Chapter 2: Secret Admirer

I was shocked when I looked at the white rose resting on top of my desk. I never expected to receive something like this today. I thought no one would have the guts to give me something like this, but I was wrong.

Could it really be the same person sending all these, or is it someone else?

"Oh? Who's this one from?" Vanessa asked in surprise as she reached my side. There was no note with it, so I couldn’t tell who it was from.

"I don’t know," I replied shortly. I looked at the boys in my class, but none of them seemed to act any differently, so I was pretty sure none of them had left it for me.

"Sandra..." I called out to one of my classmates. She immediately looked at me and walked over.

"What’s up, Thena? Do you need something?" she asked, smiling at me.

"Did you see who left this on my desk?" I asked. She glanced at the flower I was holding, then seemed to think for a moment. I really hoped she saw who it was, so I could finally figure out who was sending these.

"Oh, that. Someone gave that to you earlier, but you hadn’t arrived yet, so he just left it there after that he left," she replied.

Vanessa and I exchanged a look, both of us couldn’t believe by what she said. Who could it be?

"Did you recognize who it was?" Vanessa asked, but Sandra shook her head in response. I felt a bit deflated after hearing that. I thought I’d finally find out who it was.

"But the varsity player Adrian Chua came with him. I think they’re friends."

Adrian Chua, the varsity player for two consecutive years and captain of the Red Eagle team, and also my long-time crush's best friend. Vanessa's eyes suddenly lit up when she heard Adrian's name. Geez, she’s probably in love with him by now.

But I don’t know any of Adrian’s friends, and as far as I know, they’re already in their third year of high school. It felt like I suddenly got confused, even though I shouldn’t have.

"He's so handsome, Thena, even more handsome than Adrian," Sandra said, which made Vanessa's face sour.

"Alright, thanks Sandra," I replied, and she left.

"He’s more handsome than Adrian? He’s the only handsome guy here in school," Vanessa muttered irritably.

I just laughed at her reaction. For her, Adrian is the only handsome guy, even though there are plenty of other good-looking guys here in school besides her crush.

"But who could it be among Adrian’s friends? I do like him, but I don’t know the names of his friends. I mean, we barely see them here at school, right? Our school is huge after all."

I just sighed after learning all of that. Geez, it just added to the things I’m thinking about. Why does this Valentine’s Day even exist? I was minding my own business, then suddenly, this happens. My day started off bad, and it just got worse with everything that happened today.

Lord, please don’t let me spend the whole day just thinking about these gifts I received. I appreciate them, but why is he making it so hard for me to figure out who he is? I’m not a mind reader.

"So, what’s your plan? Should we try to figure them out one by one, or should I just search for Mr. Z?" Vanessa said, which made me laugh a little, and for a moment, I felt lighter.

"Let’s just leave it. He’ll introduce himself eventually. Let’s go to the cafeteria, I’m hungry."

I’ll leave it at that. If he doesn’t want to properly introduce himself, then fine, I won’t force him. After all, that’s what he seems to want. But at least, in some way, he made my Valentine’s Day a little better.

***

"Looks like you’re starving from thinking about who your secret admirer is. You’ve had two siopaos and a box of cookies already," Vanessa said. I ended up throwing the tissue I was holding at her, but she just laughed.

"Just let me be, I’m hungry. I can’t just stop myself from eating," I replied before drinking some water. Tss, I’m so stressed out, I don’t even know why.

"Did I hear that right? Secret admirer? You? That’s impossible."

I didn’t even turn around—just from the voice, I knew exactly who it was. One of the biggest troublemakers and b*tchy people in school. Lauren Estrella, one of the people who humiliates me and ruins my life and reputation.

"Hey! Stop it, Lauren. You’re really just butting into a conversation that doesn't concern you. Go find someone else to talk to. It’s so obvious that you’re a gossiper," my friend angrily said. She suddenly stood up, and I followed, standing up to stop her.

"Why? Is it even true? Who would ever like her? Stop assuming, Athena, it doesn’t suit you," Lauren said, with a disgusted and rude tone.

I couldn’t respond because she was right. Who would like someone poor and unattractive like me? No one, that’s why it’s so strange why someone’s sending me flowers.

"FYI, my friend is way prettier than you. While you, you’re only relying on your attitude, but you’re still lacking," Vanessa snapped back, which really made Lauren angry. She suddenly charged toward us, but her friends held her back.

Everyone turned to look at us, and the surrounding noise grew louder. Honestly, I felt embarrassed and just wanted to leave to cry, but I didn’t want to leave my friend alone here.

"Well, what now? Are you going to speak?" my friend angrily shouted. Lauren didn’t respond, instead, she grabbed a glass of juice from the table and threw it at us. But before it could hit my friend, I immediately stepped in front of her.

Everyone was shocked, and the area suddenly became silent because of what I did, especially my friend. I didn’t regret it—just didn’t want Vanessa to get caught up in Lauren’s anger.

"You, you’re such a witch!" Vanessa screamed angrily, but before she could rush at Lauren, I stopped her by the arm.

"Van, enough! Just let it go, let’s go." And I immediately left the canteen before my tears could fall.

I felt like a drenched chick, and I didn’t care about what anyone thought who just saw me.

"Tsk! Why did I wear a white shirt? Geez, now it’s stained," I complained while wiping my shirt with a towel.

I’m here now, near the school garden. This is where I decided to go after what happened in the canteen. I don’t know where Vanessa is, but I think she’s looking for me now.

"Is your shirt more important to you than your health?"

I looked up to see who spoke. But my eyes widened when I saw him.

Lord, he’s handsome.

"Here, change into this shirt before you catch a cold," he said, handing me a black t-shirt. I just stared at what he was holding, especially at him.

"Just take it, I haven’t used it yet," he said before smiling at me.

Oh my god, he became even more handsome when he smiled.

"Thanks for the shirt," I said after accepting it from him.

"You're welcome, by the way, I’m Zander."

I was suddenly speechless.

Zander? Letter Z?

Could he be my secret admirer?