It's Okay

Chapter 2: Denmark Lopez

Shia Cristela.

That was the name of the transfer student in our class and actually, I don’t really know why but she surely grabbed my attention effortlessly.

And I think that is the reason why I am glancing at her from afar.

She is currently eating her lunch alone. No one dares to share the table with her because to be honest, she has this kind of aura that can easily intimidate anyone who tries to go near her.

“Hey, dude.” I looked at Nico when he put his arms on my shoulder. “I saw that you are staring at Shia. Do you have an interest in her?”

I nodded.

Well, there is no harm admitting that. I do really have a crush on her. “I saw the two of you seem close.”

“She is actually nice and friendly even though she has that intimidating aura,” he said. “And she said that she still hasn’t been able to visit any places here in Vind so we will be hanging out soon and I will be her tour guide.”

“When will you go?”

He smirked. “Why? Do you want to go with us?”

I didn’t answer and avoided his eyes. Is that too obvious that I wanted to go with them?

“Relax, dude.” He patted my shoulder while he was laughing at me. “She still needs to study our previous topics and take all the exams and quizzes that she missed in the whole month. And she still didn’t get Sir Justin’s permission to roam the city. So if I were you, go and be friends with her so can join us. It would be awkward if we just let you join us but you are not close enough.” He patted my shoulder again and walked towards Shia.

I sighed. “I wish I can be brave like you.” I shook my head and got out of the cafeteria.

I already finished my lunch and I don’t have anything to do so I will just go back to our room and sleep.

“Mr. Lopez.” Sir Justin called me before I could even got out. “Are you busy?”

I shook my head.

“Great,” he said and handed me a notebook. “All the topics that Shia missed are all written in that notebook. Can you help her and discuss everything with her? All the teachers are too busy because of the upcoming event so they don’t have much time to give for her and I can’t also help her when we get home.”

“She started studying some of the topics earlier since Nico gave her his note, right?” I said. “And she’s too focused that she won’t even hear you calling her name twice in the class.”

Yeah, that was one of the reasons why Shia got the attention of the whole class. She was too focused and she didn’t notice the presence of the professors that had been discussing in front of our class.

“No problem, Sir.” Charlie, one of my classmates, suddenly appeared at Sir Justin’s side and got the notebook in my hand. We will handle and take care of your sister together with Denmark.”

“Good.” Sir Justin smiled. “I will count on you.” And he left.

Charlie held my arms and pulled me inside the cafeteria.

“Hey! What do you think you are doing?”

“I am helping you, okay?” she said. “Based on how you looked at her earlier, I am sure that you have a crush on her. You even go to the back of our room even though you don’t have anything to do there.”

I scratched my head. “Am I that too obvious?”

“Yes, too obvious that we manage to notice it immediately,” she exclaimed. “You even got friends with our classmates at the back even though the only person you knew is Nico.”

I didn’t say anything.

I am not going to deny that I have a crush on Shia but I am not comfortable that they manage to know it just by observing my movement inside the classroom.

“Hi,” Charlie greeted Shia when we finally got near their table. “I am Charlie Santos, one of your classmates.”

“Oh, hi.” Shia shook hands with her.

“And this is Denmark Lopez, our class president.” Charlie introduced me to her.

I just waved my hand and nodded at her. Yah! I don’t have the confidence to shake her hand, okay?

“And we are here because your brother told us to discuss with you all about the topics that you missed.” Charlie sat down in front of Shia and she pulled me hard so that I also sat beside her.

“I appreciate your help but I don’t want to bother you.” Shia said. “Besides, I can--”

“Why don’t you accept their help?” Nico asked and glanced at me. “Well, they will not accept this kind of task if it will just bother them.”

“But--”

“Don’t worry,” Charlie cut her. “It is not free.”

Shia frowned. “What do you mean?”

“In exchange of this, you will have to include us in your plan with Nico,”

“What?” Nico reacted. “Why do you have to join us?”

“And why not? I also wanted to hang out with Shia.” Charlie snorted.

And just like what I expected, they started to argue with each other.

They have been classmates since elementary. They also attend the same high school and since then, they have already argued over petty reasons.

And to be honest, they are really best friends.

They just don’t help themselves but contradict each other and arguing like this is part of their friendship.

“I’m sorry for how they are acting right now.” I said when I saw Shia was shocked when she witnessed the arguing of Nico and Charlie. “Don't mind them. It is normal for them to argue like that.”

She looked at me. “Normal?”

I nodded. “They are always like that so don’t worry about them. That’s how they show their love for each other.”

And just like that, Nico and Charlie stopped arguing and looked at me.

“Shut up, Lopez!” they shouted at me that made me laugh.

“Arg! Whatever!”