Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Alex was a little surprised until he froze in silence. He never thought he would get a birthday present from someone like this. Once again Ruby touched Alex as if she knew everything Alex was feeling.

“How do you know that today is my birthday?” asked Alex as he looked at Ruby with sparkling eyes.

“I went to Facebook and our school kids talked about your birthday. Looks like you're popular because everyone was so excited talking about your birthday. “ Said, Ruby.

“Can I open it?” suggested Alex while grinning and looking so enthusiastic to open the birthday present he held.

Ruby also nodded her head and excitedly Alex opened the first present he accepted. Alex paused and looked at the paintbrush and paint which was a present given by Ruby. His eyes sparkled and wet when he saw the paintbrush. Emotion and touch filled Alex's heart. He did not expect Ruby to give him a brush and paint to paint. This is the first time someone gave him such a present.

“ Why? You don't like it? Sorry, huh ... since there wasn't much chance to prepare the gifts, I couldn't think of any other favors other than brush and color. If you don't want it I can exchange the gifts. “ Ruby's words misinterpreted Alex's feelings when he stared at his gift in silence.

Ruby who thought Alex didn't prefer her present felt very guilty because she had chosen a present rushing and didn't think. Feeling wrong because she gave a gift that Alex didn't like, Ruby likewise tried to get back the present she offered but Alex pulled the present so Ruby couldn't get it.

“I like it, thank you.” Said Alex with sparkling eyes and tears in his eyes.

Ruby still smiled when she saw Alex smiling. She was glad that she had changed Alex's mood. The thing that made her the most cheerful was seeing Alex, who was grinning and looking at the brush she gave him. Ruby still stared back at the view of the city that sought small down there. She closed her eyes and then sighed as the breeze blew.

***

Meanwhile, Drake looks anxious as he glances at Alex's empty chair. This is the first time Alex, the first ranked school, has skipped class, but everyone doesn't seem to think much of it except for Drake, who keeps getting restless during class. He didn't focus at all on studying and only thought about Alex and Ruby, who were truant.

Actually, Drake wasn't that concerned about Alex because he knew Alex would have no trouble skipping class. Alex is a genius and can learn on his own without a teacher beside him. But Drake is distressed about Ruby because she dragged Alex out when he was in a foul mood.

Drake was scared that Alex would be furious and say harsh words that could break Ruby's, meek heart. He was scared that Alex would make the cheerful Ruby turn into a quiet and gloomy girl like he had done with other girls because after all Alex is a cool person and doesn't care about other people's feelings. He was anxious that Alex's hard nature to get along with other people would hurt Ruby very much.

The first-class finished and it was time to rest for 15 minutes before the second class started. Drake, who had been looking very nervous, grabbed the cellphone in his pocket and tried to call Alex, but Alex didn't pick up the call until the call ended. Drake keeps trying to call Alex many times, but still, Alex ignores his calls.

“What's wrong with this kid?!” said Drake, who was disturbed because his call was ignored.

The annoyed Drake thought about leaving Alex alone. But because they have been friends since they were little, Drake can't let his friend just like that. He can't pretend as nothing happened.

Drake, who continues to feel anxious, looks for Alex. He still ran, but as soon as he arrived at the gate of his classroom, his steps stopped because Natty was blockading the door to his classroom by stretching his arms and legs so no one could get out of the classroom. Drake also sighed because he was so annoyed to see Natty's face cutting off his way.

“What are you doing? Move! “ Said Drake shouting at Natty and bursting out of his anger.

“No, before you accept my request.” Natty's words made Drake smile wryly.

“Huh, I know you like me but someone like you is not my type. A girl who is aggressive and not cute like you, no boy will love her!” replied Drake as he looked at Natty with a slight gaze.

“You're not my type either. Don't worry it, anyone who likes someone like you, I'm here because I wanted to ask you to give me Alex's schedule. “ Repeated Natty, staring at Drake with annoyance.

“Sorry, yes, but I'm someone who is very trustworthy, friend. I know Alex doesn't go for to be disturbed and I will never betray my buddies. Not even no matter what. “ Drake told firmly.

Natty smiled to hear Drake say about true friends because everyone also knows that Drake is a guy who is very crazy about girls. And Natty has prepared a powerful weapon to attack Drake's weakness. For haggling Natty is an expert because she knows how to get what she wants from other people by offering something the guy she is bargaining with can't refuse.

Natty also grabbed her shirt pocket and took out a photograph while smiling with one corner of her lips. Natty's smirk that looks meaningful and very confident makes Drake wonder what picture is she holding by the annoying girl who is blocking his way.

“You sure you won't give me Alex's daily schedule, even if I hand over you the chance to go on a one-day date with a beautiful girl?” said Natty with a smirk to himself.

But Drake tried hard to restrain himself. He tried very hard so that Natty wouldn't overturn his defenses. Drake doesn't want to betray his friend just because of a girl because he knows it's a terrible thing to do.

“Huh, you won't be able to make me betray my friend even with a girl's bait,” Drake said with a smug smile.

Natty smiled with a corner of her lips, even though Drake refused her offer but Natty knew that somehow Drake would agree to fulfill her request. Natty also flipped the photo in her hand so that Drake could see whose photo was in Natty's hand.

At first, Drake looked away and tried to refuse Natty's offer, but as soon as the tail of his eyes saw Jane's face clearly displayed so beautifully in the photo, Drake's eyes opened wide so that they almost came out. Drake immediately took a photo of Jane from Natty's hand and stared at the photo very closely while smiling broadly.

Jane is a very popular teen model and is also Drake's favorite model. Beautiful face, white skin, and innocent and feminine image. Jane has the impression of being a teenager's first love. Jane even became popular in a short time and got the nickname of the first national boyfriend because of her beautiful, innocent, and feminine face.

Meeting Jane is the dream of every teenage boy and Drake doesn't believe that he will ever get the golden opportunity to go on a one-day date with his model idol. Drake's defense collapses immediately, and he accepts Natty's offer. Whatever it is if the reply is to meet Jane, then Drake is ready to do whatever it takes. Natty smiled with satisfaction to see Drake who was very crazy about Jane's photo.