"Michie!"

Even from a distance, Siwan's happy aura was clear to me. I think he has good news.

"What's up?" I asked him when he could get closer.

"I'll be included in the national science quiz bee!" His excited news.

"Great! That's fun! Congrats!" I greeted him. I know that Siwan did not get enough sleep for several nights and days, he really prepared for this contest. He even told me the other day.

"Because of that I'll treat you!" His lively voice is very good to hear, but it's even better because he's going to entertain me again. We have another bonding. He took me to a popular restaurant near the school whose patrons were all college students.

"So, when I'm not busy anymore, maybe I'll look for a university to go to. I want to be able to fulfill my passion. I'm still thinking about whether I'll take mass communication or music. I can do anything as long as it's related in the media and arts, "he told me to which I responded with a smile.

"How about you? Where are you going to study? I hope we're still together."

I was shocked by what he said. I felt even more inexplicable joy, as if I wanted to scream because I felt relieved at that moment. I was just stunned and hesitant if I would answer his question about the university that I was going to enroll.

"No, I don't know yet which course I'm going to take. Just," I shrugged.

"Eh why? Don't you have a dream in life? What do you want someday? Something like that?"

I was very upset at his question. Why is it that every time I talk to Siwan, I still need a terrible explanation from him? He is not the type of person who is convinced by a simple answer.

“I want to work in fast food maybe. It's just like that. But it's just superficial, said our neighbor. And I should be a professional when I grow up, how come, I'll be the one to work after that for the education of my siblings because I’m the eldest daughter,” I explained to him.

He grinned. “There's nothing wrong with working in fast food, they're the only ones who look down on those kinds of jobs. But why don't you just push the course related to your hobbies?”

“Which one? Being snubbed to other people? I'm an expert there.” I laughed at him.

"You're not a snub. In fact, I like your attitude," he confessed.

"Just my attitude? What about me?" This was only meant to tell as a joke. Or I can catch Siwan on this question.

"I do." I suddenly saw the twinkle in his eyes and when it twinkled, my heart immediately pounded. I can't be bothered. I want to avoid looking at Siwan but there is something that dictates to me to bury myself in his eyes, that I should only look at him and I should not pay attention to the things around me.

"Michie, I want to be with you." My heart cried out with joy but I couldn't reveal it to him.

"You're kidding." I never finished eating. To my great surprise at his confession, I left that place.

Siwan is still following. He chased me until we reached the bus stop.

"Siwan, go home," I whispered while still avoiding looking at him. My brain still can't process what he said. There is nothing special about someone like me for him to like.

Maybe this man is just really bored. I would never have asked him again.

"I'll court you."

I was even more confused by what he said. Is it so immersed in learning, even managed to resign such a promise? Nonsense.

I don’t want to be assume things in the end and I will stand by my promise to myself, I will not get distracted to anyone. Mom would get angry when she found out I was doing this.

I have nothing to say. I said goodbye to him and he didn't stop me. I'll just see maybe, when the national quiz bee that he’ll be participating is over. I'll just see if he keeps his promise. I wouldn’t expect but on the other hand, I want him to keep that promise.

A month later, the contest also ended. Siwan won that and as his friend, I congratulated him via text. I know I'm not the first to greet him, because Siwan is becoming popular in our school and his friends are also increasing. We can only talk now in the library because he also happened to be there.

"How are you?" I was the first to speak. Siwan is busy reading the book, he is very serious and I am not used to it.

"Hi, thank you for your congratulating me, huh? And also thank you for the support so I won," Siwan replied smiling at me. "Will you read here too?"

"No, I just really saw you here. You didn't reply to the text. I just thought you might be angry. I'm sorry about what ..." I cut off what I wanted to say. Siwan is studying hard and the library is inappropriate to distract and ask him about us and for clarifying things about the last one we talked about.

"Just wait. I'll finish this one page first. Then I'll talk to you," he said.

"No, no. It's okay. Take your time. I just passed by and I'm going home. All right. Bye." I raised my voice. I was shameful to Siwan. It was as if I had already indicated to him that I was chasing him.

I'm too young to trouble my love life. I want to just chill the way I know. I went to a convenient store to buy ice cream, this food is the only thing that makes me feel better.

"I also like vanilla." I was stunned by the baritone voice.

"Siwan ..." My ice cream seemed to melt immediately, as well as myself because I thought he was throwing it at me.

"You’re speed in following," I commented to him.

"Because I like the one that I'm following." His smile widened again. Damn, why does he always have to smile? Isn't his jaw clenching too?

Little did I know that together we were crossing the road home as the sun went down and while eating ice cream.

"I know how to keep a promise." I stopped when he suddenly spoke.

"What did you promise?" I pretended I don’t know what he’s talking about.

"That I will court you."

"Is that still necessary? Eh if we want the ..."

"You want me?" His eyes were already shining. He quickly finished the ice cream he was holding and just looked at me as well.

"Yes Siwan and we can also level it up." I don't know where I got my courage from but well, my courage was freed in that part. I don't want to lie anymore, I really like him and I miss him so much.

"Can I be your boyfriend now?"

"Yes!" I widened my smile at him and I finally realized that he hugged me.

This is how first love feels, happy and exciting.

March 8, Thursday, I will never forget this day.