Uti held her breath for a moment as she faced Novan in the doorway of her classroom. Uti wanted to get out of the classroom to get some fresh air, while Novan wanted to go inside.
The awkwardness that was so thick between the two made Uti couldn't help but remember what happened yesterday afternoon when Novan drove her home.
At that time, an unexpected question slipped from the boy's lips, and Uti couldn't even imagine it anymore because she was too shocked to think. As soon as Novan asked if Uti wanted to be his girlfriend, Uti got nervous and ran away. Uti didn't give Novan any explanation, leaving the boy confused and at a loss for words. Novan felt like he was being left hanging. Uti hadn't given any answers, and Novan was still a little hopeful.
"Can you step aside? I'm going out."
Novan immediately stepped aside to the left, allowing Uti to pull out, the girl didn't say a word after that, as if there was nothing more to explain. Novan was waiting for reassurance.
Unable to bear this unpleasant situation, Novan decided to join the class again. At least Uti would give a response, whether to accept Novan or not. So that Novan would not be confused like this.
Novan walked behind Uti, the girl hadn't realized anything until Novan's voice pierced her eardrums.
"You haven't given me an answer yet."
As her steps halted, Uti turned around, her breath coming in long gasps. Trying to pull himself together, Uti knew that sooner or later this problem would have to be solved.
"I'm sure you know what I mean." Novan continued as Uti remained silent.
Uti looked at her surroundings, which were quite crowded, Uti did not want to discuss it here, she needed a quiet environment with not many people, and she did not want someone to notice or openly see and eavesdrop. Uti did not want to be a spectacle.
After taking a deep breath, Uti said briefly, "I will answer your question, but not here."
"Where?"
"Follow me."
Uti walked first, followed by Novan, who now positioned himself to walk beside Uti.
"Where are we going?" asked Novan, his eyes glancing at Uti who remained focused on his steps.
"To a place where there are rarely people." That was the only answer Uti gave, not very specific, but Novan didn't say much more. He followed her in silence.
Wherever it was, Novan didn't care, he could follow Uti's will. What Novan needed most right now was an answer so that everything was clear and he didn't have to wonder anymore.
Until finally, Novan knew Uti's destination. The school rooftop. The two of them went up to that place. Yes, the place was ringing quietly.
The two of them have now arrived and are standing on the edge of the balcony. Their fathers are hit by a cool and soothing breeze. For a moment, both of them were silent, only a few seconds before Novan finally spoke up.
"So?" asked Novan.
"Before I answer, I have a question for you."
"You can ask it now," Novan said quickly.
Uti's gaze continued to be fixed forward, looking far into the future. "I was surprised when you said that yesterday afternoon, so I immediately pulled out."
"And your question?"
This time, Uti glanced at Novan. "Why did you do that?"
"Why would I ask you out?" asked Novan, completing Uti's unclear question.
Uti nodded in affirmation.
"Because I like you, it's that simple. I like you. Understand?"
"Why me?"
"Because I like you." Novan answered briefly, but his words sounded deep. "There's no way I'm going to ask another girl out when the only thing on my mind is you, the only thing in my heart is you, and all I want to see is your face."
Uti looked down. She was still confused by this situation. This was a surprise for Uti. While her heart was suddenly thundering loudly, Uti still insisted on being calm. "Why do you even like me? There are many girls who are better than me."
"The only good one is you."
"There are girls who are prettier than me, and many like you. Why do you even—"
"Why would I choose you?" Novan cut Uti off, not giving her time to finish his sentence.
"I explained earlier."
"I'm not pretty, you know that. I'm fat, I'm not like other girls."
"I really like you, I don't know how long I've wanted to say this. I really want to be your boyfriend, I don't care about anything, you're beautiful in my eyes."
Uti shook her head slowly. "I don't know if I like you or not. And you know what? I'm still shocked by your actions."
"The decision is in your hands, I'm ready to hear the answer. I don't have a problem, whatever your answer is, I will accept it well. Of course I will be very happy if you accept me, but even if you reject me, I will understand that."
"Do you really like me, or are you kidding me?"
"Look at my face, do I look like I'm playing around? I've liked you for a long time, and I'm scared that I'll be rejected by another boy, that's why I'm telling you what I feel."
Uti looked at Novan's face for a long time while swallowing her saliva. A handsome boy like Novan liked Uti? Uti herself had never even thought about this.
"I'll embarrass you, everyone will hate me because I'm dating you."
Novan chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I don't care what other people think. And you should too. You have two hands, right? Cover your ears with your hands when you hear other people's harsh words, because you can't silence them one by one with your two hands."
Uti nodded, understanding what Novan was explaining.
"So? Do you want to be my girlfriend? I promise I will always take care of you, I will do anything for you, and I will try to be the best for you."
"I—" Uti paused her sentence, Novan's deep gaze made Uti's heart swell even more. Novan was a good boy, Uti knew that. "I want to be your boyfriend," she continued, looking away.
Novan blinked his eyes. "Are you seriously?"
"I'm not really in love with you yet, but I'll try. I admit that you're nice, you—" Uti looked into Novan's beautiful eyes again. Uti then sighed softly and shook her head. "Anyway, I'll try, I want to be your girlfriend."
By now, Novan's smile was fully expanded. Novan couldn't contain his excitement. "Thank you very much, I promise I won't disappoint you."
Uti nodded slowly, now smiling too. "I don't know how I feel about you right now, but if I'm honest, I always get nervous when I get close to you."
"Think of it as a sign that you like me too, but you still deny it." Novan raised his eyebrows with a soft laugh.
"No!"
"You want to go to the movies with me? Don't tell me you want to reject me again?"
Uti held back her smile. "I want to go with you."
"Hey, who's already engaged?"
Both Novan and Uti were surprised to hear Weeby's voice, followed by Marcell and Erza's laughter. They finally came out of their hiding place and caught up with Novan and Uti. Uti's cheeks were now completely red.
"Are you all peeping?" Novan glared one by one at his friends.
"UPS! Busted!"
Again, laughter was heard.
"It's really bad, I'm the only single one here!" Erza pouted.
"That's why you're looking for me!" said Novan.
Erza glared wide. "Wow, you're really bad, just because you have a girlfriend now!" Erza then looked at Uti. "You better break up with that kid now."
"I'm not jealous of you."
Everyone was now laughing again, only Erza was now grumbling.
THE END