Avril recalled the events of last Friday. Avril clearly saw her friends rushing out of the school building. At that very moment, Avril saw Zed watching her. Avril thought she had managed to trick Zed Castellar. Little did Avril know, this man could even recognize Avril even by their appearance and distance.

"How can you be sure? When did you realize, Zed?" asked Avril curiously.

Zed glanced at Avril. "The ice cream, A!"

Avril noticed his hand. Sure enough! The ice cream had melted into Avril's hand and she hadn't noticed at all. Apparently, Avril was too surprised to hear Zed's confession. Avril hurriedly licked the melted ice cream.

"At first, we were busy talking about you," Zed said. "Wait a minute!"

Avril nodded as she refocused on her ice cream. Zed started nibbling on his cone. A crunch sounded while the orange color of the sun was almost gone. They were running out of time but Avril's ice cream wasn't finished and of course, the girl demanded an explanation. Avril was already feeling proud yesterday for tricking everyone. Of course! No one is perfect. At least, Zed managed to prove that.

After finishing his cone, Zed spoke again. "While we were busy, I saw someone who was the same height as you enter the cafeteria. This girl somehow reminded me of you even though your skin color is different. One more thing that made me speculate a bit back then, I never saw that girl at all"

Avril nodded in understanding. She was still enjoying her ice cream while feeling her heart pounding. Perhaps, the sensation of being caught by Zed made Avril feel an adrenaline rush inside her. Avril began to piece together her mistakes in disguise. Height. Apparently, Avril couldn't fix that one.

"Not that I know all the girls," Zed said. "It's just that we usually know A if we go to the same school as them?" Zed said.

Avril nodded. "Yes, we might cross paths in the corridors, labs, or grounds even if we don't know each other"

Zed nodded. "Well, you did wear a wig back then. Thick black hair with caramel skin. You wore black-rimmed glasses. Yes! At first, I didn't care about it at all. I thought I was hallucinating at the moment. But, those thick eyebrows and lashes remind me of you, A!"

Avril nodded. "I guess I managed to fool everyone. I even kept my distance from you guys. How did you realize that?"

"At first, I didn't believe it at all. But, the moment you went to the boy's bench, I saw Hazel's eyes that I recognized. In fact, the way that girl smiled was just like you, A!" admitted Zed.

This is crazy! Not even Johanna noticed. Avril began to nibble on the cone in her hand. The sun had set perfectly and Avril started the night with a shocking fact from Zed Castellar. How could that man have done it? Avril wasn't sure at all.

"So? What about in front of the school building?" said Avril.

"I saw you again with that guy. You probably changed your confident walk to that of a shy nerd. You were probably busy looking down and not paying attention to the road, A! But, earlier I saw you chatting with that guy. That's you!" said Zed. "I've known you for years!"

Avril managed to finish her cone. She chewed and nodded. The waves were still chasing and frothing when they reached the shore. Night had fallen and Avril was getting cold from the sea breeze. Zed noticed this. He stood up first and held out his hand.

"Come on, we can finish our conversation as we walk to the parking lot," Zed said.Avril nodded and took Zed's hand. He quickly took off the jacket he was wearing and draped it over Avril's shoulders. The girl was surprised. Avril looked at Zed.

"No need. Oh, my gosh! You just wear it!" Avril said frantically.

Zed shook his head and still insisted on telling Avril to wear his jacket. She put her jacket back on. "Put it on, A! You're cold, right? You don't have any fat so you need the jacket!"

Avril snorted. No fat, huh? But, Avril knew that was just Zed's excuse. "Then I'll wear it."

"Come on, don't waste time!" said Zed.

Avril and Zed started walking along the beach. This was the first time Avril had walked on the beach at night. The quiet atmosphere of Venice Beach and the sound of the waves were a perfect combination. Avril raised her head hoping to see just one star in the Los Angeles sky. But, of course not! The city was so bright that not even a single star could be seen. Avril pulled on Zed's jacket and felt the warmth on her body. Then, her eyes turned to look at him. Zed was now only wearing a white t-shirt which made his perfect body look even more perfect. The wind blew Zed's hair too but the man looked so tough and sturdy. Avril didn't know how Zed did it but the man's charm shone through.

"You were right!" said Avril at last. "It was me! But, yes, I'm quite surprised you managed to realize it."

Zed nodded. There was something in the man's eyes that made them look as dark as night. In fact, Zed had stunning light brown eyes. Not long after, the man's voice came back.

"Why, A? Why did you do it?" asked Zed.

Avril wasn't sure Zed would like her answer but the girl was still intent on telling him the truth. "I was curious about Matt. I'd never seen him before and he kept getting away from me. So, I'm trying to get into his world."

Zed wasn't surprised at all. it was Avril for once. avril wouldn't give up on something and that fact sounded even more annoying in Zed's head. Zed even knew the boy's name now. Not cool at all and not something to be thankful for in his opinion. Zed even felt jealous that the boy had caught Avril's attention. How could he?

"Fine, I'll keep it a secret," Zed said with difficulty. Zed wanted to ask Avril not to do it. But, how could he?

"Thank you."

Zed just nodded. They passed Muscle Beach and the sports arena. Surprisingly, their journey home seemed to go fast. They reached the parking lot and Avril couldn't stop thinking about Zed's feelings. He was not okay. But, Avril couldn't help Zed either.

"Zed" Avril called softly.

"I'm fine. You have to believe me, A!" said Zed. Zed didn't like being pitied.

Avril nodded. "I trust you."

Zed grabbed the helmet for Avril and put it back on. His mind was a little frantic though he desperately convinced himself that she was fine. Matt had Avril's attention even though he wasn't trying. How would Zed take that?

"You know what, A?" Zed said softly.

"Yes?"

"I guess, I can recognize you anywhere. Even when you're acting with all your might, I'll recognize you!" Zed said.

Avril was silent. For some reason, Avril believed it. It wasn't just big talk. But, in that sentence, Avril didn't know how to respond. However, seconds later, Zed pinched Avril's nose anxiously.

"Don't make that face or we'll buy more ice cream!" Zed said in a casual tone. Avril watched Zed. Again, Zed did it. How could Zed dismiss her feelings so easily?

"Then we'll stay out all night!" said Avril.

Zed laughed. He was tempted to say that she was fine with it. But, Zed swallowed his own words. He got on the bike and Avril followed him.

"Come on, I have to take the princess back to her palace," Zed said.

Soon, they were cruising through the streets in the middle of the night with feelings that were hard to explain. However, they both came to the same conclusion. For now, they would ignore everything.