Exams

The consequent weeks were filled with studies and exams both for Ray and Althea.

Althea had it easier as she only got a written exam for the semester, but Ray had to take several exams in the span of three weeks for each top University he wanted to register in his country and the scholarship.

Right now he just had to wait for the announcements of the result for University admission and strove to do well in the scholarship selection.

While both of them were busy, they still make 30 minutes of time every day or two to talk as they had agreed on.

"So how was the written exam for the scholarship today?" Althea went straight to the point as soon as their call started that day. She was scribbling some math formulas on her note as she read through her exam syllabus.

"It was okay." Ray said. He was smiling lightly as he brought a mug to his lips and sipped leisurely.

"Hmm..." Althea looked up to see his expression and giggled, "You said it was okay but it seemed that the exam was a bigger success than you thought."

"Ah, you caught me?" Ray smirked.

"You don't even try to hide it," Althea rolled her eyes and swished the pen between her nimble fingers, "You think you can pass to the interview selection?"

"I believe so." Ray put down the mug he was holding and leaned on his sofa. It was the first time Althea saw Ray ever using anything other than his study chair and his bed that one time.

"That's great. Good luck with the interview!" Althea gave Ray a thumbs up, ignoring the fact that the result hasn't even been announced.

"Thanks. You too, dear." Ray patted Althea's head gently- something Althea learned after he kept on making the same gestures.

Althea closed her eyes and hummed like a tame cat comfortably being patted. She felt grateful that finally their busy time was almost over as she just have three days of exam to go and Ray just gotta go to the interview if he passes. Moreover, her relationship with Ray had developed so much that they felt more comfortable around each other.

"What are you drinking?" Althea pointed her chin to the black mug in Ray's hand with a stamp saying, "I don't age, I level up" and an image of a game controller in the middle.

"This? it's coffee." Ray took another sip and a soft 'tak' sound could be heard when he put it down.

"Coffee?" Althea knit her eyebrows, "You have insomnia, dear." she chided.

"I still get insomnia regardless, so why not enjoy the drink I like?" Ray propped up his chin with his left hand, seeming rarely so chilled and relaxed.

"Geez, okay. But just this time, got it?" Althea smiled helplessly. She knew that Ray had just gotten over the hard exams and he deserved some rest and enjoyment to make him relax.

"Okay." Ray nodded as he took the last sip of his coffee and leaned back on the black cushion behind him.

"Where are you at?" Althea couldn't help her curiosity after all.

"Living room."

"Hmm, I see... Is that sofa?"

"Yes, why?" Ray took his phone which he originally placed on his table and brought it closer to his face.

"Uhh..." Althea was temporarily distracted to see how signs of fatigue were still clear on his face, "I just never saw it before." she admitted.

"True. Wanna see around my living room?" Ray offered, his voice carrying a playful sound.

"After I kiss you?" Althea portruded her lower lip. Ray had been using every chance to tease her about it through text and call that she became used to the notion.

"Uh-huh." Ray's smile widened as he saw his girl bringing his lips closer to smack a kiss on her camera.

"There, happy?" she folded her arms and acted like it was nothing when her face clearly redden from the act.

She didn't remember since when did she start to have the courage to do a closer contact with Ray, but Ray somehow managed to make her comfortable with it. Even Althea herself felt strange on how a man she knew for barely half a year could change her so much.

"Good girl." Ray looked satisfied as he replied with a quick peck on his camera.

"Here it is," He said.

The view soon changed from Ray's appearance to a minimalist living room with bone white walls. Turning his camera to the right, Althea could see the right part of the black sofa with some small pillows in green and grey colors. In front of Ray was a grey and green TV cabinet and close to him was a white round table with a TV remote and empty cup of coffee on top of it.

All in all, it had a pretty good interior like those in a minimalist apartment which was contrary to Althea's expectations.

"Huh," Althea exclaimed softly.

"Huh, why?" Ray sounded amused for some reason, probably expecting Althea to react this way.

"It looks much more... modern than I thought." Althea was unsure of the words herself as she kept on looking at the moving video.

"I know right." Ray agreed then turned the camera back to him.

"But then why were your pillows looked dull and all?" Althea remembered seeing his stack of pillows and thought that the rest of his house would be just as dull and old.

"There were from my previous place."

"I see..." Althea wanted to ask why would he bring them to his new house but remembering that Ray didn't like talking about his past, she refrained.

"So... the rest of your bedroom...?" Althea blurred the end of her sentence.

"Hmm who knows? your loss for not seeing it." Ray bit his lower lip, totally enjoying the fact that he could keep teasing his girl, "Maybe if you give me another motivation?" he chuckled when Althea sighed in exasperation.

"Oh gosh, come on. How can you be so petty to your girlfriend?" Althea scratched her head, "Also just how many times have I kissed you already?" her expression turned into a mix of bashfulness and annoyance.

"Today was the third time. The other two were because you didn't eat properly, however."

".... Right." Althea facepalmed.