Chapter 3

Jupiter is asking me out to a sushi date. A date. A freaking date! Turns out I didn’t embarrass myself after all. Thank goodness I have the courage to shoot my shot! Those glitters I stitched on the envelope are quite expensive… but it’s worth it!

“What’s with your face?” Lilac friskily bumped me on the shoulder. I laughed at her as I continued washing the remaining dishes on the sink. My shift is about to finish in an hour so I told Jupiter to meet me after work.

It’s our school break so I decided to spend the whole summer earning money. I’m currently working as a waitress and dishwasher at a cheap eatery near our campus. During the night, I’m freelancing in different online platforms for extra money. What I learned in life is not to settle in one income. You need side hustles in case you get fired from your main job.

“Well…” I giggled before facing her. “My crush asked me out!”

Lilac slapped a hand over her mouth as she stared at me in shock. “The Jupiter guy? Oh my God, you’re kidding!”

“No!” I squealed laughingly. “He texted me just now and he’s asking if I wanna go grab some sushi with him. He must’ve seen my heart-fluttering letter!” I continued giggling like a high school girl.

My workmate sauntered closely to me. “What if he’s asking you out to reject you?”

I glared at her. “Of course not! I know Jupiter. If he doesn’t like a girl, he’ll just ignore her as a sign of rejection. Well clearly-“

“But you guys are somewhat friends, right? Of course, he’d definitely sort things out with you…”

I felt my shoulders sagged. Lilac is right, I risked our blooming friendship. If I was a random girl or schoolmate, he’d definitely just ignore my confession. But we personally know each other! I’m sure he felt a little pressure and guilt about my feelings.

Lilac shrugged. “I love your optimism, Juno. But it’s better to expect for the worse so you wouldn’t badly get hurt in case he gives you the wrong answer.”

My mood shrunk even more. Nevertheless, I still went home and wore my best dress in case he’s giving me the answer that I want. I mean… who the hell would invite a girl over for a sushi night just to reject her? That’s rude and cruel! And very ungentleman! Jupiter is not like that.

I looked at the mirror and sighed in satisfaction after curling my golden brown hair. I’m wearing a fitted beige dress paired up with a black stiletto. I also threw a few colors to my face. I like it. I’m satisfied with how I look. I hope Jupiter won’t send me home crying ‘cause I have a book of spells and curse in my drawer.

I grabbed my phone and saw him left a brand new message from the notifications. He’s coming to pick me up!

Glancing at my vanity mirror one last time, I left my bedroom and hurried downstairs. Unfortunately, Tatiana was home and I run into her on my way out. Her brows churned and she looked at me from head to foot, looking confused as to why I’m fully dolled up.

“Where are you heading to, ugly duckling?” Her arms folded as she smirked at me mockingly. “What’s the occasion? And why am I not invited?”

I grinned back at her. “Sorry, no pets allowed.”

Her face immediately flared up. “You’re not one to talk. I mean… have you seen yourself?”

“Yes. Pretty. And you?” I tiptoed closer to her with my chin held high. Tatiana leveled with my jaw. Even when she’s two years older than me, I still am taller than her. And I love it! I enjoy the height difference so much. I feel satisfied whenever she’s looking up at me because she and her father was a pro at making me feel so small at the very own home where I grew up in.

“Pretty?” She laughed mockingly at me. “Between the two of us, I’m not the one who never had a boyfriend since birth.”

“Oh!” It was my turn to laugh. “Honey, I’m not the one who’s desperate and in constant need of validation from the boys just to know if I look good or not. Being single is a personal choice. You’d be surprise to know how many of your ex-boyfriends have slipped through my chat box multiple times.”

“How dare you-“

A loud honk from the outside cut her off.

“My date is here! See you later, Tati!” I stick my tongue out and waved good bye at her before making my way out of the house.

I felt the fast racing of my heart when I saw Jupiter’s black sedan parked outside the gate. The window of his car slid down and he smiled at me before getting off his vehicle.

“Hey! Uh… y-you look good.” I smiled shyly at him. I then awkwardly tucked the hair on the side of my ear while wearing a silly smile on my face, like the usual leading woman in a romantic film. Jupiter chuckled and I felt my cheeks flushed.

“You don’t look bad yourself.” He replied and I couldn’t believe I had the nerve to giggle at his bare minimum compliment. Will that be his answer to my letter and confession? How unfortunate of me.

The car ride was silent… and painfully awkward. Our conversation was full of open-ended questions. Every snide comments and follow up remarks became utterly cringe. I couldn’t even count the amount of times I had to purposely clear my throat just to create a noise between us.

In the end, Jupiter had to turn on the radio so we ended up listening to generic and cringey pop music which became a painful trend in the music industry right now. Jupiter was surprisingly an Ariana Grande fan and I don’t know how to feel about that. He looked so comfortable banging his head and singing along to her songs.

I couldn’t imagine… a tall and hunk man like him, who’s currently wearing a formal suit, bopping along to such artist and music…

I awkwardly laughed beside him after the song finished. It was then followed by a ballad song so the rainbow fun atmosphere slowly vanished.

“Wow… didn’t expect you’re a fan.” I commented while gazing out of the window car. “Perhaps you’re also a Gaga stan?”

His loud gasp made my head turn to his direction.

“Oh gosh! Yes, I love her! You like her too? Are you a fan?” His eyes sparkled in excitement as he started fanboying over the pop icon.

I shook my head and chuckled, utterly weirded out. Some people on the internet often use music as their personality trait and I completely disagree with that. It’s a clear example of vanity for me. But right now… I couldn’t help but…

Never mind.

“Not much,” I shrugged as the car parked in front of a fancy Japanese restaurant. “I like alt music and soul stuffs. I listen to pop music sometimes, but I couldn’t stand it most of the times. They sounds like Nokia ringtones. Especially those bubblegum pop songs on the radio.”

I heard him let out an offended gasp.

“You have a very boring taste.” He got off the car and I waited for him to open the door for me.

“And you like meaningless songs with horrible lyrics. Just the fun beat and all.” I smirked at him before getting off his car.

“Okay, Karen.” He rolled his eyes. “Tell your favorite artists to go and publish their poems somewhere else instead of slapping them on the piano.”

It was my turn to be offended. God… I didn’t know he is this childish. To end the petty conversation, I just laughed at him in response.

His forehead was crumpled in irritation while we’re heading inside the restaurant. Even so, he still acted like a gentleman to me – opening the door while letting me in first, and pulling the chair for me to sit. I stifled the smile threatening to stretch on my lips. He’s such a dream guy. He definitely knows what he’s doing with that rolled up sleeves and bulky chest. Oh… the way I’m imagining myself sulking on his broadness…

Alright, that’s enough.

A waiter approached our table and handed a menu to each one of us. I felt my eyes widened at the price of their dishes and meals.

I cleared my throat to get my date’s attention. Jupiter looked at me with an arched brow.

“Please tell me this is your treat ‘cause there’s no way I’m wasting my money on this foolishness. Like what are these? Do they mix gold grains and diamonds in these foods? This is absurd!” My mouth didn’t stop until I finished flipping on the pages of the menu. I can’t believe these costumers are willingly paying multiple bucks for a meal that they can finish in one chug!

I mean… I used to have that lavish life when my parents were around but I’ve learned the real value of money when I lost them.

Jupiter guffawed loudly on his seat which startled me out of my reverie. Even the waiter standing beside our table was laughing. What’s wrong with these two?

“What? Is it your treat?” I reiterated with folded arms.

Jupiter nodded laughingly. “Of course, of course. You’re just so funny… and cute.”

Now… how can I not blush and feel flustered.

I bit my lower lip and bowed my head to hide my redness.

“I… I’ll have whatever you order.” I stuttered, unable to meet his amused gaze.

The waiter jot down our order and we were left on the table with a thick atmosphere of awkwardness. Jupiter cleared his throat. I looked up at him and watched as he slowly fished out the familiar glittered envelope from his pocket.

He looked at me with a straight face and I gulped nervously.

“Juno…” he uttered my name softly. And when he extended his arm out on the table, clutching my letter, as if returning it back… I clearly got his response to my confession.

I snickered, averting my eyes off of him.

“Juno…”

“Y-you could’ve let us finish our food first. Now you spoil my mood and I’ve lost my appetite,” I tried to laugh it off while nodding my head in understanding.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, bowing his head.

“No! Don’t be sorry, I would feel so pathetic.” I let out a pained sigh. “I understand. B-but… may I know the reason why?”

He looked up at me and I noticed how his Adam’s apple bobbed up in obvious fear.