Why does he always kiss me like that?Doesn't he know he's my first kiss?Melissa could only ask herself silently, her heart spinning in chaos.
He doesn't even realize how much he disturbs me…
"Melissa."His voice pulled her back to reality.
She turned to him, and he gently took her hand. She could never say no when someone asked for something—especially when it was him. He had always been her soft spot.
He pulled her closer until she sat beside him on the cold floor.
He let out a long sigh.
"Can I see your composition and diary again?" he asked.
She stared at him, stunned.Was he teasing her again?
"W–Why?" she whispered.
"I just want to read it again."He gave her a soft smile.
"P–Please don't joke like that…" she murmured.
"I'm not joking."His voice was steady, sincere."When Dawn sent me that file and I read it… I was happy. Really happy. Knowing you liked me… that you composed songs about me."
"Your words warmed my heart, Melissa."
Her breath caught."W–Why would you say something like that?"
He sighed deeply and met her gaze."Because at that time, someone was scheming against you. And my instincts were right. I didn't want to hurt you—but I had to act that way."
"It would've been fine with me if everything spread," she whispered. "At least if I ignored you, I wouldn't have suffered so much."
"I've always been afraid of people… because of the bullying when I was a kid. Those stares, those judgments… I hated them."Her hands trembled as she clutched her skirt.
He didn't speak. Instead, he pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I'm really sorry, Melissa," he said, voice thick with regret. "I'm sorry you had to suffer. I'm sorry for hurting you. I know you can't forgive me easily… and I understand."
Her heart twisted painfully in his arms. She clung to his uniform, shaken.
"Someday… you'll forgive me. I truly regret everything."
When their eyes met, she felt the sincerity there—real, raw, unhidden.She sighed.
"I kept asking myself why… why you said I was just a toy."Her voice cracked."Why did you do that to me?"
"I'm so sorry I ever said that," he replied quietly. "I deserve Julie's slap."
Melissa let out a weak laugh."Sorry too that my sister slapped you. She's just… feisty. But she's kind."
He chuckled softly. "Yeah, I deserved it. All of it. I just wish someday you'll really forgive me."
"Raymond… I don't hold grudges," she said. "When I heard your reasons, when I heard your regret… I realized I can't hold anger against someone who sincerely apologizes. It's okay now."
"Melissa…"He pulled her into another embrace."Thank you. Thank you for forgiving me that easily."
She blushed at his sudden closeness."S-So… we're okay now."
He leaned back and looked at her with an almost breathless awe."Are you an angel? Fallen just for me?""I'm so lucky to have you. Can I make you mine?"
Her heart exploded in her chest.
"W–W-What? M-Mine?"She stammered uncontrollably.
He smiled."I loved you from the start. Maybe I fell even harder this time—your innocence, your softness… everything about you. I was going to confess and court you even before everything happened. Damn… I'm blessed to have you by my side."
"W–Wait, h-hold on—"Her voice trembled."I–I'm not ready yet. Hearing the person I like suddenly say he wants to court me—my heart can't handle that…"
He laughed softly and brushed her hair aside—then his lips met hers again.
"Can't you tell from that kiss that I love you?" he whispered.
"Y–You're my first kiss…""I–I can't really tell…"
"It's okay."
He cupped her cheeks gently and kissed her again. She held onto him, cheeks burning, breath unsteady.The kiss was deep—but gentle.A confession wrapped in warmth.
"Melissa," he murmured.
She blushed hard."Raymond… p–please take care of me."
He chuckled, hugging her tight."Yes… I'll take care of you."
I feel safe when he holds me, she thought as she wrapped her arms around him.
He kissed her forehead."Don't worry. I'll keep courting you—even if you're already my girlfriend."
Her cheeks turned bright red.
"B–Boyfriend? You mean… you're already my boyfriend?"
"Yeah," he said simply.
"M-My sister Kelly will kill me…" she muttered.
"Me too. She'll murder me. But that's life. She'll understand—she knows what real love feels like."
"R–Raymond, my friends are waiting…" she said suddenly.
"Oh. Let's go."
He helped her stand, still holding her hand.
"Melissa!"Julie's voice sliced through the hallway.
Raymond instantly let go of her hand and stepped back.
"What did you do to my friend, huh?! Bastard!" Julie snapped.
"Calm down. He said he just apologized," said the boy behind her.
Melissa froze when she realized who it was.Cielo.
"Apologized? For thirty minutes?" Julie demanded.
"W–We just talked," Melissa said. "He explained why he did those things."
"You heard her," Cielo said calmly.
"He didn't hurt you, right?" Julie asked.
Melissa shook her head.She still didn't know why Cielo was here.
"J–Julie… did Nicole already go home?" Melissa asked.
Julie shot Cielo a glare."It's your fault for bringing Nicole to Joel."
"I'll call him," Cielo said, dialing his phone.
A moment later, Joel arrived with Nicole—who immediately hugged Melissa tightly.
"Let's go home," Nicole whispered.
Melissa nodded. But something felt wrong.
Nicole wasn't acting like herself.
Did something happen?Melissa worried silently.
The three girls went home together. Nicole stayed quiet the whole ride, while Julie continued fuming.
After they dropped Julie off, Nicole managed a small smile at Melissa.
But Melissa couldn't shake the feeling.
Something definitely happened.