It was another day at the prestigious Hillcrest Academy, unlike other days, Monday was the beginning of a stressful week. We started the day with a morning assembly and multiple speeches delivered by the head of departments. Further announcements about the midterm tests this week and a two-week study break later.

In most situations, I would be freaked out by the sudden test table, considering the fact that our tests started tomorrow. But, I have prepared extra hard this year, and it would be a shame for my name not to be in the top 5. Jasmine, Noel, and Victoria always made it to the top three. The order is different most of the time because nobody took the first position for two terms straight.

"Ugh." I playfully hit my pen on the laptop. Self study classes were so boring, but lucky enough, we were advised to carry personal devices for study purposes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

"Did you hear about the regional youth camp?" I heard the girl in front whisper to her friend.

"Oh my gosh, who hasn't? They say Noel's group mates will be there too." She smiled happily.

"Chantel is the hottest in the trio." Her friend gasped, then moved her red locs behind her ear.

"Ugh, Noel has a charming vibe, did you watch his Tedtok interview?" She giggled, "He is such a gentleman. The way he attentively stared at the interviewer with that eye contact moment. Uhh!"

"She was blushing so hard!" They both laughed, "They say that he is the perfectionist of the group."

"It's sad that Chantel is in class 2, his grades are so average. I guess Ruki still skips classes." The person next to the red haired girl added on.

"Ruki keeps holding on to his bad boy image." She responded.

A regional young camp? I haven't heard of it, could it be why the charity organization needed so many volunteers? I let out a low growl and wished I had not applied. Not only that, but I should have read that job description.

With my back that was sore from the previous night's workouts, I forced myself to bend while my head rested on the medium-sized table. At that moment, my body relaxed and I dozed off.

I heard footsteps that became louder as time passed, with an irritated frown – I covered my head with the spread textbook closest to me. It took some seconds later before I felt a hand slightly raise the book off my face. "Hmm?" I frowned, then turned my head.

"Aurora?" I heard my name whispered below my ear. The warm breath left goosebumps on my skin, I slowly opened my left eye, then immediately shut it. Noel? What is he doing here?

"Can you wake up for a minute?" He moved closer, at the same time, I hurriedly wiped the nonexistent drool on my dry lips. I could feel the class' intense stares on us, even though I had not opened my eyes.

"Hey, you!" He poked my cheek, then pinched hard. "She's really deep asleep in class?" The confusion in his voice was so evident, but he continued twisting my check with a pen.

"Hmm, who is that?" I moved backwards to stretch, at the same moment, Noel moved closer. In that split second, I felt moist, soft skin against my cheek. He quickly pulled his lips away as he class erupted into shocked gasps and recordings.

"I-I'm sorry." He seemed flushed, and a blush was visible through his loose hair. "It was a mistake, can you hand in your assignment?" Noel reacted so suddenly that, unlike him, I was stuck reliving the past two minutes.

It was when I noticed the flashlights from the cameras that I hid my face with my bag. Without hesitation, I took out the weekend assignment and gave it to me. I heard another apology as he left all the attention to me. Before he could walk out of the class, a group of girls raced towards my desk with their gossip expression.

"Do you know Noel?"

"Isn't this the rugs girl?"

"Why did Noel get her book?"

"I heard that she had been crushing on him!"

"As if, are Noel's standards that low? I heard she is poor."

The girls continued arguing among themselves, at the same time as they compared their status or looks with mine. I felt the sharp stings in my eyes, my tears slowly fought their way out. The heat in my cheeks and racing heartbeat caused my flooding emotions to burst.

Tears filled with anguish and fear rolled down my heated face, for the first time as I felt the cameras and self criticizing voices around me – I was lost in the darkness. The replicated feeling of pain as my parents argued, the helpless cry when I was treated as an outcast, and the fear of the world knowing my misery.

I was so taken in my emotions that when I felt a cold hand hold my shoulder, I flinched. The person took me and covered my head with a thin coat. My head rested on broad shoulders and I heard a husky voice murmur a word, 'girlfriend.' There was silence in the room as we walked out towards the hallway.

"Are you okay?" I heard the person whisper so that only I could hear.

"Yeah." My head was moved off his chest and I stared at the familiar face. "Ruki?" My eyes widened before I moved away.

"Hello." His cocky smirk spread across his face, and a wave of uncertainty crossed mine. "Noel said that I should fix this."

"That virgin Noel could never have the nerve to kiss someone, trust me – it was a blissful mistake." His smile became broader as he stood, pleased by his revelation.

"Then claiming that she is my girlfriend solves that trivial problem?" Noel's voice was heard from the end of the hallway. "Kieran will be so freaked out by this. I should have fixed it myself."

"Come on, now you have a girlfriend. Smile a little, Mr charming." Ruki playfully hit Noel's back. "Thank me later."

"You are disgusting." Noel slapped Ruki's hands off his back. "I'll call Kieran and explain the situation."

"I'm ditching class, laters." With that, he left.

The atmosphere became intense as soon as we had remained alone. Noel cleared his throat, then moved forward as his figure towered over me. I raised my head, then met his relaxed eyes. "I will make sure that everything is covered, it was my mistake."

"It happens, it's okay." I managed to get the words out while my eyes remained fixed on the floor.

"My driver will be here to take you home, here is your leave pass and this is my little apology gift." My gaze was redirected to the ice cream bowl. "I got it from the cafeteria. Oh, and this." A different type of expression was on his face as he placed the small packet of marshmallows on the bowl. It seemed like he was nervous and worried that I might say something negative about him.

"Thanks." I smiled as I was led out of the building. Noel was quiet the entire time until his driver approached us.

"Sorry once more." He apologized for the uncounted number of times, then walked back into the building. The driver was so kind and told me about his youthful days as well as how troublesome Noel was as a baby. He had been working for the House Parschels as Noel's guard, then driver in his later years. According to him, the reason that he worked there after being stable was to repay the generosity of Mr Parschel.

"Noel is a good kid, a little stubborn at making friends but caring too." He spoke in his native accent, his downturned green eyes stared at me before a smile crossed my face. "Don't let the media destroy your youth as it shattered his."

It had been hours since I arrived home. Dad was unavailable, and the only thing that I could do was study and prepare the evening meal. Some minutes ago, my bags were dropped off by another worker of Noel's family. After I had checked the trends and noticed the posts about Noel's girlfriend, who happened to be me, I accidentally broke my laptop.

I had to be patient because he said that he would fix it in time. The exams were tomorrow, and I had no idea how I would survive those fan girls. I rushed upon hearing the buzzing phone, to my surprise, Ruby's name flashed on the screen. Upon accepting the call, a scream echoed through the phone.

"Girrrrrrl! Really? Was this your plan of getting him?" Ruby yelled through the phone. "Tsk! Tsk!"

"No! It was a mistake. I mean it." The other side was silent before laughter was heard.

"Oh my gosh. Are you going to play date?" She laughed, "Your face is everywhere."

I was about to respond when another call alert flashed on my phone. "Ruby, I have another call. Stop disturbing me with your assumptions." I frowned, then ended the call. The next dial was an unknown number, which I quickly answered.

"This is the Ellen V media, I would like-" I cut the call before I could hear more from those journalists. I walked toward the living room with the frozen bowl of ice cream so as to watch a movie. When I sat on the couch, the phone began buzzing continuously.

Avoiding them was harder than pretending the receiver was unavailable. I quickly got the phone, then stared shockingly at the caller ID.

Noel?

"Hey." I answered the call as I walked toward the couch.

"Can I come over?"

"Can I come over?" There was a pause, "with my manager."

Oh? I cleared my throat, then murmured a quick 'alright' before the call was disconnected. Immediately that happened, I rushed toward the kitchen and started tidying up the area. It was already past the time for the end of classes, and hence I knew that he would be here directly from school.

By the time the doorbell rang, I had already managed to get the refreshments ready. With a quick pull of my black sweatshirt and the blue shorts, I rushed toward the door with a smile on my face. After a deep sigh, I pressed the unlock code, which caused the glass door to slide.

When the door fully opened, I noticed Noel and Kieran, who stood at the entrance. After we exchanged greetings and walked back inside, I guided them toward the recently cleaned living room. I made sure that the scent of the air freshener filled the room, while the warmed up room caused a refreshing breeze.

"It's so cozy in here." Kieran relaxed his back on the couch as he took a drink of the homemade chocolate smoothie. "I might buy a house in this area."

"Hmm, yeah." Noel stared around the place until his gaze was fixed on me. He tilted his head, then smiled. "It's lovely."

I could feel the heat in my cheeks as an uncontrollable smile spread through my face. Unfazed and embarrassed, I stared at the cup between my palms. "You said that there was something important to discuss."

"Oh, yes." Kieran moved forward and explained about the disaster management issues relating to the situation. According to him, people found it interesting that Noel had a dating scandal for the first time. Contrary, there were others that bashed me based on my situations. After half an hour of extensive work interpretations, Kieran came up with a solution.

"Both parties should avoid interactions and public appearances together until the problem is resolved." I frowned upon listening to the words.

Why would people make a huge scandal over a cheek kiss? Only if Noel had less than fifty million fans. His modeling and instrumental fans are so overboard, unlike the colleagues and tennis fans.

"That's okay with me." Noel's voice echoed in the room. After a nonparticipating period, I finally heard his opinion on the matter.

"Alright, but I need something in exchange for my cooperation." I plainly stated the obvious.

I watched Kieran stare at Noel for a while, then said, "Is a million enough?"

"I don't need money, since this might be the last time we might ever speak to each other." I clenched my teeth, a little hopeless and nervous about what I would do next. I felt my sweaty hands and thumbs that rubbed against my palms.

"Speak freely." Kieran urged as a small smile crossed his face. At the exact moment, I could feel Noel's glare that could dig a hole in my head.

"Can you treat me to a date as an apology?" I whispered, then closed my eyes.

"Hmm, I–" Noel was interrupted by Kieran, who said something that only he could hear.

"His schedule is empty on Friday night and the whole Saturday." There was an excited tone to Kieran's voice.

"I'll be free Friday night, excuse us." Noel quickly stood up and rushed out of the house. I noticed Kieran quicken his pace as he said his goodbyes at the same time. When they were both out of the door, I rushed and locked it before sitting on the cold floor.

Did I really do that? I whispered to myself. I had no idea how to feel, moreover, my body was shivering from excitement. It was just a random thought that I assumed he would have turned down. I might make him my friend first if things go well on Friday. With an excited laugh, I rushed to my room as I prepared for the exams.

It was a dark-clouded day while I rode my bicycle to school. The whole trip to class was filled with gossipers that whispered behind my back. To add to the horror of being the school's centre of attention, Noel happened to strictly comply with Kieran's advice. He neither spared me a glance nor dared walk an inch closer.

The test went on smoothly, although, my mind was preoccupied with all that I heard. Apparently, I was nicknamed the second Cinderella of the mighty Hillcrest Academy of excellence. In times as these, I would have been crawling at the corner or cursing myself to sleep forever. But, I might have lost that fear when I decided to be different this year.

The previous two years were filled with me being bullied and laughed at, all while living as a shadow. When I accepted my father's illness, our financial crisis and my existence – I slowly felt free from all the anxiety.

"Hey there." I watched Linyu as he walked towards me. He had a tiny bag of chocolate, which he handed to me. "It's really nice."

"Thanks." I whispered as we walked to my bicycle.

"Don't pay attention to what they say. They are a bunch of spoiled brats who pick on others." Linyu rolled his eyes.

I nodded my head, then stopped walking. "I have to be home early today."

"Sure, are you free next week?" He waited for my response with a smile on his face. I noticed how his dark eyes squinted, that seemed like the smile Noel would give the class.

"I will be busy, see you tomorrow." When my hand held the handle, I noticed that the tyres had been flattened. Immediately, a frown spread through my face while I got off.

"Is something wrong?"

"Nothing." An irritated smile was on my face, but I couldn't avoid the growl that I released.

"I can drop you by your house." I was about to accept before I felt a hand on my shoulder. Victoria stood behind us with a worried expression.

"I'll drop you off." She didn't wait for my response as she pulled us far away from Linyu. "Are you friends with him?" Victoria whispered on our way to the black car.

I was directed to the passenger seat while she drove the car out of the school premises. "We were together on the psychology assignment."

"Really? Ugh, I heard that he was harassing Evangeline last week." She rolled her eyes, "there were also rumours about his uncle who bought shares illegally in the health organization, then framed the Parschels."

Victoria continued gossiping about the situation between Linyu and Noel's families. She also explained why nobody liked Linyu because of his actions. He had been suspended several times and came from a family of health professionals. Unlike his siblings, he was very notorious but had excellent grades.

After less than ten minutes of driving, we arrived at my place and I took a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much for the help."

"Here, have my number." Although I was shocked by her sudden concern, I scanned the code on her phone. "Don't forget to text me." Upon saying that, she turned on the engine and drove away.

"She is so pretty, it hurts." 

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