Chapter 1

The watch on my wrist reads eight-thirty five in the morning which hurled me in panic. It's the first day of the final week and my first exam would take place this nine! I almost tripped on the front porch stairs on my way out while trying to chase my Uncle's car.

Due to my desperation to arrive in time, I knocked on the car's window; even when I'm completely aware he'd scream on my face after I just touched one of his prized possessions. School is half an hour away from the house and if I won't do this, I might fail one of my subjects. This wouldn't be a problem to me had my professor for the first exam isn't the most terror and inconsiderate person I've ever known my entire life. 

I nearly rolled my eyes. Why am I being surrounded with loathsome and unrighteous persons? What have I done so punishable in my life that He put me in this kind of environment. Whatever the answer is, it doesn't matter right now 'cause I'm already running late!

The window slid down, revealing Tatiana's annoyed face. Her on-flick eyebrows nearly had Mt. Fuji shaking because of the way she's arching them in a judgmental manner to me. What's new, anyway? She always look at me that way. As if I'm a pest who doesn't deserve a single glance from her highness. 

"What?!" She spat harshly. Uncle was beside her, looking at me with a blank, bored face. 

I glanced at my wrist watch. "C-can I ride to school with you? My exam is about to begin in t-thirty minutes. I-I'm afraid I wouldn't arrive in time if I'd walk 'til the gate to look for a cab. P-please... let me ride with you for once-"

And the car roared to life, swooshing past me as they headed off to school mercilessly without me. I gritted my teeth in irritation before letting out a frustrated sigh. 

I'd have to walk for ten minutes to reach the village's gate. That would leave me with twenty minutes to look for a cab that could bring me to school. However, public transportations rarely passes by outside so I should've booked a car in advance. 

I should've known better...

I thought, just for once, they'd be kind enough to let me share the car with them. 

My grip tightened on the strap of my backpack. A black cat then suddenly appeared on my toes; it's the stray cat I usually see around the area. I couldn't bring it inside since Uncle won't allow any animal beside the teacup poodle he gifted to her spoiled brat daughter. And base on what I witnessed, Tatiana doesn't even care about her pet. 

I bent down to and patted the little kitty. She's not a full grown cat yet. 

"Hey, Pickle..."

The cat meowed at me. She continued rubbing her head on my ankle, obviously asking for attention. A small smile stretched on my lips. Aside from a few trusted friends at school, Pickle is the only ally I’ve got in this battle.

Or… maybe not. Maybe there’s someone else beside them after all…

A black BMW sedan parked in front of us. Pickle immediately ran towards the car, as if waiting for the driver to come down. However, the door remained intact. The window slid down, revealing that charming basketball player who saved the school game a few weeks ago.

He’s wearing a dark shades and his perfect set of white teeth were beaming at me. His hair was a slight mess as a few strands were hanging lazily on his forehead.

“Hop in…” his head slightly cocked towards the passenger seat, motioning the space beside him and probably recalling the first time I rode in his car when I made him my driver after I slid in the backseat. That was hella embarrassing for me!

I nearly jumped in joy. I thought I’ll be walking under the heat of the sun early in this morning.

I rose to my feet and picked up Pickle to bring her on the pavement. She’s scratching the car, as if begging for the driver to open up.

“Whose cat is that?” I heard him asked. “Is that yours? Why don’t you bring it inside your house first? I’ll wait for you here…”

I shook my head as I walked towards the passenger seat. It is such a bafflement to me how he’s always around the area when I needed help… or saving. Is it safe to say now that he could be my prince charming? Or my knight in shining armor? I giggled secretly to myself. I wouldn’t deny that I learned to develop an attraction over him because of the kindness and nicety he’s showing. And not to mention… he’s extremely good looking! Who wouldn’t like a guy like him?

“Pickle is a stray cat. As much as I want to adopt her, Uncle Alvin wouldn’t allow that. He’ll just kick her out of the house, or worse, he might throw her in the cliff.” I said as soon as the car hit off the road. I’d rather see Pickle living in the streets than to risk her life inside the house. She’ll be safer outside.

I glanced at my wrist watch for the hundredth time and let out a relieved sigh. I think I could make it in time to my exam. Thanks a lot to him.

“W-what are you doing here, by the way? You live in this village?” I asked, slightly confused and curious. I was hoping he’d say yes, since that would be fun, living in the same village with my crush. However, he shook his head.

“My Aunt lives around this area. My father asked me to send a package for her before heading to school,” he then glanced swiftly at me, lips slightly curved to a smile. “Did you wake up late? You have an exam today, right?”

I nodded shyly. “I slept pretty late since I had to study for the exams. Didn’t know my alarm clock already run out of battery so I failed to wake up in time.”

He chuckled, eyes completely focused on the road. “I heard from Jacob that your birthday is nearing? You just gave me a present idea.”

I laughed, my face slowly heating up. Jacob used to be Tatiana’s boyfriend although they only lasted for three weeks. He always visits in the house to see her and he’s always been nice and kind to me. I didn’t know he remembered my birthday and even mentioned it to Jupiter.

“…but that’s if I’m invited to your party?” he glanced at me and wiggled his brows playfully. I bit my lower lip and looked away from him, feeling even more embarrassed. Party? When was even the last time I celebrated a grand birthday? I couldn’t remember anymore…

“Uh… o-of course, you’re invited,” I tried to laugh it off. “Although, it’s not something I can call a p-party.” I swallowed hard when I felt a lump blocking my throat. “Me and some of my friends eat out to celebrate my birthday. If you’re not comfortable around them, I-I can make a separate time for you… if you want…” my voice faded as I was saying those words.

Well, that kinda sounded wrong. It seems like I’m too desperate to celebrate my birthday with him that I’d be willing to make adjustments for him! What the hell?! I hope he doesn’t find me weird…

I peeked at his direction and swallowed when I noticed the wrinkle on his forehead.  I got so scared that I might have turned him off or creeped him out!

“Just… with your friends?” his lips slightly pursed. “What about your family?”

I felt my heart sank at his question. I thought he’d be weirded out by my invitation, I didn’t expect he’d be more concern about this.

“Oh!” he exclaimed, as if he remembered something or a realization has hit him. Jupiter glanced at me apologetically. “I’m sorry. That was so insensitive of me…”

My brows arched at his reaction. Jacob must’ve narrated my autobiography to him ‘cause he seemed to have an idea about my life and family issues. I exhaled deeply. It’s cute that he’s concern but I hate the fact that people are gossiping about my life.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to-“

“Seems like I have to cut someone’s tongue,” I chuckled silently before throwing him a quick glance. My eyes then darted back to the road, our school is nearing…

My fingers gripped tighter on the strap of my bag. “Do you have a question, Seph? Anything you want to know about me? I’m just not comfortable knowing that you’re getting indirect informations about my life from someone else. But don’t get me wrong, Jacob is a nice guy. I trust him and I still see him as a big brother despite his separation with my cousin. My point is… you can ask me directly about it.”

Seph… I heard that he doesn’t like being called by his first name unless you’re someone very close or dear to him. Well, we talk sometimes but that doesn’t mean we’re close. But would that stop me from calling him ‘Jupiter’ in my head? Absolutely not. I like his first name a lot. Unique… and connected to mine.

His mouth parted and he looked taken aback. He then let out a laugh; however, I couldn’t feel the humor in them. “Ah! I didn’t mean to pry or gossip about your life with Jacob, if that’s what you’re thinking. I didn’t even ask and I am not interested. He’s the one who kept talking about you in front of me for I don’t know what reason at all.”

I didn’t even ask and I’m not interested… his voice echoed in my head. Well damn, that stings a bit. That’s what I get for concluding things.

The car halted in front of the gate.

“I’m sorry, Juno. I’ll warn Jacob about this. He could also be spreading your memoir to others for all we know…”

I smiled softly at him before pushing the door open. “Don’t… it’s fine. I’ll be the one to talk to him. I think he’s genuinely concern and just want to spread awareness in you since he must’ve noticed we’re talking in the campus sometimes. He probably assumed we’re friends or something…” I chuckled to hide away my embarrassment.

His eyes widened a fraction. His face then turned serious as his eyebrows twitched, almost meeting halfway. “Well, aren’t we friends… or something?”

Dear Jupiter,

I’ve always had my eyes on you even before our very first and embarrassing interaction. You always stand out among the rest for me. You’re always there whenever I need a helping hand or whenever I’m silently screaming for aid. I’d like to think that you’re my savior, and I wouldn’t deny the fact that I’m romanticizing everything that you’ve done for me. Which is wrong, but could you blame me?

I don’t know you that much yet, but that doesn’t stop me from harboring feelings for you. Yes, this is a love letter, in case you’re still confused. This is me, confessing my feelings for you. I like you a lot, Jupiter! I’m happy to know that you’re graduating next week as the top student of your batch. Although, at the same time, I’m quite sad that I won’t be seeing you in the campus anymore. That is why I’m taking this opportunity to reveal everything to you so it would be less humiliating for me because you’d be gone anytime soon.

And regarding your question… yes, it would be an honor to be your friend. However, if you want ‘something’ more than that, I’ll be thick-faced enough to jot down my contact info at the back of this paper so you could hit me up.

Good luck to your future and career! I’ll be here, silently cheering for you with my pompoms!

Loving you, Juno <3

I quickly stashed the glittered enveloped to his locker before running out of the basketball club room.