IRANI squealed after reading the school paper she was holding in her hand.

Andrei Mendoza also known with his nickname Drei, was featured on the school paper together with the new recruits of the college basketball team.

"Cashmere!" Irani excitedly called her best friend who just entered their classroom.

Cashmere frowned at Irani as she walked towards her.

“What's happened to you, Irani? What's with that excited face?" Cashmere asked her. She took the vacant seat next to her.

Cashmere was her best friend since high school. After graduating high school, they also entered the same university and took the same course. Presently, there were both freshmen English Literature students at Montello University.

“Take a look at this.” Irani showed Cash the school paper she was reading earlier.

“What's with this, Irani?” Cash asked her in a confused tone. She glanced at the school paper and then at her.

“Read the article on the second page," Irani said to her. He pointed out the exact article that features the varsity team and its new players.

With furrowed brows, Cashmere looked back at the school paper.

“Did you read it?” Irani asked after a moment. “Drei is single, Cash. He doesn't have a girlfriend."

The guy she was talking about was none other than Andrei Mendoza, a member of the basketball team and Irani's crush.

The first time she saw him, she immediately developed a crush on him. She was at the cafeteria that time when he saw Andrei on the line buying his own lunch.

Irani couldn't help herself but gape at his angel-like face. He was really dreamy with his looks and aura.
She found out later on that the guy with the angelic face was Andrei Mendez.

Just like her, he was a freshman student at the University. He was taking up Hotel and Restaurant Management. And he was a member of the basketball varsity team.

Ever since she found that information about him, she would always watch their university's basketball game during her free time.

Even though Andrei was still a freshman and new to the team, he was already included in the team lineup. He was a good player. It was possible that he would be included in the first five during his sophomore year.

"Now I understand why you're feeling giddy," Cashmere commented beside her.

Irani read the article once again after Cashmere handed her back the paper. Aside from his relationship status, it was also mentioned in the article some of Andrea's favorites. Aside from playing basketball, he also likes to cook. His favorite food is lasagna. He likes watching action movies. His favorite color is red.

Irani couldn't help but wrinkled her nose when she read about his favorite color.

"Put that away, Irani. Mrs. Mendez was already here." Cashmere whispered beside her.

Irani looked up and found that their terror professor had already entered the classroom.
She folded the school paper and put it inside her bag.

After their class ended, she tagged along with her group mates to the library to research the topic they were going to present next week. Their professor grouped them in alphabetical order so Cashmere and her weren't group mates.

After their meeting, Irani went to the cafeteria. While buying drinks, she decided to text Cashmere.

Are you home, Cash? I'm here at the cafeteria :)

Not a minute later, Cashmere replied to her text.

Oh, I'm here at the coffee shop outside the campus, Irani. I'm waiting for Blue.

Blue is her best friend's older brother. He was also their schoolmate.

After taking her order, Irani walked outside the cafeteria. She was composing a text for Cashmere so she didn't notice someone was coming her way.

Irani gasped when someone bumped into her, causing her cup of mango to fall to the ground.

Irani blinked and looked at the person in front of her. She was about to snarl at him, but her anger suddenly dissipated into thin air when she saw the man in front of her.

It was Andrei Mendoza, her crush!

“I’m sorry, Miss.”

Irani blinked her eyes a couple of times as she stared at Andrei.

Gosh, he was more handsome up close, Irani thought to herself.

His manly voice suited his handsome face really well.

He was like an angel sent from above.

“Miss?” Andrei probed, touching her shoulders. "Are you okay?"

Oh, my gosh! He touched me!

Irani gasped before she finally managed to compose herself and say something. “Ah...” She cleared her throat. “I'm fine. Yeah. I'm really fine."

Andrei sighed, then gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m really sorry, Irani…”

Irani blinked. Her lips parted as she stared at his face. “You know my name?”

Andrei smiled more and pointed at her school ID. "It's in your ID, Miss."

Irani nodded in understanding. “Ah… right.”

“I’m Drei, by the way," Andrei said in a smooth voice. "I'm sorry again for what happened. I'd also replace your shake."

Irani shook her head vehemently. "Uhm, no. You don't have to do that, Andrei. It was also my fault for not paying attention." She pursed her lips. "You see, I was looking at my phone earlier and I didn't notice you."

"Are you sure, Irani? You don't want me to buy another one?" Andrei probed.

Irani nodded at Andrei before smiling.

Andrei smiled kindly. "Well, if you really say so. I'm sorry again, but I have to go now, Irani."

Irani remained smiling at him. "It's okay, Andrei. Uh, take care."

Andrei chuckled a little. "Uh, you take care, too," he said before he finally walked past her.

Irani bit her lower lip when she realized what she just said to him.

Really, Irani. Take care?

Irani pursed her lips as she watched Andrei walk away from her.

"Hmm, I couldn't believe this day would turn out to be a good one," Irani said, smiling to herself.

After recovering from her encounter with Andrei, she decided to go where her best friend is.