Azalea's POV,
Scribbling on my notebook, suddenly my phone vibrated inside my pocket. Putting down the pen, I grab my phone and check who texted. It's Zack.
"Hello goodmorning Azalea! I know it's your break time, so make sure to eat your snack ^^" — Zack.
Smile curved into my lips as soon as I read his text message. He's really sweet and doesn't disappoint me.
"Why are you smiling?" Krystal asked, glancing at me, still reading her notes.
"Zack texted me," I replied honestly, putting back my phone into my pocket. We're currently here inside the library, reviewing for our exam tomorrow and next day after tomorrow.
"You should study first before you communicate with your lovey dovey suitor," Leonel stated, shaking his head.
"Wow coming from the person who just came here to sleep?" I scoffed, holding my mouth, looking at him mockingly.
"Well, at least I'm not goofing around." He laughed, making me furrowed my brows. Krystal and Maica on the other hand let out a low chuckle, so the librarian won't hear.
"Blah blah." I make face and continue doing what I've been doing earlier. I'm solving math problems as usual. Despite Maica already taught me this, I'm still having a hard time to solve all of this problems.
"Damn! Do we really need to study? I'm not fan of it," Leonel grumbled, leaning his back against the backrest heavily.
"Don't study if you don't want to, but you should be ready to your exams results," I informed teasingly. Let's get back on him hahahaha!
"STEM is really hard, I should've just pick HUMSS," he ranted, messing his hair.
"Stop whining there and shut up, can't you see we're focusing here?" Krystal scolded, glaring at him.
Holding my mouth, I tried my best to hold back my laughter, seeing Leonel's priceless expression.
Maica glanced at Leonel too, flashing a smile as she shook her head.
Leonel on the other hand started to read his books and notes and finally he's already studying now. I should celebrate, the nuisance is finally focusing!
"After morning class, where should we eat?" I asked, snatching their attentions.
"Didn't Rico promise us that he'll treat us lunch today? So probably he'll be the one to decide where should we eat," Maica replied, closing her book.
"Did he really promise that?" Leonel asked, eyes still focus on his paper.
"Yes, he said that yesterday before we came back here in Cavite," Maica answered, opening her bottled water.
"Speaking of Rico, yesterday when we were playing volleyball, I noticed how he was acting around Azalea. I mean he look so concern and sometimes Zack and him will glared at each other," Leonel asked curiously, shifting his gaze on me. That question really stopped me from writing. When I look at it, I haven't really told him regarding what happened between me and Rico.
"U-um about that, he confessed to me last Saturday," I answered honestly, which made his eyes widened.
"Really? I-I mean how?" he asked nosily yet excitingly.
Taking my deepest breath, I told him what happened last Saturday. He looks so shock but he's laughing all along. He couldn't believe that Rico developed his feeling to me.
"What in the romance novel is this. A former bully fell inlove with the school girl." He laughed hardly, slamming the desk. Maica couldn't hold back her laughter anymore and laugh along with Leonel. Krystal on the other hand just facepalm herself, shaking her head.
"Hey stop that! The librarian will scold us!" I slap his left arm, motioning him to stop as I glanced at the librarian. There she is, glaring at us. Perhaps she's killing us already inside her mind.
"Fine fine, I'll stop," he uttered, shaking his head. "But does Zack know about this?"
Sighing, I nod my head. "I told him last night."
"Oh really what's his reaction?" Leonel questioned, crossing his arms. Maica is now looking at me while Krystal continue writing on her paper.
Flashback
"I need to tell you something Zack," I informed, combing my hair in front of the mirror.
"What is it?" he asked. I could see how he sat on the side of the bed through the mirror.
"It's about what happened last night." I put down my comb onto the table, facing him.
"Hmm okay, then what about it?" He tilted his head sideways, waiting for my words.
"I lied when I told you that Rico and I just had a normal conversation. In fact he confessed to me," I revealed, swallowing a lump.
"I know."
My eyes widened in shock as our eyes met. "What do you mean?" I asked.
"Before he confess, he told me first about that. He even told me that I should try to stop you because I can't stop him," he explained, laughing. "Then how are you feeling?"
"I-I don't know what to feel since we're only friends but I'm trying my best to treat him normally just like what I used to," I answered, fidgeting my fingers.
He didn't respond instead he stood up from the bed and went in front of me. Lifting my head up, I could see his genuine smile as he hold my right cheek. It's really comforting. I hold tje back of his right hand and closed my eyes.
"I'm not holding your feelings Aza, but if you think and feel that Rico is more suitable for you than me, then choose him. Always listen to your heart. However, I won't let him get you so easily. I'll fight too to get you, I promise that," he stated seriously.
Opening my eyes, his face is the first one I saw. He's bending down his knees to make our faces to face each other.
End of Flashback
"Wow Zack is really nice huh. But if I were you, I'll choose Zack of course," Leonel said, yawning.
"Of course I'll choose him," I said with my determine voice.
"You can't say that, feelings can change," Krystal butt in.
"I agree." Maica wiggles her eyebrows.
Instead of answering, I just continue reviewing my notes. They are right, feelings can change but right now I'm sure I'll choose Zack.
—
"Where are we going?" I asked Rico who's busy driving the car. We're all inside his car and currently on the way to the restaurant he said. Anthony is sitting beside Rico while Maica and I are at the back seat. Krystal is in Leonel's car, and they're following us from behind.
"There's a new restaurant here, you'll see," he replied, glancing at me through rearview mirror.
"Oh really? Make sure the foods are delicious," I mumbled, leaning my back against the backrest.
"Don't worry my older sister told me that the foods are really delicious." He laughed.
"Good."
Maica suddenly lean closer to me and whispered, "Did you notice Krystal's behavior around Leonel?"
"Huh? No, I don't. Why?" I murmured back so the boys won't hear us.
"Nothing, I thought you notice." She leaned back, running her fingers through her hair.
"Is there something I need to notice?" I asked confusedly.
"There's nothing, perhaps I'm just hallucinating." She chuckled.
"Okay we're here!" Rico exclaimed as he parked his car in the parking lot.
Wordlessly, I opened the door and step out of the car, seeing the extravagant restaurant in front.
"Wow," I murmured, closing the door behind me.
"It's really fascinating no?" Rico asked, who suddenly appeared beside me.
"Yes." The only word came out from my mouth.
"Azalea." He offered his left arm, asking me to cling my arm around.
Reluctantly, I just stare at his arm, battling myself if I should accept it or not. There's a part of me telling that I should accept it since it's just normal but there's a part of me telling that I shouldn't. Clearing my throat, I flashed a smile to him and followed Maica who's now walking in front of the restaurant.
Glancing behind my back, I saw his disappointed expression. He slowly drop his arm and followed us. I'm sorry Rico.
"Rico stop slacking around!" Anthony shouted, opening the door of the restaurant.
"I know!" Rico shouted back as he ran towards us.
Leonel and Krystal are already with us too. They seem to talk so happily so I didn't bother to butt in with their conversation.
We went inside the restaurant and took our seats. As soon as we sat, a waiter approached us and asked for our orders. We look first at the menu before we ordered the foods we want.
"There's a lot if billionaire family here," Maica whispered in my right ear.
Looking around the place, I nodded. There's really plenty of billionaire people around the restaurant. However, most of them seems to be from Brave Family.
Glancing at Leonel and Krystal, they're still talking to each other. Leonel is sharing something to Krystal. Unlike earlier, Krystal look so quiet now. Perhaps their topic changed.
"You finally noticed too," Maica exclaimed, making me to look at her.
"Notice what? If you're referring to them, they're just talking casually, what's the big deal?" I questioned.
"You're really naive Aza." She shook her head. "Krystal seems to have romantic feeling towards Leonel," she whispered.
My eyes widened in surprised. "R-Really?"
"I'm not sure either but look at her, it's quiet obvious." She laughed.
Shifting my gaze on them, they're still talking to each other casually. Honestly, sometimes I saw Krystal acting different in front of Leonel but I think it's just normal.
The food arrived and we finally started eating. Rico is talking casually at me and I managed to return the talks in normal way. I promise myself that I won't be awkward around him.
Leonel interrogated Rico about his feelings to me. At first I was about to answer his questions but he stopped me. Embarrassment drew all over my face when Rico is done expressing his genuine feeling to me to Leonel.
"I'll go to the restroom first," I stated, standing up from my seat as I proceed to the restroom.
Frantically, I went inside the cubicle and did my business. After that I went to the sink to ash my hand. Staring at my red face through the mirror, I closed my eyes for a moment and sighed.
"I can't believe what happened," I murmured, closing the faucet. Mechanically, I went back to our table and took my seat.
Before I could take my seat completely, I received a message from Zack. "Good afternoon my Señorita, don't forget eat your lunch."
Smiling, I texted him back, telling that I already ate my lunch with my friends before I put it back into my pocket.
"Oh dude I need to go." Anthony suddenly stood up from his seat, snatching our attention.
"Why did something happen?" Rico asked worriedly, wiping his mouth, using the tissue.
"Yes, my parents just arrived from L.A," he answered tapping Rico's shoulder. "I gotta go man."
"Wait but you don't have a car with you." Rico hold his wrist.
"I'll commute to school to get my car, don't worry." He shift his gaze on us. "I'll go now guys."
"Take care," I reminded.
"Bye!" Maica waved her hand.
"Bye," Leonel said nonchalantly while Krystal just nod her head.
As soon as Anthony disappeared, Rico called a waiter to pay for the bill. Maica whispered something to Leonel and they both nodded.
"Rico thanks for the lunch but we'll go now," Maica muttered, standing of from her seat, the same with Leonel and Krystal.
"That was really good lunch Rico." Leonel wiggles his eyebrows, glancing at me.
"That's nothing guys," Rico replied, handing the money to the waiter.
"Wait don't tell me—" I was about to stand but Maica immediately grab my shoulders and slump me back on my seat.
"Take care of our Azalea, Rico," Maica reminded, flashing a smile.
"Of course, I will." Rico chuckled.
"Wait!" I shouted.
"We'll go now Aza." Leonel waved his hand, wiggling his eyebrows teasingly. "And oh Rico make sure to protect her huh."
"I know that dude."
"That's good! Maica, Krystal let's go!"
Krystal went to me and kiss my cheek. "We'll go now." She tapped my head and followed the two, who're looking teasingly at me.
Those bastards! They really left me alone here with Rico!
"So, let's go?" he asked, fixing his uniform.
Glancing at him, I fidgeted my fingers and nodded. It's really embarrassing!
We both stood up from our seats and proceed to the main door.
"Wow are they dating?"
"Probably."
"They look so good to each other."
"The girl is really pretty."
"The same with the boy, he look so hot. Is he a celebrity?"
All of those words are from the customers around. I could hear them all properly but I chose not to pay attention. I glanced at Rico. He's looking straight but his face is blushing.
Averting my eyes off him, I covered my mouth using my right hand.
We arrived at the parking lot and we was about to get inside his car but someone caught our attention behind.
"I'm sure they were with Leonel awhile ago."
We both looked behind our back, seeing a group of men. They are wearing white uniform and black slacks. They are from public school.
"Um excuse me? What can we help you?" I asked formally as Rico unlocked his car.
The semi bald fat guy went closer to us, glancing at the sunglasses fit boy behind his back. "Are you sure they were with Leo?"
"Y-Yes!" The boy answered.
"Hey where is Leo?" this bald fat guy asked, grabbing my left shoulder.
I was shocked for a moment and slap his hand away from me. "Why are you looking for him?"
"Just answer me you bitch!" he yelled, furrowing his eyebrows. He looks so disgusting and I could smell cigarette smoke from him.
"Azalea get in the car." Rico went in front of me, pushing me to his car.
"But—"
"Just get in."
Swallowing a lump, I walked to the passenger seat, opening the door.
"You look familiar. Where did I see you?" bald guy asked, crossing his arms.
"Boss he's Aizen's cousin, Señorito Patrico," one of his underling answered. So they knew Aizen too?
"Wow what a coincidence."
***