"Good evening ma," Fred said to Mrs. Eze, Lynn's mom.
"Oh Fred, how are you?"
"I am fine ma, is she feeling better now?" "Yeah, I know she is pretending. I caught her sneaking into the kitchen this afternoon to steal food after she says she wanted to avoid eating"
They both burst into laughter.
"I can't believe you are laughing at this moment of my life" Lynn interrupted.
"Lynnette…" Fred called, immediately snapping out of his laugh.
Lynn ignored him and walked to her room, and he followed. "Please Lynn"
She tried to close the door, but he held it back, "Let's just talk"
She sighed and let him in. "What do you want?"
"Lynnette, you can be rude all you want, insult me all you want, but at least don't break up with me. I don't know how I would be able to pass my exams when my heart is this heavy."
"You love your exams more than you love me, right?"
"Never, I love you more than anything, at least except your food" They both chuckled. "I am glad you are happy again"
Lynn immediately snapped out of it and kept a stern face.
"Lynn…" Fred looked as though he were going to cry, and Lynn burst into laughter again. She hugged him.
"I have missed you," she said while holding on tight.
"I have missed you even more" he took her hands and pulled her jaws close to his. He kissed her. Lynn felt the coolness of his lips and yearned for more.
Immediately, someone's phone started buzzing and destroyed their chemistry. They both started searching for what is not lost. Lynn picked up.
"Hey! How are you doing?" she said over the phone. "Wow, welcome back where are you now? would love to see you" she was excited, "Okay, I would be there. I am famished so prepare to treat me well" she sheepishly and hung up.
Fred is studying Lynn. He was jealous, he didn't know who was on the phone with her, but he felt it was someone else, another guy.
"Don't be jealous, it's just a friend." she touched her lips, and memories of what happened a few minutes ago flashed back; she blushed in embarrassment.
"I would be going to a competition" Fred broke the silence.
"how come you are just telling me?"
"I just found out today" he explained, "could you come with me to cheer me up?"
"Seriously? Even if you didn't ask I would"
Fred hugged her and sighted the green doll by her dressing table. He went to it and lifted it, foams from inside dropped out, it was torn.
"What happened to my avatar?" He exclaimed.
"Ahhh, I beat the hell out of it for all you have done"
"Jeez, sew it back!" he gave it to her
"whatever" she smiled, "my exams are a week after yours, you know?" Lynn asked.
"Yeah"
"Can you help me study a bit?"
"It would be an honor" Fred helped Lynn in studying until she slept off. He tucked her into her bed and kissed her forehead good night.
He bade Derek and Mrs. Eze a good night.
***
It was the day of the competition, Fred had spent two days at home studying and solving past questions from the previous year's competition. He went with Mr. Charles and Mrs. Celeste. Lynn was going to come with her mom.
They had ten rounds and Fred passed them all. It was the final round between Olympic High School and Reddington High School. They were in a hot seat, but finally, Fred won the competition. It was a thing of joy in Olympic High that afternoon. Fred felt tired of the congratulations.
Lynn had kissed him passionately while they were alone. It excited him, and he wished they did more than just kiss.
"You are the brightest star on my list!" she exclaimed
***
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