Three

There was a state competition in which Crystal's school would be participating. Students from both the Junior and Senior Section were chosen. Crystal never knew she would be chosen, but seeing how bright and intelligent she was, the Management didn't deliberate before choosing her. That morning, she had Economics class. It was quite confusing to understand why the living standard in this country has difficulties.

Mrs. Thelma, her Economics teacher kept explaining and she seemed to pay rapt attention to the topic. Suddenly, everyone in her class started to murmur, thus disrupting the lesson. Crystal turned to her left because she sat in the front at the far end of the class.

Why were they murmuring?

And she found out why. The Principal, Mr. Godwin was seen standing at the door, but he was talking to Mrs. Harrison, the Headmistress who gave him some papers. Entering the classroom, he raised his hand and the class was suddenly as silent as a graveyard. He opened the paper that was given to him by the Headmistress and scanned through it once more.

"I know you all have an idea of the states competition coming up in a month's time so that will be quite easier for me. Today i will be choosing students who would represent our school and i will be choosing just two students from this class. Henry Santos and Crystal Garcia, follow me to my office. Over to you Mrs. Thelma"

Crystal's eyes widened when she heard her name. Her heart, beating rapidly made it a lot slow for her to decide if she should follow the Principal or not. She came to school to fulfill her dreams not represent a school in the states competition. What if she fails? What if she disappoints the school?

What if her foster mother sees her on television and comes for her? Being that it was three years since she had seen them, it is mostly possible that they were searching for her and she did not want to make it easy for them to take her back to hell she had fun away from.

What was she going to do?

A tap on the shoulder brought her out of the sea of her troublesome thoughts. It was Henry Parker. Standing up from her chair, she followed him. She would think later on how to ditch the school competition.

Walking into the administration block, Crystal soon found herself in the Principal's office. Other students whom she recognized as Grade 9 students were already being sitted on the chairs that were carried from the library and hour ago by the school prefects, waiting for the Principal who was not in the office. Sitting down, she waited and through the time she waited, she tried to think of a way to give an excuse so she would not participate.

"Hey" She heart, jolting her out of her thoughts. She turned to her right where the voice had come from and saw it was Henry, her classmate. She blinked as she looked at him, not knowing if she should admire him or not. This was the first time he was talking to her. She could not even believe her had said something to her just now.

Or was she dreaming?

Maybe she was?

Despite her beauty, no guy had really spoken to her or even made a simple conversation with her. As weird as it sounds, it was true. She knew Martha had spread a lot of rumors about her so students will not have anything to do with her. Maybe it was because this guy was a new student and maybe he had not heard about the rumors yet.

"H..hi" She said as she put dropped her eyes to the floor, not knowing how to act in front of him.

"I never thought you will respond. You seem scared of me or should I say surprised?" He said, tilt his head to the side as he took in her beautiful features.

"N….no….not really…..i mean yes….or maybe no. Sorry, actually..."

"Now you are nervous?"

"I am so sorry"

"There is no need to apologize. By the way, you have a nice voice"

"Th…thanks"

"I hope we could be friends because I hear you are the best in the whole Grade 7"

"S…sure"

Crystal let out her breath which she didn't realise she was holding as a guy whom she thinks is in Grade 6 from his side called him. She folded her hands as she tried to think on a possible way to get herself out of this state competition because there was no way she was going to participate in this competition.

And by the time the Principal came in, Crystal had come up with an idea. Everyone stood up as the Principal walked in with five other students whom were the perfects of the school. Her heart skipped a bit when she saw him. He was looking more handsome…..handsome was not even good enough to describe his appearance. He had an unearthly beauty, looking more unearthly handsome than she had last seen him, even if it was just this morning since she had last seen him.

Justin was always a straight A student and it was not a surprise that he was also chosen. He was also the Senior Prefect who never ever played with his duties. He carried some papers in his hands which somehow looked like pamphlets.

Again she yearned for his attention. "Please look at me" She begged in her head as her eyes were pinned on him. Just once....i want to see those eyes.... She begged in her head. But as always, he did not even look her way. Crystal looked away feeling hurt. She had always made a mental promise to herself to keep herself in check whenever she was around him but each time she sees him, she breaks her promise.....again.

Her eyed moved from him to the four other prefects who walked to their seats. But there was a girl standing by his side like an accomplice.....Martha. She was not surprised when she looked at her with disdain. She was used to it and it never bothered her. She won't be surprised if she was told that the reason why Martha had joined was because of Justin. Even how she even got to be here was a mystery because Martha was just an average student. She did not even want to think on what she had done to be part of the students going for the competition because everything about that girl made Crystal sick.

"Good morning everyone" The Principal greeted.

"Good morning Principal"

"Now you all know very well the reason why you are here. These pamphlets which will be given to you will answer some of your questions and if you are still not clear, i will not mind answering them for you"

Crystal thought about her plan carefully and also thought of executing it after everyone has left. She held her breath as Justin started giving the pamphlets to the students. She hates that this boy...this boy with his beautiful blue eyes has this effect on her.

The more he came closer the more her heart beat faster. And soon it was her turn. One of the pamphlets fell down as Justin attempted to give her one. Crystal, though her heart was still racing tried to help him by bending down to pick the pamphlet but Justin also bent down and both of them bumped their heads

"Damn!" Justin cursed as he looked at her.

"Can't you be careful for once in your life?" He said as he bit his lips, making Crystal gulp.

And then their eyes locked.

Those beautiful eyes.....those eyes which has always wanted to look into....to drown into....to be one with....those were the eyes staring into hers right now and she felt happy. His eyes were just like a beautiful ocean, too beautiful to be ignored. A sea which she wished to dive in but is not given a chance.

Her eyes left his and roamed around his face, taking note of the face with the beautiful eyes. He was unearthly beautiful....so beautiful that she wanted to take in her hands those soft cheeks of his and feel how soft they are.

Everything happening around her didn't matter to her. It seemed that she could hear nothing. She was looking into those eyes she had fallen in love with at first sight, those eyes she thought she would never see again. Now she knew how much she missed them.

She knew how much she missed him.

He seemed lost in hers as well, in a state that she was in at that moment.

"You have a habit of bumping into people young lady" He said as he stared into her eyes, not even blinking once. That was when it hit her;

He remembered the first day they met....he did remember. She could not believe he did. Surprisingly, he smiled.

He is smiling at her.... For the first time.

She could not help but commit into memories his beautiful smile, his soft cheeks which has pink noticeable dimples in them, his eyebrows which went up and down occasionally, his hair which was neatly oiled and styled. She took note of it all; in case if it was the last time she would ever see him smile at her.

He had noticed her for the first time after three long years. She could not express what she felt that moment.....

She felt.....special....she felt noticed.

She felt wanted.....she felt loved.

Justin looked away and picked the pamphlet on the ground. He squeezed her hands which felt so cold around hers and stood up, still smiling at her. That was when she realized they were holding hands. He had no idea how much this moment meant to her. Standing up fully, he continued sharing the pamphlets and her eyes never left his body which was retreating farther away from her.

She was so into admiring Justin that she did not notice someone was looking at her with anger and disdain.

Soon enough they were all dismissed and everyone left the office except Justin and Crystal. Justin was busy looking for something and so did not notice her when she walked towards the Principal's desk and stood in front of it.

"What is it?" The Principal asked as he looked up from the files he seemed to be arranging.

"Sir i....i just wanted to tell you I will not be able to compete in the states competition. The thing is that....is that...."

She bit her lips as she sensed a pair of blue eyes on her. Why will he have to look at her right now?

"Are you okay?" He softly asked, causing her to look at him. He was standing straight, his hands in his pockets.

"Y...yes I am....I am fine"

"You don't look fine to me Crystal" Her eyes widened as she looked at him in surprise. Justin knew her name.

He damn knew her name.

The Principal seemed confused as he kept looking at Crystal who seemed to be speechless.

"Judging that it is her first time, she might feel scared. Do not worry sir, she does not have a problem. Come on Crystal" He said as he walked ahead of her. Crystal seemed to be rooted on the spot as she tried to fathom what had happened. What happened? Why did he interfere?

Justin turned back when he reached the door as if noticing she was not following him. He looked at her with those blue eyes which made her heart beat faster. What was he doing to her?

"Any problem Crystal?" The Principal asked, jilting her from her raging thoughts.

"No...no sir. I will....i will be on my way. Thank...thank you sir" She bowed and made her way to the door. Their eyes locked again and she walked out, knowing he will follow.

~

They walked in silence, not talking as they made their way to their classes. She will not deny the fact that she had a lot of questions to ask him, wanting to know why he interfered. But she did not know how to start a conversation and so she let it be.

Surprisingly again, he walked her to her class. When they got there, as she was about to enter into her class he held her hand making her turn to meet his gaze.

"Make sure you are in the library by recess. That is where everyone partaking in the competition will meet. I want to see you there okay?" He said and smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

He stepped back and made his way back to his class. Her hands went to her heart, trying to pacify her racing heart.

What is he doing to her?

She walked back into her class and continued with her learning, catching all she could, wanting to see him.

Wanting to feel those hands again.

Those hands belonging to the boy with the blue eyes.