Independent

Yheng Rou! Hey! what the heck! why is she so serious today? Magie asked Dhanna with curiosity. Humnn... I swear something's bothering our best friend. Don't be a rush we'll find it out. As Magie and Dhanna are busy chatting Yheng Rou suddenly stood up and walk directly to their classroom.

Both of Yheng Rou's friend go after her when they found out they're just like telling story to a ghost. In the classroom, "Hey Rou what have you eaten this morning? Looks like those food gives you that energy to study hard" Magie ask her best friend in a joke. But Rou didn't answer she just continue to scan her notes. Dhanna insisted Maggie and said this acting seriously" You know what let's not make this things difficult. The more we try to disturb her the harder we can pass this subject ugh! Suddenly Rou speak, Okay, fine girls! Magie raised her right eyebrow and said this dramatically " Really? after an hours talking to you, following you and of course caring with you. That's only your answer? C'mon what are friends for? We're almost four years of friend then just this time you'll hide that little thing in your mind? Magie act this with teary eyes. Before Rou answered Magie's question, she already rolled her her notes and...1..2..3..

Boggsshh!!! She slap Magie's right shoulder. Ouch! mother fucker help! what are you doing? Magie shouted and murmuring. Just as the vice president of their class named Rey which had a crushed on Rou enter and saw what Rou did to her friend. "So, is that what our president here done during break hour? what are you talking..." Rey didn't finished talking when their adviser enter the room. Rou just give a little smirk to Rey as she look at him meaningfully.

Rou is an observable person, she won't talk unless you won't first. She is known in the school as the "secret keeper" because of being unpredictable and not showy. She's friendly and she doesn't like boys to look in her eyes when talking. She's not an honor student but she had the grades next to the honor student. Maybe because she's a working student. She can't do all things she wants in school because of some household chores. Her parents live in the province although they have enough money to provide in their studies with her sister but she choose to become a working student. She don't want to ask anything to her parents in other words. She is an independent girl. She can stand with her own feet. But that's not enough because she needs to finished her study to fins a stable job in the future And for her, being a working student can help her to grow up and learn a lot of things. From first year to fourth year she works hard while studying that's why she can't join all the activities in school. But the school will have an event which all students must participate to join. And for Rou this isn't easy to be part from the presentation.

"I will join this competition no matter what. I will ask money to our eldest sister for the payment of all the things needed." Rou stated as her friend listening. "Yeah that sounds cool! I wonder what's happening with you now if you started to become that brave three years ago." Magie stated. " Hhh-hh I've been suffering since before. I'm afraid that if I'll fight, my fear will win I don't want my family to work hard just for me. Seeing my brothers and sisters doing well are enough for me. It doesn't matter if I'm not in good condition I'll stand in my own fit. And I'm doing this for them and of course for my future."

A days after ...

Rey is a little bit showy of Rou. Rou is a smart girl and a have a high EQ. So she frankly ask him. "Hey, the competition is coming soon. What do you think is our costume?"...Since Rey didn't join the said competition. He had a lot of task to do given by their instructor.

"Hmmn... Rou can I ask a favor? If you don't mind."

Rou "-" of course what is it!

"Since you are known here as a good in English when it comes to essay. I..I would like to do ask help with you to check my speech if there are wrong." Actually Rey is the speaker of the said event in their school because of his cool voice to listen. And he also have the courage to speak confidently in front of the people since he is already 23 years old. He could speak directly with an eye contact. And for Rou if you speak without eye contact it doesn't mean a person is lying. Because for her action speak louder than voice. So, she responded Rey directly without looking to him " Oh sure! Just tell me when. I'm available after the practice". Rey felt a relief after hearing this. He patted Rou's shoulder and smile looking at her which make her uncomfortable and make her checks reddened "Thank you, I wish we could do some work I mean project together."

Uhurmmn...Magie and Dhanna join the two talking with a teased face to Rou. "Do we know what have you done to our friend that makes her uncomfortable right now?". Magie ask Rey smiling. In response, Rey turn and look at Rou's eyes directly then ask " what do they mean? I'm sorry you can tell me anything so that I can adjust what's your likes and not".

Omg! Are y--you two in a...rel.. "You. shut up! Rou covered Magie's mouth directly. "You know guys we're just discussing about the coming events you're so disgusting. I'm just helping a friend" Rou stated. " Oh A FRIEND" no wonder we didn't saw you an hour ago. Dhanna and I we're planning to hangout and look for our costume." Rou's glaze darkened of the two girls as her heard beat become fast it just like her friends is saying she didn't show up because of this guy in front of him. So she took Rey's notebook and " You know what Rey you don't need to mind them they're just like that. You'll get to know them as the event is still coming". Rey just nodded his head while looking the girls with question. For him he should go with the crazy moves not because he needs Rou's help but because she likes her.

A while ago the four become close to each other. And Rou's friend continue to teased her. Until the time comes that Rey is going to admit her feelings to her. Rou already know this so she frankly told Rey to wait until she's ready. But for now, they need to focus their task. The two become friends.

A weeks after... Rey couldn't stop his feelings anymore. Before taking a bath he faced the mirror and said " Hey! Rou do you know that I like you!" Urghh not good to hear. "Rou I have something to tell you. I like you and love s you! I hope you won't be change after all. I just want to be honest with you. And I can wait". A minute after there was knocking on the door... "Hey Rey are you with someone there? I heard you talking" His guardian ask. "oh, n--nooh Auntie I'm just practicing some speech for our drama I mean our project in school! wtf". "okay fine! hurry I'll wait you at the kitchen let's have breakfast together" his Auntie replied. After a minutes both of them are ready for breakfast. "Faster why does it takes a little longer when you change clothes? suddenly his Auntie ask him." While walking as Rey fix his uniform he replied "As a president in our class room Auntie I have to look good. So that my fellow classmates will follow too." Hummn...and how was your study?.. "Auntie it's all fine" Rey answered without any glance as his face turn red.

Days after...

In the class, Rey sit bisides Rou's chair doing things to get her attention. But Rou just glared at him then continue to listen the teacher discussing.

In addition of the story, there's another girl named Quan Yee who admire so much to Rey. As long as this girl know that her admirer is courting Rou. She did her best to get close to him. She even shared her answers when they have assignment. Rey isn't that good in english so she agreed to Quan Yee.

As Rou observe their closeness she tried to act like she didn't know anything. " Excuse me, hey Quan Yee, do you mind if I ask a favor?" Rou asked. Quan Yee replied in a disappointed manner. "Can't you see Rey and I are doing a review? " "I'm just asking a favor infact I haven't tell you what it is, yet you looks like I am disturbing you two. " Rou answered back while looking to Rey. .."never mind I'll find a group" she added.

She then stand and walk directly towards the two and sit besides Quan Yee's close friend including her best friend's brother who got a crush on Quan Yee named Mike.

Rou can go with the flow in terms of her classmates.

"Guys...since Magie and Dhanna isn't here I suggest let's have a question and answer portion. Whoever can't answer will stand until you can answer. What do you think? ". Rou said.

"Oh that's a great idea! Since we got the same feelings right now". Mike answered with a meaningful words.

Rou got what this man means so she just smirk and smile and then their group become full of jokes. Suddenly Mike said this in a serious manner " I didn't expect you're this kind of fun Rou".

Their group become silent for a while until Rou speak. "Of course so are you trying to say that I'm just a nerd like other people say? C'mon that's too old I have read different stories like that on wattpad, ebook and other novel app so no need to be curious. I guess we need more time to share each other life dude". she said with a smirked.

They continue chatting, sharing stories until it came into the situation that their voices become louder and louder that get the attention of their classmates. In short not study happened until the bell rung.

"Oh we don't have time to chat anymore. I'll go first guys my guardian will turn their faces like hungry tiger when I got home late." Rou stated.

Rou keep all her things in the table and fastly got out in the classroom. But suddenly Rey grab her hand.

" Hey you seem having fun a while ago with Mike".

"Huhh Stop acting that you're not also having fun with Quan Yee". Rou answered racing her eyebrow.

"Are you jealous? " Rey asked.

"Jealous! look who's speaking! " Rou leaved Rey hanging in the door while Mike is listening their topics the entire time.

Uhurmn... Rey can we talk man to man? Mike said seriously.

At the bench...

"Speak! what do you wanna know? " Rey asked.

Mike answered "Are you being serious to Rou? You know what dude I found out her interesting, funny etc. I'll give my girl to you if you want."

Rey did nothing but to answered him directly "Don't you dare try to touch her or else I'll forget we're classmates and friends" Rey stands while pointing Mike.

"Oh I'm sorry did I touched your ego? haha Rey do you think I'm blind? Look you are courting Rou yet you're entertaining other girl. You're older than me yet you are playing like a child. I'm sorry to insult you atleast I did this in front of you. I suggest you to think about it before it's too late. I have to go now."

Mike didn't let him talk back while Rey left alone realizing every words he heared.

At night...

Rou is very tired as she's done doing her everyday task. So she decided to rest early and to wake up at 4:00am in the morning. She didn't even check her phone either someone is texting. Her stay at her guardian's mom's room so that is another reason why she couldn't use her phone freely at night. Her guardian's Mom is at 70s above of age so she need to be more careful. Aside from her strict guardian this old women also added stress to her. She is very nosy and observable to Rou's actions. And sometimes it came into the situation that this old women touch her when she get mad. That makes Rou's heartaches because even her mother didn't lay any hands in her skin while this person who isn't related to her could easily do what they want secretly. All she have to do is cry silently before sleeping until her eyes gets tired and makes her fall asleep.

4:00am in the morning...

After stretching her arms Rou check her cellphone. And as expected she had 20 unread messages in one person. And it's from Rey.

"Hey still busy? I can wait. Still awake? I just wanna say sorry. Why aren't you replying? I know you are reading my messages. Please let me know if I did something that makes you mad at me. I wanted to talk to you in person --- ..." and so on.... and his last message is " I'll come early at school tomorrow 1 hour before the flag ceremony. I'll wait for you in the classroom. I hope to see you there. I LOVE YOU"

Really capslock! This man is over thinking that much. They don't have any relation yet he explained that much. Is it because he loves her? or because of what did Mike'told him?