Chapter 15

I heard noises of footsteps around me. The students were running and I am one of them. It was almost 7:00 am and we need to follow the protocol of the school. I saw someone running too. It was Nick. He joined me running fast to get inside the school grounds. "Why were you late?" "Don't ask me." I didn't go to sleep because of him. We were catching our breaths, and we both chuckled. "Let's go." He held my hand and walked with me, but I pulled mine. "Okay, I understand." He gently moved his hand to my back. "Oh, please stop doing that. There are many eyes here looking at us." I was embarrassed by how fast we grew close together. "Congratulations!" our teacher greeted us. We looked at her, smiling brightly. She gave a letter to Nick, and his eyes opened wide as he read it silently. "You passed." "Yes! I got it." He was happy with what he achieved today, but I feel gloomy about what I see. I have the guts that there was something to happen after this. The students were in line to buy lunch and I stayed here to avoid him. Suddenly, Nick approached me on my table and I looked around the eyes of our fellow students there. I grabbed my lunch and gave him lunch as usual. "Won't you congratulate me, would you?" He was smiling at me. "Congratulations, Nick!" I pretended to be happy for him, but I thought something would happen. "Let me treat you after class. I'll send you the location."I felt like he was having a hard time for me, but he made things possible even though his schedule was getting tight now because he passed the audition for his dream - an idol. It was getting darker when I got to the location he had given. The place was huge, full of bright decorations. The lights were opened and he was there, standing with a bouquet of red roses. "Good evening, my lady." He grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it. "Have a seat." He was getting gentlemanly day by day. He was making butterflies around my stomach. The days we spent together were upgrading. I examined his looks while he was cutting the beef steak on his plate. He switched mine to his and it was a great act of service to me. It was making my heart flutter whenever he used to do it now. When we were kids, I never thought of going out with him because he was kind after making me feel annoyed at all times. This time was difficult to digest that I was seeing him as a man. Time flies so fast that even the world seems unclear to me. I hate myself for being numb. It was he who made efforts for me to be seen as a full-grown man. All I could see was his being a boy who liked making me feel annoyed. My eyes teared up when I realized all of the things he made for me and all he wanted me to do was to reciprocate my feelings back to him. He made my chin up and wiped away my tears. "Don't cry. It is a simple date."I couldn't stop myself from crying and all he could was to make me stop. "Nick, I'm sorry.""It's okay if I am not the one you like. I will wait for you always and forever." He was looking at me sincerely and I hope this would never end.I shook my head. "I realized your effort to me. I am grateful that you are there." He invited me to stand up and he asked me to dance. We danced like a couple under the moonlight shining in the sky. I looked at his sincere eyes watching over me. "You have the beautiful eyes." He smiled and kissed my forehead. I gently closed my eyes and it felt like it was a dream. "I like you too." I wanted to kiss his cheek but I kissed his lips. I gently pushed him out of shock. "Sorry, I didn't mean it." "What did you say?" "I said I -" My words were cut when he gently kissed me on my lips. I couldn't believe my eyes when he kissed me gently and almost passionately. We were both catching our breaths after our kiss. "I can't express my feelings and my actions said it well. I apologize for kissing you." I stopped him by using my finger against his lips. "That'senough. I heard it well. You don't have to say sorry because I like it too. It's just that we are getting fast.""We should cherish this moment after a long time caring for you. I wanted your attention and time. That's why I always annoy you to make you feel that I am here, waiting for your affection and love." His hands were trembling against my face.