at he likes me, but is afraid to show it.. Her determination was firmer. Today, she would receive answers. She noticed Zayn at the main school gat

er. However, something checked her. Perhaps it was her natural politeness, perhaps the great desire of a personal

e saw his dark hair and strong shoulders, and a tinge of rebelliousness in the very trim uniform. She practised her words, trying to balan

ng with the current to look out for her friends. She saw Anna, Precious, and Victoria with their typical

nudged her. Are you prepared t

Or still another

ch was in the pit of her stomach. You know it, you know it, she

She skipped a heartbeat. There was now another heap of valuables: a large buckle of plush chocolate bars, a delicate necklace of s

in the doorway, and he gazed upon her, and a twinkle of what she co

skin. She pulled, roughly, by the arm, leading him out of the class. When she dragged him away, she kept to the other side of inquisitive eyes

note of frustration. Why do you send me some gifts? Her eyes were smouldering

." I am so sorry, he said in quite a soft voice. You are very serious when you ad

sent me with gifts with that young boy in the cafeteria? Isn't that enough to report to the Principal?" Indignation put her in boldnes

ly hair, and his eyes were still down. "Oh, I'm very sorry, Aurora," he begged.

longer need your presents. Keep them. You asked us to make frie

that robbed her of her breath. Because I like you, Aurora, he confessed in a low, urgent voice. Ever si

was cold and impersonal. Do not give me a gift again. I've no use for your love. I only need to study and make my mother proud." With a pause, she said this, the words chosen to wound, to drive

and he stood there in the quiet alcove quite alone. Her heart throbbed, and the mixture

ictoria ran to meet her. "What happened?" said Ann

Do you recognize whether I was correct?

th annoyance. "Yes. He was. An

"What?" they chorused. That is t

nd," Aurora said scornfully. And it

inquired in unison with express

impetuously. Uses earrings, does not dress up. What can I

ast, you would have attempted to listen to him. "I was

ora. He is the boy who gets the best grades in this scho

ontributed, "Perhaps you a

ance, say you?" she demanded. How do I know whether he is not a smoker? W

person," Aurora answered. "I don't want to get into a relationship." It was the fear of being

classroom. With a question

ent

Breath. But his bare ear. The silver ring, his characteristic defiance, was therefore missing. Hi

said, and a moment later her s

. Victoria continued," I have never seen Zayn fall in love as such

his indirect methods. No, the Principal must not know the so

knowingly at each other how much Aurora

is present himself, Zayn? Now, returni

ld me that I did not get used to smiling at the men

nderstood. You are right, you know. Attempt, howe

it a bit too hard on her part? It might

the cafeteria." The others approve speedily. Aur

had something that she did not express towards Zayn. She had nev

the girls asked, looki

ew things," Aurora repli

about Zayn," Precious teased, a playful lig

s. She insisted that it was best to return home,

s soon as they moved, Aurora's mind repeated the scene in the corridor, then Zayn ente

e smiling, waiting for him. She was so firm in her studies, so was firm

y a whisper, but in the cool evening ai

nds widened their eyes in surprise

High, but in her heart. She had closed a door on her past, and now, carefully, she was opening another, stepping towards the uncertain, interesting possi