CHAPTER 1: “Is this love?”

           

            Hi, my name is June. Most people say that if there was one word to describe me that would be the word tough. I’m the strong type of girl, not easily bullied nor hurt. I’m like a man in the body of a woman. But don’t worry, I’m all girl inside. I’m very friendly and approachable but guys get scared of me, not that I’m ugly or anything, it’s just that I’m a Taekwondo athlete and a 3^rd dan black belt, so I guess that's why guys stayed away from me. But I still swoon over the guy I like, blush when he looks at me, and other stuff that other girls do. Well who cares, I’m not really that interested in love yet, not until I find the one meant for me.

            “How do you know that he’s the one?” asked Julie. I looked at her as I stretched my legs.

            “Well, you know….” I said.

I stretched my other leg while Julie got a kicking pad. “Well you know what?” she asked. I shrugged.

“I mean, I’ll just know.” I said standing up. I tightened my belt and stretched my arms.

“I don’t get it though.” She said.

I looked at her and raised my fists, “The feeling you get when you see the one is different from just seeing a cute guy across the street.” I said and threw a brown house kick. The kicking pad flew out of Julie’s hands.

“Geez, not so strong. Okay, but I still don’t get it.” Said Julie as she retrieved the kicking pad on the floor.

“Julie, it’s just different. It just is. You’ll know when you see the one meant for you.” I said. Julie frowned once more. I sighed.

 

Love…. Is it really that hard to understand? I was walking down the side of the road as I pondered on this question. I was still in deep thought when a strong wind blew past me and my hair all got in the air flying. I fixed my hair and when I looked across the street, I stopped thinking. I just stared. At that moment, it seemed as if time stopped, as if there was only eternity.

I saw him. At last, I finally found him, the one. He was walking across the street when, apparently, there was this strong wind that blew on him too. All his music sheets went flying so he fixed them up and when he looked across the street, our eyes met. We just looked at each other’s eyes then he smiled and walked away. I stood there awestruck (and not to mention lovestruck). I hurriedly went towards the other street and caught up with him.

“Hey, you forgot this.” I said and handed to him a music sheet. He got it and smiled. Oh, what a smile. “Thanks.” He said.

“Are you a music student?” I asked peeking on his music sheets from behind.

He nodded his head. “Yeah.” He said. I looked at the back of his head. So cute. I leaned in and smelled his scent. Wow, so fragrant. I smiled widely.

“Here I am.” He said. I stopped walking as he turned towards me.

“It was nice walking with you.” I said, smiling.

He chuckled. “Yeah, me too.” He started to walk away.

“Wait!” I said. He turned to me. “What time do your classes end?” I asked, holding my breath.

He thought for a while and then looked at me and with a smile said, “My classes end at 5 in the afternoon.”

I nodded, “Huh, cool.”

“Why?” he asked.

I slightly blushed as I put my hands on my hips. “Um, well I was thinking if I can come and pick you up.”

“Excuse me?” he said with an eyebrow raised.

“Well, don’t you think it’s a bit lonely walking home alone…. at 5 in the afternoon?” What a lame excuse. Why would walking home alone at 5 in the afternoon be lonely?

He frowned. “I’m not so sure about that….”

I looked at him and I saw this hesitant expression on his face. He thinks that I’m hitting on him! “It’s not a date. I mean, when was walking home together considered a date? Not that I wouldn’t want to consider it as a date with you….,” I looked at him and his frown became worse, it looked like I was freaking him out.

“The point is,” I started. “Don’t you think it’s better to walk home together because after all, it’s safer. And it’s fun, too. I mean, at least you won’t get bored—” I said and pointed my thumb at me. “Plus, you've got a new friend. Isn’t it great?”

He was still frowning, not sure of what to make about all my babbling. In the end, all he said was, “Huh….” Huh….? What does that mean? Huh as in like, ‘huh, there’s a weird girl talking to me, I should run away now.’ or ‘huh, she’s interesting. Maybe I should walk home with her.’ Huh, how delusional can I get?

I looked at him expectantly (desperately expecting) with my fingers crossed. “Okay.” He finally said. I let out a big sigh. He was a bit surprised. I smiled joyfully.

“Okay then. I’ll come pick you up at 5 later.” I said. He nodded and smiled. “See you later." I said.

He waved at me and left. I waved back and stood there until he was inside the school. When he was inside, I turned around and with all the happiness in me shouted, “YES!”

 

“Hey, Michael. Who was that girl talking to you?” Jessie asked. I looked at him and shrugged.

“Just some weird girl I met across the street.” I said.

“It seemed like she’s into you.” Jessie said, tapping me on the shoulder. I looked at him, aghast.

“You think so?” I asked.

“What? You look so horrified. Don’t you like her?” Jessie asked. I shrugged and frowned.

“Well, all I know is that she is really not my type. Girls like her scare me.” I said, shivering. Jessie just laughed.

“Haha, good luck.” Jessie said. I looked at him in desperate mode.

“Help me Jess!” I yelled. He turned to me, still laughing.

“Just walk with her.” He said and with a mischievous look said, “Don’t worry, she won’t bite you.”

I moaned. “Yeah, she won’t bite me." 'I’ll just get killed.' I thought, then sighed.

 

“Tralalala….~” I hummed. I’m happy. I’m very, very happy. At last I found the one! I chuckled. “But….,” I started. “Is this love?” I said and wondered. Hmm…. Even if he's the one, I don't think I would automatically fall in love with him, right? Love is indeed hard to understand. Oh well! There are still lots of time to figure that one out. I’ll just wait and see.

~(^_^)~