Chapter 7: Day 1 – A Girl Like Alexa

[JUSTIN]

It's a very sunny day, but quite windy. I get out of my car and thoughts of Alexa suddenly hit me. What kind of girl is she? Is she rich? Ah, but if you look at her fashion sense, I think she's far from rich. What has she got to pay for this university?

I stand leaning against my Mercedes, and drink the cold Americano I bought at e 24-hours cafe earlier. I look at my wristwatch; It is still 6:45. I have an appointment with my thesis lecturer at 8, but I intentionally arrive here early because I want to meet Alexa.

And there she comes. Wait, she's on a bike? Are you kidding me, Alexa? Why is she cycling to campus? Aren't these months quite cold? I know there are quite a number of students cycling to campus, but most of them are boys.

Today Alexa is wearing a bright pink sweater and green trousers, totally unsuitable. Her hair is just tied back in a style that isn’t sexy at all. This girl is really unattractive.

"Ah, you idiot," I grumble to myself. I wonder why she's cycling in this weather, and I can't understand why she can match a bright pink sweater with green.

Don't architects usually have a good sense of art?

And now I have to find a way to get her close to me. It's the first day I'm going to launch my plans, and I promise myself, I have to win her heart within a week, whatever it takes.

How does it feel to be close to a girl like her? Does she stink?

Shit.

I jog over to Alexa, who is parking her bicycle.

"Hey, Alexa.”

"Justin," she replies flatly, without looking at me. She is still busy fixing the lock on her slightly battered blue bicycle, then tidying up her backpack.

God damn it, why is she carrying a backpack?

I use to go to campus with nothing because I keep everything in my locker.

I still haven't said anything else. I look at her clothes.

Oh my, how smug. Dull thick sweater, with baggy pants. Does she really not understand the trend or what?

But ah, she has to cycle in this weather, does she have to wear a tank top?

I suddenly feel stupid myself.

"Look, I'm so sorry about yesterday, ok?" She startles me in the middle of my own daydream.

"Oh, yes, it's okay," I reply, trying to smile. "Umm.. Instead of you riding a bicycle in this weather, how about I pick you up tomorrow?

Yesterday I asked Ramon to investigate which classes she’s in, so I know that tomorrow she’s going to have class with me.

She pauses for a moment as she looks at me. Her round eyes look annoyed. She has clear, light skin, with a pretty nose and naturally pink lips. It's a shame she dresses like a hick.

"Justin, if you're just trying to make fun of me, please stop."

Then she immediately leaves me just like that, while I am still thinking about what I should say next.

Damn.

Never in my life has a woman rejects me.

Stupid girl!

"Hey Justin!" Jared's voice booms and makes me almost jump in surprise. I turn and see him with Ramon and Jack, in Ramon's car. It turns out they have been peeking at me from inside the car!

"Justin 0 Alexa 1, hahahahaha!" says Ramon teasing me.

"You saw it?" I ask as I walk over to them.

My crazy gang laugh in unison, then Jared explains. "We're all peeking from here, when we saw you're trying to get close to Alexa, then she just walked away leaving you daydreaming."

"What are you dreaming about, Justin?" asks Jack, grinning.

I shake my head. I myself can't believe Alexa did that to me. I do not know what to do to approach women. They usually approach me first, and all I need to do is choose which one I want.

"I don't know, I'm confused," I reply.

"You really are an international playboy but doesn't know how to be a playboy," says Ramon.

Jared laughs, "But guys.. After all, he's been chased by girls for ages. What about us?"

I punch Jared's arm. "Stop it. You have a lot of fans too! Come on down!"

The three of them get out of the car and we walk together towards the cafeteria.

"Why are you all here early in the morning?" I ask, surprised.

"We want to take a peek at the robotics contest in the Electrical Department, 7 am. Aren't you watching?"

I shake my head. Now I'm thinking hard. Besides myself, I think my friends also have to get to be close to Alexa, so she feels comfortable. But they all never get close to her, and she likes to be alone. She seems to only be friends with books and lecturers and most of the time we aren’t in the same class either.

Actually, I remember in several early semesters we were classmates, but we almost never spoke to each other. We also usually hang out only with popular kids on campus. After yesterday’s investigation, and I came to know that Alexa is one of the brightest students in this Architecture Department, I'm a bit confused about how to win her heart.

"Duh. How can you live, Dear Someone-like-Alexa?" I complain, "She is..."

"Hey hey hey Alexa’s out," Jack cuts me off, shaking my arm.

"Why is she with Kimmy?" Jack continues, "Lisa and Candy?"

"Maybe they are quite often classmates," I reply.

I watch Alexa and the three pretty witches, shaking my head. Out of so many students, why do they have to walk together? The comparison is too stark.

The four of them are walking towards the basketball court, but then stop in the middle. It looks like they're arguing, but I can't hear what they're talking about.

"You know what's going on?" Jared asks me.

I shrug, not taking my eyes off Alexa.

"What a snob!"

I hear Kimmy rebuking Alexa and violently drop the things she is carrying. Alexa just stands right there in silence and starts to collect her scattered books and stationery, while the three witches leave her alone.

I quickly run to Alexa, past the cafeteria tables and jump over some low loungers. I pass Kimmy who’s just staring at me with a frown, also Lisa and Candy who are standing arrogantly in the corner of the field.

"Here, I'll help," I say to Alexa as I crouch down and pick up her scattered pencils, rulers and erasers.

"Justin, what are you doing?"

I keep quiet and put everything back in her pencil case, then place it on top of the pile of books on her hands.

"Don't get into trouble again," I say, then walk away.

I return to my friends who are still gawking.

"Guys, you've got to help me!" I glare to each one of my friends.

Ramon immediately understands what I mean. They should also try to approach Alexa, to make her more open to me.

"She really doesn't like me, and neither of us are close to him. This has to change.”

"That’s correct. We also need to be close to her, so that she feels comfortable with us," Jared replies.

"The thing is, so far we never know what's on her mind about us," replies Ramon, then grinning like a horse. "And.. nothing is free, Justin."

"I'll treat you to whatever food you want if my mission is successful," I insist.

Jared patted my cheek and reassured me, "Easy."

Then they all wander off to the Electrical Department campus. They can be trusted, and I believe my mission will be successful.

I ponder for a moment and call Ken.

"Yes, Justin?"

"You're not going to college today, are you?"

"Oh no, this week I won't be going to campus.. I have a project that I need to finish, next Tuesday I'll have to propose it to the lecturer."

"Can we meet at the lake this afternoon? There's something I want to tell you," I ask. Ken is the only one who doesn't know about this plan of mine.

"Sorry, I can't. Tomorrow morning?"

"OK, I'll pick you up tomorrow, okay?"

I hung up and think about Alexa, who has disappeared to nowhere.

"Justin!" The shrill voice and the tap on the shoulder almost make me jump from the shock.

"Lisa? Where's Kimmy and Candy?"

"They're at DSA, making snack boxes for the next week's event," answers Lisa, sitting next to me.

"Why did you help Alexa?" Lisa continues.

I shrug. "So what? And why did Kimmy get so angry like that?"

"Kimmy asked Alexa to do our thesis," answers Lisa.

I glare, "The three of you’s thesis? All of you?"

"Yes.. Alexa has finished her thesis and her exam, so she must be quite free these days.”

Oh my gosh, I'm not a smart student myself, but why I’ve never thought of asking other students to make my thesis?

"And?" I ask.

"Alexa refused, even though we said we’re gonna pay her."

"How much?"

"Per person 10 million, so she will receive 30 million."

"Wow," I reply, wide-eyed.

Lisa's red, always-wet lips slightly pout. She’s wearing blue contact lenses that match her sparkling white skin. Every side of Lisa is indeed very stunning, but unfortunately her brain is less than competent.

Lisa touches my arm. "I wonder why you helped her earlier."

I look into her eyes. I've had a few moments with these three witches, but so far I've always felt closest to Lisa.

"You girls also helped her when she left his book yesterday, didn't you?" I answer.

"Ah, it's different .." She concludes in a complaining tone.

I still haven't answered the question because I don't know what to say.

Lisa's long red hair sways in the wind, with brown highlights and a slight curl at the ends.

Oh my god, this girl is so beautiful.

"You know Kimmy likes you, don’t you?" adds Lisa.

I shake my head. "I don't know.”

I really don't know what’s in Kimmy’s mind. I think it’s you who keep trying to get close to me.

"Doesn't she like Ramon? Or Pedro?"

Pedro is a mixed Spanish student, tanned and very sexy, taller than me. I know Kimmy sometimes likes to get Pedro’s attention.

"Kimmy likes Pedro too, but she says you're more attractive."

Of course, my money is definitely more attractive.

"Do you know what Kimmy said when she saw you help Alexa earlier?"

"What?"

"Kimmy said.. If in the end Alexa falls in love with you, she will throw Alexa into the old well in the garden behind the campus."

I suddenly have a headache.