Chapter 16

Marcel's POV

-In his bedroom-

*Time check, it's quarter to 12 midnight*

Now you're standing there right in front of me

I hold on, it's getting harder to breathe

All of a sudden these lights are blinding me

I never noticed how bright they would be

"Ahh, I suck at this.." I said to myself, getting my hands off my piano.

I've been trying to compose a song for, you know... Tiana.

I can't believe I actually kissed her cheek.

I kissed her cheek.

She was so soft like a flower petal. She smelled so sweet. I guess her scent was, I don't know.. Peppermint? I love peppermint on girls to be honest.

Anyway, I've been trying to compose a song for her since I'm already planning... planning to confess my feelings towards her. I know, I should've done this before but I was too nervous. I feared that moment when she'll reject me like the other girls I liked just because I'm a nerd and I looked like this.

But she's different.

She accepted my flaws and she stood by me with or without glasses on. She's my angel. And I think it's time to show her how I really feel about her. How special she is to me. How I really want her to be a bigger part of my life.

Her family and the way they live is a big pressure for me though but I don't care. I'll ignore it. I love Tiana and I'll boost up my guts just to tell her that.

I'm going to tell her tomorrow.

Tiana's POV

-Next day-

*School bell rings*

Math class.

I got in the classroom and sat down at my desk as Mr. Curtis, our math teacher, came in with his bag and class records.

"Okay class, all of you sit and settle down now," he said and then turned to me "Except you, Miss Carter." he added as I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Is there something wrong, sir?" I said, a bit nervously as he smiled.

"No, no, Miss Hiddleston has asked you to come to her office, now." he said as I nodded slowly and picked up my bag and went out of the classroom.

-Principal's Office-

"Ah, Miss Carter," Miss Hiddleston said as I came in her office. "Good morning,"

"Good morning, Ma'am," I said smiling as she smiled back.

"Please, take a seat," she said as I sat down in front of her desk.

"May I know why you called me?" I asked as she removed her glasses.

"You do remember your one week suspension right? Starting next week?" she asked.

"Yes," I mumbled as she straightened up a pile of papers.

"Well, I can cancel that suspension so it won't cause any harm in your class records for college." she said which made my face lighten up.

"Really?" I said in a relieved tone.

"But," she cut off "In one condition," she said putting a finger up as I got back to my glum face.

"What condition?" I asked as she gave me 2 stapled papers.

"You join the school's debate team to compete with the debate teams in Stanford and Toronto University." she started "You won't be debating though. Instead, you compete with the other team in the category of extemporaneous speech. The debate team will be having sponsored flights to go to Toronto, Canada tomorrow since the competition will be held in Toronto University. And since you are one of my best students in literature and public speaking, I'm choosing you to be one of the students to compete. Plus, to eliminate your suspension from your student records."  she added as my heart dropped to my stomach.

Me? Stanford University and Toronto University are waaay out of my league and just to cancel my suspension, I have to compete with one of the universities that have such highly intelligent students?

Before I knew it, I stopped staring at Miss Hiddleston in shock and suddenly started laughing.

"Ma'am, you could be joking." I laughed "I mean, you can't be serious putting me in a team to compete with kids in Stanford and TU, I mean--" I said as Miss Hiddleston stared at me seriously with a blank expression and raising an eyebrow.

Oh God

She seems serious.

"Wait, you're serious?" I said as she nodded "B-But Ma'am, I don't think I'm capable,"

"You are capable Miss Carter. You just need to try. It's the only way to cancel your suspension and remove it from your student records." she said.

"Why me? Why not Marcel Styles? I mean, he's the one who's running as batch valedictorian, not me!" I said in a very noticeable nervous tone.

"Mr. Styles doesn't need to because he is not the one suspended." she said which made me silent.

Now she got me.

I just stared blankly at my hands thinking about it. After a few moments, Miss Hiddleston sighed and wore back her glasses.

"I'll give you some time to think about it. If you'd finally agree to join, just come to my office so I can write your name on the team list. You may now go." she said as I stood up and went out of the office.

As I walked down the hallway, caressing my right arm with my left hand, my heart started to pump fast.

What if the debate teams will choose me for the clincher round?

What if I'll lose? That would be such an embarrassing time for me.

I started to feel so down that time and felt like crying.

Until I bumped into someone.

Someone I've been longing to see.

"Marcel..."

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I am sooo sorry for updating late. Got so busy at work. :(( Buuuut I hope you like this chapter! Enjoy!

Cara xx.