"Yay! Congrats darling!" My mom whirled me around as she was overjoyed. "Don't abandon me!" My dad faked a puppy face. "Oh, my handsome hero! Let's hit the floor!" I dragged him and danced until my mom stood on the cliff of jealousy.

"Do you have any idea of putting some clothes on? You're swaying all around with just a towel." She chuckled, leaning on the wall with crisscrossed arms.

"Eww! I forgot it in the total happening." I excused myself and walked with a spring in my step to ascend the stairs.

"So there are two surprises wrapped in a single present! That's hilarious, huh?" I stopped moving as I heard my mom exclaim. No doubt, she mentioned Jas's name as a surprise. Just after I realized Jas would not join me, my face drained of joy. But my poor ladylove doesn't know about his plan to shift cities.

"Mom, he's not joining this university." I said it in an easy-peasy tone, as I didn't want to create huge attention. Yet, my efforts to say it effortlessly went in vain. "What? But why?" They both panicked, just like me when I heard this last night.

"Er, he wants to leave California. So he'll probably not join." I took a deep breath and leisurely mounted the stairs.

"Oof! Honey, hold on. Do you know why he made this choice?" She left her posture and hustled to reach me. I didn't know what to say. I stood still until she shook me for the response. "Well, he needs a change, mom. That's it. Nothing to worry." As I hugged her compactly, a tear from my eye rolled down. By hiding it casually, I made it up to my room.

I didn't know why I cried. Maybe my heart ached for his departure, or maybe it's because I hadn't yet poured my heart out to anyone about it.

By holding my doltish thoughts away, I quickly dressed myself in a brown leather jacket worn over a stripped t-shirt with cuffed skinny jeans and sneakers. I left my hair untied. Not because I loved it that way, but because I didn't know what style I should prefer.

I grabbed a few books quickly and stuffed them into my blue plaid canvas backpack. I rushed down, as I was behind schedule. "El, have your breakfast." My mom shouted. "Nah, mom. I got late." I grabbed an apple from the basket and ran to my blackbird.

Though I pedalled quickly, I could only manage to reach the school at the eleventh hour. My friends were already waiting for me near the parking lot.

"You deserve the Best Latecomer of All Time award, El." Joe exclaimed as I parked my blackbird and walked towards them. "I'll be glad to receive that!" I said. At least, due to my courtesy, they're unfettered for the first hour.

"Okay guys. I have good news for you all." I was not that thrilled, yet I have to be peppy enough in front of them. Larry adjusted his tousled hair, asking, "Wow, El! What's that?"

"I got shortlisted for UC Berkeley." I gave a radiant smile, dimming the bright sunshine of the spring.

"Awe! Happy for you, my girl!" Clara jumped on me out of joy.

"Jas too." I exhaled a deep breath as I hugged her. She gently loosened my arms and stepped back after a while.

Jas cleared his throat mildly after I disclosed "But I", Before he could complete, I intruded, saying, "Yeah, of course, we know you won't join there." He just nodded his head as he felt uneasy talking about it further. "Then what's your plan after exams?" Larry worried about him.

"I've applied for St. Lawrence University. I'm uncertain if they'll accept my late proposal. If they didn't, I thought of taking a year's break." He altered his stance and stood against me. He tamely took hold of my hand.

"By the way, Ms. Elena Davis, I'm floating on air now." I was totally baffled by his words. Knowing my state, he giggled, saying, "For your good news." I was so elated that he was happy for me.

"Relive both of our dreams. I'll be more than happy." He whispered tenderly.

"You'll get into the college you applied for, Jas. I'm so excited for you too." I relaxed my hand from his and hugged him firmly.

I almost became hypnotized by the moment. At times, he makes me feel buoyant. And again, in a jiff, he makes me feel wretched.

Oof! Whether the situation makes me an ambivalent person, or am I actually?

"Don't you all feel hungry?" Joe's pity face moved us, as he always used to skip breakfast. "Yep. A bit." I joined him since a single apple was not sufficient for my tummy.

Soon, we all bolted to the cafeteria on campus. It wasn't very crowded since it was class hour. We ordered our food and were seated at a round table. There was a girl gang sitting at a table far from us. I couldn't figure all of them out since a few were facing the other side. They all gazed at Larry and murmured something among themselves.

We didn't give them much attention, as it's usual for girls to stare at him. After all, he was supposed to be titled "the prom king." But he wasn't, since we prohibited him from attending the prom. Besides, he didn't care to be the prom king.

Larry got himself engaged on his laptop as he had to submit his individual project. We've already presented it, and today is his turn.

Jas and Clara were so busy stalking the girls around. Meanwhile, Joe and I had a very relaxed breakfast. The instant roaring bell caught our attention shortly. "Oh gosh! Time flees so fast." I disgustedly wiped my mouth with a tissue.

With my stomach full, I burped loudly. "Wow! What a welcome call to the next class!" Joe teased. "Don't be envious of my belch, man." I hit him in the stomach with my elbow.

When we ambled to our class with less haste, a girl from that gang protested our way. She was Hazel. We all stood gawping at each other in perplexity.

Hazel is a pretty girl who is the prom queen this year. Her black hair is a mass of tangled curls. She'll be very adorable when her dazzling fair face turns to a light coral colour after a captivating laugh. She's an amiable person to be around. Though I admire her at times, I haven't had a chance to strike up a conversation with her yet.

But there is an arcane rumour that she has an eye on Larry, our Mr. Flair. And fortunately, Mr. Flair also has a good impression of her. I already bet with Clara that she'd ask Larry for prom night, but sadly, she didn't. Ew! I lost my pocket money for her sake!

Still, even Clara and I couldn't figure out why she blocked us now. She had both of her hands holding something behind her. I chuckled softly and muttered to Clara in a low voice, "Oh my god! I think she is going to ask Larry for a date!" Clara quickly absorbed my thoughts into her mind. She was so excited and jumped, saying, "I can't wait."

Her words caught everyone's attention. "Shh! Shut your stupid mouth. Don't mess up their moment with spoilers." I squeezed her hand and whispered. "It should be flowers. I could smell it." I sniffed in an attempt to find its fragrance.

"Uh no! I can't smell anything. It should be any other thing." She denied my speculations. "You wanna bet?" I asked her, and she couldn't deny it.

It's time to get back my lost pocket money!

"Hey Hazel! What's up?" With no one getting initiated, Joe tried. "Er, I just need a moment." She hesitated. I've never seen her this nervous before. She delicately unhid the bouquet of hot pink tulips with a letter gently folded and placed in the middle.

"Whoa!!" I bounced in joy at saving my money.

Everyone looked at me weirdly. Hazel got confused, since she expected this reaction from Larry and absolutely not from me. She abruptly let it go, as she didn't want to ruin this moment. She gracefully came forward and imposed the flowers on him. She just signaled for him to read the letter without uttering anything. He was totally puzzled by her actions and took hold of the letter. As he read it slowly, his eyes portrayed the essence of love she tied within that piece of paper.

Even I got attracted by her way of symbolizing her thoughts through letters and flowers. I don't know why, but letters always captivate my heart.

What's more beautiful than conveying our love through an epistle and flowers?

He smiled out of felicity. We all restlessly waited for his answer. He softly held her hands and said, "Yes, I would love to go on a date with you."

We all sprang up and down in bliss since he is the first one among us to get into a proper relationship, and that too with the best girl I've known.

We've all flopped on our dates over the course of time. Joel was once on the verge of getting into a relationship, but things got complicated between them, and everything fell out of place in no time. Clara went on a few dates, but nothing worked out for her either. And I was known for ghosting people for no reason whenever someone approached me.

But today I was so delighted for Larry. Hazel was sailing in seventh heaven too. I could feel her. Her dark brown eyes were soaked in excitement. Her face turned dark pink as she gave a gleeful blush. Together as a pair, they are terrifically beautiful! I adored them quite a lot!

And that's how Mr. Flair got elevated to Mr. Flair Romeo!

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Hey all!

Are you happy for our Romeo and Juliet? I hope the answer is a firm yes!

More Romeo's and Juliet's are yet to come in our story!

Stay awaited! ❤️

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