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For Rupert, it was a very rare moment, finding a girl with the same odd habit as his. So did for Rachel. They got along very well in Biology class that day, and soon became friends. They both did not have too many friends as the usual teenagers at their age, not because they didn't want to, neither couldn't make one, but they were just too busy with their own selves.
Rupert has been in a Astronomy club since he was in the middle school. In fact, his curiousity towards the sky has started since he was five. His room is full of space-themed stuffs. He also volunteered in the kids local hospital four days a week, from Wednesday until Saturday, which was a good reason why he did not date any girl for the past eight months. He simply just did not attracted to anyone. Plus, his heartbreaking experience with an evil, deciptive ex-girlfriend somehow was still sticking around his head, making him felt stupid for bad choice he made in the past.
As for Rachel, there wasn't any meaningful difference, except that she was actually has never dated any guy longer than a single Saturday night simply because her parents discovered that their daughter is dating a band member who was two years older. It wasn't the age gap or his hobby that lit Rachel's parents' anger, but it was all about secrecy and growing-up matters. Rachel's mother came from a religious Catholic family, growing up with a belief that sex can only be legalized by the bound of marriage. Therefore, knowing her daughter dating a guy without her permission, in Saturday night, that could probably lead to free sex (because that's what teenagers do nowadays), really freaked her out. So they broke up. Right at the Rachel's terrace. In front of her parents. With only one word said by the guy, which only took less than two seconds: "You know what? I'm over it." Then he went to his car and just left. Rachel called him, he didn't take it. And he never called. Thus, that was the only dating experience Rachel had. It was stupid, she promised she would never do such thing again.
But she might change her mind. Because of Rupert.
"So you're also volunteering?"
"In the children hospital."
"That's great. I always wanted to work in a hospital."
"It's not a job, anyway. I just helping the nurses, you know, easy duties. And how about you? Do you volunteer? Joining any club? Part-time job?"
"I'm er... I code."
"Code? You do coding?"
"Yeah..."
"That is awesome. I've never met someone who write codes."
"Haha... there's a lot, actually."
"I mean it's pretty rare, compared to other hobbies. So, you join a coding club?"
"Yep."
"Writing programs?"
"Together with other club members."
"Cool. You should teach me sometimes."
"Yeah, we'll see later."
Rupert stopped as he has came to his locker. "I'll see you later. It was nice talking to you."
"See you."
Rachel never felt so high before in Biology class. She had a weird feeling that this semester would probably has the best Biology class she ever had in her entire life.
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Rupert never thought he would see Rachel again in the cafetaria at lunch time. She sat only few feets away from his seat. Unfortunately, by the time Rachel started her lunch, Rupert already finished his, and should go to Calculus class, so he only said a short hello.
The second coincidence happened in the parking lot after school. Their cars were parked side by side, and they went there at the exact same time. This time Rachel really thought heaven was doing something magical to her, some chaining coincidences, happening in one day, that formed some sort of 'destiny', like her mother said.
"I didn't know it's your car," said Rupert.
"I didn't know it's your car either," Rachel replied.
"Coincidence, huh?"
Rachel felt her shoulders brushed. Thank god she was wearing sweater. She wore sweater like all the time, anyway. "Haha... maybe."
"Biology class, textbooks, cafetaria seats, and now cars? I think we'll be great friends."
Rachel nodded. Great friends... good start. I hope we can be more. "Haha, hopefully."
Rachel opened her door. Before getting into her Honda civic she pointed at Rupert's red Mazda, saying, "Cool car, by the way."
"I know, right? Yours too," he passed a grin before getting into his car.
And so they drove opposite way home. Rachel just coldn't stop peeking at Rupert's car from her side mirror until it disappeared from her sight. She just couldn't stop the happiness flow inside her chest, the kind of happiness that she only got for the first time. The kind of happiness that she couldn't feel when she was with her parents, neither when she sang in the church for her sister's wedding, nor when she finally accomplished writing a program.
It was something else. Something new.
You can feel it on the way home
You can see it with the lights out
You're in love
True love.
---You Are In Love - Taylor Swift---
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