Chapter 3

After Noa went back to cooking I was later introduced to Esme, Arlo's wife and the mother of the twins.

From my observations I noticed that all of them were tall.

"So why are you all tall" I asked Zaden as I sat atop his bed as he played a few games on his phone.

"Well ma used to play volleyball and would fill up for her brother in the basketball team since she was young so her bones became longer the result being her 180cm. Father on the other hand used to be 179cm when he was in high school but after he joined the military and got introduced to better nutrition plus the fact that he started his own taekwondo dojo allowed him to become taller" he said whilst still in his game.

"So Noa and you got your height from your parents?"

"You can say that and the fact that I play basketball along with Noa-" before he could finish he was cut off by a shout.

"Come on lunch is ready!" Zaden's mom shouted. Chuckling a bit I was the first to leave his room and as soon as we arrived in the kitchen food was already on the table.

Wontons and Dumplings and Rice Noodles were on the table.

"Since you're allergic to gluten I made rice noodles hopefully you enjoy them" Noa's deep feminine voice sounded.

Looking up at her in shock I paid further attention to the food on the table it suddenly looked even more delicious. Talk about wifey material.

After watching Mr and Mrs Liao take a seat and begin eating I took a seat next to Noa on my right with Zaden to my left on the round table which was on the ground as we set on soft cushions. Although anything seemed great with Noa sitting next to me.

"Thanks for the food" I said not forgetting to send a silent prayer as well.

"Hopefully you enjoy the food" Noa murmured next to my ear which caused shivers to run down my spine. The good kind.

"As long as you're the one who made them I'm sure it will taste amazing" where my words as I began eating and fortunately enough I saw her cheeks turn red again. Hopefully it wasn't because of embarrassment but either way she looked...

"Cute" I unconsciously said which Noa may have heard but chose to ignore.

"Since we'll be going to the same school why don't you just go to school with the twins" Mrs Liao said as she was eating her fourth dumpling.

"I believe that's a great idea Mrs Liao" I said. A smile making its way to my face.

"Oh please that's what my mother in-law is called so just call me Esme alright" she said as she raised her hand slightly.

I just nodded with a smile as I noticed Noa dividing her food in different sections in order and cleaned with a cloth at things that looked a bit messy. Was she the one who made the floor shine, I thought based on her actions and if my guess was right she may have OCD or may have obsession with cleanness after all just because you are obsessed with cleanness doesn't mean that you have OCD in fact I've met someone who was messy but was still diagnosed with OCD.

Either way now I had a reason to be super clean. Also considering the fact that she looked cute all serious.

After we were done eating I tried but with failure to help clean the dishes. Throughout lunch I had also noticed Zaden giving me a few side-eyes which I returned with my own.

"So buttering up with my parents and sister" where his first words as soon as we were out of my in-laws house.

"I have to if I want them to willingly give me their daughter in the near future" Zaden shook his head as if what I said was a joke. I didn't bother to clarify for him since I knew what he would do once he found out I was serious let's just hope by then it would already have been too late.

Zaden showed me around their small village like town. There where a few market places and by that I mean four and one super market. The closest mall was a forty minute drive. The few restaurants here were mostly food trucks which forced people to eat outside not that they minded in another one you ate inside a tent.

Most of the buns were baked in a small bakery in the village.

Finally we arrived at the school we would be attending Jiēdì qì High School. Apparently this school was built in the early 1900s by a European settler who later left and never returned. That's why the school system was a bit similar to European one.

I had a feeling that some of the kids who went here were boastful simply because of that when only the name of the year and English was similar.

The school didn't have any stories but it was well taken care of. From what I could see from the outside it was all warm orange brick and there was a basketball court.

"Oh and only year nine to twelve go here" Zaden added.

After watching Zaden leave because he had to help his father with the dojo. I began looking for a part-time job. I probably need to start saving either way plus when Zaden was showing me around I was paying serious attention to places that my need helpers.

Stopping inside the super market I signed up for the sign LOOKING FOR CLEANER AND CASHIER WHO IS GOOD IN MATH.

After living I returned to the flat. Opening my suitcase I found my school uniform. Which was black trousers three long sleeved white shirts, a black sweater and pullover. Winter wear and white and black sports wear which was black along with a white blazer with black linings and a black tie along with school shoes.

To others this seems great until you realise that this may not last me especially considering that I am a growing boy, but I shall be humble and grateful as beggars can't be choosers especially considering the over washed clothing that looked far from new in my bag.

Let's try to survive the next couple of years, the smile of Noa appeared in my heart which calmed my previous racing heart of my unknown future.