I feel rejuvenated when Stace comes knocking on our door the next morning.

"Hey, beautiful," she greets.

"Morning, gorgeous," I greet back as we air kiss. I eventually found my favorite training shorts after searching through a pile of clean laundry that equated to Mount Kilimanjaro.

We shriek when we see Li waiting for us at our usual meeting spot. We start running towards her and almost knock her over as we hug. Li returned from her visit to her grandparents in South Korea. She always brings us the trendiest little trinkets after each visit to her birth country.

"You guys will never believe how much I missed you," she says. We tighten the hug to express that the feeling is mutual.

"How are your grandparents?" I ask.

"They're well, I got the usual boring lecture about planning effectively for my future. And let's not forget the regular update on how my cousins are making waves in the IT industry and inheriting their father's empire blah, blah, blah," she rolls her eyes as she explains.

"You not feeling a teensy-weensy bit jealous or regretful?" Stace enquires.

"Hell no!" she passionately replies. "My parents married for true love, defying cultural class and standing together in strength,"

Both Stace and I start clapping as I say, "You should run for student ambassador, Li,"

"And besides, my life is so much richer because I have friends like you," she adds.

"Aaawww..." we both respond.

"Where's Nate at?" Li asks.

I shrug and say, "You'll probably see him in homeroom," Nate and Li are one year ahead of Stace and I. We say our temporary goodbyes and promise to meet during break time.

Later that day, we meet up with Nate, Li and Mr. Delectable- I mean Eben as break time begins. I reapplied my glitter lipgloss just a few seconds ago and dangly from my ears are my cutest pair of earrings, I came prepared today. We chat about this and that when Eben faces me and asks, "Am I seeing you at practice after school?" No words are being formed at the moment so my response is delayed.

"Coco is fanatical when it comes to athletic practices, she will never, ever miss a practice." Stace answers.

"I definitely concur," Li adds.

"True that," Nate confirms.

I am finally able to string a few words together and say, " I have my own voice, you know, and can speak for myself." I face Eben and politely answer, "Yes, Eben, I will be attending practice after school," He flashes me the most brilliant smile and says "Great" I can feel myself turning a very dark shade of pink.

"Coco, is that a new shade of blush you using that instantly appears when your heart goes boom boom?" Stace whispers in my ear while Li starts giggling. I suddenly find my chicken wrap extremely interesting and take a bite, hoping my slow chewing will reduce the heat in my cheeks. The boys are oblivious to "Coco's blushing episode" as Stace and Li continue to giggle in the background.

I am finishing off my stretching before our prac session when Eben joins me and says, "Hey, Allyssa-Coco, the practice session only starts in ten minutes." Aaah, my full name again.

"I like getting a head start with warm-ups, it's kinda my ritual," I laugh.

"Something new gets discovered every day..." he says in all seriousness. My chocolate brown eyes lock with his for a full ten seconds.

"By the way, isn't it an effort saying my full name all the time?" I ask more to try and control my erratic heartbeat.

"I like your name and the way it sounds when I say it," he smirks. He is definitely flirting with me right now! Allyssa-Coco, pull yourself towards yourself, I repeat a few times using my inner voice.

I find myself looking into his eyes, his beautiful hazel brown eyes and say, "You are quite the charmer, you say that to all the girls you meet?" I don't recognize the nervous laugh leaving my mouth.

"Well, let's put it this way: you are the only girl I find interesting enough to charm and if it makes you turn that adorable shade of pink, then yes, I will continue charming you," he lazily replies. Jeez, Louise! I am saved from a response when Mr. Gray calls everyone together.

Needless to say, I am drifting on the whitest and softest of clouds through the expanse of a bright, blue sky.

Eben Carolissen noticed me.