She's an A

Chapter 2 - Unlabelled Relationship

    Nicholas held Lenette's hand as they walk towards the place where they always spend time together reading their reading assignments after classes. Normally, they spend time until midnight there, preparing for the subject on the next day. Hand in hand, they traversed the alley towards their so-called hideout. After a few minutes, they are there. The place is one of the most quiet space in the middle of the city. It is designed for students to study so the walls are placed with soundproof materials. Also, the place creates a cozy atmosphere that makes the brain relaxed but on the mood to study. It is an ideal place for law students who seriously need to focus on what they are reading. 

    Nicholas entered the door first and held it open for Lenette to pass through. Upon entering, Lenette straightly spotted their favourite spot empty. She smiled. The owner already made sure that no one occupies their favourite place. Their spot is somewhat secluded from the crowd. Although there are some people using the place as it is open to the public as a business, their spot is always vacant for them. They've been using this place since freshman so the owner already gave them a special privilege for patronising her business. 

    The owner, Lyra, smiled upon seeing them. She and Nicholas waved their hands in recognition of her presence. Walking slowly in order not to create any unnecessary noise, they went to their favourite spot. They both sat down and brought out their books. Sitting next to each other, they shared a small table together. Nicholas got the menu on the side and looked at it. In this place, the rule is self-service. Even if some students are rich, all of them are treated equal.

    "There is nothing new today. What do you like to order?" he asked Lenette.

    "The usual," she said simply without looking at him.

    "Me, too," he said and stood up. 

    Straightly, he went to the counter and ordered their favorites. Minutes later, he came with a tray on his hand. On it are two cups of coffee, a plate of fries, fried chicken and other finger food. He slowly put the tray down and removed the food from it. He placed them on the table. Lenette cleared the table while watching him put the food there. When all food were set on the table, Lenette turned to him.

    "How much do I owe you today?" she asked.

    "Nothing... but love," he answered and winked. He loves teasing her like this. 

    "Eeeiiisssh!" Lenette said and pinched his waist.

    "Ouch!" he shouted and pinched her back on the waist. Lenette dodged but he was able to jump on her. They both fell on the floor and rolled. He protected her head while she closed her eyes and hugged him tightly. How careless they are for playing in the study place. Both of them covered each other's mouth in order not to create noise that could disturb the other student's focus. Suddenly, they realized that they are hugging each other tightly on the floor with Nicholas on top of Lenette. Both of them blushed and avoided each other's eyes. 

    "I...I..." he said as he attempted to stand up. "Let's...better eat," he managed to say. "The food is still hot." When he succeeded standing up, he extended his hand to Lenette and helped her get up on her feet. Lenette grabbed it and was back on her feet in a moment. When they stood up, that's the time they realized that all the students studying in that place are staring at them. Lenette bowed her head in shame.

    "I'm sorry,"she said softly and walked back to their table. Nicholas followed her. In a moment, she said grace and they both started to eat.

    "Try this," Nicholas said as he shoved chicken into her mouth.

    She bit a tiny part of it and tasted it. "Hmmm! I love the taste. It has a twist in it," she said and took the remaining portion from his hand. She smiled. "Thank you."

    "This is also good," she said and put fries in Nicholas' mouth. He ate it, too. 

    "Yummm! As always, the food here is superb," he commented afterwards. "Wait," he said as he suddenly put his finger on the tip other mouth. "Don't move, there is something on the tip of your mouth," he said as he wiped her mouth with his fingers. She blushed as she lowered her gaze on the food before them.

    Minutes later and they both finished eating. Still sipping their coffee, they cleared and cleaned the surface of the table and grabbed their books from the side. They started to read. They have to read at least 15 cases tonight and read another 15-20 tomorrow so that they can cope with the required number of cases. This is no problem for Lenette as she is a fast reader. However, Nicholas finds this hard. The good thing is that he is a full-time student so he has ample time to read the remaining cases during daytime tomorrow. However, Lenette has no choice but to finish at least 15-20 cases tonight; otherwise, she won't be able to cope with the required reading assignment. Normally, she still continues to read even after midnight when she gets home in order to comply. She has to work during the daytime so she only has tonight as straight hours to review. During the day, she maximises every break time given to her to study. She has more or less two hours of break time broken into 2 snack times and 1 lunch time. That's how challenging and difficult her life is but she has no plans to give up. Her motto is that 'it is not her fault to be born poor but it would be her fault to die poor.'

    She looked at the man next to him who is seriously studying his lesson and sighed. They have been like this for more than three years now and the way they treat each other is special. However, they just consider each other as friends. With the extra sweetness, they still made themselves believe that they are just friends.