⟪⟪Lovers Under Cover ⟫⟫

Chapter 3

Next day, Ashley and Jacob walked slowly to school because the clock showed 8:20. They still have 20 minutes if they want to attend the tutor time

As they entered through the school gates, they rushed to the locker room, brushing past some people who got in the way.

"Ashy!" Nancy squealed and Ashley jumped on Nancy squeezing her to death. Mark and Jacob chuckled at the girls.

"Girls let's get going. Ash, now hurry up or we will be late for Chemy." Ashley tried to pull out the necessary items as fast as she could but she ended up dropping all her books when the short bell rang as a warning to indicate the first period was in five minutes.

The other three helped the clumsy girl pickup her stuff. Mark glazed at Jacob and for a millisecond, they made eye contact and he smiled gently and then quickly diverted his eyes to his sister.

"Bye, my baby sister," Mark cooed and ruffled her hair.

"Hey don't mess with my hair and don't you dare think I am a baby"
"Yeah, whatever."
"Now you've got enough time to pick on my best friend. Huh?" Ashley challenged Mark.
"Let's race to the class," Mark offered.
"3...2...1...now!" Ashley rushed off; Mark closely followed behind but he was the first to reach the classroom. He is good at football, so beating him is challenging for Ashley.

Nancy walked to the history class with Jacob. They entered mere seconds before they heard Mr Bukson's booming voice, "Good morning, class. Miss Chantlet, Mr Stein, why haven't each of you found yourself a seat yet?"

They rushed at the back of the classroom after muttering sorry

Mr Bukson opened a presentation on the big white screen from his laptop to start his class.
"So today we will learn about French Revolution and its vitality for today's democracy"

"Hey, so you're coming to go shopping with us," Nancy talked with her eyes strained on the last page of her notebook where she was doodling.

"Really?! Right in the middle of history?!" scoffed back Jacob shifting his gaze from the screen towards Nancy.
"Don't act like you are enjoying this period," She replied, slightly offended.
"I am dying." Jacob whined.
"So, let's discuss the shopping list. mine and Ashy's are ready. She told me she'd ask you. Wait, are you free to go shopping with us? You don't seem that interested."
"No...um...actually Mark...ehm...he asked me to be at his football match this Saturday. This is an important match. It's the selection of the team captain. You two go."
"You changed."

At this, Jacob frowned slightly at the desk, sucked a deep breath and didn't say a word before he got back to listening to the monotone voice of Mr Bukson. He let his mind drift off to the football field where he sometimes goes alone to watch Mark's practice.

Mark used to call him to play football or 'footie' as Mark would like to term. He couldn't help but fond at the thought of Mark's deep calm voice with a strong French accent. He used to refuse every time Mark would call him to play football with him so now Mark knew not to call him but still, he wanted to teach him football. Jacob isn't a big fan of football. Neither can he play decently. But he just enjoyed watching Mark play from the bleachers. He just loved the small talk with Mark during halftime. He just loved the way Mark's eyes lights up when his eyes fall on him standing by the bleachers. He just loved... The annoying ring of the bell brought him back. The sound was annoying and unpleasant to the ears, but he waited to hear this bell every hour because this sound of the bell meant the end of a period.

"C'mon" he heard Nancy's shrill yet soft voice from the side "Now, which class? Maths with Ash and Mark, right?"
"Mine's Sociology."
He mumbled something before getting up from his seat. Nancy followed with a huff of exasperation