Lemon’s alarm clock started ringing at 6 AM. She quickly turned it off and started checking her phone just like she does every day.
‘Silly, who do you think will text you this early?’
She chuckled at the thought, but she still checked, and to her surprise, she did get one message. What didn’t surprise her, though, was the sender. It was from Rawbin.
‘Morning, babe! I hope you had a good sleep. Ignore the babe. Not forcing you to call me that, but I’ll know we’re official when you do. Eat your breakfast!’
And that made the morning special.
She jumped off her bed and faced the mirror. There are still instances when she can’t believe Rawbin Llamansares is courting her. And when she does, she can’t help but stare at herself in the mirror, trying to gain more confidence.
Lemon grabbed her towel to take a bath. After that, she got dressed right away and went down for breakfast. “Good morning, fille,” her mother greeted.
“How was your date yesterday? We didn’t get to talk.”
“I can drop by your shop later to tell you everything in detail,” she offered while smiling.
“Nevermind, Leslie Monica, I don’t think I need to hear the details. Your smile alone has already told me the whole story,” Tori smiled as she shook her head.
“What do you think of him, mom?”
“Well, he seems like he’s a nice guy. And I can tell just by looking at his eyes how much he likes you. But wait, am I hearing this right?” she asked in confusion after responding to Lemon. She looked at her with her brows creased. “Just an FYI, fille, this is the first time you asked for my opinion regarding a guy. Does that mean he’s special?”
Lemon nodded and smiled. “He’s sweet and a gentleman. On our date yesterday, I felt like a princess by how he treated me. He’s honest too!”
“Well, then go for it! You’re 15, and it’s okay to experience having a boyfriend, fille,” Tori told her daughter.
“But we’re still in the courting stage.”
Tori wrinkled her nose, “I’m not in favor of courtships, especially long ones. For me, it’s a waste of time. Long courtships reveal too much. By the time you’re official, there are no surprises left since you already know everything about each other. But that’s just me,” she shrugged.
It suddenly got Lemon thinking. She actually shares the same opinion as her mother when it comes to courtships. If it gets too long, the spark will eventually fade away.
‘What’s the reason to get into a relationship then?’
She broke into a smile when she remembered his text message. Calling him babe means they’re official. ‘Let’s see when it will slip.’
“I think your suitor’s here,” Tori said after hearing a car from outside.
“How did you know?” Lemon asked curiously.
“Well, he asked me last night if he could pick you up and drive you home. He also told me he’s courting you,” Victoria Juarez stated.
“How?” her daughter asked again. If she remembered correctly, she wasn’t home yet when they arrived.
“Last night, actually. When I came home with your Auntie, Rawbin’s car was in front of the house. He then came out to greet us and apologized because you guys got home late,” she explained, and Lemon nodded slowly. “I like him, fille,” winking at her daughter, she sipped from her cup of coffee before turning around.
Lemon was gathering her things when her phone vibrated. It was a message from Rawbin saying he’s arrived. She hurried so that he wouldn’t have to wait long for her.
She didn’t even bother responding to his message. As soon as she got all her things, she headed out of the house, and yes, there he was. He was leaning in his car while staring at his phone.
“Hey, PLAYBOY!” She deliberately called to see his reaction. Just as Lemon expected, he pouted his lips and stomped his foot.
With a scowling face, he opened the door for her, “Get in,” he said sulkily.
She pinched his cheek before she got inside, and he quickly followed. He was quiet the whole ride, but he held her hand when they reached school.
And, of course, the students won’t let the scene of her coming to school, holding hands with Rawbin Llamansares, pass. They just had to gossip about it.
“Gosh, are they together?”
“Llamansares is one lucky guy!”
“This bitch, why Llamansares of all people?”
“Shit, Tanya will go ballistic for sure!”
Those are among the whispers she happened to catch as they walked along the students hanging out at the field. But what really caught her interest was when they mentioned Tanya’s name.
‘What does she have to do with Rawbin? Is she one of his exes? Is that why Tanya’s acting smugly? Because his ex-boyfriend is the star player of the basketball team?’
Lemon felt a bit disappointed when he let go of her hand. However, a smile crept on her face when she felt his arm around her shoulders.
“Now you should learn how to ignore those types of people,” he whispered, referring to the students gossiping about them.
She knew his lips were too close because she could feel his breath in her ears. That made her shiver. Lemon simply nodded and smiled at him as they continued walking toward her classroom.
A few of her classmates were already there. Some even bothered standing up to steal a glance at the couple. “So this is how popular you are,” she commented.
“I don’t care about their attention. All I need is yours,” Rawbin said as he lifted her chin with his finger. He smiled sweetly and handed her the bag. “Go and get in before I kidnap you,” he chuckled, and so Lemon nodded and waved goodbye, and he did the same.
When she got inside their room, Drew and Kevz were already there. Kevz greeted Lemon with a teasing smile on his face. And the questions came right before she was able to sit.
“Does he really have to take you to class, Partner?” he said with a laugh while Lemon approached them. She hit his arm when she sat down, “Ouch!” he yelled and laughed it off.
“Can’t you keep it down?” Lemon hissed.
“Why? Aren’t you proud? If someone as handsome as Llamansares is courting me, I’ll show it to the world! I don’t care if other people drool out of envy!” then he looked around.
Lemon noticed some of their girl classmates grouped up. They were whispering to each other, but then they stopped when they heard what Kevz said.
“God, you’re crazy!” She sneered.
“Partner, as far as I know, we’re sent to school to study, not to talk about other people’s business!” This time, his voice was way louder.
“Hey, enough!” she chuckled. “They got your message. Calm down!”
“Don’t worry, Partner,” placing an arm on her shoulder, “If someone crossed you, let me know so we can expel them,” he said confidently.
Yeah, right! How can anyone forget that half of the school’s ownership belongs to this guy’s family? “Thanks, Partner,” she said while tapping his shoulder.
A few minutes later, Kale and Kellen arrived, both running out of breath but smiling widely. They then rushed to Lemon’s seat and started interrogating her.
“We heard!” Kellen exclaimed.
“So what’s the score?” Kale asked.
“Nothing official yet,” Lemon answered with a shrug.
“But they were holding hands, and he dropped her off here,” Kevz butted proudly.
“Eeeeeeeeeeee! This flirty bitch! That armpit hair is rather long. We should braid that!” Kale squealed, and the group couldn’t help but laugh at him.
“Geez, cuz! You’re so lucky! I hope it’s the same for me and…” Kellen suddenly covered her mouth as she almost slipped.
“You and Homme?” Kevz stated, not even holding back.
“What about me?” They all turned to look at who spoke, and it was indeed Homme.
Kellen glared at Kevz. Fortunately, he was quick enough to pick up the signal. “We’re talking about a different Homme, Hommer actually. Are you Hommer?” he responded, and Lemon wished his segway worked.
“Does Kellen know another Homme?” he blurted out. Homme almost choked at what he said.
“Wow! What is this? Exclusive? So you’re the only Homme she’s supposed to know?” Kevz let out a hearty laugh. “You haven’t even made a move, and you’re already being possessive?”
“Fuck off!” Homme snapped as he gave Kevz a light punch on the arm and turned his back on them to go to his seat.
Lemon caught Kellen blushing, and she couldn’t stop herself from giggling. Even Kevz joined in. The partners did a high five, but Kellen stomped her foot and walked away from them, followed by Kale.
‘I wonder what I can do for these two…’