His jaw clenches as the sun casts shadows on his face. A ghost of humor runs on his eyes as he stare at me. His long and curly lashes are almost fanning the upper part of his cheekbones.

It takes me a while to look away from him. Anyway, he's not that handsome. I just observed the little details I always notice these days. I suddenly feel a bit uncomfortable with what just came in my mind so I lean back on my seat.

“You will not just hang out in the detention room. Your task should be done outdoors, sorry. ”

"And why did it change all of a sudden?"

"I suggested it."

I grit my teeth. He... He always make things harder for me! Even before – when I was still an obedient student that every parent expect their child to be, that even when we do, they won't give appreciation on the efforts we make just to please them.

I sharply glance at him. Pigs could fly if it's just a coincidence. “Did you do that because it was me?”

His thick eyebrows meet. “No. I just realized that sending students in the detention room will do no good for both students and the school,” he said in a careful tone.

“Ha! And you just realized it by now? All right, explain! ”

My fists are clenching. I know they're thirsty to punch Rico in the face. He is looking at me as if he did nothing wrong. It's annoying that he seems like he cares. I would rather be in the detention room. I can just stare at the boring white wall and do nothing! Why would he send me to do outdoor punishments? It will only tire the hell out of me. I hate physical activities!

Rico sighs. He kneels his one leg and put his elbow to the other that is just folded. My eyes grow wide at what he is doing.

"What the hell are you doing?" I whispered. I can already feel the curious looks from my classmates around me.

“Listen, you’re just gonna waste your time inside that room. As a result, you will not learn. So, why not help the school improve through the punishments you get from your stubborn acts? ”

"I'd rather learn nothing!" I shout.

I look away because I am taken aback from what just came out of my mouth. Why does he always seem to be right? I swallow.

Nope!

He sounds like a trying hard school principal wannabe. So full of himself!

However, I saw a glint of pain and frustration on his facial expression before I face him away. Why? He stood up.

“Trust me, this is also for you. See you at four o'clock this afternoon. You have to do that to get your ID,” he says.

And with that, he walks away, I mean, from my seat. I just hear him bid goodbye few minutes later because I never dare looking at his side again.

After the class dismisses, I rush my way back home. After eating lunch alone, as always, I go up to my room and open the white cabinet. I haven't opened it for a long time. My hands are just wandering. Fingers are tapping to find a container. The boxes of stationeries are falling from the wooden cabinet. I wince. Where is that now?  I just placed it here.

"Aw!"

I hold my toes in pain. Ball pens scatter on the floor. I continue trying to look for the unfinished knitted sweater for...well, for him, supposedly.

I bit my lip. Why am I doing this? That sweater is forgotten a long time ago. I groan, accidentally tapping the other door of the cabinet. My mouth went agape when another circular container fell.

I remove the cover. My heart is beating faster. My fingers, trembling. It then reveals the familiar cotton white fabric of yarns. Waves of memories crash through my mind. A fool that I was, I thought that maybe giving him something I poured effort into, could light up a destructed possibility of us.

A young heart of mine is still hoping ... but the Freesia today isn't. It's revolting. Me, liking that jerk again?

I immediately put it in my bag, together with my crocheting tools. Glancing at the wall clock, the hour hand strikes three. I'm still one hour early but who cares?

The moment I enter inside the campus, I already hear the student athletes' grunts and shouts: Volleyball players' squeaky sneakers on the open court, the echoes of ball bouncing inside the gymnasium, the knocks of shuttlecock as it hits the racket, and the trample of shoes against the grass by the football players. I'm not sporty nor knowledgeable enough about sports, but based on their exerted effort that seems to be doubled, I can clearly deduct that the Sport fest is near.

I continue walking until I pass the quadrangle as well. I glance at the CAT officers marching on the ground. My eyes immediately find Rico. He is not difficult to find because he is one of the tallest there. Sitting on the bench with shade from the mahogany tree aligned with the pathway, I breath heavily. Damn, even a small walk can tire me now. It's just three in the afternoon. Living in a tropical country, the bullets of sweat formed in my forehead are already expected. The sunlight is also a bit harsh.

I fumble with the sweater in the bag rested on my lap. The young heart of mine was willing to make Rico something out of my hands. I was not able to finish it, though. I was hurt by his sharp words. Wasn't able to handle it, I just chose to drift away, including this sweater I didn't finish knitting. Should I just throw this away? Why did I even bring it with me in first place? He doesn't even know about it up until now, anyway. He doesn't have to know.

I am staring at him for so long that I haven't realize that he already meets my gaze. My chest starts to rum rapidly when I see how the corner of his lips rises as he looks away. My knuckles protrude when I clench my fist against the thick fabric of the sweater I decide to continue knitting from now on.

The afternoon wind blows, changing the sultry atmosphere a while ago. The CAT officers are then given a three-minute break. I can immediately see Rico approaching to where I am. I inhale. Behind him is the setting sun.

"Why are you here? You should've waited for me in the detention room," he said, gasping a little from the practice. I can smell the comforting fragrance of mint mixed with his sweat and natural scent.

My cheeks heated because of the embarrassment. Right! Why am I even here? I look at him.

"'Cause you said, my punishment will be outdoors," I said.

Rico nods. "Right. I thought you were waiting for me."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing." He smirks.