10:45

PART 4

After the day of their project, Claudine and Rico grew even closer. They hung out more often, and Rico would always find a reason to visit Claudine, whether it was to study, work on another project, or simply hang out. It felt natural to be around each other, and Claudine couldn’t help but notice how much she looked forward to seeing him every day.

One afternoon, they were sitting on the steps outside the school, waiting for the bus. The sun was bright, and Claudine was squinting against the light. She turned to Rico and smiled. “It’s so hot today! I feel like I’m going to melt.”

Rico grinned and pulled a baseball cap from his bag, plopping it onto her head. “There, problem solved,” he said with a smirk.

Claudine laughed, adjusting the cap. It was too big for her, and it fell over her eyes, making her giggle. “I can’t see anything now!”

Rico leaned over, gently pushing the cap back so it sat properly on her head. “Better?”

“Much better,” she said, smiling up at him. “Thanks, Rico. Always saving the day.”

He shrugged casually, but there was a soft look in his eyes. “It’s what I do.”

As they waited for the bus, they chatted about random things – classes, music, and weekend plans. Rico told her about a small café he had discovered downtown that he wanted to check out.

“They have the best coffee,” Rico said. “You have to come with me. It’s quiet, and they play good music. I think you’d like it.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Claudine agreed. “Let’s go this weekend.”

The bus finally arrived, and they climbed aboard, finding seats in the back. Claudine rested her head against the window, watching the streets pass by. She felt a sense of peace being with Rico. He made her feel safe, like everything was simple and easy.

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That weekend, they went to the café Rico had mentioned. It was a cozy little spot, tucked away between two larger buildings. The inside was warm and inviting, with soft music playing in the background and the smell of fresh coffee filling the air.

Claudine looked around, taking it all in. “This place is perfect,” she said, smiling at Rico.

“I knew you’d like it,” Rico replied, grinning.

They ordered their drinks and found a table by the window. Claudine watched people walk by outside, feeling content. She loved moments like this – simple, quiet, and filled with the comfort of being with someone who understood her.

As they sipped their drinks, Claudine glanced at Rico. “Do you ever think about the future?” she asked.

Rico tilted his head, thinking for a moment. “Sometimes,” he admitted. “But I try not to think too far ahead. I don’t want to get caught up worrying about what’s going to happen.”

Claudine nodded, understanding what he meant. “Yeah, I get that. I guess I’m just curious about what’s next for us. After school, I mean.”

“We’ll figure it out,” Rico said confidently. “You don’t have to worry about it. Whatever happens, we’ll handle it.”

Claudine smiled. “You always make things sound so simple.”

“That’s because life doesn’t have to be complicated,” Rico replied, giving her a playful look. “We make it that way sometimes, but really, it’s just about enjoying the moment.”

They spent the rest of the afternoon at the café, talking about everything and nothing at the same time. Claudine felt like they could sit there for hours, and she wouldn’t get bored. She loved how easy it was to talk to Rico, how he always knew what to say to make her feel at ease.