CHAPTER TWELVE

"Good luck."

Elena broke free from Luke's hug, smiling at him.

"Are you nervous?" he asked her.

"Nope," Elena replied. "I'm a smartass, you know?"

"Yeah. Donald Trump is the president of India too."

"I hate you," Elena laughed, kicking him. "Just wait and see."

"Ah, yes. I will," he replied, smirking. "Your eyebrows are at risk."

"Luke, get out," Elena scowled. "I'm off to school to meet people who BELIEVE in me. GOODBYE!"

Luke laughed. "I love youuuu."

True.

"I hate you!"

----

"Elena, give it your all. Don't try to unnecessarily get stressed. Try your best and leave the rest. Don't worry about failing cause if you fail, i'll obviously fail too. We'll cry together and take our anger out on food. Nevertheless, try not to fail. It won't look good on our college application if we fail too many tests," June prayed, holding Elena's hand. "So, dear God in heaven, help us."

"You're such a drama queen," Elena laughed as June let go of her hand. It was a normal tradition for June to say all sort of weird prayers alongside unusual words of encouragement whenever they were about to have test or exams. "But anyways, let's do this. Fighting!"

June nodded. "Fighting!"

They got into their homeroom to meet most of their classmates already seated. They found two empty seats at the middle row, the two of them hurriedly taking them before someone else took them.

Their teacher got in, everybody immediately adjusting their positions. Elena smiled at June one last time before turning to look for Daniel. She had only looked for a few seconds when she felt a hand tap her. She turned to meet Daniel seating behind her.

"Daniel-"

He placed his finger on his lip, shushing her. She turned to notice the teacher staring at her as she awkwardly buried her head into her table.

Daniel tapped her again. "Good luck, babe."

---- 

"Your test results are out and posted on the signboard in the hallway. Go on check it, evaluate yourself, assess your weaknesses and strength. I wish y'all Good luck," Their homeroom teacher announced. She carried her black bucket bag, as she stylishly walked out of class.

Elena straightened her tie, standing up. All the students in the class had got up too to leave causing a loud indistinct chattering. Tests week was finally over and the week that was dreaded next was the week results got posted. Their teachers weren't nice enough to privately give each student their results but instead posted them publicly on the hallway's signboard for every Dick, Tom and Harry to see.

"Elena?"

She turned to see her maths teacher behind her, staring at her through her thick framed glasses. "Yes, ma?"

"Have you seen your results?" She asked, Elena nodding negatively. "Once you've seen it, see me in my office.

"O...Kay," she stammered, her head slightly bowed.

She couldn't have failed again? No way, that'll be tragic. She had really put in more effort.

She made a quick prayer, immediately she got to the signboard. She managed to get her way to the front, pass through the students.

"Fowler, George, Gideon, Harper!" She yelled, her fingers tracing the names. "Harper Elena."

She took a quick breath, her hands continuing to trace her name towards her score.

Maths. Elena Harper. Grade- B.

"Ohmygod I got a B!" She squealed. She looked around for anyone she knew so she could share her excitement. Even though she found none, she smiled. She hurriedly brought out her phone to text Luke.

Elena: Lukeeee, I got a freaking B in mathssssss!

She hesitated for a minute, finally deleting the message. She'd give him a little scare when she got back home.

"Norman Daniel," her fingers traced. "A."

She smiled, this time as she headed to her maths teacher's office.

"Good Day Miss Tina," Elena greeted, on hearing a 'come in.'

"Oh, Elena," she peered through her glasses. "Your maths was pretty impressive. "

Elena smiled. "Thank you."

"Mhmm," she continued. "The highest grade you got previously was a lower credit. So I'm guessing you were just lazy?"

"Something like that," Elena smiled.

"You may leave," she said nodding. "Keep it up."

Elena nodded smiling as she walked out of the teacher's office. Where in the world was Daniel?

She headed straight to her locker. She hadn't seen June too. She emptied part of the content of her backpack into her locker, taking her phone with her to text June.

Elena: June, where are you??

"Daniel!" Elena screamed as she saw him walking towards her. She quickened her steps, immediately plunging him into a hug as they became only few inches apart from each other. "I got a B!"

Daniel was taken aback by Elena's action but that didn't stop a smile from spreading on his lips. His smile got even wider as he slowly hugged her back, pulling her closer.

Elena noticed the stares and whispers as she quickly pulled away. "Sorry...i was just a little too excited."

"You're welcome," Daniel replied, smiling, wishing she didn't pull away. "So, what do i get in return?"

"Um...lunch?"

"Okay then," he smirked. "I gotta go now. I'll see you around."

Elena nodded, tucking in her shirt and adjusting her tie for the hundredth time. She smiled to herself as she watched Daniel's figure slowly disappear into the crowd.

"Elenaaaaaaaa," a voice squealed, Elena immediately recognizing it as June's. She sighed as she turned around.

"Juneeeeeeeeee."

"What's up, girl?" June said, shaking Elena. "You got a B in mathsss. Congrats babe."

"I know right."

"I feel left out though," June said, clutching her heart dramatically. "We both used to fail maths together."

True.

"Too bad," Elena laughed. "Get yourself a smart crush then."

June scoffed. "No, thanks."

"Why don't you have a boyfriend anyways?" Elena asked. "You're pretty, probably not the nicest person on the planet but you're nice...and so many other good things."

"Maybe. There's no one i like yet."

False.

"Right," Elena said, pressing her lips together.

----

School was over and dozens of students alongside Elena were pouring out of classes. She clutched onto her backpack, finally free from June clutching onto her. She decided to head home straight instead of heading to the library. She wondered where Daniel was since she hadn't seen him since morning. He was even nowhere to be found during lunch.

She changed her mind, turning to head towards the library. He might just be there.

The door made a small squeak as she opened it. She looked inside, her eyes heading towards their spot, finding it empty.

"Looking for someone?"

She jumped.

It was Harry.

"Oh! Hi, Harry," Elena said, almost panting.

"I'm sorry, did i scare you?" he asked, placing his hands on her shoulders. "I didn't mean to."

True.

"It's okay," she replied, shifting her gaze to his hands on her shoulders. "Were you going into the library?"

"Nope. I saw you and decided to follow you."

True.

"Oh," she replied, not sure of what to say next. "Um...you going home?"

"Yeah," he answered as they started walking down the hallways together. "Elena, i want to talk to you."

True.

"Elena! Where have you been?!" June yelled, walking towards them. "Oh, Harry, hey."

"Hi."

June hesitated. "I've been looking for you. Daniel has been looking for you too."

"Oh, Elena you were here," Ivy said, immediately she got there. She eyed her brother, pressing her lips together.

"Oh, really?" Elena asked excitedly. "I've been looking everywhere for him too. Harry, we'll talk later, okay?"

He faked smiled. "Sure. It's okay."

"I'm really sorry," Elena said, flashing him an apologetic smile. "I'll see you around."

She fled the stairs, hurriedly going to meet Daniel. June had yelled that he was outside, at the parking lot.

She waved to get his attention immediately she spotted him.

"Hey, Elena," Jordan smirked.

"Hi, Jordan."

"I've been looking everywhere for you," Daniel breathed out. "Where were you?"

"Funny, i was looking for you too."

"Anyways," he said, pointing to a car. "Get in."

"Is this your car?"

"Yup. I have a car," he said, his eyes turning to Jordan. "But a certain someone has been using it even more than me."

True.

"Don't put it like that," Jordan laughed. "It's not my fault  you barely use it. Your parents prefer to have you dropped at school and you have been walking home with Elena lately. The poor car would feel left out, you know."

"Shut up," Daniel punched him lightly. "Just go home."

Elena smiled as Daniel opened the door. "Mi lady."

"Ouu, a gentleman," she teased as she got in.

"I can be a bad boy too," he smirked, switching on the car. "Whichever one you prefer."

"How about a reasonable dose of both?"

"Your wish is my command, mi lady."

They both laughed as Daniel drove out of the school.

"Where are we going?" Elena asked him.

"I'm about to kidnap you," he smirked.

False.

"And what if i refuse?"

"There's no refusal to a kidnap," he replied. "You're in my car already."

  "OMG. You-"

"Yes. I checked them out and bought a few albums," he replied, increasing the volume of the song playing. BTS- Airplane Pt2.

"They are amazing, i have to admit. El-mariachii."

"Of course, they are," she replied, smiling. "Where are you seriously taking me to?"

"Somewhere," he replied. "Airplane Pt2 should be a good song for a drive, right?"

Elena smiled, replaying the song in her head. "Maybe."

He didn't reply as he changed the song.

"So, Euphoria? Euphoria's a good song for a drive?"

"Maybe," he replied. "But it's the perfect song for the mood."

"We're here!"

The drive was silent- except from the song (Euphoria) which was on repeat. Elena tilted her head to the side, her hand out of the window. She remained in that position, fully aware of Daniel's fixed gaze on her. She fought the urge to tell him to focus on the road but knowing how much her cheeks would embarrass her, she remained silent.

"Here?"

"Yup," he replied, popping the 'p'. "You've been here before, right?"

Elena opened  the door, stepping out. It was an amusement park.

"And by 'here', you mean?"

"An amusement park."

"Sort of," she shrugged. "Okay, no."

"You-"

"Amigo couldn't possibly bring us all here," she defended.

  He smiled. "You're about to have an insanely great time. You don't consider yourself to grown to be at an amusement park, do you?"

"Maybe," she smiled in return. "Let's go."

He nodded as he draped his arms over her shoulders. "Let's go." 

"That was so fun!" Elena laughed. Who knew the amusement park had so many fun things to do? She couldn't remember the last time she laughed and screamed in so much delight. She was able to watch Daniel laugh, scream and stuff his face with cotton candy from such a short distance. "Thank you so much for bringing me here."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," he replied. "I initially wasn't sure of where to take you. I thought of the zoo but all your attention would be on the animals and i'd just become  invisible. Then i thought of the cinema but i'd be spending time with a bucket of popcorn and i wanted to spend time with you so i finally concluded I'd bring you here."

"How sweet," Elena had to admit. "Thanks. It was fun."

"I'll get down here," she said to Daniel when they were only few blocks away from Amigo. "I'll just walk to Amigo from here."

"Um, okay," he replied, pulling over. He got down too, moving to her side. "I'll walk you home."

"You don't have to," Elena said, trying to stop him immediately she noticed him by her side. "Thanks, again."

"You've said that a million times already," Daniel made a face. "Let's just go together. I want to see Amigo."

Elena sighed. "Not today."

"Whyyyyy?"

"It's late," Elena wrinkled her eyebrows. "It's almost seven. You always pick the wrong time."

"Okay, fine fine," he said, raising his hands in defeat. "Another day then."

"Well, I'm home," she announced, few steps away from Amigo. "Thanks for walking me home. See you on Monday."

She turned to leave, Daniel immediately holding her hand. "Wait."

"Eh?"

His hands went to his pocket, pulling out a small gift box. "Here."

"What's this?" Elena asked, slowly collecting the box.

"Open it."

She nodded, pulling the strings slowly. A light gasp escaped her lips as she opened the box. In it was a beautiful necklace. It was gold with a rose pendant. The rose had tiny diamond stones embedded on it, glittering.

"It's beautiful."

"It's for you," Daniel said, scratching the back of his neck. "Just take it as a gift from me. DON'T SAY YOU CAN'T  ACCEPT IT. Just accept it as a sorta reward for passing maths."

Elena smiled. "Aw, you got it cause i passed my maths?"

"Actually, no," he replied, honestly. "I got if for you when i was in Sweden but i couldn't bring myself to give it to you."

True.  

Elena simply smiled, her fingers caressing the necklace. Her crush got her a gift!

"May i?"

She nodded, handing over the necklace to him as she turned. He unclasped the hook, slowly shifting her long hair as he wore it around her neck.

Elena exhaled, feeling his cold hands on her neck. She slowly turned, facing him. "Good night."

"See you on Sunday then," he said, waving. "You're going for the class trip, right?"

Elena pressed her lips, not sure of what to say. All students in her year were going on a class trip. This year, they were going abroad. Ireland, to be precise. She wasn't sure she was going cause of the fees since her mystery sponsor didn't pay for it.

"Maybe. I'm not sure yet."

"Elena, you have to be there," he said, grabbing her hands. "It would be fun. The whole- Oh. I can ask my parents to-"

"No, it's okay," Elena cut him off, knowing what he was going to say next. "I need to go now. It's getting late."

"Okay, good night. I'm not going without you."

"Good night!"