Meant To Be

Chapter 2: A Class at 7:00 am

Julia ran down the street, munching on her apple along the way. She had to get to school before the bell rang and before they closed the gates. She had never gotten into trouble before for being late, since Isla had covered for her. But she wasn't covering for her this time. Julia took her phone out of her pocket and checked the time. 6:55. She began to run even faster. After crossing the road and turning right, the school was in view. She could see Isla waiting for her.

"Isla!" She shouted, waving to her.
Isla looked up from her phone to see an exhausted Julia. She shook her head in disappointment and sighed. "I don't know what to say, Jules. I really don't know."

Meanwhile, Damien and Riley were playing a game of (name of random game) when Riley suddenly got a text. His face lit up when he saw it was from Alicia Demelo.
Damien looked up at him. "Dude! Why'd you stop playin'?"
"Ah..... hang on. I just..... need to check something real quick." Riley made up.
Damien rolled his eyes. "Fine. But do it quickly. Our team's about to win!"
Riley laughed at him. "Ok."

He turned his back towards Damien and read the text.

.....

/hey/

/hi/

/are you at school already?/

/yeah why/
/something wrong?/

/just coz/

/?/

/do u want to go somewhere after school?/

.....

Riley's fingers hovered over the screen. He felt his face burn up. He didn't know what to say. 'Is she asking me out? Or does she mean go somewhere as friends and not a date??' He thought frustratingly. Before he could answer, Alicia sent another text.

.....

/we can go to a cafe or something/
/it'll be up to you/
/just text me after school today your decision/
/c u in class then/

/ok/

.....

Riley mentally face-palmed. He had answered so cowardly by only saying "ok". He didn't want to leave a bad impression and yet, he had just embarrassed himself.
'It's normal isn't it? To make embarrassing mistakes when your crush literally asked you out on a date..... right?' He sighed. He didn't want to embarrass himself anymore than he already did. 'Should I go?? ...... This would be my chance to get closer to her..... maybe I should just go.... ugh, I don't know anymore. I'll just have to answer her later.' He thought and went back to Damien. Riley noticed that Julia had arrived while he was texting Alicia. He smiled and waved to her. Julia waved back.

Just then the bell rang, ringing in their ears. To them, it really wasn't a pleasant sound to hear so early in the morning.
"Phew, I'm just glad I made it on time." Julia fixed her skirt and blouse.
Isla grinned. "Yeah, I'm so glad I didn't have to cover for you."
"Hey!" Julia pushed her playfully, laughing.
"Let's just go now." Isla said and linked arms with her.

But before they could walk, Damien rushed over and wrapped his arm around Isla's shoulders, making her let go of Julia. "Wait for us, ladies."
Isla pushed his arm away. "Can you not?"
"Oh..... sorry." Damien looked hurt, making Isla feel guilty.
"Ah! I-I mean.... my shoulders hurt from carrying this heavy thing, you know?" Isla pointed to her bag. She looked up at Damien and frowned, "I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to shout at you."

Damien grinned and threw his arm back around her shoulders. "Well then, if you're really sorry, why don't you treat me to lunch later on, hm?"
Isla scoffed. "You were joking? Seriously joking? Oh my goodness..... I can't believe I fall for your tricks every time."
"So it's a yes?" Damien insisted.
"No! Never. In your dreams." Isla cried as the both of them walked ahead.

Julia laughed. "They're so funny."
"Yeah...." Riley turned to face Julia, "Hey! Did anyone say we're going to camp next week?"
Julia thought for a moment. "Hmm....... I did happen to hear someone say it in the last year meeting we had. But I'm not too sure..... I mean, you could ask."
"What?! So I'm the only one who didn't know we have camp next week??!" Riley cried.
"I guess so." Julia giggled. "But don't worry. Now you know at least."
He nudged her. "Let's go. We're gonna be late."
She nodded and they headed off to class.

💫💫💫

The classroom was cold, making Julia feel a bit sleepy. She rested her head on her elbow and yawned. She unlocked her phone and looked at the time. "Ugh...... I should still be sleeping..." She groaned. Sitting next to her was Riley who, surprisingly, was wide awake and was paying close attention to what the teacher was saying. Julia was looking at him without realising it. She sighed while staring at his complexion. 'Can anyone be as good looking as him?' She thought. It was about three years ago, that she realised she had a crush on him. Julia kept finding herself gazing at him and every time he talked to her, she could feel her heart beat quicken. Being close friends, she found out how caring he was and how he always helped others, even when they didn't ask for it. She remembered when she was sick, he had come over and brought medicine for her to take. Riley had always stayed with her when she felt down, lonely, and would always listen to her go on and on and on about whatever she was mad about. Thinking about him made her smile.

Riley felt a gaze on him and turned to face Julia. He caught her staring at him and gave her a quizzical look. "Is there something on my face?" He whispered.
"O-oh..... y-yeah....." Julia mumbled.
Riley felt his face, frantically searching for the "thing" on his face. "Where is it? Do I look weird?"
"No. You're always good looking....." Julia covered her mouth, realising what she had just said and a crimson colour crept up her face.
Riley was taken aback by her answer. "O-oh.... r-really? That's good to h-hear." He could feel his cheeks turn bright red. He felt around his face, but couldn't find anything. 'Was there really something on my face? Or...... does she like me? I don't think she stares at just anyone..... no, that can't be right." He quickly dismissed the thought.

"Ok, that's all for today. Thank you all for coming so early. You are dismissed." The teacher announced, and within a matter of seconds, the other students had sprung up from their seats and rushed out the door.

Julia quickly gathered her things and put them into her bag. She swung it over her shoulder and stood up from her seat. Just as she was about to leave, Riley caught her arm. Julia stopped in her tracks and turned around to look at him.

"Was there..... really something on my face?" Riley asked, looking at her longingly.