I was busy organizing my locker after grabbing the book I needed for our first class when I felt someone stop beside me. I looked up and saw the handsome face of Zed, one of the students I am tutoring for Mrs. Zamora's subject and also a star player on the university basketball team, who happened to be classmates with Jhea.
 
He leaned against the locker, hands in his pockets, before speaking. "Do you have any tutoring sessions later?" He lazily asked. I couldn't help but gaze at his face, his undeniable handsomeness and strong sex appeal hard to ignore. Maybe Liam was just one shower away from being on par.
 
"None." I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. I tutor every day, except for Mondays and Sundays. Saturdays are reserved for Liam, which usually turns into a group study session with our friends.
 
"Can you tutor me later instead of Friday, please?" he said, with a hint of a pleading tone. He even tilted his head slightly as he said it. Oh, Zed, please, don't tilt your head like that. I haven't even answered Liam yet, but it feels like I'm already committing a sin against him. I really don't want that to happen.
 
I furrowed my brow at his request. "Okay, but why?" I asked, trying to playfully deceive him. Despite only recently meeting, Zed and I had instantly become close. It's not difficult to get along with him, after all. He's friendly and easy to talk to.
 
He grinned. "Just because." He replied, his answer lacking any substance.
 
I narrowed my eyes at him. "I need a valid reason." I said, trying to playfully challenge him. Despite his good looks, I didn't want to do anything that would jeopardize my relationship with Liam. Oh, Zed, why are you so attractive no matter what you do? It's no wonder so many people are infatuated with this guy.
 
He smiled mischievously. I briefly averted my gaze, not wanting to be swayed. "My parents and I are going to meet some of their business partners." He sighed before continuing. "And I don't even understand why I need to be there."
 
"Okay, I think that's a valid reason." I said, chuckling.
 
"So, I'll just see you later?" He asked, his smile still intact.
 
"Sure, same time."
 
"Copy, babe!" He said with a wink. I laughed at his playful antics. He was about to say something else when his expression suddenly changed. He was looking behind me, so I quickly glanced over my shoulder. I saw Liam's serious face as he approached us, accompanied by Ken.
I couldn't help but grin and turned my gaze back to Zed. "Looks like your suitor is here. Alright, I'll see you later, Mira! Take care!" He bid farewell and happily ran off.
 
"Seems like you're having a great time talking to that guy." A cold voice came from behind me. I closed my locker and faced Liam. He still had that stern look on his face, while Ken stood behind him, seemingly observing us.
 
I smirked at him. "Are you jealous?"
 
"I'm your boyfriend, what do you expect?" Before I could react to his words, Ken beat me to it.
 
"You're still courting her, Liam. You're not official yet. Don't be so assuming!"
 
He glanced behind him to where Ken was standing, hands in his pockets. "Shut up, Ken. I'm not talking to you. It will still end up that way."
 
I saw Ken roll his eyes. "Yeah, sure." He used his hand to gesture zipping his lips. I couldn't help but laugh at his response.
 
I paused my laughter when Liam looked back at me. "Why did he tell you that he'll see you later?"
 
If he's already acting jealous when we're not even officially together, how will he be when we are? I couldn't help but sigh at the thought. I spoke up, trying to reassure him. "I'll tutor him later. Stop being paranoid." No matter how cute Zed may be, I knew deep down that Liam was the one I truly wanted.
 
His brow furrowed even more at my words. What's his problem now? "You don't have a tutoring session today."
 
"He rescheduled it because he has something to attend to on Friday." I replied calmly.
 
He seemed to believe me as his face brightened up. "Then I'm joining you." I couldn't help but close my eyes in frustration at his response.
 
I saw Ken walk away from behind Liam and face him. "Bro, don't forget we have soccer practice later."
 
He blinked as if he had forgotten about it. "Oh right." He said, looking like he gave up. "Then don't get too close to him." He gave me a scrutinizing look as he said that. I just nodded, not in the mood to argue with him. I really didn't know whether to be amused or annoyed by his possessiveness.
 
"Possessive Liam." Ken whispered as we started walking. I was the only one who heard it, and I couldn't help but laugh because it seemed like he read my mind.
Liam wrapped his arm around me as we walked. Before I could react, Ken removed Liam's arm from my shoulder. "Don't make me feel like a third wheel here, for God's sake!"
 
Liam was about to say something but he suddenly stop midway causing Ken and I turned to see what caught his attention. We saw Jhea walking towards us with one of her classmates. She looked at us without any reaction, as if she didn't even know us, and walked past us without a word.
 
"So she's really that mad, huh?" Ken remarked as we watched Jhea and her classmate walk away.
 
I didn't let what happened affect me. I knew I would get used to Jhea's behavior eventually. I forced a smile at them. "Shall we go? We might be late." I didn't wait for their response and started walking away. I felt them exchange glances before following me.
 
After our consecutive classes, we went to the canteen to grab some lunch. Madison was sitting at the nearby table with her groupmates, and we greeted them with a smile. But what caught my attention was the awkwardness between Ken and Madison. They seemed to avoid each other's gaze. Something's fishy here. I wonder what happened between them when Ken accompanied Madison after our group study last saturday? It feels like they're going through the same awkwardness that Liam and I went through before.
 
Ken must have noticed that I was looking at him because he gave me a stern look. "W-what?" Before I could respond, he stood up to order his lunch.
 
Sophie and I stayed at the table while Liam and Ace went to get our food.
 
"We bumped into Jhea earlier." I said out of the blue to Sophie, who was busy fiddling with her phone. She glanced at me briefly before returning her gaze to her phone screen. "It's the first time she didn't avoid crossing paths with us. She saw us, but her gaze was cold, and it seemed like she didn't recognize us." I continued.
 
She put her phone down on the table and faced me. "Stop talking about her, Mira. If it's that easy for her to cut off our friendship, then we should do the same. I've accepted that we have no connection to her anymore, and you should too. She's not our friend anymore and never will be." She said with some kind of authority.
 
I could sense the anger in her tone as she spoke those words. They were all caught in Jhea's anger because of Liam and me. "If she were a true friend, she would understand the situation, even if family comes first. She's just shallow. Despite being the president of the student council." I didn't bother responding to her because, as much as I didn't want to admit it, she had a point.
The three of them arrived, and we started eating. Unintentionally, we overheard the conversation from the nearby table where Madison and her friends were seated.
 
"Are you really not coming with us to the mall?" Alex asked in a dramatic tone. She's a member of the cheer squad and used to be Liam's pastime. She was the girl Liam was talking to on the day I was supposed to return his diary. She's actually nice to me, and as far as I know, she got back together with her ex whom she cheated on Liam.
 
"Sorry, guys, but I really can't." Madison replied, avoiding eye contact with them as if she was hiding something, or maybe I'm just assuming.
 
"Oh, come on, Mady, it's just a half day for us today. And we don't have practice," Alex insisted, crossing her arms. Her voice and actions were so dramatic. I don't know why, but her dramatic attitude irritates me sometimes. Luckily, she's nice to me.
 
I glanced briefly at Ken, and I could see the worry on his face, even though he was facing away from them, playing with his food in front of him. What's really going on?
 
"Because—" Madison didn't get to finish her sentence as Ken suddenly stood up from his seat in front of me. He went to the other table and pulled Madison up to stand with him. "We're going on a date later. Sorry, girls." He said with a smile. Madison looked at him, clearly surprised by what he said. We were all left dumbfounded by Ken's actions.
 
"You're in a relationship?!" Gia asked in shock, pointing at the two of them.
 
"Nope, I'm still courting her." Courting? Wow, it feels like just the other day when Ken told us that he liked Madison, and now he's already courting her. Is that why they were avoiding eye contact earlier? Did they confess their feelings to each other that night?
 
I wonder. I can also see in Madison's eyes that she likes Ken too.
 
"Wow, nice catch, Ken." Alex remarked. I don't know why, but there seemed to be a hint of insult in her tone. "We'll go ahead then. Enjoy on your date." She added before they left.
 
Ken pulled Madison to sit beside him at our table. "So, you're courting her?" Liam asked, seemingly oblivious to what Ken said earlier.
 
"Yes, I am." Ken replied, still looking at Madison. She shyly looked away. Gosh, why do I feel giddy about Ken's gaze towards her? They have such a strong spark, even in those simple moments.
 
Liam must have noticed that I was getting giddy about what was happening in front of me because he subtly nudged me. I looked at him, and he furrowed his brow again. "What?" I whispered to him.
 
"I told you, only I should be the one that can make you feel giddy!" He said. I just glared at him. He's so possessive. 
"It feels like you just said that you lik—" Ace didn't get to finish his sentence as Ken quickly interrupted.
 
"Shut up!" Ken snapped, as if he didn't want to continue what he wanted to say. What's the big deal if Ace finds out that Ken admitted to liking Madison the other day? He's already courting her. Weird.
 
"Wait, don't we have soccer practice later? Don't tell me you're not going. After you stopped me earlier from going with Mira, now you're the one not going to practice."
 
Ken scratched his head nervously. "Uh, well, I mean after the practice."
 
Liam and Ace furrowed their brows even more. "We have practice until tonight. Coach won't let us go home early because we have a match against the other school and it's already coming up in few days." Ace said.
 
"I forgot. I'll just be absent later, and I'll come back afterwards." Ken said.
 
Sophie scrutinized Ken. "What's really going on, Ken? You're hiding something, aren't you?"
 
I looked at Madison, and she just kept her head down, not saying a word.
 
"I'm not hiding anything! Come on, Mady, let's go on our date." Ken said, pulling Madison along, clearly surprising her. We just watched them leave the cafeteria. Ken's actions are really different, but I couldn't help but laugh earlier at his face. It's like a child trying to lie, almost on the verge of tears.
 
But it's really strange. It's like there's something else going on. It feels like the two of them are hiding something, I just don't know what it is. But there's definitely something there.
Ken's POV
"What was that?" Mady immediately asked me as we walked out of the cafeteria and into the hallway, distancing ourselves from where we were earlier.
 
"I just saved you," I casually replied.
 
"I mean, telling all your friends that you're courting me? So, what, are we going to pretend?" I could hear the annoyance in her voice. Well, I can't blame her, because what I said earlier was quite surprising.
 
"No," I said, keeping my gaze away from her.
 
"What? So what's your excuse for what you said earlier?" She stopped walking and faced me, causing me to stop as well.
 
"Nothing." I smiled at her, teasingly.
 
"Ken." She said, firmly uttering my name.
 
I took a deep breath before speaking. "Mady."
 
"What?" Damn, why does she look so cute when she's irritated? I don't know what's gotten into me, but I found myself staring at her lips. Gosh, I want to kiss her.
 
"I like someone." I noticed her eyes sadden at my words. I don't know if that's really the case or if I'm just assuming.
 
"Oh, and then?" She said in a snappy tone, avoiding eye contact with me.
 
"Aren't you going to ask who?" I said, trying to catch her gaze.
 
She remained silent and continued walking. I caught up with her and walked alongside her. "You." She stopped again and looked at me, as if she was confused by what I just said.
 
"I like you, Mady." I said, while staring into her eyes.
 
"Are you joking? Because that is not funny." She looked away again.
 
I held both of her shoulders. "I'm serious, Mady. And we don't need to pretend because I am willing to court you, or maybe we can just be together right away."
 
I held her chin to lift her head so I could see her face. "Hey, say something." She had a serious expression as she looked at me.
 
She just looked at me, biting her lower lip. I found myself even more attracted to her when she does that. "If you don't speak, I'm going to kiss you." I threatened.
 
She pulled away from my grasp. "Okay."
 
I grinned. "Which one? Should I kiss you?"
 
She playfully smacked my shoulder. "You're crazy! I already spoke, didn't I? I'm agreeing."
 
"You're agreeing? So, are we together now?!" Her mouth dropped open in response to what I said.
 
She chuckled in disbelief. "Not so fast. You can court me, dumbass." I don't know if I should be happy about her agreeing or what, because of the way she called me dumbass.
I hugged her tightly. "Thank you, Mady." I looked at her, furrowing my brow. "But why dumbass? Do I appear like a jerk to you?"
 
"Nope. Unless you fool me." She smirked.
 
"I won't." I smiled. "Then why dumbass?"
 
"I don't know, it just feels right." She teased.
 
I laughed at her response. "So, shall we go?"
 
She furrowed her brow at my words as I was about to hold her hand and pull her along. "Go where?"
 
"Did you forget already? We have a date, remember?" I raised an eyebrow at her while grinning.
 
"But don't you have practice?" She asked.
 
I grinned at her again as I took out my phone from my pocket. I quickly searched for my coach's number and dialed it. He answered after less than three rings.
 
[Hello, Ken.]
 
"Coach, *cough* I won't be able to attend practice *cough* I'm not feeling well. *cough*" I said on the other line, pretending to sound weak.
 
[It's okay, Ken. Go home and rest.]
 
"Thank you, coach *cough*" I didn't wait for him to respond and ended the call.
I faced Mady, her mouth slightly open. "So how was that? They let me go. Shall we go now?" She just shook her head in disbelief, letting me pull her towards the parking lot.
 
"Mady." I called her name as I drove to our destination.
 
"Hmm?" I felt her turn to look at me, but she quickly returned her gaze to the car window.
 
"I'm curious, why didn't you join your cheer squad friends earlier?" I asked, keeping my eyes on the road.
 
"I know they'll just spend money unnecessarily. And even though the school gives me a generous allowance, I don't abuse it. Instead of spending it, I give the extra to my mom for our household expenses and my siblings' education." She explained.
 
She is such a kind-hearted daughter. She doesn't use the allowance given by the school for her interests, instead, she uses it to help her parents.
 
We're complete opposites, me and Mady. Honestly, the allowance she gets from school for one week is barely enough for me to cover my personal expenses. For her, it's already a lot, and she even helps her family with it. But for me, it's still not enough. Maybe the only time my allowance become less is when my dad found out about the trouble I caused at school. It makes me a bit teary-eyed when that happens because my real weekly allowance is double what the school gives Mady. And to top it off, my dad even opened credit cards for me.
 
I feel so ashamed. I haven't been giving much importance to money when in reality, my parents work hard to earn it. I've been using what they give me for foolish things and misbehavior.
 
"What about you? Why did you come with me if you knew we would spend money?" I asked.
 
"Because I know you'll treat me." She replied with a grin. We both laughed at her response. She's such a wise girl, and that's why I like her even more.
 
"And I know that it's more genuine and enjoyable to be with you." She continued. It may sound cheesy, but I couldn't help but feel a flutter in my heart at her words.
 
I smiled at her before speaking again. "But seriously, Mady, how long will you hide your true self?" I asked her seriously.
 
She became serious and turned her gaze back to the car window. "I-I don't know, Ken. I'm scared. What if they can't accept me? Especially my friends." So, she really considers Alex and the others from the cheer squad as her friends. I don't think they're genuine friends, though.
 
I held her hand that was resting on her lap. She looked at me when I did that. I glanced at her before returning my gaze to the road. "Don't be scared. I'm here, Madison. I'll help you face your fear. If they can't accept you, I accept you."
 
"Thank you, Ken. It means a lot to me." She smiled.
 
We remained silent for a few minutes until she spoke again. "Ken."
 
"Yes?"
 
"Thank you."
 
I laughed at her words. She thanked me twice already. "You already thanked me, Mady." I said as I parked the car in a parking lot.
 
"Nope. I forgot to thank you for saving me earlier, even though Liam and your other friends was starting to suspect something. You still lied just to save me. And I'm sorry for that."
 
"It's okay. Anything for yo—" Before I could finish my sentence, she leaned in and kissed me on the cheek, then quickly got out of the car.
 
I couldn't help but smile at what she did, feeling a rush of excitement. Damn, she knows how to make my heart race. I got out of the car as well and joined her.
 
While I was enjoying my time with her, I came to a realization.
 
Instead of counting money, why not start counting stars? Because real happiness doesn't need any value.