FIVE

"Did you find your earphone?"

The cold wind was blowing his curled bangs, and I saw the irritation as Aae tried to put them into place. I used to admire his curls since not all boys with waved hair could flaunt them well.

"Ah, no," I answered. I'm not in the mood to talk, but I don't want to be rude since he was the one making an effort to reach out.

"Hmm, how does it look?" he asked as he opened his bag. "Like this?"

"Hey, yeah," I automatically answered.

Aae curled his lips. "Then, you can have it." He gently pulled my hand. I jerked as our palms pressed against each other.

"But, this is not mine," I protested.

"It's yours. I found that during our sports class. Sorry if I made you look for it if I have it already."

"No." I shook my head. "This is not mine," I insisted on giving it back to him, but he pushed my hand away.

"It's yours. Believe me." He placed his hand on both sides of his pocket. "Keep it and go home. It's getting late. You'll miss the bus. Take care!"

I was about to say something when he ran away. I stared at the earphone. I could actually say it’s mine. It's like my customized earphone, but the letter engraved on the two sides of the ear pod said it was Aae's.

There was some sort of miracle the next day, I wasn't late. I was so early that when I went inside our room, only one student was sitting comfortably in his armchair. His eyes were closed while listening to my favorite song titled I swear this time I mean it.

It was Aae.

I nibbled my lower lip as I tried finding flaws in his features. His eyes and complexion were those of Chinese. From what I recalled in his introduction, he was also half-Chinese. But it was too ideal, I scolded myself a little for staring too much.

Waking up earlier than usual was not a waste, after all. My classmates were always talking about Aae being the first one to arrive in our class. I envied Aae. I wish to see the sunrise, but I choose sunset anytime.

"I believe you have something that’s mine, and I have something that’s yours. Care to exchange?" I greeted him with those words as soon as his hazelnut eyes met mine.

He raised an eyebrow. There was a mixture of puzzled amusement in his expression when he straightened up from his seat.

Why do I feel nostalgic with those pairs of eyes? Where could I've seen them?

The music over his phone continued to play as he spoke, "I don't have yours, you have mine. How about you just keep it?" His breath smelled chocolates. I playfully considered tasting it but realized it was out of my character. "It's yours from this day onwards."

"I know it is just an earphone. No big deal," I muttered. But, I was one of those people who cannot live without earphones or music to be exact. I used to count everything through songs. Songs are like my clock.

"I went to school this early to give it back to you, hoping you'll have mine, and you'll give it back," I pleaded even if I wasn't sure about it.

"How do you know I have your earphone? I'm giving mine actually to stop you from looking." He seems annoyed.

"It's important to me. It has value more than you think so if you have it -"

He cut me off. "I don't have it. I saw you used it during sports class, so I assumed you lost it and gave my earphones hoping you wouldn't notice the difference."

"How will I not be able to notice your name engraved thereon?" I rolled my eyes out of annoyance.

"Just like you don't notice me every day, Ms. Zamora," he uttered as he turned off his phone.

"Keep it until you find yours. I have another pair, so you don't have to worry." He tilted his head a little. "Someone told me we lost some things to welcome great beginnings."

He stood from his seat. I had to lift my head a little as I leveled an inch below his broad shoulder. At a young age, he already developed a muscular body. He must be athletic. Oh, right! He plays baseball.

I was stunned for a moment when the aroma of sweets lingered around me, so it wasn't only his breath. He must have bathed his cloth with chocolate fragrance.

Aae was halfway out when he stopped, and for the first time, he faced me with a beaming smile. "I never thought I could be the reason you're not late. May I be the reason every day?" His chuckle echoed in the room.