Chapter 1: "How it all began... again."

It was a typical day, there was nothing special with how the sun shines that hot afternoon nor the way the clouds fleetingly drifts away from the skies.

But little do they know, that it was a new beginning. Just as summer vacation ends, a new romance springs.

Meet Kristina Valdez

She is an average and simple teenager.

A little taller than usual standing 162 cm tall with her petite body weighing 48kg. She looks beautiful with her light brown eyes that perfectly matches the sun's warm tone. Having that sweet and awkward smile with her heart-shaped lips would make her everyone's girl crush but her beauty is unnoticed by most of the people because she rarely fix herself and she doesn't try to look good either.

Kristina ties up her flowing brunette hair into a messy bun highlighting her rosy round cheeks.

Kristina Valdez' POV

"Jeez! I can't believe summer's about to end and I haven't decided yet on which school I'll transfer for my 4th year high school." I complained, "I can't believe I'm transferring at my last year of highschool , just great."

I continued to surf the internet to browse some school opening and online registrations but nothing seems to catch my eyes. I almost lost all hope and close my laptop to rest my eyes but then while surfing the net i saw Angelo Cruz' post.

Meet Angelo Cruz

He is a smart and nerd-y student but definitely not a loser, he's just so famous even in the internet even though he only posts every now and then.

He's taller than me stading at 175 cm tall, weighs 66 kg. He's the perfect epitome of a good guy for most girls with his strong jaw and perfectly proportionate face. He has a clean look with strong and intimidating hazel eyes and a simple shaggy hair that's a shade darker than mine. Rumors has it that a lot of girls like him but he drives them away.

He's cold and distant and rarely trust someone.

But I knew him as the exact opposite of that.

Angelo and I have been friends since our childhood, we were the only kids in the neighboorhood so I guess he really didn't have much of a choice. He has a very warm personality.

But it didn't last long, he changed and so did I.... well, at least we're still neighbors.

I saw his post and it made me stop and stare for a while.

"He's back." I muttered to myself softly, "He's back here in the neighborhood."

I couldn't help myself but look outside my window and glance at his house but a few blocks down. He's really here. I saw him outside unpacking his things from the moving van.

His white shirt highlighted his broad and athletic shoulders, I wonder what his reaction be if he saw me again after all these years.

I liked him ever since, it started out as a simple crush that I had no idea at the time but as my feelings for him grow day by day, he became cold and distant towards me until he just starts ignoring me...but despite this , i still like him.

I must be out of my mind.

"Are you having perverted thoughts about our neighbor?" I was shocked to see my mom's face only an inch away from mine, she was looking at where my gaze is, I complained, "Mom! I'm not!"

"You always glance at their house, you know? Looks like, the one you've been waiting for is finally here, what are you planning to do?" My mom mocks

"Nothing." I pouted

"Let me tell you what you can do."

I eagerly anticipated my mother's advice and she replied as she tossed laundry clothes at me, "You should do household chores every now and then, you lazy girl and decide which school you'll go to."

then she left.

My mom and I have always been close but she's been busy with work and me so I decided to change schools to help her, somewhere a little closer to home so she wouldn't feel so lonely.

A few hours have passed, I just finished my household chores and finished taking a bath. I look outside and saw how the night sky looked prettier that night.

After putting on some pajamas as I listens peacefully to Angelo's playlist, the one he made when we were kids, in my room, my mom shouted from downstairs, "Kristina!"

"What?!" i asked

"Will you come down here?"

Seriously, we are living in a two house story building but I swear my mom's voice reaches the whole neighborhood. She is probably the reason why I'm so talk so loudly.

I came down wearing my fuzzy socks and asked, "Yeah mom, what is it?"

"Can you buy me some vinegar?" my mom politely asked using her cute eyes, as if they'd work on me

I pointed out the door outside that's only a few steps away from her, I said, "Mom, you're literally three steps away the door."

"I have small steps besides I can't let the neighbors see me without make up." she smirks, "pretty please?"

"No one would care but hmm, I'll think about it." I replied and smirks as well, "No."

"Fine, I know my charms won't work on you."

I laughed but then I saw Angelo outside and heard: "Angelo, also, buy me some salt, okay?" said his mother

he answered, " okay."

My mom and I looked at each other and I quickly said to mom, "On second thought, no, let me buy it, it's not to far, I can do it!"

"What changed your mind?" mom mockingly asked

"Mom!"

"Ok, here's the money." mom said while lending me some money, still teasing me, "I just wish Angelo goes out more to do errands so you can do mine as well."

so I quickly went outside and followed him, i watched him while walking towards the store.

Crap, I should've at least fixed my hair earlier, but now that I think about it, I don't even know how to properly fix my hair.

I was so lost in my thoughts that when it was my turn to buy. not a word came out.

the store owner snaps her fingers at me breaking my gaze at Angelo and said, "How long are you going to stare at him?"

"Wh- ? uh, um.. What are you?" I was rattled, I denied awkwardly, "I wasn't. Totally wasn't. You're really funny!"

"So, what are you going to buy?"

"um... a..." I completely forgot what i'm going to buy, this is a very bad first impression on Angelo after years that passed, I'm still as clumsy and awkward.

"Vinegar" Angelo said

" yeah.... vinegar" i said

The owner gave it to me and while walking home I thanked him... he said, " it's okay... I kind of heard your conversation with your mom... so I knew what you're about to buy.."

"Really? We were quite loud, weren't we?"

"Yeah.. especially when you talk to your mom a while ago...."

Great, I totally nailed that. He now thinks I'm noisy and clumsy, +10 points to reasons why he won't be mine, just great. Excuse me as I cry internally but there goes my chances of winning him.

After that it turned into an akward silence, jeez, think of a topic!! What the hell should I say, hi it's been a while, I really like you please like me back? hey, long time, wanna hang out?

Seriously, my social skills are very much lacking.

"um... you don't talk too much, huh?" I asked trying to save our conversation 

He simply nods and went to his home, I went back to my house and gave my mother the vinegar she asked for.

I was smiling and I offered, "Mom, I'll do the dishes today."

I am so happy right now, I can't believe we actually had a conversation. I thank God Almighty or Buddha or whoever's up there that made this happen!

The night sky really looked prettier tonight.