CHAPTER 6- I HOPE

 Rachael touched her hair slightly, a habit she does when she does not know how to respond to a particular situation. She never thought Joy would ask.

 "Hello, reasonable ladies," They both turned to face the direction where the voice was coming from as their mouths opened in awe.

  " Andrew, "Joy almost screamed as she went to hold one of his hands.

  "We miss you," Rachael added as Andrew smiled 

 "Why do you have to call us reasonable ladies and not beautiful ladies," Joy complained, slapping Andrew's face playfully as they all went to the cafeteria.

 Rachael could only thank Andrew for coming to her rescue. If she had to mention that Zack brought him to school, then Joy might not be happy about it. Not only that, she might ask personal questions. 

  For some reason, she does not want Joy to know about her attraction toward Zack. Joy already knows she has a thing for the bad boy saga. If she knows that she came with Zack, the number one player in GGHS, then she might begin to have a million thoughts. She would easily conclude she has feelings for Zack

  They saw Kevin already seated at the center of the cafeteria, as they walked towards him. Andrew and Kevin shook hands as they settled down. Andrew and Rachael facing Joy and Kevin.

  " I was beginning to think you will not come today," Joy stated, picking some snacks from the small nylon in her purse as she munched on them.

  "So sorry I resumed school late this semester, I have been sick for some time now. I came today but Kevin was the only one that saw me," Andrew explained as they looked in awe.

  " Hope you are feeling better. Please, don't get sick again," Rachael probed, giving out a sober face as they all shared a laugh.

  "I will be strong. Enough about me. How are you all faring?" Andrew asked, raising his head up

" Nothing much, good as always. No traveling during the holiday," Rachael said as everyone nodded.

  "I was grounded by my mum for going out and coming late around 8 pm," Joy fumed as she explained her part. They burst into laughter.

  " I am always cool bro," Kevin said as Joy snickered.

  Rachael gave her a look as she rolled her eyes. To her, it seems Joy wanted to add more to what Kevin said.

  "I miss you guys like crazy. Yesterday makes it a year since my mum died and it was just like yesterday. I remembered how you comforted me that day and it brings calmness to myself," Andrew spoke slowly as they looked at him, feeling sorry for him.

  Andrew's mum died while they were in 11th grade. To the four of them, she was the best. Caring, and lovely at the same time. At some time, Andrew's mum got married again earning Andrew a stepdad who he was not fully in support of. 

  The rest of the story was history as everyone thought aligned with the fact that Andrew's mum died a natural death. Now Andrew is stuck with his stepdad.

   " We are always here for you," Joy remarked, as she held his hands, creasing it slowly.

  "We have your back bro. Our deepest sympathies," Kevin acknowledged, draping his hand around Andrew's neck.

  " I just want to use this opportunity to say your mum was one of the best. We all hope to see her in the new world to come. Remember that the dead will rise again," Rachael commented as Andrew nodded thanking them for their words of encouragement.

 Andrew and Joy stood up as they went to order food for the four of them. The overlapping noise from the cafeteria was much, making Rachael groan a bit.

  "I like your hair. It must have been disturbing packing them into a bun," Kevin complimented as Rachael raised her head.

  She smiled looking warmly at Kevin.

  " Thank you," she blushed

  "Here, take these hair clips. I got it from my Aunt during the holiday," Kevin opened Rachael's palm, placing it gently.

  Rachael looked at the two hair clips on her palm, as she loved them at first sight. The first one is colored brown and black, as it looks radiant with its fasteners, and the second one is the colored sky blue with pink imprints on it.

  " It looks beautiful. Thank you," Rachael said truthfully, as she attached the brown one at one side of her hair. 

  "It looks good on you. Thanks for accepting it," Kevin kept staring at her.

  For some split seconds, Rachael felt guilty. Heaven will bear witness if she has never wished to at least have a tiny crush on Kevin, but it seemed rather Impossible. Not only does she have an attraction for Zack, the typical bad boy, she also tends to develop feelings for the bad boy saga.

  

  She moved to where Kevin was seated, as she fiddled with her fingers, nervousness breeding

    " Thank you for understanding. I hope that one day, I will be able to reciprocate the feelings you have for me," Rachael said, not wanting to look at Kevin.

  Kevin draped his hand on her shoulder pulling him closer.

  "I will keep waiting, I promise. I will wait to see both of us grow up and when you realize your feelings for me, we will get married and become one,"

  Kevin's words made Rachael's heart linger, and she hoped she would not disappoint him. She hopes she will fulfill her promise.

  " Ahem. Are you guys a couple now"

  They raised their heads as Andrew and Joy sat down serving them their food. Their faces turned crimson with Joy's words.

  "Do not be ridiculous. You know the rules," Rachael retorted as she started eating the sandwich.

  " Ok, I love you. Hope you can continue to stick to the rules, "Joy mocked as Rachael glared at her.

  The table once went into silence for a while. Rachael had her lesson of rushing food this morning and was pretty determined to take it slow.

  Kevin's eyes kept peeking at Rachael, as he seemed rather interested in how she ate her food, not caring to eat ladylike. This simple act of looking only sends Kevin's heart skyrocketing.

  "I called Grace's mum yesterday. She is improving greatly as I even saw Grace through video call," Rachael announced.

  " Great. Joy told me about what happened to Grace. I am glad she is feeling better," Andrew confessed, giving out a faint smile.

  "Me too," Kevin said, raising his right hand

  "Me three, " Joy commented, raising her index finger as they all shared a laugh.

  Joy leaped closer as she grabbed the hair clip beside Rachael's food.

  " It looks beautiful. Kevin gave you right? Including those," Joy rambled as Rachael tried to collect it.

  "Thank you, just give it back," Rachael groaned trying to keep her calm with Joy who was making fun of her indirectly.

  Andrew looked at them as he requested to visit the restroom For some reason, he does not feel alright.