Once I am completely feeling better after one or two smoothies, Luca explains to me the events that happened last night. After everything finally sinks in, I try to cover my face behind the loveseat cushions, realizing that all the things I said and had done were unforgivable and that he has every right to throw me in the sea of sharks.“What are you talking about? You seriously thought that I could kill someone, huh?” his voice doesn’t sound forced or even with any intentions of coercion. In fact, I just realize that I’m now talking to Luca who is finally released from the burden of his own pride.“A-at first, yeah.”“Well, if throwing you to the sea of sharks will make you happy, I could arrange that.” If it weren’t for the glint of amusement showing in his face, I would have thought that he was serious.“No, thank you. I’d rather write 5,000-word essays instead,” I quickly answer. I value my life, after all.“Then, brace yourself, because I’m going to tutor in my free tim

“And just like that, you are now buddies with Luca?” Gene, who has been silent when I explained all the details to him, says with his usual monotonous voice.“Yeah, it all takes one alcohol.” I laugh, sheepishly.“One? You mentioned that there were more than five mugs of beer.”“Ah, r-right.”“That’s good, I mean with you and Luca. I’m glad that you patched things up.” Gene doesn’t sound enthusiastic or dumbfounded, in fact, his voice especially if I couldn’t see him is quite a challenge for me. Sometimes, I wish Gene couldn’t be so cryptic.“Now, you don’t need to worry anymore, Nina. You can finally graduate your final school year in peace.”“Y-yeah about that…” I sigh. “I got a zero and Luca insisted that he would be my tutor starting this weekend.”And by the weekend, I meant tomorrow. I don’t know what kind of a teacher Luca is but since this is one of our “bondings”, he has to do it.“Well, my offer is still open if you’re in--”“N-no offense, Gene. But I think yo

“Yo!” Her face turns in my direction and then she instantly frowns at my own stare. I guess she doesn’t feel scared or even surprised about the proximity we have anymore. It’s a pity, I even made sure that I leaned closer, too close for her personal bubble as I greeted her. Seeing that she was so immersed with her phone earlier, I thought I could give her a scare. “Hello, Clarence,” she greets nonchalantly. And at that, I frown. “Ah, that’s it? No more blushes, shyness, or…” I pause a bit to add a dramatic tone. “Maybe fear?” “No,” is her immediate reply as she asks me to sit across from her. Well, seeing that she chose a table with two diner double booth seats, my, this table is too big for just the both of us. So, I sat next to her instead. Her eyes widen and somehow the pinkish tint is visibly shown on her cheeks. That’s the reaction I like to see. She immediately scoots away from me but the diner booths are good for two people, after all, so she has to

“Are we going there yet?” Clarence, who was so excited to go not too long ago, is now looking impatiently. He has been walking in circles as I, the center of his circling steps, is trying to tap the send button on my phone.But I couldn’t.S-Should I, shouldn’t I? This is the very first text message to Luca’s number. And I don’t get why I am hesitating till now. We patched things up, right? We have already settled our differences.So, why can’t I click it?Not to mention that in his contact list, I wrote “The Bringer of Misfortunes” and I tried to remember why. It was definitely out of impulse during our first meeting.So I check my own text message for the fiftieth time as I gulp, wondering if this is good enough to convince Luca.‘Hi, Luca. This is Nina. My project partner and I are heading there since we decided to make a diorama if you don’t mind. And I promise to clean everything afterward!’A hand grabs her phone as Clarence sends the message when I hear the click

If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have asked Clarence that question. If we finished the diorama without any idle chatter, Clarence could have left the building before Luca even arrived.But I'm not all-knowing; I didn't expect Luca to come back early, let alone at the worst possible timing!As if time freezes, Luca remains frozen stiff. His golden-brown eyebrows arch upwards and his mouth is hanging still. We haven’t moved for a while, and I’ve realized two things: Clarence is still on top of me and he hasn’t moved an inch as his head is still facing Luca's.“C-Clarence,” I say in a raspy voice, my voice quivering from both fear and embarrassment. “Get o-off me.” My hand reaches his shoulder and slightly moves him aside and thankfully, his body moves on its own as he releases my shoulders.I slide my lower body away from him so that I can finally sit on the floor and curve in a fetal position.“Nina, you have some explaining to do.” I look up and Luca finally