Kapitel 3: chapter 3

"Mom, I'm off now," Teresa said as she headed into the large kitchen to say goodbye to her mother before leaving for school.

It was still very early for school, and her mother was clearly puzzled to see Teresa leaving so early, unlike her usual routine.

"That's unusual," her mother muttered.

Teresa left with a backpack and a small bag containing her lunch. She deliberately left early that day because she wanted to stop by Kenzo's house and catch a glimpse of him.

Teresa hid behind some bushes, watching the house and waiting for Kenzo to come out.

After about 20 minutes of waiting, she finally saw the gate of the house open, and a sports car drove out.

Kenzo stepped out of the car and closed the gate. He then got back into his car and drove off.

Teresa emerged from her hiding spot, awestruck by how cool Kenzo looked. She checked the time on her watch; she had ten minutes left to get to school, or she would be late and not allowed in. She immediately ran out of the neighborhood to catch a bus.

Hahhh hahhhhhh

Teresa was panting heavily as she ran down the road.

"Aisshhhhhh," she grumbled in frustration as she noticed the time on her watch ticking faster than usual.

As she reached the front gate of the neighborhood, she saw Kenzo's car stopped.

"Kenzo!" Teresa called out, knocking on the car window.

"Good morning, sir," she greeted the neighborhood security guard.

Tok tok tok "Can I get a ride?" Teresa asked.

Kenzo didn't respond or even glance at her and just drove off onto the road.

Teresa knew that Kenzo wouldn't offer her a ride. She then walked towards the roadside but didn't see any buses passing by.

"Darn, I'm going to be late."

Teresa ran along the sidewalk. She pushed herself to get to school, even though she knew she wouldn't make it on time even if she ran. She kept trying anyway.

"Aaaaaaaa," Teresa screamed to motivate herself, but unfortunately, her legs could no longer carry her.

Teresa bent over, trying to catch her breath that was hanging by a thread.

Her face was drenched in sweat, her hair was disheveled, and her legs felt like jelly.

Beep beep beep

Teresa turned towards the sound of the horn and saw Kenzo's car stopping beside her.

"Get in," Kenzo said as he rolled down the window and spoke to Teresa.

Teresa smiled and immediately walked over to the car, getting inside. She was confused when she looked at the car, not knowing where the door handle was.

"How do you open this?" Teresa asked with an innocent look on her face.

Kenzo reluctantly opened the door for her.

Teresa got in with a beaming smile.

"Thanks," she said to Kenzo.

Kenzo didn't reply and focused on driving his car at high speed.

Vroom vroommmmmmm

Teresa was startled and grabbed onto the car seat, her face showing shock. This was her first time riding in an expensive car.

*****

Kenzo saw someone running behind him, catching a glimpse in his rearview mirror.

"Crazy girl," he muttered as he left the neighborhood.

His car stopped, waiting for the road to clear before heading onto the main road. His eyes focused on the passing vehicles, looking for an opening.

He glanced at his rearview mirror again and saw the girl greeting the security guard before running towards his car.

Tok tok tok

The girl knocked on his car window; he tried to ignore her. Luckily, the road was clear, so he sped off.

His hands steered the car smoothly, but his eyes couldn't help but notice the rearview mirror again. He saw the girl running fast, not chasing his car but trying not to be late for school.

Kenzo tried to remain indifferent and kept driving, but he couldn't take his eyes off the girl, who seemed exhausted from running.

Kenzo rolled his eyes and sighed. He then made a U-turn at the next roundabout and headed back towards the annoying girl.

His car stopped right next to the sidewalk where the girl had stopped running.

Kenzo floored the gas pedal as soon as the girl got into his car. The car sped towards their school.

Vroom vroommmm

*****

Teresa glanced over at Kenzo, unable to process how handsome he looked, making her heart flutter. She was completely still as she admired Kenzo's good looks.

'So perfect,' she thought. From the top of his head to the tips of his toes, Teresa couldn't find a single flaw in the guy.

The car came to a sudden stop, causing Teresa to lurch forward and hit her head on the front seat.

"Ouch!" she exclaimed, holding her forehead in pain.

She noticed they had arrived at the school parking lot. Kenzo got out and left Teresa behind.

"How do you open this?" Teresa asked, but Kenzo ignored her and walked away.

She was puzzled about how to open the car door since it was different from the cars she had been in before.

"Kenzo, help me out!" Teresa knocked both hands on the car window, unable to get out. "What if I die in here?"

Kenzo sighed again, then turned back to the car and opened the door for Teresa.

"I thought I was going to die in there," Teresa said after getting out, holding her chest.

Teresa exited the car and noticed many students at the school staring at her. She was confused as to why they were looking at her like that; they seemed to be talking about her.

"Teresa!" Yova called out as she suddenly approached Teresa.

"Why is everyone staring at you?" Yova asked, glancing at the onlookers.

"I don't know, maybe because I arrived with Kenzo," Teresa replied casually.

"WHAT?" Yova exclaimed in shock. Her voice startled a few students who happened to be passing by. "Sorry, sorry, but seriously?" Yova lowered her voice and asked Teresa.

"Seriously," Teresa answered, shaking her body playfully and looking happy.

"How did that happen?" Yova asked, not quite believing it, since Kenzo was known to be indifferent and unconcerned with others.

"It's a secret," Teresa replied with a cheeky grin.

"Ugh, whatever," Yova scoffed.

The two of them then walked into their classroom. Teresa's eyes immediately found Kenzo, who was sitting and opening his bag. She smiled to herself.

"Yova," Teresa called out to her seatmate. "Do you have a change of clothes?" she asked.

"I have some in my locker, why?" Yova asked.

"My clothes are soaked in sweat. Can I borrow yours?" Teresa asked.

Yova turned Teresa around, only now realizing that Teresa's clothes were wet and her hair was a mess.

"What have you been doing?" Yova asked, covering her mouth in disbelief.

"Oh, nothing, I was just running, so I got all sweaty," Teresa replied. She then explained why she ended up arriving with Kenzo.

"Oh, so that's what happened. I thought something else was going on," Yova responded. "But I'm really surprised Kenzo gave you a ride."

"Because I'm going to be his girlfriend," Teresa replied with a cheeky grin.

"Stop daydreaming. Come on," Yova said, pulling Teresa towards her locker to lend her a spare outfit.

"Do you want me to take you to the bathroom?" Yova asked.

"No need," Teresa replied, "thanks." She then left the classroom to change her clothes in the bathroom.

As Teresa walked to the bathroom, she accidentally bumped into Reno.

"What have you been up to?" Reno asked, surprised to see Teresa all wet.

"Exercising," Teresa replied playfully.

...

The lunch bell rang. Yova invited Teresa to the cafeteria, but Teresa declined, saying she had brought her lunch from home.

"I brought lunch," Teresa said.

"Lunch?" Yova asked, puzzled.

Teresa smiled and nodded. She then reached into her desk's compartment but couldn't find the lunch she had brought earlier. Her face grew confused as she searched for it. She checked her bag but found nothing.

"What's wrong?" Yova asked.

"My lunch is missing," Teresa replied.

"How could that happen?" Yova asked.

Teresa tried to recall where she might have left it, thinking about her activities since the morning.

"My lunch," Teresa said, looking over at Kenzo's seat. She realized that she might have left it in Kenzo's car. 'Guess I'm not eating,' she thought, feeling deflated, knowing Kenzo wouldn't be willing to open his car just for her.

"It's okay, let's just go to the cafeteria; there's plenty of food," Yova said.

"No, it's okay," Teresa replied with a smile. Yesterday, when she had checked out the cafeteria, she was shocked by the prices of the food there. Her pocket money wouldn't be enough to buy food at the cafeteria. It was just enough for her daily commute by bus.

"Come on," Yova insisted, pulling Teresa along. "I'll treat you. If necessary, I'll pay for your food every day while you're here." Yova dragged Teresa by the hand.

...