"You okay?" She waved her hand in front of me. Maybe I was spacing too much while looking at her.

"Uh...Yeah...Ah..." I'm starting to stutter, which rarely happens.

"Here's your noodles." She said and put it on my cart, as she pushes it aside to make way for an exit. "Bye."

And I just stood there stiff as a stick.

***

That night there was only one person that's pasted on my mind, her.

I am love struck.

I don't know what cupid's plan is but he's doing it right. Or is this love at third sight? I have no idea. I don't even know her name for fuck's sake. So I tried to call Victoria, I wanted to share this epic moment with her, but honestly I just want to know her friend's name.

And as usual, Victoria didn't pick up.

I sighed I should get some sleep, I even put the noodle she picked for me right next to my bed. I know, I'm turning into one of those hopeless romantic guys in the movies.

***

The next morning I went straight to the kitchen to grab some early breakfast. And there sitting on the kitchen's counter was her noodles – empty.

"TRISTAN!" I shouted. I rarely use his full name, it's only when I'm mad at him.

"What?" He popped his head out of the laundry room.

"You ate my fuckin noodles!"

"So? I'll just buy you a new one." He simply said and went back in. I was so angry, I can almost imagine the fume that's coming out of my ears. Then I started to walk like a dinosaur, storming to where he is.

"She picked that noodles for me! It has her fingerprint on it!"

He stopped doing laundry and turned to me. "She?"

I scratched my head, as I looked down on my feet. "Yeah. The girl I like." I said sheepishly.

"Oooh." Tristan prolonged that word like a stretched pizza. "Tell me about her." Coming from his tone, he's obviously amused. He even stopped working on his chore.

"Well, I met her yesterday. And it kind of just... clicked." I said, and I think my smile is almost reaching my ears.

"Yesterday?" He said and I nodded. "Bro you sound like a love sick prince that just met his princess." He laughed and went back on washing his clothes. "What's her name?"

I laughed. "I... don't know." Tristan turned his heels and threw me a wet shirt that's full of bubbles.

"You are hopeless!" He said and pushed me out. "Now go, before you infect me with your disease."

I laughed in the hallway. "You still owe me a dozen noodles! Same brand!" I shouted back while I went to the kitchen. Looking for something to eat, and there's none. And I guess, Tristan has no plans on cooking this morning. Seeing he already ate my noodles.

When I was in school, I immediately head towards the cafe, to order some sandwich. My stomach grumbled while I was waiting for my food. Then a girl stood next to me. I looked and there she is.

"Ah hey... Uhm good morning." I said trying to compose myself.

She briefly smiled and took her order from the counter, and off she goes. Without a single word.

Girls. You're making us crazy! I want to know what's inside her head.

When my order came up, I immediately catch up to her. "You want some?" I offered one of my sandwiches, but she simply shook her head.

I'm growing desperate, I want to see that genuine smile again, or even just hear her voice.

I stood in front of her. "Uhm. I know you're probably annoyed of me by now. But-" She cut me off.

"You aren't." She paused and looked at me. "You're Will right?" I nodded with a goofy smile on my face. She knows my name! I suddenly feel like dancing. "My name's Jel. And I'm not the bridge type of girl. If you like my friend Vic, you have to work on your own." She said and walked passed me.

I grunted. "You misunderstood!" I shouted to her retreating back. "You're the one I like." She briefly stopped, but then started walking again.

Shit. I just confessed to her in public.

***

The next few days I wasn't able to see her. It hurts to admit that I probably came in too strong. That that moment scared her off, and she's now avoiding me.

And those days were like having a meal without dessert, or eating a chicken without beer. It's incomplete.

Added to those boring days was Tristan's sudden disappearance as well. Saying he's off on a trip, and didn't even bother to invite me.

I sighed. I stared at the television that I've muted, well, I prefer watching horror movies without sounds. Sighing again, I stood up and went for a drive. I then ended up at Victoria's apartment.

Where are my friends when I needed them?

I'm not even in the mood to party or meet chicks for one night stands. Those things seemed nonsense to me now. Sex without feelings, is like eating ice cream without taste buds.

Suddenly Dissy or Sissy came out, and I should remember her name. She seemed surprise to see me. "Ah hey..." She said with furrowed brows. "Victoria hasn't come back yet."

"I know." I said and I heard her sigh.

"Want to talk about Jel?" Immediately my head sprung up after hearing her name.

***

Two days after that, I feel like a newly washed car. I'm feeling hyped up and excited.

This is the day.

I looked at the mirror and straightened up my suit. I exhaled heavily. "Shit. This is nerve-racking."

When I arrived at Cafa, everything was perfect and in place. I sat down on a chair next to the piano that was placed on the lounge, and took another slug of oxygen. I shot my hand up in the sky, a signal for Daisy who's waiting on the second floor. After 30 counts, I started playing Thinking out loud by Ed Sheeran.

By the beginning of the song, the mob on the lounge started dancing – well I asked a bit of help from the cheerdance team of our department. It was a sign that Jel had entered the lounge. On cue, when I stood up, the school's speakers filled the whole department with Ed Sheeran's singing.

I stop in front of her and everyone paused, so did the background music, and I sang.

And I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways.

Maybe just the touch of a hand (I then took her hand)

Well, me - I fall in love with you every single day (And I placed it on my chest, that's pounding like a drum)

And I just wanna tell you I am...

The people at the back formed the last formation and took off their shirt showing another white shirt that spells...

I N L O V E W I T H Y O U

Daisy then handed me the bouquet of sunflowers that we've prepared. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

After a few seconds of ground-breaking heartbeats. She said, "YES."

==========

Jel's reason why she said yes will be featured in Book 2.