Time check: 5:45

One week later,

I went out from our gate and closed it. I took a deep breath before I started to walk out of the village. It's not dangerous here, since no one can enter inside except the home owners. Our village is really strict, if you don't have any connections inside you can't enter this village. Most business owners and some politicians are living here, that is why. 

I put on my noise cancelling headphones and play some music on my phone, actually walking like this is therapeutic for me. It's peaceful and I forget everything in my mind. Five minutes later I reached the village gate where I saw the guard house guarding the guardhouse side of the street. 

“Good morning ma'am.”  The guard greeted me in the morning, and I nodded. 

“Good morning too.” I responded.

I stood up in the bus stop while waiting for the bus to come, I opened my phone camera and checked my face for the last time. My makeup is good, I wake up early in the morning just to put on makeup. It's a simple and natural kind of makeup, it's hot in this country so I can't wear a full coverage of makeup. 

The bus stop, I check the sign in front to make sure if I will be riding the right bus and it is. So I didn't hesitate to enter, I walked inside and chose the nearest vacant seat and it's on the middle. I place my backpack on my legs and wait for the bus to run. I bet the driver is waiting for more passengers to come, I'm not complaining since it's early in the morning. 

Formally my father wouldn't let me ride the bus alone, when I was in my previous years he wouldn't let me but now since I'm old enough finally he gave his permission. I really want to walk and ride the bus to school, I don't want my parents to treat me like a baby. I need to learn how the world runs, they can't provide what I need forever. 

Time flew past, and someday I needed to do everything alone. 

I heard someone walk inside, I looked in front and our eyes met. How the hell is he here? He walked towards and then suddenly stopped in front of me, that's right. There is a vacant seat beside me.

“Can I?” He asked, I just nodded and avoided gaze. I took the seat beside me. He was wearing the same hoodie before but why is riding the bus instead of his bike? 

“My mother is mad and forbade me to ride my bike, that's why.” He whispered, I almost gasped when he said that. Did he read my mind? I heard his soft chuckles.

I was about to react to him laughing at me but I stopped myself.

No, I won't talk to him. Ignore him. Ignore him. 

My phone vibrated from my pocket, I took it out from my jacket and read the message. I smiled when I saw Angel’s message, I open it and read.

Angel:

Where are you? Let’s eat before class.

I check the time, it’s early in the morning. We don’t have the first subject today so we can eat outside of our university. There are so many small restaurants outside actually. 

On the way, sure. Let’s meet at a convenience store.

I replied.

Angel:

Great, I’ll wait for you.

I close my phone and look at myself on the screen for the last time, I smile but I stop when I feel Ragnar is staring at me. I gave him a ‘are you a freak’ look and proceeded ignoring his presence. I suddenly remember the money he gives to my mother as a payment for my phone tempered glass,  I opened my bag and took my wallet. I look around before handing the money to him.

“Here, it’s the change of the money you gave to my mom the other day. ”  He looked at my hand and shook his head. 

“No, keep it.” He responded.

“No, I can’t. It’s yours.”

“Treat yourself with it, or eat, or  just give it to someone else. I don’t care, it’s already yours.” The bus stopped and he stood up, and left my hand hanging. He went out first, I ran next to him to insist on giving his money back but he’ already gone. I looked at the money and took a deep breath, I placed it back in my wallet. Tsk, yeah I know his family is rich and money is not a problem to him but does he need to waste it? Why the hell he’s just giving it to someone else like nothing?! I rolled my eyes and walked toward the convenience store where I saw Angel waiting outside. She’s busy on her phone so I approach her tip toe and then cover her eyes.

“Mina!” She exclaimed, I nodded and laughs.

“How did you know it was me?” I ask.

“You scent duh, I can smell your expensive scent from a far ahahhaaha.”

“So you ignore me huh?”

“Yes, I just wanna see how you’ll approach me. I was thinking you’ll just call me whsipring my name but I was wrong. Anyway, do you want to buy something before you go?” I give a second though before shaking my head.

“No, let’s go. Where should we eat?” I ask.

“I heard there is a new open resto, let’s try?” I nodded. 

“Ohhh, then let’s go!” 

We arrived at the resto after five minutes of walking, I look around. I like the ambiance of the small resto, it's cozy, simple, and I feel comfortable. 

“I'll go inside to see some vacant seats.” I told Angel, she nodded. 

“Can you please bring my bag with you?” She asked, I smiled.

“Of course.” I said and then I walked inside carrying her bag and mine, I immediately saw a good vacant and approached it immediately. Besides of the table, a group of students who's eating and seems they're having fun, they look familiar but I didn't land my gaze to them because I am afraid I might caught their attention. I just saw them in my peripheral vision. 

I placed my bag and Angel's bag at the top of the table and then I took a seat. I saw Angel walk towards me, and at her back is Ragnar who just entered. He looks at my direction, before I see his reaction and turn my attention to Angel. 

“Babe what's your order?” Angel asks and then she shows the pictures of the menu that was in front. I zoomed in on the picture and analysed the menu, I pointed to a certain food that caught my attention. 

“Oh, so you want soup? Me too.” She said, and I nodded. I took my jacket because it's getting hotter before I walk towards Angel, I grab her hand as she reaches me out and now our fingers interlock to each other. 

“You have a warm hand.” 

“You too.” I responded.

After our order came, we both took a seat and started to eat. We just ignored the noisy group on the other table and discussed the book we read. I discovered that Angel is a bookworm too. Well, expected as she was part of the broadcasting club. I heard people there are bookworms or read books. 

“I really cried in a river because of that book, and I can't deny to my mom that I put on nighters again because of my puffy eyes.” We both laugh. 

“I cried too, because of that book I was stunned and thinking what might happened if they end up together and have children.” 

“Yes, yes, I have my what ifs too.” I said, while laughing together. Suddenly a woman in her forties came and then put a extra dish on our table. I look at her confused but she just smiled.

“Excuse me we didn't order this.” I said, I look at Angel.

“Did you order this?” I asked Angel genuinely, she immediately shook her head and confused too.

“I did not…” She said. 

“Don't worry this is free, someone already pay for it.” She said that made me more confused. What? Who the hell would give us a free food? 

“What? I'm sorry but who?” I ask. 

“He doesn't want to tell his name, but it's safe don't worry.” She said, I blink my eyes for few times and look around. I found Ragnar looking at our table and our eyes met, he didn't avoid gaze instead he mouthed something. I crease my forehead because I didn't understand it. The woman besides her grab his attention, I just ignore him. 

I will not talk to him,

I will not talk to him,

I will not talk to him.

I reminded myself a hundred times.

Even though he is trying to grab my attention I act like I never saw him, why the hell is he so eager to be close to me? Can't he see that I don't want to talk to him? Why the hell does he keep insisting that we should be friends?!