There was tension in the dark alley. The bad guys looked at Theo with knitted brows. They surveyed him from head to foot. Theo was still wearing an arm sling. The boys laughed at his condition.
"Are you really going to intervene? What can you do? Swing your injury?"
"Don't act like a hero, boy. Know your place."
Theo gazed sharply at them. "I should be the one telling you that. Know your place."
He walked closer to them and analyzed his distance from them. Theo stepped his right foot backward and aimed for a high kick. In a swift, he hit the man's head. Theo turned around and kicked his stomach, sending him straight to the wall.
He shifted his attention to the other guy. "It's time to apply the little trick I've been practicing." The trick was called 'One Armed Wing Chun Fighting' where the fighter used only one hand to block his opponent's punches through a wiping motion. His enemy took too long to react and gave him the chance to hit his stomach with his knee.
Theo was breathing heavily as he looked at the boys laying unconscious on the ground.
"Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" he asked.
His heart skip a beat when she embraced him.
"Thank you," she said. He could feel her breathing under his chin.
"Y-you're welcome."
He held her shoulders and pulled her away.
"Are you sure you're alright?" he said while checking her face.
"Yeah. I'm fine."
"Let me take you home."
Theo stood five meters beside her.
"Hm. Can I ask you a question?" she said.
"Of course."
"What did you mean I am your woman?"
"What? When did I say that?"
"You said 'take your hands off my woman.' I remember it clearly."
Theo rubbed his nape. "Oh, that. I was just... I was trying to act cool. You know. Like a grand opening."
Zara chuckled. "You're such a funny guy. No wonder Hailey likes you."
Theo pressed his lips together. "She does?"
"Her eyes are sparkling every time she talks about you."
"Oh."
Zara looked at him. "You don't seem glad to hear it."
"Because my heart belongs to someone else," he said and met her gaze.
Zara looked away as silence slipped between them. Theo pretended to observe the environment.
"You were really amazing back then," she said.
"Not at all. I was lucky that those guys were slow and they don't have the basic skills."
"How did you do that? It was so fast. To think you can't move your left arm."
"It's about knowing how to control your arms. No matter how many attacks they throw at you, as long as you know when and where to position your fist smoothly, you have the upper hand," Theo explained.
"I still can't believe it though. It sounds so easy."
"I study the efficiency of movements."
"I want to learn self-defense too!"
"If you want, I can help you out. I know the president of the Martial Arts Club. I will convince him to take some time to teach you."
"Really?" Zara flashed her brightest smile.
"Y-yeah. I will inform you if he agrees. May I have your number?"
"Sure."
Theo lent her his phone.
"I'll call you soon. And by the way, take these donuts," he said.
"Thank you."
It was seven in the evening when Theo arrived at the boy's dormitory.
"Good evening, babe-" Theo paused when he didn't see Stan in the room. He wasn't in the bathroom either. "Where could he be hiding?"
Theo changed his clothes and went to check the swimming pool. Stan loved night swimming whenever he was feeling exhausted or when he had some deep thinking to do.
His instincts didn't fail him. Stan was resting on the folding chair bed while sipping a glass of red wine.
"He probably couldn't sleep," Theo uttered.
He tiptoed behind him in an attempt to surprise him. But when he was about to shake Stan's shoulders, he saw what he was holding. He thought it was a pocketbook. But it was actually a photo album. It was their photos when they were kids together with Cade. Every picture held a childhood memory they treasured the most.
Now he understood.
'Stan ran as the campus president for Cade's sake. Cade broke the first and second rules to stay low-key and invisible, and avoid being the center of attraction. Stan stole everyone's attention to take their interest away from Cade,' he thought.
"Hey," Theo said.
Stan closed the photo album.
"What time is it, Theo Burton?"
"I'm sorry for being late, Dad. I was in demand."
"Where's my coffee cake?"
"I ate them after our forum. I was starving."
Stan glared at him.
"Just kidding." Theo revealed the plastic bag and placed it on his lap. He bowed his head and said, "Ingest them all, your majesty."
"Wait a minute. Where have you been? I could smell the romantic juice that has notes of luscious plum, subtle jasmine, and sensual white musk. It's a girl's perfume, isn't it?" Stan closed his eyes as he tried to recall something. He snapped his fingers and said, "Ah. It's Zara Evans. You were with Zara."
Theo hugged himself. "Stop it, Stan. You're giving me some goosebumps. How could you remember her scent within hours of dating her once?"
"How could I not? It's one of the most expensive perfumes I know. It is a limited edition. So, are you making a move on her?"
"Why are you so concerned with my love life, Stan?"
"Am I not allowed to?"
Theo held his shoulder. "I would appreciate it if you focus on Elsie. Okay?"
Stan's brows furrowed. "Elsie? Where did that come from? She's out of this conversation."
Theo left him with a grin on his face.
The next day, Theo erased the writings on the board while humming a song. Elijah, his classmate, leaned on the door while staring at him.
"You are in a good mood today. What's the occasion?" Elijah asked.
Theo looked at him with a smile, revealing his white teeth. The rays of the sun made him brighter. Elijah was almost blinded.
"Nothing," Theo replied.
"People say nothing when there is something," Elijah replied as he narrowed his eyes.
Theo stormed out of the classroom, slightly jumping and greeting every teacher that passed by. He breathed the fresh at the Senior High building.
"Theo. Hi," Zara said.
"Hi. Good morning." Theo suppressed a smile. "I'm here to tell you that my phone died. It fell off while I was fighting those thugs back then."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's not your fault. I can always come here if the president of the Martial Arts Club agrees to teach you."
"Thank you so much, Theo."
Theo diverted his sight to the sketch pad in her hands.
"Do you want to see my sketches?" she asked.
"If you may."
Theo held her sketch pad with her designs of gowns and men's attire.
"Wow. This is incredible. I mean it," he said.
"Really? Our themes for this year's fashion week are galaxies and outer space."
"That sounds exciting. I will be there."
"The ensemble is gorgeous, isn't it?"
"What's that?"
"An ensemble in the context of fashion is typically an outfit that includes jewelry, accessories, and other finishing touches. An ensemble refers to the complete appearance."
"Oh. Okay."
Theo tapped a gown with the colors black and white. "I like this. It's simple and elegant."
"It's called monochrome. An outfit with only black and white colors. It is paired with accessories with the same tones."
Theo nodded. They continued their conversation about her love of art and fashion. And Theo, who lack knowledge about it, listened attentively.
In the following days, Zara received anonymous messages.
'Good morning, Zara. This is your secret admirer. I've come to your inbox. Surprise! Please don't freak out. I got your number in a decent manner. A little tip: we are schoolmates and I am exceptionally good-looking. Please do not reply or ask me anything because I will not respond. Just allow me to be here and value your existence.'
'Good noon, Zara. I hope you're eating lunch right now. Stay healthy and hydrated. You look beautiful from where I am right now."
'Good evening, Zara. Have you had dinner? I'm eating spaghetti bolognese and sausages. I like them. But you are my favorite.'
'Good night, Zara. Rest your eyes. I'll be looking at it tomorrow. I'll see you in my dreams where I can hold you and I'll think of you in the morning when I can admire you from afar. Stay lovable, my dosage of endorphins.'
***
The bell rang for class dismissal in the afternoon. Some boys were playing frisbee on the field, while others were playing football. The drum and bugle corps were practicing their performance on the racetrack. Some freshmen occupied the benches while drooling for the football players, while the boys from the sophomores were eyeing the thighs of the band majorette.
Zara went to the gym after Theo told her during lunch that the Martial Arts Club president accepted her offer in exchange for best-selling novels.
Theo said, "He is a busy person, but he could make time to teach you. Isn't he amazing?"
When Zara entered the gym, she saw a man's back. He was wearing their uniform with a blue belt around his waist.
"You're here," he said and slowly turned around.
Zara's eyes widened. Not because he looked perfectly fine with the uniform.
"Theo? You are the president of the Martial Arts Club?"