CHAPTER NINE

Elena groaned internally on hearing the bell ring. Students poured out of classes, probably heading to their next classes. She remained in her seat, picking her books one after the other, almost reading what's on each book before putting it into her backpack.

It was a Friday. She had maths for three periods straight- no breaks. She groaned at the thought of it, again.

Probably when she was little, she had done something to her maths textbook or her maths teacher to make maths hate her that much. Anyways, the feeling was mutual.

Daniel had undeniably helped. At least some formulas came to her head quite easier and some numbers finally decided to dance in a rhythm she understood.

Nevertheless, she still hated maths.

"Hey," Daniel said, appearing out of nowhere, walking beside her.

"Oh Hi," she could have sworn she saw his arms almost go to her shoulders before they disappeared.

"You're heading for class now right?" he asked,. Elena nodding. "How's maths now? Prepared for tests?"

Great. Midterms were starting the next week. She hadn't forgotten but chose not to remember.

"Yeah, my maths' better."

"I'll take the credit then," he smiled.

"I need to get my textbook from my locker," she said, quickly walking towards her locker. "Just a minute."

She opened her locker, revealing two pictures hung in it. She awkwardly replaced her textbooks, taking things she needed, fully aware of Daniel's gaze on her.

"Who's that?" He asked, his gaze finally shifting to the pictures in her locker.

"Me and June."

"I know. I mean the other one, the guy," he said pointing to a picture of her and Luke. "Is he your boyfriend?"

"Oh Luke, no, he's not my boyfriend," she replied hastening. "That's Luke. My best friend."

"I thought June was your best friend."

Right.

"My male best friend."

"Oh, cool," he said, not knowing what to say. He's cute? "Does he school here?"

"Of course not. He's from Amigo."

"He seems familiar though," He said, trying to recollect Luke's face.

"I'm not so sure about that."

"I'll see you later then," he said as they stepped into class. "After school, library."

"Yeah, sure," she replied, immediately spotting June who was waving at her, signalling for her to come to the empty seat next to her. "Sure."

---

"You're going to Ivy's party?" June asked, surprised.

"Yup," Elena replied, taking a sip from her coke.

"Cool!"

"I know right?" Elena replied, this time taking a bite of her burger. "You didn't tell me you were going."

"I forgot."

True.

"So we're meeting at your place, right?" Elena asked. "Of course you can't come to Amigo."

"No,no,"  June replied, hasteningly. "You can't. My aunt's home."

False.

"Oh."

"Yeah," she continued. "And she doesn't fancy people coming over."

False.

"Oh, okay," Elena immediately found her appetite run far away from her.

False. Why was June lying to her?

She immediately felt the urge to distance herself from her, again.

She really hated that familiar feeling.

"Elena?!" June said, almost shouting, waving her hands in Elena's face. "Are you even listening to me?"

Oh, she was talking.

"No, I mean yes, I'm sorry no," Elena rambled. "I need to visit the restroom, I'll see you later."

Without waiting for a reply, she hurriedly stood up, leaving a confused June behind. She made her way to the restroom, immediately switching on the tap as she got there. She just watched the water flow, not washing her hands or face.

"You're wasting water," Ivy said out of nowhere, switching off the tap.

True.

"Oh, hey."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Elena replied. "Just came to wash my face and ended up wasting water."

Ivy smiled, switching the tap on. "Go ahead."

"I'm going to be at your party."

"Yes!" She squealed like a child. "I mean cool. I'll be expecting you."

"Yeah. See you around."

Ivy nodded, watching Elena turn to leave.

Elena sighed as she walked through the hallway hoping she'd not bump into anyone she knew. At least, until she headed to the library to meet Daniel.

---

"So are you going to Ivy's party?" Elena asked Daniel as they walked home together. After over an hour of just maths, they were finally heading home. It was fun, Elena had to admit. Probably, because it was Daniel tutoring her. They worked extra exercises and studied every topic intensively because of the tests. Elena felt ready to kick maths' butt.

"No, I'll have loved to," Daniel replied. "My whole family's going to Sweden for the weekend."

True.

"Oh."

"Yeah," he continued. "And I wouldn't want to miss it cause of a party. It has been so long since we spent time together."

"It must be so nice to..."

"Yeah right," Daniel kept on talking. "Dad's been so busy with work and mum has been keeping herself busy too and my brother has been roaming the country. We hardly have any family time."

"Have an actual family."

Realization finally hit Daniel. "I'm so sorry Elena. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

"It's okay," she replied, almost laughing. "It must be nice to actually have a real family. I love my family at Amigo but I mean, you know, a real family. I mean knowing my actual mum, my dad, siblings maybe? I read that a girl's always her mum's best friend. Coming home from school to meet my mum. Ah yes, they say Mum's food is always the best, always delicious. So my mum's food will definitely be delicious too. Of course, she'll be a great cook and teach me how to cook cause I bet I suck at that. And I'll be able to tell her so many things since it'll be safe with her. And I'll be my dad's little princess. Dads pamper their daughters right? We'll watch football together and argue about it. And me and my siblings will be the best teammates ever. And my whole family will..."

Daniel smiled, listening to Elena's rambling. He moved closer to her, taking her hands in his. She stopped, immediately she felt the warmth of his hand. He smiled again, pulling her into a hug.

Elena froze.

Was she supposed to hug him back?

Act natural, it's only a hug.

"I rambled a lot, right?" She managed to say, her head pressed on his chest.

"No," he replied. "Your parents must be so proud of you wherever they are."

Elena smiled, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. "You sure?"

"I'm very sure," he continued. "They must be so proud. Smiling at the kind of daughter they have."

"Even though I can't find my way around maths?"

"Yeah, that too," he laughed lightly. "At least you manage to find your way into people's heart."

Just what was that supposed to mean?

"Thank you." She finally returned the hug, letting the tears slip down her cheeks.

~•~•~•~•~

Daniel: Have fun at the party:)

Elena smiled at the message as stared at her image in the mirror. She was wearing a red knee- length pencil gown Luke had got her with the excuse of 'she couldn't tarnish his image appearing like a waitress at the party'.

The gown had lacy designs layered around it. It was cut at the back, flashing her skin. She had her hair down on her shoulders with light make up on.

She smiled at the image in the mirror again before grabbing her black purse. She was meeting June outside Amigo- just few blocks away. She grabbed her cellphone as she made her way downstairs.

"You look...okay," Luke commented on spotting her. "I picked the dress so of course."

"I have a better taste in fashion," she replied. "I look okay, right."

He nodded. "I'll murder Daniel if he tries anything stupid."

"Oh Shut up," she laughed. Ever since she told him about their tiny, no strings attached hug, he'd been teasing her. "See ya!"

She waved at him, heading to the door as she used her fingers to brush away her hair falling into her face. She stepped outside Amigo, welcomed by the familiar breeze.

"Elenaaaa," she heard June scream her name. She hurriedly walked closer, obviously excited.

"You look, beautiful."

"You too!"

June was wearing a black high wasted short skirt with a matching nude top. She wore black ankle boots, clutching onto her purse.

"Let's go, shall we?"