Admiring him

CHAPTER 3

Ah! I'm running late! Mother and Father, I'm going to school now!

Whatever. Mom then rolled her eyes.

Nasty as always huh?

....

Atlas D'Angelo! You are late again for the 5th time now. What had happened to our honor student!? My professor screamed as I claimed my seat.

My apologies, Mr. Adams! I have overslept reviewing the lessons for the exams.

Well, I will not tolerate this. But your reason is acceptable. This is the last time I am going to let you be late for my class. Understood?

Yes, Mr. Adams. Thank you for understanding.

We then started the exams.

[BELL RINGS]

Good job, everyone!

Thanks, Professor! The class said.

Ugh! I feel like I seriously failed the exams! If only Mother and Father hadn't assigned me to clean the whole mansion!

I then sulked in one corner, letting my tears fall down completely because I was deeply disappointed in myself.

After around a minute. One boy tapped my shoulders.

H-hello? Are you okay? He asked.

I purposely rubbed my eye saying, "Ah! Yes, yes I'm fine! I uh the air blew sands on my eye." Then I awkwardly laughed it out.

But there are no sands here, Mate. This is an indoor place. Are you sure you're all right?

Uh-huh yes! I am fine.

He then asked my name.

Atlas, It's Atlas D'Angelo. I said feeling a bit embarrassed.

His eyes lit up when I said my name.

Why?

ATLAS! DO YOU REMEMBER ME?? I UH I'M ELIO!

Elio? Uh, can I ask where we met? You seem unfamiliar to me.

"You've never seen the lake before?" Is that line familiar to you now, Atlas? He said before smiling.

(I've heard that line before... Where and when did I hear this line?)

AH! That's it! Were you the little boy I was playing with at the orphanage?

Yes! I'm glad you remembered. He said after brushing a stroke of my hair unto the back of my ear.

Your hair is growing long, Atlas. Better put it at the back of your ear so that you could still see.

T-thanks Elio for the concern, I got to go now. My friend is waiting for me in the cafeteria.

Can I maybe get your number before you go?

Uh, sure!

I gave him my number before going.

What took you so long, Atlas? You were 13 minutes and 16 seconds late! Even at lunchtime, you're late? Athena then laughed.

(Athena is my best friend. We met a year ago in one of the school's clubs, ever since we met we connected as if we've become an item. We never separated, some of our classmates even thought we were dating, except we weren't. Rumors spread like wildfire but we didn't care. What do they know about us, anyway?)

Really Athena? We then laughed together.

Just kidding, las.

What's with that weird nickname? Ant-thena? I said jokingly.

Wow, you're literally so cringe, Atlas. Just sit with me and eat, you nutcase.

I smiled and joined her to eat later on.

[ONE MONTH LATER]

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you. ~ Happy 16th Birthday, Atlas! Esther sang to me after she entered my room with a cake I think she baked.

Blow the candles now, Atlas. Oh but don't forget to make a wish!

I smiled. I blew the candle with a wish in mind. Esther always surprises me with every birthday of mine, she really never forgets.

Thanks, Esther! I almost forgot it's my birthday, thanks for reminding me! Thank you for the cake too. What are we waiting for? Let's slice this cake, I'm starving!

We both laughed out of happiness before eating Esther's homemade cake, YUM!

After we finished eating, I washed dishes instead of Esther, I wasn't letting her do all the chores so as a "thank you" I did the dishes.

[DING} My mobile phone had received a message, from who?

(Happy birthday, Nutcase! Don't forget to give some cake to me!) I read Athena's message.

I giggled. "You silly, creature I'm sorry to break your heart but I ate all the cake. Sorry!" I texted back.

After I sent the message to Athena, my phone received a text again.

Huh? Elio?

(Is it your birthday today? Happy Birthday! I heard it from your friend, anyway, enjoy your day.) Elio texted.

Wow. It had always been just Esther and Athena who greets me on my birthday. This is a bit unexpected.

I texted back, "Thanks, Elio! I'm truly thankful! Enjoy your day too.'' Feeling butterflies swirling in my stomach. What in the world!? I'm sure it's just because someone new greeted me on my birthday, no big deal.

I then head on and enjoyed my day.