The book II

My head feels like it's about to explode, so I slowly open my eyes. Probably my mom woke me up. It took me a few seconds to realize I was still in class, so I took a few more seconds to focus on where I was.

Stretching my arms, I saw Julia writing. By her looks, it seems like she noticed too. Looking at me, those dark blue eyes hypnotized me. I can't bear to look away. It made my heart addicted to this fast pace.

I'm trying to get back to my senses. I was about to say something, but I looked around and realized that we were alone in the class. It's difficult to think of a normal topic to talk about with her.

— The Sleeping Beauty is awake. — Julia chimed happily. She always likes to tease me, but I'm still lost in her eyes.

That's the reason I fell. Just looking at those eyes makes my heart throb. My lips are dry, my eyes seem heavy after waking up from a long dream.

Dream?

I completely forgot about the dream. Should I call that a dream? That looked too real to be just a dream. I'm rather tempted to believe that it was real.

— I know I'm handsome, but if you say it so casually, I'll feel shy. — I said, my voice trembling, trying to sound timid.

— Now what? Are you gonna flush? — Replied, then pinched my cheeks, as a mother would do to a child.

— But I have to admit, you're cute. — Julia smiled at me, as a kid would after doing something wrong.

Julia has a mix of maturity and childishness that occasionally shows. Surprising me with a new aspect of herself, it's something she does often.

Unfortunately, she is nothing but a friend. It's time to move on! I've said it many times, but never really meant it. Julia knows I like her, but would she someday like me back? Looks like it's not in her plans to date someone.

I've spent too much time thinking about this, but I know the answer. She just sees me as a friend. Well, it's not her fault. I'm the one who's in love, but is it wrong to want her to love me back? I need to clear my head on this. It's been months since that happened. I should have forgotten it already.

— "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." — I said, as my finger lay on her cheeks. I've pinched harder than I thought I would.

I don't even know why I said that, but it was the first thing that crossed my mind.

— Ouch — Julia said, her eyes teary, probably because I pinched her harder than I thought it would be.

Her cheeks are really chubby. Once again, I want to pinch it, but I shouldn't. Julia is incredibly cute when she's like this. Her watery eyes. And her upset face really makes me want to tease her more.

— Sorry. — I said, patting her head.

— Sometimes I get lost looking at you, because you're too cute. — flirted with her, trying to divert her attention to another thing. Maybe she'll forget what I just did.

I thought she'd notice it right away, but Julia was looking down, holding her hands together. I thought she was mad at me, but when I looked at her face, it was like velvet cake right now, all red and incredibly beautiful.

Is she shy? But I've called her cute many times. Why now? Shouldn't think she likes me, or I'll just repeat my last mistake.

Julia is avoiding my eyes, which gives me hope. Her shyness made me smile, as if a laugh was about to be born.

— HAHAHA, So you're the one shy, not me. — I said, holding the stomach, I might die laughing.

I just hope it's not my mind playing with me.

— Ouch — Julia, punched me in the arm. For someone so tiny, she's too strong. It was a deep red mark on my triceps, and the one looking at me was almost killing me with her sharp gaze.

— It's fine if you're shy... HAHAHAH — I teased her, but I burst into laughter at the end. She punched me repeatedly. It honestly hurt, so I did what any person would do. I ran away. It's not being a coward, it's a wise strategy.

Julia was screaming at me while I was running, but her cute smile showed her true feelings.

I had to hurry back home to change my outfit. When I got home, my mom was cooking. It filled the house with the spicy smell of chicken, mustard and honey. The spicy smell inside my nose brought tears to my eyes, leaving me with a mouth full of saliva. I ran to the kitchen.

— Mom, whatchu doing? The delicious aroma is now even stronger, and my stomach roars when it feels the juicy prey close.

— Stupid boy, wash your hands first. As she heard it, she smiled proudly at me.

When I returned, a plate of perfectly grilled chicken wings appeared on my plate, and my stomach growled without a scream.

ROOOOAAAR

The sound of my stomach echoed throughout the entire kitchen. Mom looked at me with a proud smile spread across her face.

— Are you starving, Lee? — Mom said. She's always teasing me. Maybe that's the reason I tease Julia so much.

I raised my eyebrows, trying to think of a way to tease mom. However, remembering the day I tried to tease her, I repented instantly. I'll never do that again.

I can't say much, but I could only sit in a chair without feeling pain a week later. It was... terrifying!

It's impossible not to fall in love with your cook, you're just too talented, I can't help it.k. — I said, if I can't tease, I'll lick her boots. It's the most effective strategy. I learned it from Maquiavel himself. Believe me, you don't need to check it out. I would never lie. Would I?

— Stop trying to lick my boots. I'm not planning to give you money. — Mom said it right away.

— Why do you think I want money? Can't I just compliment you? — I said, I don't want money, but if she gives me some, I won't refuse.

Once again, my stomach roared, and my taste buds were driven to the skies by the spicy flavor and the tenderness of the wings.

In a video game, mom's level of cooking would be maximized; she would be called a master wherever she was.

Each wing I ate was completely delicious. I'm full, but I still want more.

— Leave some for your father. He'll be back earlier today. After that, I gave up, but my eyes were fixed on the wings as if they were precious treasures.

— Okay, but could you do some ribs tonight? It's been a long time since I've eaten. — I joined my hands, almost as if I were praying directly to her.

Mom was looking at me with her white teeth shining, but a dark red sauce was on her lower lips, barbecue sauce.

— Of course, just do your best on the training. I'll do how much you can eat. — She said, making me smile even wider.

I went to my room and then, I've changed my outfit. I'm now wearing a white cardigan, a cyan shirt, jeans, and white sneakers. It's kind of cold today, so I'm bringing a jacket too.

When I got there, I saw Jesse waiting for me at the front door.

— Sup Lee, how you doing? — Jesse said, thanking God it was cold.

Jesse's stare made my eyes wide open before I finished my sentence, so I couldn't even finish it.

Jesse is really elegant this afternoon. The white coat that falls over her body, the black turtleneck that enhances her style, the black pants that show her curves, and the black boots. My shock at her breathtaking beauty is beyond words. Seems like whenever I see her, Jesse dazzles me with her beauty.

We found a place to sit in the class and talked until everyone arrived. When Brad showed up, the loud chatter stopped.

— I imagine y'all finished reading the book. You will pair up with someone, and one will act as the good prince, and the other will play the bad prince. — Brad said, and I looked at Jesse, and she looked at me too.

We waved our heads at each other, in some kind of agreement. I'm excited about this training. Maybe she'll show me a new thing today as well?

— It seems that some of you have already formed a pair. For those who already have a partner, go home, you're going to practice for a week. -- Brad said, and everyone around him is trying to figure out what just happened. What should we do now?

— I advise you all to do it properly, because the final result will be evaluated by the CEO himself. This training will only be for those who can surpass us. You did not think it would be easy, did you? Brad said, a sadistic smile painted across his breathtaking face.

The incident completely ruined my mood, but something soon made me forget about it.

— Do you want to go to my house? We could practice there. — Jesse said, and my heart was racing like a wild horse on a green hill.

What's going to happen there?