Chap. 6 May I Kiss You?

One week later.

"Stacey, I'm surprised at you. Didn't you want to be with Bryan so much? You used to confess all in the open until the cynics bullied you. Then why did you refuse when Bryan confessed his feelings for you back?" Clara interrogated Stacey in a half-whisper due to the bustling atmosphere of the cafeteria.

"Indeed, Stacey, it's a very romantic moment of expression. I didn't think a cold guy like Bryan could be that gentle to express his feelings to a girl." Zack joined in.

"Well, I'm disappointed," Clara murmured after Stacey ignored her.

"Come on, honey, don't be upset. Here, I'll feed you, just let it be, don't think about the problems of their romance. Widen your mouth a little." Zack is busy feeding Clara.

"Even though they love each other, they are mutually prestige. If the two are united, the two become a perfect couple." Mouth bulging from the pancakes, Stacey was still grumbling.

"Noisy," Stacey answered.

"Stacey, your twin is coming." Zack coded Stacey when Bryan appeared at the cafeteria door.

Bryan walked in, followed by Jack, Max, and Rooney. Their eyes met; Bryan's sharp eyes were cold. Stacey held her breath as Bryan approached the table where he and his two best friends sat for lunch.

One, two, three, Bryan passed Stacey without greeting her. Stacey gripped the edge of her cutlery tightly, her heart aching. She didn't want Bryan to ignore her. Stacey wanted Bryan to chase her like last week. Being ignored by Bryan for a week was excruciating.

"I go first." goodbye."

"Stacey, where are you going? Your spaghetti is still intact. Finished first," Clara held Stacey's hand.

"Let me go!" Stacey snapped.

"Okay-okay, it's up to you. Well, you go back to class first. I'll buy some snacks for you later." Clara gave in to Stacey's wishes.

"Leave it alone, here, quickly finish, and then we follow Stacey." Zack taps Clara's shoulder.

At another table, Bryan watched Stacey leave with an expression that was difficult to decipher.

"Bryan, let's go back to the racing arena? It's been a long time since we raced, so I want to." Max starts to speak up after they are quiet with each other due to Bryan's deteriorating mood after Stacey's rejection.

"Not interested, all beginner class." During this time in the forbidden racing arena, Bryan was the defending champion. For a year, no one has beaten him.

"That's a big prize, pals." Rooney's gold diggers are very excited. He hopes Bryan will join because he always shares the prizes he has won with his friends.

"I don't need that."

"Rooney, you forgot, who is Bryan?" Max reminded.

"I forgot, he's the crazy rich kids of the O'Neil family..." Rooney grimaced and raised his two fingers in a v sign.

***

All students in class 12.1 breathed a sigh of relief after Mr. Collins, the killer teacher's class, ended. They immediately rushed out of the classroom because school hours had ended.

Stacey walked, followed by Clara and Zack, who were always intimate because Clara was clinging to Zack's right arm.

"Dear," call Zack.

"Ssshh… shut up." Clara stopped Zack when he was about to speak.

"Okay." Zack covered his mouth.

In the school parking lot, Bryan seems to be ready on his sports motorbike. A red hoodie with a matching helmet is always synonymous with Bryan, who likes bright colors. Even his motorbike is red.

"It's so annoying; it's getting colder every day. Because it's a girl." Rooney complains that Bryan's attitude is getting colder and stays away from them.

"It's just getting harder to hang out with him." Jack chimed in.

"Be patience, pals." Max embraced his two friends, but Bryan ignored them.

Stacey walked briskly toward the parking lot. Her eyes searched for something. Clara and Zack, who faithfully followed her, were half running after their unique friend.

"Bryan O'Neil, stop! Don't move. Get down!" Stacey's loud call to Bryan caused a sudden silence in the parking lot. All eyes were on the two of them.

"I said get down! Now!" Stacey called out louder to Bryan. Clara and Zack were behind Stacey holding hands, worried about Stacey's strange behavior.

Without getting off, Bryan glanced at Stacey for a moment, then started his motorbike out of the school parking area, ignoring Stacey's calls.

The girls sneer at Stacey.

They sounded boisterous, making fun of her.

"Feel it, thank God, God forbid." The domineering blasphemous words from their mouths mocked Stacey.

Stacey lowered her head, her eyes starting to water. What's wrong with her ignoring him? Don't he do the same thing? Public refusal. The same one, right? Could it be that Bryan wants to repay her, or does Bryan want to hurt her?

"Looking for what? Why are you lowering your head? Your money fell into the gutter?" Bryan's voice was firm but gentle.

"Bryan." Stacey looked up with teary eyes.

"It's not appropriate for a Stacey Miller to keep her head down just because of a guy. Tsk this is, not you." Bryan took a handkerchief from his cloth pants and gently wiped the tears running down her cheeks.

"Bryan, I..." Stacey is confused after Bryan approaches her.

"Shh… smile." Bryan pulled the corners of Stacey's lips into a straight line.

"Well, looks better" Bryan pulled Stacey into his arms. "Enough, don't remember it again. It's all over, and I love you. Want to be my girlfriend?" Bryan asked.

Stacey nodded her head as she hugged Bryan tightly.

A light peck landed on Stacey's forehead. "Come on; I'll take you home." Again Stacey just nodded with a smile. Bryan affectionately took Stacey's hand through the line of girls watching Bryan and Stacey.

"Stacey, wait!" Clara wants to go after Stacey but is stopped by Zack.

"Honey, just let it go. The two just date; our friend wants to be alone. Today we are free, so we have time for we time." Zack raised an eyebrow.

"No way, I'm tired, Zack."

***

"Bryan, where are we going?" shouted Stacey, clinging to Bryan's back.

"To my house!"

"To your house, what we do for?"

"Celebrating our anniversary."

"Stacey smiled, then wrapped her arms around Bryan's body.

"It's here; come down." Bryan stopped his motorbike in front of the gate of his house. The mansion looked deserted.

"Your parents not home yet?"

Bryan shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know when they'll be home."

"Don't be sad, Bryan." cheer up Stacey.

"Nope, you're here now." Bryan said as he grabbed Stacey's hand, "Come on in!"

"What do you want to eat? Let me order some food." Bryan offered as soon as they entered the house.

"I want to eat your cooking," asked Stacey spoiled.

"Hmm... you dare to be spoiled for me."

"Whatever, who told me to be your girlfriend."

"I'm just kidding, honey." Bryan pinched Stacey's cheek.

Stacey followed Bryan into the kitchen. She saw Bryan chopping tomatoes and scallions.

"Do you want to cook spaghetti?"

"Hmm," Bryan mumbled.

"What can I help you with?"

"Just stay here," Bryan lifted Stacey and sat her in the pantry.

"Aww… Bryan!" shouted Stacey.

"Stacey, can I kiss your lips?"

TBC