David’s P.O.V.

It had been three months already and yet, everything between Helena and I still seemed awkward. But I must admit, I had always been thinking about that smack. Every day, thoughts were occupying my mind about that accidental kiss and how it affected me a lot.

Trances kept on running in my mind about what could have happened if that kiss lasted longer, to think that we were just starting to get to know each other? I even got conscious if I had a bad breath!

Helena was my first kiss.

Vanessa was my first girlfriend and there was no question about that, but I wasn’t able to kiss her on the lips. I was already pleased with just holding hands and kissing on the cheeks. That was how I thought a relationship was—knowing that you were respecting your girlfriend so much.

Maybe, that was the reason why she didn’t like me completely… or perhaps, she never liked me right from the start. She only used and treated me as her slave—a smart boyfriend who would do anything for her, because she knew I would not say ‘no’ to her. She was a happy-go-lucky type of girl who was always up for fun and probably, she found me a little bit boring!

Speaking of Vanessa? After what happened to us the same day I had that experience with Helena, she decided to transfer to section two—Drew’s section.

She might have just realized that she couldn’t face me anymore. I knew I was being mean and bitter, but who wouldn’t? Despite our young age, I knew I was able to truly love her. I cared for her more than any other thing. But what did she do? She backstabbed and embarrassed me—she cheated on me! Vanessa shattered me into pieces and time could only tell when would I be ready to forgive her.

On the other hand, it was obvious that Helena kept on distancing herself within my reach. Regardless, I could say that she still kept on competing with me and that—she was still eyeing the valedictorian title.

I was not threatened as the results of our first grading period showed that I was still on top. Although both the Principal and Guidance Counselor called me in the office, it was a good thing that what happened in the garden did not affect my overall standing at St. Augustine’s Academy. They only gave me advice that it should never happen again.

Also, I did not expect Helena to show up there and explained the truth that was in favor of me. Although her participation only comprises a brief one-line statement that I didn’t do anything wrong, it was still way far from how I grabbed her wrist and dragged her all along.

These past few days, my mind was preoccupied with so many things and that includes… what if I had not saved Helena on that day? What if she got hit and ran over by that car? How did she feel when we accidentally kissed? Am I also her first kiss? But above all these, what I was really curious about was…

Who is Athena?

She was indeed the one who kept on bugging my head, aside from the kiss Helena and I shared. I didn’t know but why does it feel like… I had an unknown connection with her?

I saw Helena browsing her tablet with that Athena’s Famebook profile on the screen: Athena Cari Delgado. She looked exactly like Helena, but based on the posts on her timeline—she was already dead.

Helena seemed to be really surprised when she saw me at her back. I lied and told her that I didn’t see anything, but in fact, I saw everything.

From the moment she was agitatedly searching for some type of book on almost every shelf in the library, the time she got stunned and stared blankly over something as if she was in deep thoughts, until she sat at the corner, and her tablet almost fell off when she saw me behind her? I saw every little thing.

She walked out of the library forgetting about her handkerchief on the table and when I got it, goosebumps suddenly covered my entire body when I saw Athena’s name embroidered on it.

Was Athena her dead twin sister? Or was Helena having a dual personality disorder?

Damn it, I think I’m going crazy! Why would she even use that Athena’s handkerchief?

“Mr. Rivera, are you even listening?” the voice of Mrs. Cheng suddenly dragged me out of deep reverie.

“I’m sorry, Ma’am. I beg your pardon,” I shyly replied. This was the first time that I had never been focused on our lessons. I didn’t even know what topic she was currently explaining.

I must admit, I wasn’t listening from the time she started opening her mouth to discuss something with us. Glancing at both of my sides, all of my classmates seemed to be suspiciously looking at me as if asking me if my thoughts were still related to what happened between me and Vanessa a few months back.

“I think this is the first time in history that you are not listening in my class. Your mind seemed to be too preoccupied, David. Care to share your thoughts in the whole class?” I could sense from Mrs. Cheng’s voice that she was somehow disappointed in me.

I just bowed my head to silently apologize as I was unable to speak. I swallowed the lump on my throat as I let out a deep breath.

How could I share with them that I was thinking about Helena, our accidental kiss, and that dead Athena’s name on her handkerchief?

“So, as I was saying, you and Helena were chosen as the leaders for the Annual Camp that will be held next week. I wanted the two of you to discuss all the necessary things regarding this matter and submit to me your proposal the day after tomorrow. Is that clear, Helena Mari and David Cristoff?”

“Yes, Ma’am!” we answered in unison.

“Good,” Mrs. Cheng remarked before she continued her lecture.

After a few minutes, the bell rang as a sign of break time. My mind had been inattentive throughout and I must admit, I didn’t learn anything even if our morning class was Geometry—my most favorite of all subjects.

I was silently taking care of my things when Helena approached me, and that made me feel more surprised than ever before. I wasn’t expecting her to do the first move, since I was already used to seeing her rushing through the door before everyone came out of the classroom.

“So, what’s our plan, Rivera?” she asked with an arched left eyebrow.

For the second time, I heaved a deep sigh. Here we are again… that last name basis again!

We were the only ones left here in the classroom. I did not speak, instead, I just stared at her for a long time… I even looked intently at her lips and that was when I saw the redness of her cheeks.

I must admit, she’s getting prettier now!

“Can you please stop looking at me?” As usual, she was getting pissed again even though I wasn’t doing anything wrong.

“Can you stop calling me Rivera? You can call me David, Dave or DC. Whatever you want, but not Rivera.” I smiled at her—a sweet smile with slight evilness.

I really didn’t want to be called Rivera. Not that I hated my surname, I just didn’t want to. It felt like I wasn’t comfortable. I didn’t know what her game was all about, but she would not like it the moment I started playing her games.

“I don’t want to. Now, what’s our plan, Riv—” she still argued with me but I cut her off. For once, I wanted to tame this hard-headed and green-eyed girl. Her green eyes seemed to be enthralling me for a reason I didn’t know.

“Call me Rivera again and—” Now it was her time to interrupt my sentence.

“And what? Nobody scares the hell out of me, Rivera.” She raised her left eyebrow at its highest arc as she let out an annoying chuckle. She was certainly full of herself, but her eyes spoke otherwise.

Hmm, let’s see…

“Okay, I’m an easy person to talk with and I can give you what you want. Call me Rivera again and I will kiss you!” I seriously said while brushing my hair up with my fingers. This time, my stares hardened and I didn’t break our eye-to-eye contact to prove to her that I always mean what I said.

She was suddenly caught off guard, blushed, and averted her gaze away from me. I knew it—she suddenly felt uneasy and that was what I wanted. To tame her.

I slyly smiled. “Did I just tame the beast inside you, Helena? Did I just scare the hell out of you?” I asked her, at the same time, mocking her.

“Y-You can’t do that,” she said, still having a hard time looking at me. If I knew, she got frightened the moment I said that I would kiss her… and I was really determined to do it even though we were still in school.

“Try me. Say Rivera again and I’ll do what I said!” I started stepping closer to her. She began stepping backwards until her back was pinned in the wall.