“Hey Asari—” Zach was about to approach Asari while she was at her locker when he saw his best buddy head towards her. Zach saw that natural smile that burst from her lips the very second she saw Jace, there was an overall change in her demeanor.

Jace handed her a piece of paper, she glanced at it and received it graciously and smiled at him. Isn’t that Irsa’s Letter? He’s returning it to her? Jace soon waved goodbye and was joined by Oresa.

Asari looked teary-eyed but Zach also saw her effort to try and hide her disappointment, and possibly sadness.

“Why is Zachary Marte staring at Asarinella like some stalker? I must know!” a female voice spoke. He turned around and saw what he expected.

“’Sup Thelea.” Zach greeted. “You’re surprisingly not with Daneo.”

“Oh geez, I don’t always have to be with him, you know~” She said with a small grin. “Wasn’t that Jace with Asari? Don’t tell me you’re being overly jealous because of your best friend. You know he loves Re-re a lot.”

“That’s not what is bothering me” He started walking away from the locker area. Thelea walked with him. “I think she’s still into him, and seeing them together…might make her feel hurt.”

“That’s so cute of you, Zach~” Thelea teased. “…If only you were this cute and caring when we were together.”

“Oh shut it.” Zachary replied, sounding embarrassed. “How’re things with Daneo?”

Thelea shrugged and started twirling her blonde hair with her petite fingers, “We’ve been going out a few weeks now. But somehow he seems less interested in me.” She tried to conjure up a smile beaming with confidence. “Well I’m pretty sure it’s one of those guy things; with my beauty and charisma he’ll come crawling back~”

“Glad to know you haven’t changed much.” Zach grinned.

********************************************************************

“Yeahhhh! Finally beat the crap outta him.” Jace happily said. He then turned to his buddy. “Do you reckon if there would still be other hidden quests after this?”

“Huh?”

Jace stopped and stared at his absent-minded friend.

“Dude, you o’right?” He asked.

“Yeah, sorry ‘bout spacin’ out like that.” Zach said, gaining back his composure.

“What’s up? You don’t usually act this way.” His coffee-haired friend spoke with slight concern as he lowered his game controller on the table in front of him. “You seem out of it.”

“I know right. Well, some stuff happened.” He answered. “Asari said yes when I asked her to go on a movie date with me on Saturday. But then…”

“Ha! Zachary Marte is actually nervous about a date?” Jace teased. “What on earth is happening here?”

“It’s not like that, you tard-face.” He sounded quite angry.

“’Kay fine, you don’t need to be too grouchy. What about it then?”

“I think the Irsa within her is still longing for you, Jace.” Zach spoke bitterly. “And I’ve been trying real hard but I can’t even beat you in her heart even after you turned her confession down and started dating Oresa. She still has that look on her face every time you’re around. It sucks big time.”

Jace swung his arm around Zach’s neck, “Zach ol’ buddy, don’t worry too much about it. I know you’ll find a way. You always do. Besides, I think it was only infatuation that she felt for me.”

Or was it?

********************************************************************

“Zach, you’re surprisingly on low energy today. Are you sure you still want to help out with the environmental posters?” Oresa asked.

“Yeah, mom wants me to join a lot of crap so I can add it in my college application.”

“Haha, that’s too straight-forward of you.” She laughed.

“Hmm, how are you and Jace?”

“Eh? Why are you suddenly asking about that?”

“Just curious.”

“Hmmm, we’re happy I suppose. He’s all sweet and nice; it’s awkward at times, knowing where we both come from.” She was smiling under those tints of red on her cheek, complimenting her fiery red hair similar to Zach’s.

“I already knew a lot about him since our childhood but considering the three years we didn’t talk, I realized that there was still a lot that I need catching up on. We both also try and discover new things together as a couple.”

“I’m glad that you finally got together with him, I had to endure all those years with all that romantic tension between you two after all. But then suddenly you two stopped talking to each other. ‘Twas pretty weird you know?”

“Is that so?” Oresa grinned. “How about you and Asari? I haven’t seen her around much since I’ve been too busy.”

“There’s not much progress. She's cute and I know she’s a keeper but I find it hard to compete with my buddy ol’ pal in her heart.”

“Hmmm. That sounds rough, but don’t give up yet. I lost three years of what would have been if only I approached Jace bravely after that incident; don’t let it happen to you too in a way. You're a decent guy when you're not too full of yourself or if you're not worrying too much."

"Hey!"

"I’m pretty certain you can capture her heart with sheer hard work and dedication. Girls generally like thoughtful and dedicated guys, you know.”

“Yeah, thanks.” Zach heaved off a sigh and gave a weak smile. He didn’t seem to have any confidence in him.

“That said,” Oresa slowly raised an eyebrow, saying, “Hard work will only pay off if you’re really serious about this. I think you already know that though. And of course it depends on how she’ll receive it.”

“Yeah. I don’t know why, but I can’t help but want to be with her. I mean, I don’t think it’s because Jace got such a great girlfriend and that I feel jealous or anything. It’s just that, ever since that night…I can’t help but really want to get to know her more. What’s in her head, what gave her the strength to do what she did as Irsa, how she spends her day, what food she likes, and those sorts of things.”

Oresa giggled. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me. You need to show it to her; whatever feelings you seem to have.”

“I-I know that!” It was really a little bit out of character for Zach to feel caught off-guard.

“Good. What I do need for you to do is to actually help me with the layout and the printing of these posters.” Oresa gave a strict smile as she tapped her digits on the papers laid out on the table.

“Right, sorry!”