Our Best

Dispersing her thought, Althea took her time enjoying the scenery in silence as she imagined herself being there with Ray. Looking at some corners of the field where she could spot some couples leaning against each other or simply relaxing as they talked, she felt envious.

How nice would it be if they can be together, like... physically?

Would they be all that comfortable as to how comfortable they are during chats and calls?

What is he like in real life? Is the voice she heard during their calls the same as how it is in real?

The agonizing questions which will be left unanswered until they meet made Althea yearn to hear from Ray right at that moment.

Barely hesitating to leave the newfound place she enjoyed so much, she ran through the road in search of a signal.

"Gotcha."

Ring ring ring

Her phone buzzed as soon as she got in range and her cheeks flushed in happiness as she saw the caller.

"Hello, Ray?"

"Hey, dear. What happened? I couldn't reach you." Ray's voice sounded a little worried.

"Oh, That is... I went to a field here to prepare for tomorrow's activities. The field was out of range for the signals." Althea explained.

"I see, it's fine then. Anything else happened?"

'Still so sharp?'

Althea gulped at the question. She felt like there was nothing really happening as there was no real confession anyway... But from the circumstances it sure looked like Hanley was about to confess if she didn't mention having a boyfriend.

Anyway, it wasn't worth worrying Ray of something that trivial.

"N-"

"You're bad at lying, Thea." Ray interrupted, making Althea jumped slightly.

Facepalming, Althea chided herself on why she even bother to try hiding it.

"Uhh well, it's like this..." Althea narrated what happened and Ray silently listening to it.

"So yeah, nothing happened." Althea concluded after her story.

The silence that continued made her fidgety until she heard Ray sighed heavily while muttering, "Damned pests."

Hearing that as a cue to speak, she hurriedly asked to change the topic, "Haha yeah... Anyway, it's rare for you to call first. What happened?"

"Ah, right. I almost forgot," the sound of tapping could be heard from Ray's side, "I got accepted by the university."

"R-really??" Althea asked in disbelief, but happiness was apparent from her tone.

"Yep." Ray answered with a chuckle.

"Woww, congratulations! Aww I'm so proud of you. I know you can do it!" Althea exclaimed excitedly. Her happiness would've ignored how estranged she was from physical contact as she would've hugged the man tight had he been here with her.

"Thanks, dear." Ray seemed to be affected by Althea's happiness as his voice sounded much softer than usual.

"Great, now I need to do my best to meet you, huh?" Althea just said that in cheerfulness, but when she realized the weight of her words, she calmed down instantly.

"Yes, Thea." Perhaps sensing Althea's worries, Ray added, "Don't worry, I'll help you go through it too."

"Mn... yes." She smiled bitterly. It wasn't that she wasn't confident in Ray's help. She just didn't believe enough in herself.

After all, while she was the top at her school, the school itself was nothing more than a mediocre school in one of the small towns of her country.

To compete with that many students from other schools nationwide... She just couldn't help but felt pessimistic.

"Shh... My girl is extraordinary." Ray suddenly uttered.

"I'm... just normal..." Althea felt happy at the compliment, but she felt like it was just to make her feel better.

"Sweetheart," She heard Ray's voice turned a tad deeper and her heart swelled in a fluster.

"S-so, when will your university start?" Althea didn't let Ray continue and asked despite knowing how clear Ray was on her effort to change the topic again.

"In a month, I think. Since I will need to settle in the dorms and go through some administrational process first.

"I see..." Althea's eyes drifted to the limited time she has at hand "I hope you can enjoy your new life in the university, Ray."

"Mn." Ray hummed as he kept on listening.

"And do get some friends. You shouldn't be a loner anymore." Althea chided. She could hear Ray chuckled in helplessness at her words and continued, "And be happy. Try to explore the places you'd like to see, don't be cooped up in your room and study all day, okay?"

"Yeah..." Ray inhaled, perhaps finding his girl's requests too much for the current him, "But it'll be with you, Althea."

Ray's sudden request made Althea's heart thumped as bitter smile floated on her face. This man really isn't giving her any leeway.

"I understand. Let's do our best, okay?" Althea heard a lip-smacking sound which she figured must be Ray's way of kissing her and bit her lips in embarrassment.

"Okay."