At lunchtime, Dara was once again alone in their usual table at the cafeteria, waiting for her friends, who were for countless instances, had most likely lost track of time. What a great start of the week. She better point out to them how lonely and conspicuous she felt whenever they make her wait.

If she would wait for them before getting a bite of the delicious-looking meal before her, she may end up getting an ulcer. As to why she's feeling very hungry, she remembered---she had forgotten to eat breakfast.

Well, not exactly forgotten; she had no choice but to miss it due to oversleeping. She had been awake until one in the morning, meditating on something that's been occupying her mind recently.

Speaking of something, something was strange. Why did she feel like she's being watched?

Slightly, she averted her gaze to the left. And unexpectedly, her eyes dart to the doe-eyed boy. Their eyes met briefly.

What in the world?! She quickly looked down and turned back to stare at her table, where her book was placed beside her untouched food.

Flustered by what happened, she opened the book and pretended to be busy reading.

How could she forget that he and his friends sat on that part of the cafeteria?

*  *  *  *  *

Saturday at work, Dara stood at her usual spot, on the look-out for diners who'll need her assistance. Instrumental music played, making her feel a little drowsy. It was a typical late afternoon. Usually there were none to a few customers, and right now, only two tables were occupied and it's not under her watch. Thus she let her mind wander to Luhan and his problem.

After that talk she had with Bom a week ago, she had to admit there is nothing wrong with helping him. She'll get what she want---answers to the list of questions she had worked on, which was still hidden in her study table at home.

If Luhan will ever approach her and ask again, she will say yes.

Unfortunately, he didn't do so in the last five days. Had she been too firm on her answer so he deemed that as already final? She didn't want to approach him. It didn't seem like such a good idea. What will she say? 'I'll help you, but you must help me in return.' Even though that's the main reason, it kind of sounded pretentious.

She drew in a deep breath. Why was she stressing over such matter? It's because it had become apparent that she need his help as much as he need hers. She couldn't help but feel panic forming in the pit of her stomach as the deadline for the article draws near. What if he already asked help from somebody else? That's not impossible at all.

She dismissed the thought when she felt her mind wandered far enough for the day. She was thinking too much and too advanced.

The number of customers will start to peak at around six o'clock or later. She looked at her watch; it's already five-thirty. She forced herself to focus on work. Even though her leg hurt a little, she must manage to put on a smile directed towards the customers that will soon arrive.

She shifted her weight on her other leg to relieve the soreness of her muscles when she grimaced---the loud greeting coming from her co-worker, who's assigned near the door, made her glance to her right at the newcomers. It was a little too cheery than normal. She discovered why.

Her assumption (that the customer is probably good-looking or insanely gorgeous) was correct when she saw Kris Wu walk coolly towards a table near the corner, several feet from where she always stood during her shift. His stride was overflowing with so much confidence but not in an arrogant way.

She could now understand why he almost made it to being the top one in the school's survey of most popular. Besides that athletic physique (which probably resulted from playing basketball), he could be a model too. What made her curious was the very pretty girl by his side. One of the prettiest girls Dara have ever seen. She did not look familiar at all. Maybe she's not from their school.

Could they be dating? Aside from the way the girl held onto his arm possessively, they look good together that anyone who sees them will assume they're a couple. Dara couldn't help but wonder about their relationship. They seem to be more than mere acquaintances. 

As the couple neared, she finally saw the girl's face---she looked kind of angry. Were they about to have a quarrel or has it already happened? Judging from how he was acting, he didn't seem to be the least bothered about the scowl on the girl's face. He wore that calm expression and trademark coldness---she saw that often whenever she crossed paths with him at the hallways or school grounds. 

The pair chose the round table at a corner. A gentleman, he pulled the chair for his companion. However, such gesture did not diminish the girl's displeasure. 

As the waitress approached and stood by their table to give the menu, he broke away from the coldness and gave a small smile while ordering without bothering to look at the menu. He didn't even ask the girl what she wants to eat.

Maybe they're regulars and Dara just wasn't around whenever they dine at the restaurant. From where she stood to watch them cautiously, about fifteen feet away, she saw Kris' cold demeanor turn a bit dark when he turned to his companion after the waitress left. They're engaged in a quiet and controlled argument, maybe. Dara couldn't hear a thing about what they were talking about. Not that she wanted to know. Even if she couldn't, their facial expressions say a lot---they're having a quarrel.

Dara was pretty sure something's about to happen so she continued to eye them. She guessed she was too bored to pass up the interesting scene that's unfolding. Her discreet watching continued for fifteen minutes, that's until the food was served. 

There's a silent voice inside her head nagging her to look away. Because it was so unlike her to mind other people's business, let alone his.

Just when she was about to stop watching, what happened next shocked her. Her hand flew to when she saw what happened.

The pretty girl stood, her lap bumped against the table and her chair almost fell back, yet she didn't even flinch. The worst part of this whole scenario was when she poured the ice-cold glass of water over Kris' head. Without a word, she walked out of the restaurant, looking defiant. 

The water dripped from his hair all the way to his crisp white shirt with black accent over the shoulder.

Dara felt a little sorry for him who was now slightly shaking his head. He patted his hair dry with the table napkin. 

He's still a customer, and there's no except her saw what happened, this she knew when she looked around, for some strange reason. She must ensure he's okay. Without thinking and without any plan of action, she walked to his table. Approach him for what? What did she plan to do anyway, dry his hair for him? She stopped when only a few feet away from him. 

Turn around and walk away, pretend she didn't see anything---that was her current plan. But it was too late. He chose to look up in that moment wherein she's still mentally debating whether or not to approach him.

They looked back at each other. He stopped dabbing the napkin on the shoulder and front of his shirt. Whether he was surprised, he didn't show it. Maybe he was good at hiding his true feelings. There was no hint of embarrassment in his face.

Dara was dumbfounded for she had no idea what to say or do, as if she was the one embarrassed by it. She mustered to put on a poker face. What happened was not a smiling matter either. 

He stood and then spoke first, to her great relief. "I know you. You're the top student Luhan is asking help from. Dara, right?" he said while looking at her unblinkingly.

She could only nod in response. It bothered her---the way he stared at her face before