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

Zed shook his head. "No, I don't. Maybe next time."

Avril nodded her head. "Alright then! Bye, Zed! Thank you for this afternoon."

Zed nodded. He motioned for Avril to come closer. The girl complied. At that very moment, Zed patted Avril's head gently. Avril was silent as Zed did so. She couldn't even think but seconds later, she heard Zed's soothing voice.

"Don't overthink it, okay?

You can't save everyone," Zed said.

Avril looked at Zed. Again this man had managed to penetrate her. "When did I ever lie to you?"

Zed shook his head. "You don't stand a chance, lady!"

Avril laughed amusedly at Zed's words. After the ice cream, she was feeling much better although yes, the problem was still affecting her. Zed saw that.

"What you did earlier was for Valerie's maturation process, A! I'm sure you've been scolded by your mother too" Zed said.

Avril laughed amusedly. "Of course!"

"Me too" Zed admitted."So was that one. If you hadn't moved, the cafeteria would probably be a place of horror for some people."

Avril smacked her lips. If only, it was that easy. Zed was now ruffling Avril's hair anxiously.

"This girl is wayward. I'm not saying this to justify your actions, okay? But, yes, Valerie can't keep doing whatever she wants. You might want to find another way next time," Zed said. "Maybe in a slightly softer way."

Avril liked that one. Avril liked it when Zed made her realize that she had indeed said something bad earlier. Zed's words just now were not like most people's. Everyone's words made Avril's ego go up even though from Valerie's position, it wasn't good. Alluding to Valerie leaving the theater club wasn't right. That's why Avril didn't like everyone's support.

"Ready, captain!" said Avril.

"Good! Now rest," said Zed.

Avril nodded and waved her hand. "I'll buy you an ice cream next time. Bye, Zed! Be careful on the road!"

Zed nodded. He started the engine of his motorcycle and drove back down the road. Avril watched Zed until his body disappeared. At least, Avril felt lighter now. Okay! How about trying again for tomorrow? Avril will forget about this problem as Zed said. Zed's words came back to her.

How could that man understand Avril Miller so well?
****

The next day, Matt didn't dare wear his hoodie anymore. Valerie's words rang in his ears and it was annoying. After all, everyone would remember that Matt was the guy who wore the hoodie yesterday. That was embarrassing. Matt also didn't want everyone to notice him and give him all kinds of looks that could mean anything. Hey! Look! That's the kid from yesterday, right? Poor thing! Or oh, yeah! Val was right! This kid is weird! Is he sweating under his hoodie?Matt decided not to use it at all. In fact, he felt like throwing that hoodie away. Yesterday's incident was the worst thing that had ever happened to Matt. Even though Valerie's real target was Kim, Matt was also targeted yesterday.

Matt looked at himself in the mirror. Matt managed to be ordinary. Right now, Matt is wearing black oversized jeans, a white oversized t-shirt and oh, don't forget his glasses. Without them, Matt can't see anything. Normally the hoodie would be a complement to Matt's look. Something that allows Matt to be transparent and ignored by everyone. But, not anymore.

Matt grumbled to himself. Was it that hard to be ordinary? Since meeting Avril, his world had been rocked. Matt knew the incident with Valerie had nothing to do with Avril. It seemed unfair to blame Avril when she was the one who saved him with Kim yesterday.

Matt sighed. One of the things that made him lazy and lackluster every day was going to school. Funnily enough, Matt picked up his bag anyway and walked slowly toward the dining hall. He bumped into Johanna in the hallway. The girl looked cool as ever. Navy jeans, a black t-shirt, and an unbuttoned army-colored tartan shirt. Johanna was holding a book that she was reading. Once the girl noticed Matt's presence, she just raised one eyebrow and ignored Matt as usual.

Great! Even his half-brother doesn't think Matt exists. Should Matt take this as progress? Doesn't it mean that Matt's desire to be transparent was successful? At least in front of a girl named Johanna. Matt forced himself to move down the stairs to the dining room. Once in the dining room, Matt saw Johanna already sitting, reading a book while munching on the bread his mother had prepared.

"Oh, my gosh! Did you stay up late, Matt?" his mother exclaimed when she saw Matt.

Matt's stepfather glanced at him. "You're not heartbroken, are you? J, is your brother heartbroken?"

Johanna glanced at Matt with a flat face. No! Matt didn't want to worry his mom at all. Matt was almost panicking. How could he tell Johanna not to tell her parents? But, Johanna quickly broke the gaze with Matt.

"He doesn't have time for that kind of thing. I've never heard any gossip about him" Johanna said.

Matt breathed a sigh of relief. He sat down at the dining table. Matt wanted to thank Johanna with a gesture but the girl was too busy with her book. Matt decided to take it as one of Johanna's kindnesses and also a threat to him. You better not bother me, Matt! I'm going to kill you!

Johanna was still munching on her bread when her cell phone rang. "Oh, I'll go first! My friend is picking me up."

Jack always picked Johanna up in the morning. Johanna had never experienced running after the bus. But Matt wasn't jealous of that either. It was something that Johanna deserved especially when she was in the popular circles. Johanna waved goodbye to her father and stepmother and walked on, still reading her book.