yeah? "
Areum nodded" Yup! I'm 17!oh, by the way, how old are you? "
Arizona smirks," 18. And I permit you to call me big brother. "
Areum gaped at him. It's the first time she's seeing him smirk... It's so sexy...
" Big brother my foot! "She poked her tongue out at him and he laughed.
Damn! He could spend the rest of his day with her, laughing and smiling, listening to her silvery voice, laughter...
Suddenly, she grabbed his arm," Omg! Let's ride the Rollercoaster! "
His eyes widened behind his glasses," Areum... "
Areum pouted," Come on... Pleeeaaasee... "
Arizona looked around frantically," Why don't we uh..."
Areum grinned, interrupting him with a, "Yay!" and she pulled him to the ticket stand.
The guy giving the tickets smiled at them, "You are so cute together. Cutest couple of the day. here you go ." h
Arizona blushed and before he could correct that, Areum pulled him away, snatching the tickets, "It's starting soon!"
⭐⭐⭐
Entering the house, Rose ran up to him, "Master! You came home."
Arizona smiled at her, "Yes." Since he's in a good mood, he's come home.
Rose smiled, "That is good. Should I make your dinner now?"
"No Rose. You go to bed . I'll be in the lab though."
"OK sir." Rose smiled at him. Susan has left. Phew. The house will have peace for a while.
⭐⭐ After working on the robot he's been working on for some days now, Arizona decided to go to sleep.
He freshened up and laid on his bed. Closing his eyes to sleep, what came to his mind was Areum's laughter.
He opened his eyes. She's been on his mind all evening, so he decided to text her.
Picking his phone, he opened the chat room and suddenly paused. 'Wait. Won't she be offended I'm texting her so late?' He checked the time, '10:4 . IT'S okay. She can't be annoyed.' He concluded, reminded of her carefree nature.
He texted {Goodnight} and took a deep breath. It's okay. It's just a text to a girl...
He pressed 'Send' and the message was delivered immediately. He smiled to himself.
Then, he remembered Ella. She's been avoiding him. What happened?
{Ella? Are we good}
She saw it but didn't reply
{Ok. We'll talk tomorrow. Don't come late. Goodnight.}
Again, it marked read but she ignored it.
Arizona sighed and immediately, a call came in. The ID showed the name, [Bro].
"Hey." He said
"Xup. "
" Good? "
" Yh. "
" School? "
" Do i really have to tell you that?"Arizona rolled his eyes.
The caller chuckled," Ok. I think I know that then. When are you coming home? "
Arizona hummed," uh... I'm not sure. But maybe next week."
"Maybe? Dad wants to see you."
Arizona sighed, "ok. Ok. Next week."
"Yh. See you tomorrow? "
" Yh. See ya. Goodnight. "
" Yuh. Good night. "And The caller terminated the call.
Arizona smiled. It's been a while they've spoken.
His blood...
They'll see tomorrow. And he will see Areum too, and probably hear her joyful laughter. Smiling to himself, he placed his phone aside.
'Goodnight Areum.'
.