Ten

The first four periods passed by in a blur, I barely remember what i was doing. Which is a bad thing cause i faitly remember ss handing out homework. I feel giddy as the bell for lunch rang. I get up and pack my books into my bag.

Norman stood up with me

"I'm heading out for lunch. See you later," I tell him.

Norman nods his head and replies

"Sure, see you later." I head towards the door and see Loren standing by the entrance, probably waiting for his best friend.

I smile at him a full beam of teeth when he looks at me. I hear his breth hitch as he swallows.

Damn whipped much? Well, same here.

I never smile or show expressions except with people I am extremely comfortable with, and so far, they have only been five.

"H-hey," he says, almost stuttering. I hold back my laughter by bowing my head. I raise my head to look up at him after controlling my laugh.

His eyes shine as they stare at me, "I just wanted to say that you look beautiful, I missed the chance to tell you that this morning." I nod at the compliment, feeling a little pleased.

Sure, it's different when the guy I like compliments me, but I rather he says something different from what the others say. Don't blame me for expecting a little much.

"You were radiant and let me say I'm never going to forget that image. You were like the sun, too beautiful to capture but a glorious witness from a far."

Now, my breath hitched as heat spread within my body, making my cheeks warm. I caress my fingers across my cheeks, covering my cheek with one hand when I feel they are becoming red.

Heavens, I'm even blushing!!

He senses my quiet state and gasps. "I'm sorry I'm must have said too much. Shouldn't have said that." He reprimands himself, apologising.

I shake my head, "No its alright."

'You sure,' his eyes say as he looks at me softly. So soft, almost like being caressed by silk. "You sure?" He asks, voice lower, almost chiding.

I nod again it seems I'm becoming mute.

"Okay. Shall I walk you to lunch?" He asks softly

I nod shyly.  Shyly?

Speak dammit! what's wrong with my throat.

We walk slowly to the cafeteria. Silence fills the space between us, but it's comfortable. If he says another word with that voice of his, I don't know how my body will react.

So far, my stomach has been churning with what you humans call butterflies. It's hard to breathe, and i can barely speak. This progress is scary.

We arrive at the cafeteria safely. Yes, safely for me. My nerves have been on overdrive. And demon training didn't teach me what I'm supposed to do in situations like this

"See you after school Reys". He says, offering me a smile as he walks in while I stand there frozen, replaying his smile over and over in my head. He even gave me a nickname, which sounded way better than when Norman said it. Sorry, Norm.

This should last me till the end of school. Way to go, Loren, your face is gonna be occupying my head till the end of school.

That is how my whole day went, in a blissful daze. At lunch, I was teased badly by the girls who had seen Loren walk me into the cafeteria and how a gentle man he was opening the door and leaving me with a charming smile.

I blushed hard at their words and did so much to hide my face from them, but I did not successfully escape their mockery until after lunch.

I got back to class. Math is the period that starts after lunch. My food is already broken down now. The school is making me break numbers. It's a great way to start my afternoon.

I sigh and glance at Loren, who had taken his seat beside his seat partner Luke. I took an effort for me to know his name, considering he usually stares at loren with worry. I can blame him. Loren didn't do a good job hiding his thoughts from his gestures.

I looked away when our math teacher came in, a middle-aged man who seemed to love the numbers more than reality. It took a lot for me to concentrate during his class and the other two periods that followed.

But, I was ever grateful to be saved by the treacherous bell that signified the end of school.

I packed my bag slowly and neatly as I watched Loren arrange his own things in his bag. I am waiting for him to stand up so we can both leave at the same time for our date. I was excited and nervous.

Norman sensed me tense beside him, and he glanced towards me. He had packed his bag as well. "What's wrong?" He asks with furrowed brows. I shook my head.

"Nothing, just relaxing a little." He nods at my words and stands up, dragging his chair back. He steps out of his seat and pushes his chair back in.

"Alright then, see you tomorrow." He says, i smile at him and do a mini wave as he walks out of class. Loren finished packing just then and stood up. I stand as well walking to the door so we could bump into each other.

When he sees me at the door side, she gives me a nervous smile, one I sure back with him.

"Sorry, could you give me a few minutes? I need to talk to my coach and I will meet you at the entrance." He asks with pleading eyes.

I nod in understanding, I need to touch up my face a little. Today's school work was no joke. He sighs in relief and jogs down the hall. I walk to the girls' bathroom and put my bag down on the sink.

I take out my lip gloss and powder and dab my nose and under eyes. I apply my lip gloss, generously putting a lot to make my lips a glossy red shine. I smile at this and tuck my makeup tools back into my bag.

I arrange my curls, wash my hands, and walk out of the restroom. I head to the school entrance, following the large trail of students that all look happy leaving their prison. 

I exit the door and spot Loren beside his car. He talks with Jamie, and I watch his smile at something jamie says. His gaze catches mine that stares at him, and he smiles wider, waving at me. I gush and wave back, walking towards them.

I see Jamie nod at him, and they do a bro handshake as he leaves before I get to Loren.

"Hey," He greets again, "are you ready?" I nod at his question as he opens the door for me. I smile, saying thanks, and got in. The car smells like him, and I feel like I'm being embraced in his warmth.

My cheeks warm up as he slides into the drivers seat and starts the car, and we both do our seat belts. He puts on his cars bluetooth,  hip hop music plays through the speakers, and I enjoy the beat.

He drives out of school as we sit in a comfortable yet awkward silence.

"You were fast," I say. He rises his brow at my words, thinking if what I meant.

"Oh yeah, coach, and I didn't talk much. Just needed to inform him of some things. " I hum at his words.

"So, where are we going?". I rub my hands together to rid away my sweaty palms.

"A friends restaurant close by his food is amazing. Are you cold?" He glances at my hands as he replies.

"Oh! no, I'm not. " I gesture, waving both arms to deny. I scratch my ear and look outside the window.

"Okay," He says.

He drives for a few minutes before parking in front of a familiar restaurant.

"We are here," He says as he switches off the engine. I nod, clicking off my seatbelt as I get out of the car.

"Tico's huh." I say, looking at the homely looking restaurant. It's painted cream white and ticos designed in black cursive. The outside walls are glass, and the inside looks mordenly furnished and spaced. It indeed looks nice.

"Yeah. When it first opened, Jamie and I came here to try the food out, and we have been hooked ever since." He says with a grin as he leads me in and opens the door for me.

I pass by him with a small smile, his cologne caressing me through the little space between us. He leads us to a booth seat that is by the glass wall that gives us the view of the greens designed outside the restaurant.

"The food must be amazing," I say, a little nervous as I look around. Smart lights installed and nice furniture's places in concise arrangements.

"Yeah, it's pretty good. Cooked by the owner himself before he got more hands. That's how we got to know him. He's pretty young, too." He says, and I chuckle.

Of course.

"Then I will follow your food choice tonight since it's your pick," I say as a waiter drops the menu for us on the table.

He smiles at me again, and my heart falters. "Sure, I will. This great taster will choose your meal today." I smile at his words."Ah speaking of, here he comes, " he says as he waves a person over.

My smile drops, and I turn to look at whom Loren signalled over, I see Tico smile at him and begin to walk over when he sees me. He froze, and so did I. His smile becomes stiff as he forces himself to move to our table.

"Hey Tico," Loren greets happily, oblivious to the changes in our deamour. "I brought Reya here today to try the amazing food."

Tico chuckled nervously. "Alright, it's nice to meet your miss, Reya. I've heard all about you from Loren." He says with a polite smile, his eyes smile into slits as well as they close in an upwards turn.

"Please enjoy your meal today. It's on the house." He says, and I nod my head.

"Thanks. I will enjoy it." I reply with a polite smile of my own.

"Alright then. Loren, I will leave you guys to it." He nods at Loren, who replies "sure, " and Tico walks away.

I release my held breath and force a smile when Loren glances back to me. Our waiter thankfully arrives to take our order, and he pours us glasses of water while Loren tells him what we want from the menu.

I drink my own glass of water and sigh out.

"You were thirst? Sorry I didn't notice." He says, handing the waiter the menu, and he leaves.

"It's fine, no need to apologise. I'm just a little nervous." I confess.

He laughs. "Tell me about it, I'm really grateful you agreed to this date. I was nervous when asking you out." He takes his glass of water as he explains

"Hmm, after stalking me for four months, I will say you have a lot of courage even if it's from afar."

He cough out, dropping his glass of water

"Wha- stalker no, I wasn't."  I laugh as his ears turn red.

"It's alright." I assure him. "I've seen you watching me at the park months back." I expose.

"God no." He groans out "please not the embarrassing things." He covers his face, and I laugh out. It's been a while since I had fun like this. Loren is indeed my favourite person.

"I was nervous, okay? You really are beautiful. It was hard to approach you even in school, so I just stared at you from afar cause I didn't think I could come near. Now I sound like a creep." I chuckle at that.

"It's fine. I know the rumours didn't help. But, I wasn't really mean to everyone. Our classmates are an exception, including you, so don't ever feel nervous approaching me. I like it when you talk to me."

Oops, I just confessed. I watch Loren's expression shift from shame to shy and now happy.

"I'm happy to hear that you like me, I will do my best to talk to you now. At least you have clarified a lot of things for me." I nod at his statement. He looks relieved, and I have assured him that I won't stay away from him, and I welcome his gestures of kindness and the future conversations we will have.

"Well, I guess we have passed the awkward stage then," I say, and he agrees with a nod.

"To seal that stage, I will need your number." He says with a small smile. I blush and nod. We exchanged our numbers as two waiters came back with our food and drinks.

Loren food is special rice with coke. He ordered lasagna and a chocolate smoothie for me. I smile at him as he thanks the waiters, and we dig in.

The food was amazing, as Loren had said. It was indeed Tico's passion. We talked about many things, and time seemed to pass. It was 7.30 when we realised it was late. We got up, and Loren sent his regards to Tico on the food. We got out, and Loren offered to take me home, but I told him it's fine.

"At least let me drive you to a bus stop. Is that okay?" He softly speaks. I smile and nod who can deny when you look at me and speak like that. He opened the passenger door for me, and I got in using the belt. He gets in as well, starting the car and drove out.

I gave him the directions to the nearest bust stop that was still an hour away from my house.

He parks close to the bus stop and turns to me.

"Thank you for coming with me today." He says.

"No, I should be the one thanking you. I really had fun today and also you didn't have to drive me here. You practically live on the other side. " I say

"Anything for you Rey anything." He says, staring into my eye. His gaze powerful yet soft as they give me all his attention.

I gasp and blush. "Thank you." I mutter, turning my head away. If I looked a second more, I would break down. The bus horns as it drives past us to the bus stop.

I look up and look at him then point at the bus "Well that's me." I say. He nods, and we both get out of the car. I walk towards the bus stop. The door of the bus opens to let me in, and I turn to face Loren.

"Take care," He says.

"You too." I mumble out. "Let me know when you get home." I nod again and climb the bus. I give him a short and small wave as the door shuts.

He does the same, and the bus moves. He stands there, and I do the same as we both watch the bus take me further from him.

Thoughts? How was their date? At least they both have an understanding of each other now. No more stalking for Loren. hehe

Anyways, don't forget to like, vote, and comment.

Sayonara

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