Avril nodded. She put her sheet music into her locker and picked up her bag. Zed watched Avril's every move carefully. Zed even noticed the look on Avril's face and the way she smiled earlier. Zed saw how dreamy Avril was. Avril even forced herself to smile earlier.

After the lockers, they walked to the parking lot. There weren't many kids left at Los Angeles Senior High School. As soon as it was dismissal time, they usually couldn't wait to get home or hang out at the nearest café before it filled up. Only a few people stayed at the school—usually, those with club activities like Avril.

"What were you doing earlier Zed? Why aren't you home yet?" said Avril.

Waiting for Avril was Zed's answer. Of course, he couldn't say it bluntly. "Studying in the library. Who knows if I can overtake Johanna in the exams this time."

Avril laughed amusedly. "I think I just heard the weirdest joke of the century. No one can beat Johanna. Did you know that?"

"What?" asked Zed. The light on Avril's face returned little by little.

"I once taunted her to just marry a book. Johanna even said she couldn't do it because she couldn't get enough of just one book!" said Avril.

"How typical of Johanna," said Zed.

"I know. Even if you manage to overtake Johanna, I'm sure that girl will go crazy and even study day and night" Avril chuckled.

"I guess I was thinking the same thing" Zed replied.

Zed was second in school after Johanna. That's why Zed was also called the ideal boyfriend. Zed was almost good at everything. Almost all the girls at Los Angeles Senior High School wanted him. But, Avril understood that well enough. Zed was fun. Avril was never bored when she was with Zed. Even now, Zed didn't bring up the matter from earlier in the day, and that made Avril's veins loosen. Avril even realized she had just laughed. Avril wasn't even thinking about what happened earlier today.

They reached the motorcycle. Zed watched Avril and put her helmet back on. Zed's attention was gentle. Avril watched his face as he put the helmet on for her. But, no. There wasn't the same thrill Avril felt when she saw Matt. Avril felt ordinary even when their faces were close together.

"I'd like to stop by. Do you mind?" Matt said.

Avril shook her head. "As long as you get me home in one piece."

Zed chuckled. "I'm not a psychopath."

Avril shrugged her shoulders. "There are no confessed psychopaths, Zed!"

Zed shook his head. "Come on! It's getting late. You're really tired, A!"

Avril wasn't surprised that Zed knew she was tired. Of all the people she knew, Zed was the most sensitive to his surroundings. In fact, Zed could beat Johanna in that regard. Avril climbed onto Zed's bike and they rode off. Avril held Zed's hand. The afternoon sky was beginning to show and Avril liked this kind of atmosphere. Not hot but not cold either. The blue sky and the clouds seemed to be telling Avril that everything was fine. Nothing will happen! Avril sighed again and this time she closed her eyes while feeling the wind on her face. Breathe, Avril! Life is beautiful!

Zed occasionally watched Avril from his rearview mirror. When he saw Avril smile a little, Zed felt relieved. Even though she looked indifferent, Zed knew that Avril was a caring person. Avril was sensitive to the feelings of the people around her and tried her best not to hurt them. Zed stopped at a convenience store and Avril waited outside. Not long after, Zed showed her two cones of chocolate ice cream and Avril's eyes rounded instantly.

"Mind if we have some ice cream first?" said Zed.

Avril shook her face quickly. "Not at all."

Avril walked over and sat on the chair provided at the convenience store. Avril grabbed one of the ice creams eagerly and Zed watched her. Avril needed ice cream when she was in a bad mood like this. How could Avril refuse something like this?

"Take off your helmet first, Miller!" said Zed.

Avril was chipping away at her ice cream. Zed volunteered and took off Avril's helmet. He took it off slowly. Zed was quite skillful as it turned out. Avril smiled.

"Thank you, Zed! This is just what I needed!" said Avril. "Oh, of course! Thank you also for taking off my helmet and saving me from being a fool!"

Zed smiled. "No problem!"

They enjoyed the ice cream. Slowly, Zed could see that Avril's mood was improving. The girl savored her ice cream with gusto and Zed was relieved to see that. Avril and Chocolate Ice Cream were best friends when Avril was thinking about something bad.

"I need this" Avril babbled. "Why didn't I think of it at all, huh?"

Zed shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe it's because I had to remind her"

Avril laughed. "You're cool!"

"I know" Zed replied.

Avril was grateful for going home with Zed that afternoon. Going home in a bad mood was not a good option either. Avril smiled as she watched her chocolate ice cream. It's just a bad day, not a bad life! Life is beautiful! Avril repeatedly told herself.

After eating ice cream, Zed drove Avril home as promised. The blue sky she had seen earlier was beginning to turn into a twilight sky. Avril took a lot of time to eat the ice cream. Avril even told Zed some funny things like how she didn't even realize she was in the bathroom this morning.

Zed himself was happy that the jolly Avril was back. One thing Zed didn't like about Avril was that she always forced herself to look good in front of everyone. Avril could be the mood maker of the group. Avril's presence does make the atmosphere much better and fun. But, Avril will never be honest if she is having a bad day. Avril will cover it up very well like today. Avril even puts herself second to others.

Arriving at Avril's house, the girl got down and gave Zed her helmet. "Don't you want to come over?"