The aroma of my homemade soup can be smell around the room. I woke up early in the morning so that I have time to prepare breakfast. I usually don’t do this stuff but since the girl is with me I need do something about it.

I still have an hour before going to school. I also have so many questions about this mysterious girl.

I pour her bowl with the soup, next is mine. As I look at her to only to found out that she’s glaring at me. What’s the matter with this girl? Why does she hates me so much.

“Why are looking at me like that?”

“To be ho-honest I can-cant trust you” she answered then pouted.

Is that so? Am I not that trustworthy? What is her deal anyway? I tried my best for her to feel safe but it does not trust me at all.

I sighed and took a sip from my soup then look at her. Her eyes began to change again like a cat. Adorable one.

She took a sip and suddenly cough.

“Geez. Don’t sip it so fast! That soup is hot” said I while offering her a water then bite me. It does not hurt at all but it startled me that I ended up dropping the cup of water.

“Yo-you’re dangerous!” She argued.

I once again sighed and drink my own cup of water then once again look at her.

“See? You can trust me. You don’t need to bite me”

Once again she pouted.

“I’m sorry” she said softly but still her face says a different story. She’s like an angry child apologizing. I pour her cup with water. In the end she end up drinking it.

“Re-REFRESHING!” she shouted happily.

I’m glad she loves it. She looks at me again realizing she was out for a moment and began to act so cold again.

“By-by the wa-way where’s your fri-friend?” She asked while taking another sip from her soup.

I was surprised when she asked that. I really thought she would easily forget about what happened during that night but I was wrong. But-

“How about we know each other first?” I answered.

“Yo-you’re rig-ht”

I look straight at her and started introducing myself.

“My name is Liam Baker, how about you?”

She took a deep breath and look straight at me also. Looking at her will give you a hint that she still doesn’t trust me at all. I wonder why?

“My- my name is 0-117”

My head kind a twist a little because of her unique name.

“How about I just call you Tala?” I suggested.

“Tala? I like that” she murmured with her golden eyes sparkling like it was her first time hearing someone giving her a name. Which is by the way the case.

“Then nice to meet you Tala” Said I while offering my right hand to her but as I expected Tala’s mood change again.

“Ni-nice to mee-t yo-you too” then giving me her hand also.

We both shake our hands then back from eating our soup. I finished my first bowl of soup so I decided to get another one but it’s already empty. I took a glance to Tala and she averted her eyes and started to whistle. Awfully.

Tala might be In love with the soup right now. Every moment she sipped her soup her eyes are sparkling like she’s seeing something magnificent.

She looks so adorable. Why does this girl hates me? I wanted to ask her-

“why do you hate me?”

—shit. I said it out loud.

Tala stops moving while her spoon is inside her mouth. She’s looking directly at my eyes. Thinking if she’s going to answer my question or not.

“Yo-you did-didn’t even answer m-my que-question” She argued then gave me again her adorable pout.

Tala is actually right, I haven’t answer her first question. It actually took me awhile before answering her question.

“How about we make a deal?” I asked

“Hm?” Then tilted her head.

“We will answer’s each other’s question when you don’t hate me anymore and most importantly is that when you are ready to trust me”

It just pop into my head. I know I’m not that smart when it comes to this. I’ve never spoke to many people before that is why every time I talk to people it became awkward.

I just don’t feel like talking to someone who does not trust me at all. She might even tell me a lot of lies before giving me a real answer.

I’ll take this as a baby step.

“De-deal” Tala answered.

There’s a long term silence. Nobody’s talking for about 20 minutes. We just enjoy our breakfast peacefully.

The moment I stood up, I tried checking my watch and it alarm me that I need to move now. I pick up my bowl and about to clean it but there’s a sudden hand that grabs me.

I can feel Tala’s soft hand. As I look at her it made me realized that she’s quite tall. Her almost hit my chin.

“Le-Let me do-do th-the dishes” She requested.

“You sure?”

I didn’t hear anymore answer, Tala just nodded while looking at the floor. I just patted her head gentle.

As I step out the room I heard Tala’s voice calling my name.

“Wh-what ar-are we b-by the wa-way?” Tala asked while catching her breath like she did her best to chase me.

With her question, I really don’t know how to answer it. We’re not friends for now, I guess maybe-

“Partners? Since we have a deal. Maybe we can call each other partners”

“Par-partners?”

“Yup!” Said I then give her a smile.

“Part-partner I-I like it”

—

I stretched myself and took a deep sighed because I almost out of time. I can’t afford to be late. I was never been late.

Looking at my classroom, I felt something strange. Most of my classmates are not here yet but I can see their bags. Where the hell are they?

The entire classroom is quiet until they came back. I can see few of my classmates whispering. I never saw them talk that serious? While the other’s are partying. Most likely the boys. Why though? Is it a good news?

“I hope she’s from our class!”

“I know right? The girl is so beautiful!”

“I want to date her”

Said by the boys who’s partying like there’s no more tomorrow coming. I have no idea who they pertaining to. Maybe it’s Catarina? But she’s already here since the beginning of the school year then who it might be?

As I keep on thinking, our professor calmly enter our classroom. My classmates began to sit on their respective chairs like they were preparing for some important news.

“Good morning class”

“Good morning sir”

“I would like you to meet your new classmate. Please enter and introduce yourself”

As I look at the transfer student and it is somehow familiar. Her blonde hair, white smooth skin and even her height. She walks straight through our classroom wearing a school uniform that fits her perfectly while holding her brown bag.

She look straight at us and smiled.

Oh no. What are you doing here?

Tala.

“My name is Tala! I’m a transfer student. Nice to meet you!”

After her introduction she gave me her adorable smile and Tala’s lips is trying to say something.

“Good morning Partner” said Tala with a without a voice.

Without stuttering.