Chapter 1 - Apple Green Spatula

‘Nice spatula!’  An unfamiliar, husky yet sweet voice startled me. I turn around to check the person who owns that captivating voice. To my luck! Right there, standing in front of me; A cute guy.

 No way! A HOT guy! HE IS A HOT GUY! My unconscious mind corrected me.

He has this nice body, not so bulky and yet not that slim, just perfect; messy black hair, hint of a goatee on his masculine chin and mouth watering lips, smiling. Smiling at me!

WAKE UP, ASH. He’s smiling at you!

I was really hooked by his looks, and it left me petrified for a while.

I mean, he’s not the first hot guy that I met. My boyfriend’s hot plus my exes, I guess?

But this one is different. He’s ....he have this something that left me speechless. 

ASH! Wake up girl!

‘Ah... Hi!’ finally my voice came back. Looking back at my right hand, I’m holding an apple green spatula with metal handle. Unknowingly, I shoved it to his face. ‘This one?’

He let out a silent chuckle, ‘yup! Your spatula, it’s nice...’ he laughed, ‘but you don’t have to throw it to my face, you know?’

‘Oh. S-O-R-R-Y’ Ashamed of what I did, I just put my right hand down and was about to leave when he grabbed my wrist and pulled me to face him again.

‘Hey, no harm done. You don’t have to leave. By the way, I’m Nathaniel. Louie Nathaniel Verwood’ offering his hand for a shake.

‘Ash.... my..name...is...Ash’ reaching my hand out to him, he grabbed it and shook my hand happily.

‘nice name Ash! So you’re like this Ash from Pokemon?’ there he let out a nice laugh... again

‘Actually it’s Asha Marie, I just don’t like the very girly name’

‘why not? I think the girly name suits you’ another laugh went out from him that made me a little pissed.

What’s wrong with this guy?  Why is he laughing at me? Jerk. A buzz from my bag surprised me so I took it out to check on it. Gosh. I’m late.

‘Nathaniel, right? Sorry. But I’m running late. My class is about to start. Nice meeting you by the way.’  I hurriedly put my spatula back to its container and left instantly, without even looking back.

I saw he’s mouth opened before I turn around but I have no time to care for what he’s about to say.

**Nathaniel’s POV**

I’m early for my class and I have enough time for a smoke. Thank God for smooth ride going here.

Today’s my first day at class; a culinary class. I was very happy after I learnt that my dad funded me for a culinary class. It has been my dream since 12! And after 13 years, my dream of becoming a chef is coming true. Maybe that’s why I was this early for our first day.

I decided to leave the building and went to an open parking lot for a quick smoke while also checking for my stuffs. For now, I’m wearing black jeans since my chef’s pant is still on a repair shop paired with clean white top, Check! My chef’s jacket that is safely placed in my bag, Check! My huge culinary book and notepad, Check! Great, I’m definitely ready for my class.

Looking around the area, there’s this nice girl that caught my eye. She’s smiling on her own, walking along the road with a green spatula on her hand. Hmmm? Nice spatula.

She’s now brushing her black/brown hair with her hands and let it to a messy bun while still holding the spatula. Haha! This girl’s interesting. Then she grab something from her bag. Wow!

This girl can do three things at one time.

First she’s holding this spatula, then that spatula holding hand is fixing her messy bun and her other hand is talking to her phone. Impressive

I noticed that she’s wearing chef’s pants and a black top. Maybe she’s also a culinary student. Great!

When she passed by, I tried to say hello but I got no response. This is new. Who is she to not notice my good looks???? So I tried to talk again.

‘Nice spatula!’  Where did that came from? Never mind, since I don’t have any idea how to get her attention.

 She turned around to face me. WOW, she’s a mess. But really pretty! Nothing came out from her mouth so I took the chance to study her features.

Messy black and brown hair with a side swept bangs. Her eyes are perfect, they’re in between small chinky Asian eyes but not that small, more like an almond shape eyes and a small nose. LIPS! Her lips is awesome, just right for her face and it’s perfectly pouted but not slutty.

I wonder how it feels to nibble on her bottom lip. What’s wrong with you Nate? She’s way too far from your preference. Look at her figure, she’s fat! Shut up brain, she’s not fat.  She may not be petite but she is not fat. Look at those curvy hips and just right waist. Oh, the booby! Yeah, her figure is perfect, unlike those very skinny girls. Interesting! 

A very naughty smile formed on my face, haha! I like her.

 ‘Ah... Hi!’ Oh! Her voice is very musical. I wonder if she can sing. My mind stopped when she literally shoved the green thing on my face.

‘This one?’ 

A silent chuckle left my mouth , ‘yup! Your spatula, it’s nice...but you don’t have to throw it to my face, you know?’

‘Oh. S-O-R-R-Y’ she nervously said. Why is she acting like a nervous girl? Is she bothered by my looks? Hahaha!

Then she turn around and started to walk, good thing my senses are quicker than my thoughts, so I grabbed her.

‘Hey, no harm done. You don’t have to leave. By the way, I’m Nathaniel. Louie Nathaniel Verwood’ offering my hand for a shake.

‘Ash.... my..name...is...Ash’ she replied

‘nice name Ash! So you’re like this Ash from Pokemon?’

‘Actually it’s Asha Marie, I just don’t like the very girly name’ another reply from her, but this time I think she’s a little pissed.

‘why not? I think the girly name suits you’ Yeah, your name definitely suits you. But Ash is mysterious. Nice nickname. I noticed that she grabbed something from her bag

 ‘Nathaniel, right? Sorry. But I’m running late. My class is about to start. Nice meeting you by the way’ she hurriedly mumbled and left.

‘Ash! Wha.....’ What the hell? I was supposed to ask for her number or anything. Too bad, maybe I’ll see her again. I decided to stay and grab another smoke since it's still early. After a few puff i checked on my watch. I noticed that I only have a minute before class so I rushed to the building. Darn it.