It was a relaxing day after school. Both Ali and Sophia didn't have any extra-curricular activities after school - mainly because they had worked it out so that they would have one day in a week that was 'free'.

To date, of course.

Some may say it isn't romantic to have their 'dates' in school, but for Ali and Sophia, what was important was that they could spend time together.

The only problem was, Ali was constantly wondering when was the 'best' time to talk about his faith. Too many times and it would get boring, wouldn't it? If the interest wasn't there, and one forced it, wouldn't one start feeling a bit miffed?

But if he didn't bring up the subject, wouldn't it mean that he's just delaying the inevitable?

He hadn't told Sophia about the deadline as he didn't want the added pressure to be on her, but there was no denying the fact that time was passing them by. One may think 11 more months is a long time, but to Ali, it wasn't.

How could any talk or discussion about God, and his belief, be covered within a day?

It would need the correct moment. The correct words, the correct time to ponder and think upon.

He just wanted to spend time with her.

Before they confessed, they did spend time together as friends. Yet, it was different now. Even though they had talked constantly and hung out together, time spent as a couple felt completely different.

More precious, in a way. He noticed things about her that he didn't before. Well, perhaps he did but it was all subconscious.

The way she smiled. The way she talked. The way the sunlight glistened in her hair. Little things like that.

He also felt that if he broached the subject, it would ruin the day. Each time before they met, he had his resolve to talk about it. However, the moment they met, he'd think, 'There's always next week. Plenty of time.'

He just enjoyed her company and before he knew it, weeks would have passed.

Ali sighed to himself, watching Sophia as she animatedly talked about her day. Her family.

He loved hearing all about it for it meant that he was getting to know more about her. However, she never truly asked him about his family and he wondered.

Was it because she wasn't interested or was it because it was just not within her mind at all? He wondered, but never asked.

What Ali didn't know was that Sophia was also in a dilemma and had a few questions of her own.

She would talk to him about her day and even her family yet he never offered any sort of stories about his own day and family. He would just sit there, smiling and listening to her intently. While it was all nice and good that he was paying attention, she wanted more interaction, you know?

More sharing.

Wasn't her talking about her day a cue for him to add in about his day? When she talked about her family and things that they did, wasn't that a cue for him to compare with his? Give his own anecdotes about his family?

Once, she did try to ask him instead of waiting for him to share. It was a simple question. How was his day? What did he do?

He'd just say 'The same, nothing new'.

If he was like this when she asked about his day, what would he be like if she asked about his family? Would he think that she was being too nosy? Why was it so hard for him to share his thoughts? Must she always be the one to keep asking him?

Would he think that she was too chatty?

Would he get too tired of her?

These two silly fools were just so conscious of each other and scared to rock the boat that they didn't really talk about their fears. Their feelings for each other were new, and precious, so they made the mistake of wanting to just live in the moment.

Actually, there was nothing wrong with what they were doing - if they were an ordinary couple. After all, they were only in their teens and both were each other's 'first love'. There should have been plenty of time to explore their feelings and just use the time to get to know each other.

But time was ticking.

✿ ✿ ✿ ✿

Ali wasn't the only one delaying the inevitable.

After Kyle's shocking announcement that he was going to appoint Sayuri as the vice-president, that particular person went missing from class.

At that moment, she was pacing about in her apartment, her heart and mind in a mess.

Don't misunderstand.

It wasn't that she was having feelings for Kyle. Rather, she was feeling nervous. For the first time in a long while, Sayuri wasn't feeling confident.

Why would she be so nervous, you may ask? Well, if you were asked to step into the shoes of a legend, would you feel like you were up to it?

Even Beatrice, whom Sayuri saw as a capable and efficient person, who had carried the mantle of 'President' last year - didn't think she was capable enough to fill in Kyle's shoes.

Although Sayuri wasn't filling in Kyle's shoes like Beatrice, she would be acting in his stead when he's not around. It was not the same as Beatrice, but it certainly did have some similarity.

Sayuri groaned.

What was wrong with her?

Did her constant mantra of 'humility' rob her of her sense of self-confidence?

She was supposed to be less arrogant, not become weak! This was unacceptable!!

Just then, she heard the doorbell.

Surprised, she looked around and wondered who it could be. After all, she didn't have friends and the only one who knew she lived here was her grandfather and uncle.

She walked to the door and peered through the spyhole, gasped and almost fell down.

It was Kyle.