1 The End (part 1)

"Hey!" Rhema's cheerful voice cut through the classroom as she strolled over to where I stood. My heart did a little jump; the fact that she was actually greeting me sent a jolt of surprise and a pinch of happiness through me. It wasn't every day that the school's reigning popular girl initiated a conversation with someone like me.

Before I could muster a response, my attention shifted as Filip, who had been busily copying down my class notes, chimed in, "Hey."

For a fleeting moment, my elation wilted, and I awkwardly turned my gaze away. Heat crept up my neck, and my cheeks tingled with a hint of embarrassment. It was like I had momentarily forgotten how to be a human being.

Oh, why did I even let myself entertain the thought that Rhema would talk to me? I mentally berated myself, my mind echoing with my inner critic's scathing remarks.

A self-deprecating chuckle slipped from my lips, a bitter mix of chagrin and disbelief. Of course, I silently chastised, what was I thinking? How could someone as alluringly rich, beautiful, and popular as Rhema ever spare more than a passing glance for someone like me?

A scholarship student, my appearance resting just a notch above ordinary, nothing striking to write home about.

I wouldn't claim to be ugly, but neither did I possess any sort of exceptional handsomeness that could turn heads.

At 16, I was the epitome of an average-looking boy, blending into the sea of faces at school.

"Let's hit up the Golden Vine tonight," she chimed, flashing that enchanting smile in Filip's direction.

A quiet sigh slipped through my lips, almost involuntary. Just being in her presence felt like a fortuity, a stroke of luck that I couldn't quite fathom.

"Isn't it opening today?" Filip's voice held a tinge of regret as he spoke to her, his demeanor apologetic.

Indeed, a sigh seemed to weave its way into my every exhale. The grandeur of her presence, her radiance—it was like being gifted a piece of the ethereal. My thoughts swirled in a chaotic dance, one that celebrated her existence and lamented the impossibility of my own connection with her.

"Yeah," I mumbled, my voice a hushed whisper, almost as if acknowledging the reality that I was nothing more than a distant spectator to her dazzling world.

"I heard we've got to reserve like a month ahead just to snag a spot," fillip said shaking his head.

"Don't sweat it. I've got connections. There's a table reserved, and my friends will be joining too. Feel free to bring along anyone you want," she continued, her attention solely on Filip. Not a single glance spared my way, not even when I stood barely inches from her, just inches away from her, like a ghost, unnoticed.

It's not like she intentionally ignored me; it's as if I didn't even register on her radar. I battled the sinking feeling that had started to settle within me. The truth stung—I was a mere shadow in her world, a whisper that barely made an echo.

Of course, why would she acknowledge my existence? The reality was harsh, and I couldn't help the cynical thought that lingered—it wasn't as if she'd spare a thought for someone like me.

"That's seriously awesome!" Filip's excitement bubbled in his voice. I mustered a fleeting smile, the sort you wear when you don't quite fit into a conversation. Turning away seemed like the best option; I knew my place, and it wasn't within their inner circle.

Being the creepy guy staring at Rhema wasn't what I aimed for. I shuffled a step back, a mix of emotions churning within me. Staying there, near her, would be an exercise in self-torture, a test I wasn't sure I'd pass

"Alex," Filip's voice cut through the whirlwind of my thoughts, halting me in my tracks. "Want to join us at the Golden Vine?" he asked, his words hanging in the air with a surprising offer.

I stood there, caught in a momentary daze of disbelief. Did he just extend an invitation to me? The very idea was as astonishing as it was foreign. The weight of his invitation settled over me, a rarity that felt almost alien. Nearly two years of sharing the same academic space, and yet, I'd never once been on the receiving end of an invitation like this.

Shaking off my stunned stupor, I reconnected with reality, aware of their inquisitive gazes drilling into me. I couldn't let my shock show, not when I finally had a moment like this.

With a casual nonchalance that I hoped masked my inner disbelief, I countered, "Oh, where did you say?"

Filip's eyes met mine, his response direct, "The Golden Vine."

My heart sank. The words hung in the air, an unattainable promise. The Golden Vine – a place synonymous with luxury and lavishness. And I, well, I couldn't even dream of affording a place like that.

I masked my internal conflict with a subtle nod, even as the realization crashed over me like a wave. The Golden Vine – a place I knew by reputation, but my meager finances had always been a staunch barrier.

The city's most lavish and wallet-draining eatery, that was The Golden Vine in a nutshell.

As Filip's words lingered in the air, my mind churned with a bitter understanding: that I was never destined to grace those opulent halls, at least not with my meager finances.

"I can't, gotta take care of my cat," the words tumbled out, a flimsy excuse that felt like a mask hastily assembled. It was the sole justification I could muster, though deep down, I knew how frail it sounded.

It wasn't entirely false; my feline companion awaited me back home. But in the grand scheme of things, it paled in comparison to the allure of that exclusive rendezvous.

I could practically feel the inadequacy of my excuse settling over me, as if I were wearing my inability like a shroud. A pang of regret clawed at me. Maybe I should have come up with a more convincing reason, something less transparent.

Yet, lying had never been my forte. Throughout my life, I had adhered to honesty, even when faced with discomfort. It was an unspoken rule, an attribute that had never steered me wrong, even though it might be costing me an experience like this.

"I'll catch you tomorrow," I muttered, pivoting on my heels and distancing myself.

My dad's relentless toil was a constant presence in my thoughts, a reminder of the sacrifices he made. I refused to add to his burdens, his efforts already stretching thin as he worked tirelessly. His aspirations for me were monumental – the finest college education, an unrivaled academic journey. I couldn't fathom being the reason his hard-earned money went up in smoke, wasted on frivolous revelry.

With each penny he earned, he was sowing the seeds of my future, and I was determined not to let them wither away through indulgence. The glimmering allure of a luxurious restaurant couldn't overshadow the unwavering gratitude I felt for his unwavering dedication.

"Why'd you even bother inviting him?" Rhema's voice reached my ears, causing my heart to skip a beat. I came to a momentary halt, her words hitting me like a sudden gust of wind.