Chapter-4

Gracia smiled. She was really happy with Werner's success. She could sense the shimmer of victory in his eyes."Congratulations, Werner," said Ashley, who was the best friend of Gracia. They both were in the same grade. Gracia shared almost everything with Ashley and so did the latter."Thank you very much, Ashley," replied Werner, feeling a sense of awkwardness in her presence. Ashley never left a chance to tease Werner by taking Grace's name. Werner blushed out very hard whenever Ashley called Grace and Werner as a couple. To avoid this discomfort, Werner felt best to leave the place before Ashley says anything to make the situation weirder."I need to change, I am sweating really badly, I will meet you later girls," said Werner trying to escape the picture. Grace understood his nervousness."Yes, sure! We also have a class. Meet you later. Congratulations once again," said Gracia to Werner."Thank you!" said Werner and he left for the dressing room along with his teammates.

Gracia and Ashley then went towards their classroom to attend their first lecture. They entered Mr. Parker's class right after him and sat at their favorite spot. The last bench of the last row. The place where they could catch up with their gossips. Mr. Parker started teaching and so did the girls start chatting."You were blushing really hard before I came. Don't you want to tell me?" asked Ashley with a glitter in her eyes. She was dying to know everything that occurred between Werner and Gracia."Nothing," replied Gracia, restlessly since she knew she won't be able to conceal for long from Ashley. Ashley was good at bringing secrets out. And grace was naive enough to let everything out to her best friend."Oh, come on! You really have to tell now. You know I won't spare you until you tell, so hurry up," said Ashley confidently."Okay, Werner was crediting me for his victory," said Gracia."Why?" asked Ashley, confused"Because he feels so. He feels that I boosted his confidence, therefore, he was able to score the victorious goal," said Grace"Oh, wow. He is such a prince charming for you Grace. Look, how much he loves you," said Ashley, feeling excited for her."Yeah, I know," said Gracia, blushing and noting down what Mr. Parker was teaching on the board, simultaneously."No, you don't know anything. He loves you so much but look at yourself, you haven't even kissed him yet," said Ashley."What?" said Gracia loudly. Ashley asked her to shush."But why?" asked Gracia silently to Ashley, hoping that Mr. Parker has not heard them."Why not Grace. He loves you so much, and so do you. Can you tell me a single reason why haven't you both kissed yet?" asked, Ashley."Because…" Gracia paused for a minute trying to present the strongest argument to Ashley so that she can stop this topic right here.

"Because I haven't thought about it yet," replied Gracia."Why haven't you? Haven't you noticed how lovingly he looks at you? You may not have thought about it yet, but I bet he must have, Grace" replied Ashley."Why do you think so?" asked Gracia."Because of my enormous knowledge of boys, honey!" said Ashley."Oh, really madam? Then why don't you make a boyfriend?" asked Gracia strongly."Because I haven't met someone of my type," replied Ashley."Oh really? I don't think so," said Gracia, with a wink in her eyes."Yes of course, why do you think so?" asked Ashley trying to avoid the question."Then why do your eyes always stuck at Peter?" asked Gracia, smiling smoothly. Ashley felt apprehensive. She had a crush on Peter but she never accepted it."No, not at all, you must have mistaken, Grace," said Ashley."Yeah, I know who is mistaken," said Grace smirking."Okay girl, better focus on your studies," said Ashley, wanting to stop the issue right there. Grace laughed."But why do you want me to kiss him? Is it necessary?" asked Gracia."Yes, of course, don't you know that? Haven't you read that story of 'Sleeping Beauty'?" asked Ashley to Grace."Yes, I have," said Grace."So why don't you know? Kiss is a symbol of love. It is a feeling to express how much you love each other. It shows passion, desire and how much you adore a person. It is not just restricted to the touching of the lips. It is communication without actually talking. It keeps you alive, it develops a deep sense of emotional intimacy," explained Ashley. Gracia was listening carefully to Ashley."Oh, I didn't know this," said Gracia, childishly."I told you, I have an enormous knowledge of boys, do you agree now?" asked Ashley"Yeah," said Grace."Now give me your notebook. Let me jot down what I have missed from the lecture," said Ashley.Gracia was perplexed for a moment. She was wondering if Ashley was right or not. She found her arguments good enough to understand the importance of this physical intimacy. She felt that since she hasn't thought about this earlier, then she should not make any move regarding this. She wondered if she should discuss this topic with Werner or not. Won't it be a little weird? What will Werner think about her? Does Werner ever have thought about this some time?Gracia couldn't decide. Ashley handed over the notebook to Gracia when Mr. Parker's class was over."Where are you lost, girl? In Werner's dream?" asked Ashley to Grace, sensing that Grace definitely was thinking something deep."No, not at all," said Gracia."Okay, then. Let's go to Ms. Bennett's class. I really have to catch up with my Arithmetic lessons," said Ashley. Both of them then moved to Ms. Bennett's class.After attending Mr. Parker's and Ms. Bennett's class, it was time for the lunch break. Gracia took out the lunch from the first zip of her bag and waited for Werner in the ground. Werner came hurriedly with his lunch box in his hands. Both had lunch together. Since Werner was in a higher grade than Gracia, he sometimes had long lectures to attend but he always made sure to be on time for lunch. He won't make his love wait for too long on an empty stomach.After finishing the lunch together, Gracia thought of discussing what Ashley told her in Mr. Parker's class to Werner. She felt a little perplexed about how she should initiate such a conversation. Werner understood that Gracia was trying to say something."What is it, Grace? Do you want to say something?" asked Werner."Umm, I really want to but I don't know how," said Gracia tensely."Feel free to say, Grace," replied Werner, trying to bring up her confidence."Yeah. Umm, actually today, in Mr. Parker's class…" said Gracia."Yes?" asked Werner."Ashley was asking me if…" continued Gracia...To be continued...PS:Hit the like button below, it's totally free:)Do drop your suggestion in the comment section below.Also share it with your near and dear ones.Have a great day:)