The next day, Gretel and Starry stepped out of the house for school. Theodore was already waiting for Starry on his bike outside.
"Teddy, what a lovely surprise," Starry said, her cheeks turning pink.
"Good morning, Star." He climbed off his bike and took her backpack with a smile.
"Good morning," she replied, her necklace shimmering under the sun.
Theodore glanced at it for a second before turning to Gretel. "Good morning."
"Wow, you finally acknowledge my existence. Well, good morning to you too," Gretel said, amused.
"We'll see you in school," Theodore said as he helped Starry put on a helmet. After he got on the bike, he vroomed off with Starry holding on to his shoulders.
Gretel stared at them as they drove away and couldn't help but roll her eyes while muttering, "Lovebirds."
When they got to school, none of their classmates had arrived yet. The place was quiet.
Theodore helped Starry carry her bag to class.
"You don't have to carry my bag," she said, trying to take it from him.
"I know." He stopped her hand. "But I want to."
"Well… thanks."
"You can thank me by—" He paused and tapped his cheek.
She blushed hard and shook her head. "No way. We're in school."
"Okay then." He held her hand and their fingers interlocked. "Is this okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," she whispered, blushing.
When they got to their seats, he helped her settle down and sat next to her. They started chatting. Before they knew it, other students arrived and it was soon time for class.
At lunchtime, Stacy and Anna rushed over to Starry.
"Star, let's have lunch!" they said with smiles.
"Sorry, girls, but Star is having lunch with me," Theodore said, grinning as he helped Starry up.
He held her hand and they walked out of the class. Anna and Stacy stood in shock, their mouths agape.
Gretel walked over and said, "You know there are flies in this school."
"Gretel, what's going on?" Stacy asked, astonished.
"Oh, they're together now."
Anna screamed in delight. "Finally! I knew they'd be a perfect match!"
"You guys are really chill about this," Stacy said, bewildered.
"I'm happy for them," Gretel said.
"Me too," Anna chorused.
Gretel dragged Anna toward lunch. "Let's eat. I'm starved."
Stacy stood still for a second before realizing they'd left her. "Hey, wait for me, guys!" she said, hurrying to catch up.
In the cafeteria, Theodore helped Starry get her food and sat across from her. Students stared and gossiped. When Gretel, Anna, and Stacy got to the cafeteria, they sat at the same table with Starry and Theodore.
"So when did you guys get together?" Anna asked, genuinely curious.
"Yesterday," Starry replied.
"Aww, why didn't you tell us immediately?" Stacy asked.
"It was kinda late," Starry said.
"Ooh," Stacy said.
"What about this morning?" Anna pressed.
"I was gonna tell you guys during lunch. But someone with a big mouth already did," Starry said, glancing at Gretel.
"What? You guys literally held hands in front of everyone and almost made these two have a seizure," Gretel retorted.
"It's alright," Stacy said.
"By the way, have you guys kissed yet?" Anna asked innocently.
Starry choked on her milk. She coughed violently as Gretel immediately handed her tissues before Theodore could react.
"Are you okay?" Anna asked, remorseful.
"I'm fine," Starry said between coughs.
After lunch, their form teacher, Miss Simmons, came to address them.
"Good day, my lovies. I'm sure you're aware that midterms start two weeks from now. If you haven't been studying, better start hitting the books. Midterms are very important at Prime rose High School. They determine twenty percent of your grades. I wish you guys success in advance."
"Do you want to study together?" Theodore asked Starry, gazing into her eyes.
"I'm already studying with my friends. Sorry," she replied, looking down at her books.
"Oh. If you have any issues, you can always come to me for help," he said, a little disappointed.
"Sure, no problem." She smiled brightly at him.
After school, Theodore helped Starry carry her bag. "Let's go. I'll take you home."
"Actually, I'm going to Anna's house for a study session with Gretel and Stacy," she said, taking her bag from him.
His shoulders dropped a fraction. Before she could step away, he caught her hand and brushed his thumb across her knuckles. The touch was light, but it sent heat up her arm. She gave him a quick hug. "Bye. See you tomorrow."
"Bye." He watched them leave.
They all took a bus to Anna's house and were astonished when they saw it. It was a literal mansion.
"You never mentioned you were rich, Anna," Stacy said, astonished.
"Oh, it didn't cross my mind. My family is old money," Anna said as she rang the bell. An elderly man opened the door.
"Good day," the man greeted.
"Good day, Godfrey," Anna replied.
"And may I ask who these lovely young ladies are, Miss Anna?" Godfrey asked with a pleasant smile.
"They are my friends from school. They're here for a study session," Anna said.
"Well, good day to you, ladies. A pleasure to make your acquaintance," he said, shaking their hands one by one.
They greeted him back and told him their names.
"Well, enough with the pleasantries. Do come in," he said, ushering them in. Godfrey took them upstairs to Anna's room, where she had a study.
"Please, make yourselves at home. Refreshments will be served soon," Godfrey said as he closed the door behind them.
"Wow, Anna, you have a butler," Stacy said.
"And he's very polite," Gretel observed.
"Make yourselves at home. I'll be back swiftly," Anna said, heading into her walk-in closet.
They sat on the chairs in the study. Soon Anna came back wearing gray joggers and a black T-shirt.
"So what subject should we start with?" Gretel asked.
"Definitely algebra. I dread that subject," Stacy replied.
"I think history," Anna suggested.
"No, algebra."
"No, history."
Anna and Stacy began bickering.
While this was happening, Starry's phone buzzed in her pocket. She quietly pulled it out under the table.
Theodore: _Did you get to Anna's house safely, Star?_
Starry: _Yes. What about you?_ She typed, hiding her smile.
Theodore: _I'm already home. Just had dinner._
Starry: _That's nice._
Theodore: _So what are you guys studying?_
Starry: _We haven't started yet._ She glanced up. Anna and Stacy were still arguing about whether Henry VIII or quadratic equations were worse.
Theodore: _Ok. So what do you think about me taking you to and from school?_
Starry: _Wow, that would be great. Thanks._ Her cheeks went pink.
Theodore: _My pleasure. I miss you, Star._
Starry: _Already?_
Theodore: _Yeah. Don't you miss me too?_
Starry: _Well… I do._ She bit her lip to stop from grinning.
"Enough!" Gretel exclaimed, making Starry jump and shove her phone back in her pocket. "Star, what do you think?"
But Starry didn't reply. She was still blushing from Teddy's texts.
"Starry Knight, earth to Starry," Stacy said, waving her hand in Starry's face before she finally looked up.
"Star! We need to focus," Gretel said.
"Sorry, guys," Starry apologized, her face red.
"Okay, everyone, turn in your phones. We need to focus," Anna said, grabbing her laundry basket. She pointed at Starry. "Especially you."
They all dropped their phones in and Anna kept it in her walk-in closet.
"Good. No more distractions. So what do we start with now?" Gretel asked.
"Algebra."
"History."
Stacy and Anna stared at each other.
"Let's vote," Starry suggested, avoiding eye contact.
"Great idea," Gretel said.
"All in favor of algebra, raise your hand."
Stacy, Starry, and Gretel raised their hands.
Anna gasped. "Star?"
"What? It's hard," Starry said, still flustered.
"Algebra it is," Gretel said.
They brought out their study materials and began studying. After forty minutes, a knock was heard.
"Come in," Anna said.
Godfrey came in and set a snack tray on the table. A maid behind him set down a tray with drinks and water bottles.
"Hope I'm not intruding," Godfrey said.
"No problem, and thanks," Anna said. The rest also thanked him.
"If you need anything, please call," he said as he left with the maid.
The girls dug into the food and drinks. They chatted happily while eating before continuing the study session.
They studied for an hour before moving to history, which they also studied for another hour. They did practice questions for forty-five minutes before finally ending the session. Anna's driver took the three girls home because it was getting late.
After Starry got home, she went straight to the bathroom. After her bath, she lay on her bed and checked her chat with Theodore. She had new messages from him.
_Are you done yet?_
_Are you home yet?_
She replied: _Yes._
He replied immediately.
_Good night, Star._
_Good night, Teddy._
She clutched her phone to her chest, smiling like an idiot. Teddy hearts Starry. It still felt unreal. How did she get so lucky?
She fell asleep with that smile on her face.