Chapter 12:

Jaselle ran off immediately after that, blushing immensely at that.

Jason finally understood the whole situation and smiled brightly, as if this was the last time he could smile this happily. He smirked and felt shy as he walked along the corridors towards the canteen, occasionally smiling. He even kicked the air, jumped and he mouthed "yes!" as he did so. That was how relieved and excited at the prospect of getting Jaselle to be his girlfriend.

"Ah... It has all finally ended. It's time for a new beginning and this time, Jaselle can't run away anymore... Tsk.. Tsk... Tsk..." Jason thought cunningly in his mind, as if harbouring some evil plans.

When he reached the canteen, he saw Jaselle. But, he did not approach her as he knew how shy and embarrassed she was, confessing to him so suddenly. He simply walked away and let out a cheeky smirk. His friends surrounded him and began questioning about his mysterious expression.

"Aye.. It's nothing! Stop probing so much into my business.." As Jason said that, he immediately got reminded of the confession scene earlier on and quickly let out a gentle smile that no one seemed to notice. He brushed off his friends' comments and headed to buy some food. Recess has ended and students can be seen strolling out of the canteen, unwilling to attend their next class.

Jaselle amd Jason happened to be attending the next class together and coincidentally, they met at the door, trying to enter the classroom at the same time. When their shoulders bumped, they looked at each other in surprise. Jaselle's heart started to palpitate quickly all of a sudden and her face was as red as a tomato. Like wise, for Jason, he turned slightly pinkish and quickly withdrew his gaze to prevent the situation from getting even more awkward. People standing behind and those in class all witnessed the scene of the two of them, standing there for 10 whole seconds, without even moving. They all let out all kinds of sounds, suggesting that they're questioning "Are they together?", "Are they a couple?", "What's this weird lover's tension" etc.

This totally did not help the situation get better at all, but in fact, exacerbated it. Jaselle's face could not help but turn redder and more distinct, and Jason's face turned a deeper shade of red. From then on, the class called them the apple couple, since their faces are red together, just like a red apple. Lessons went by in a breeze and soon, the bells rang signifying the end of school for the day. Jaselle quickly packed her things, trying to leave earlier to prevent bumping into Jason and all the awkward things that came with it. Before she even had the chance to step out of the door, Jason blocked it and told her that they should walk home together as usual.

In Jaselle's heart, she thought " Can't you be a little more sensitive? After that big incident in the class, people are bound to be more focused on us! Can you please leave some space and let the whole vibe die down and resume walking home together and waiting for me? Urgh.. I shouldn't have confessed my feelings... This just made it worst... Urgh..."

Although Jaselle thought of those, she didn't let them affect her expression on her face at all. It was calm and as still as the surface of the lake. They walked home together as usual and faced some teasing along the way, but they coolly ignored it all. This time round, the way home felt extremely long and boring. No conversations, and no laughter. Upon reaching Jaselle's house, Jason suddenly moved his mouth.

"Jaselle, I want you to know that I really thank you for your courage to confess to me first. Although it was forced, but I really want you to know that I am appreciative.... and that... I really like you as well. So.... Can you... be my... girlfriend please?" At this point, Jaselle had a mix of emotions. She didn't know Jason liked her as well and this came as a big shock to her. She didn't know how to react. However, her face seemed to involuntarily answered for her by blushing even harder than she ever had before.

"I... I... think... I could... try.... But, I don't know if.... I'll... be a.... good girlfriend..." After saying this, Jaselle ran into her house, without even so much of a look at Jason.