6 Chapter 6: Dream

"H-Hey," I nervously greeted him.

I avoided his gaze because it felt too awkward.

"You're early," I try to set aside the awkwardness I'm feeling.

His happy aura didn't fade, "Ah, yeah. My first time to be honest," Kale laugh.

I nodded with what he said. Then, I face the front gate and start walking.

I feel him walking beside me. So freaking awkward.

The hallway we are walking right now, seems endless. Our building seem so far away. D*mn.

No one dared to speak, we just walk side by side.

There are some acquaintance who greet him, they talk for a while. I just keep on walking, but he would end their conversation whenever I got to far from him.

"Hey, my building is this way," he pointed on his left side. "Nice seeing you, Inara. See you 'round!" he said then smile.

I faintly smile.

I feel like I'm floating again as I walk towards our class room. I was surprised to see Aly in the room this early as well. She's the only one in the room.

"Morning." I greeted her.

"Morning, who did you go to school with?" she inquired.

Did she see us?!

"U-Uh, no one. Why?"

Aly shook her head, "Nothing."

Minutes pass when my classmates came one by one. Noe came at her usual arrival time— 30 minutes before the class begin.

Nothing much happened. Noe and I report something about physics. We had a quiz on gen-math. The rest of the morning subject are just discussions.

The bell rang, indicating that it is already lunchtime.

Noe looked at me while fixing and collecting her things.

"Where will you go, Nali? Aling Celing's?" she asked, referring to where will I have my lunch.

"Probably, it's been a while since the last time I ate there."

It's true. The last time I go there was when I bumped into someone. Ever since Pops live with us, I always try my best to go home to eat with him—when early dismissal. Most of the time, I'll go with my friends to have lunch at the cafeteria or the fast-food chain nearby. So we won't be late.

"Okay, I will go with Noe. We're going to the cafeteria for today," Aly whispered.

"Alright, take care. See you later."

I go straight outside the campus, so I'll arrive early at the eatery. There might be a lot of customers since it's also the employees' lunch break.

My feet automatically slow down when I see a familiar guy near the gate. He's looking left and right, looks like he's waiting for something.

My eyes grew bigger when he looked at me.

"Hi!" I smiled at him.

"You're gonna have lunch?" Kale asked.

I nodded and faintly smile.

"Really? Let's go together! I'm starving," he said enthusiastically.

I tried to smile genuinely but it came out to be an awkward one.

"Where will you have your lunch today?"

I look at him, "Aling Cely's eatery, near Carrington Road. Do you know that?"

"Of course! I'm a loyal customer, dude."

Wow. So much energy, huh.

"Come on," he held me by my wrist towards the tricycle terminal nearby.

Kale said where we are heading. I tried to pay for my fare, but he insisted that he'll pay. Nice.

"You will pay for my lunch later," he said.

Not nice.

After 5 minutes, we pull over near the pedestrian lane.

He spoke while looking ahead. "I didn't expect that you eat here."

My eyebrows meet, "Do I look like a nitpicker? Or a picky eater?" The lights turn red, we started walking.

"Not really. You look simple, to be honest." he said with all honesty. "But, you're rich," he added. His hands were inside his pocket as we walk.

I was stunned with what he just said.

"You're a Ferrer. Your family is the number one supplier of glass furniture in Calais City," he stated. "Even in Paxton City."

It's true. That's my family's business. Selling glass furniture in and out this city.

We reach the other end of the crossing. Then, we just need to turn to an alley before we reach Aling Cely's.

"First off, yes I'm a Ferrer. Second, I'm not rich, my family is..." I said while looking at the people walking in different directions.

"Humble, huh?"

I laugh bitterly with his comment. I'm not humble. What I said is true. My family is the rich one, not me. I didn't contribute at least 20 cents in my family's wealth.

I would never claim something that I didn't work for. I always make sure that I did my best before claiming something. Be it my grades, award, job or money.

Now, since I have no job yet, I need my family's money. But, I spend as little as possible.

We arrived at the 3 storey building. Yes, Aling Cely owns a 3 storey building . Her business is booming, she got various branches in and out the city. She's basically rich. Nevertheless, she prefers to be called "Aling Cely." She didn't like the idea of changing it.

I pushed the glass door of the mix vintage and modern style eatery. I immediately saw Aling Cely.

"Nali!" she rushed towards me then hug me. I hugged her back.

"It's been a long time since the last time I saw you. I thought you wouldn't be back."

"Sorry Aling Cely, Pops live with us now," I explained to her.

She knows Pops. I've mentioned him before. Whenever I'm here and whenever she's not busy, we always have a little chit-chat.

Someone spoke from my back, "Aling Cely! How 'bout me? You didn't miss me?"

"Oh! Kaly! You know each other?" she asked—confused.

"Of course, she's my childhood friend, right, Nali?" he said with a hint of amusement.

Where did he get that idea? Wait. Did he just call be by my nickname?

"Alright. Take your seat, I'll bring your lunch there," Aling Cely slightly push us. "My treat," she then winked.

"Nice! You really love me Aling Cely, thanks," Kale teases the owner.

The lady just shook her head.

We walk towards the tables. I looked at him when he turned left.

"Ah, my seat is there. Near the window," I pointed at my usual spot.

"Ah, right haha," Kale follow me.

I sit down and look at the road. He sits across my seat.

"You like it so much, huh?" he asked.

I looked at him, a little confused.

He looked outside while his chin resting on his fist, "The road, you love it," he stated, there's no hint of asking anymore.

I bob my head up and down though his gaze is not directed to me.

He didn't speak afterwards.

After a couple of minutes of silence, he asked me the question that I didn't expect to hear from him.

"What's your dream, Inara?"

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