Chapter 42: A Racing Heart Toward the Evening

Ever since my meeting with Kevan, it felt like my lips had not stopped smiling.

“Why am I like this?” I murmured softly while lowering my head at my desk.

Even in class, I stayed quiet, lowering my gaze more often, constantly remembering the moment when Kevan touched the tip of my nose, ruffled my hair, then smiled at me. Even after knowing that Kevan had been teasing me by pretending to forget our date agreement, instead of feeling angry or annoyed, I became flustered and shy.

I was confused, but I was also incredibly happy.

I smiled again, remembering Kevan’s face.

No wonder so many girls at school admired Kevan. Many girls liked him. Kevan was handsome, but that was not the only thing that captivated me.

There are plenty of handsome guys, But someone with a personality like Kevan’s feels hard to find.

He was quiet, yet still friendly. The way he spoke was so gentle, like the sound of piano keys slowly pulling me into a daydream and letting me sink into my own imaginary world.

A caring and affectionate attitude always shone from his eyes. That gentle gaze never left my memory.

“Why does his gaze make me feel this calm?” I wondered softly.

As if through his eyes, he was offering me thousands of moments of happiness and comfort.

Oh right, today was Saturday. A day that felt worthy of becoming my favorite day from now on. The reason was simple. Today, I could talk alone with Kevan without interference from Alvin and Ari. Not only that, today also felt like it carried a small miracle. Kevan had just walked me home right to the front of my house. Luckily, Grandpa and Grandma were not at home. Completely uninterrupted.

As soon as I entered the house, I immediately ran to my room. I tossed my sling bag carelessly onto the chair.

Without any warning, I jumped onto the bed and bounced around because I was too happy.

I grabbed the mini panda doll lying face down on the pillow, hugged it tightly, then spun around with it.

“I’m going on a date!” I shouted, laughing freely.

“Do you know that, Panda? I was really asked out by Kevan!”

I paused for a moment, hugging the doll even tighter.

“This is crazy. This isn’t a dream, right?”

I truly did not expect Kevan to keep his promise. Even though it all started from a silly challenge Alvin made to tease me, I was still grateful that everything could end this sweetly.

“Oh right,” I suddenly sat up straight. “I have to get ready for tonight.”

I got up from the bed and walked toward the wooden wardrobe that was already a bit worn. I opened the door, then stared at its contents while letting out a sigh.

“Alright,” I said, challenging myself. “Let the war begin.”

I examined the neatly folded clothes. I took two options and held them up alternately in front of the mirror.

“If it’s this one, I’ve worn it often,” I said while lifting my favorite plain black dress.

My gaze shifted to the second option.

“How about this one?” I muttered, holding up a long-sleeved white top with ties on both sides of the waist. “It looks casual.”

“Where is Kevan taking me anyway?” I grumbled softly. “If it’s just a casual outing, it’s fine. But if it’s dinner … I’ll be so embarrassed later.”

I opened the wardrobe again and started trying on several outfits. Changing one, two, three.

“This one? No.”

“This one doesn’t work either.”

“This … is just ordinary.”

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, pouting.

I let my shoulders drop and messed up my own hair in frustration.

“Argh!” I exclaimed in annoyance. “Nothing fits!”

I let out a tired breath.

I grabbed a bolster pillow and lay down on the bed that was already covered with scattered clothes. I let my body go slack, trying to relax while staring at the ceiling.

“Why am I being this complicated?” I whispered.

My thoughts drifted to Dara.

“If only you were here, Dara,” I thought. “We would’ve been arguing by now.”

I could imagine her face. Dara would definitely be sitting cross-legged on the floor, commenting on every outfit I picked up.

“That one’s too plain.”

“This one’s too stiff.”

“This one’s cute, but it’s not really you.”

I chuckled softly as I imagined it. “Yeah, yeah. You would definitely say that.”

My eyes darted left and right, up and down. A sense of boredom and weariness slowly crept in.

“Why is this so hard?” I sighed. “I don’t know which one to wear.”

Usually, once a year I would break open my savings from my part-time work. Either during the semester break or the longer end-of-year holiday. From that money, I always set aside a little to buy at least one outfit for myself.

Sometimes for Grandpa and Grandma too.

“You don’t have to buy anything for us,” they always said. “Just use it for your own needs.”

Grandpa and Grandma never wanted to accept the money I earned from working. They always told me to take care of my own needs instead.

“This year is different,” I murmured again. “I bought books instead.”

I deliberately chose to buy several science study guides rather than clothes. It felt more important. Even though now, at a moment like this, I was starting to feel the consequences.

“If only I had bought one outfit back then,” I muttered softly.

Suddenly, an idea struck me.

“Aha!” I exclaimed spontaneously as I half sat up. “I still have that one dress.”

The dress Dara gave me. My birthday gift three months ago.

I immediately opened the wardrobe, specifically the left side where the hanging clothes were. I crouched down and reached into the very bottom of the wardrobe, hidden beneath several layers of clothing.

“Come on, come on … where are you?” I muttered while shifting the clothes one by one.

“Found it!”

My smile immediately widened. I took a pink box and opened it slowly. Inside, neatly folded, was a sleeveless white dress, its length above the knee.

“White...,” I frowned as I lifted it. “And it’s short too.”

Honestly, I hesitated. This dress felt a little too revealing to me. But I could not deny that the design was simple and looked elegant. It suited my style.

It was just that….

“Isn’t it too feminine?” I murmured while tilting my head.

A memory of Dara surfaced again.

“You really suit this,” she had said back then, insisting. “If you wear it, you’ll definitely look sexy.”

And I had immediately rejected it outright at the time. “No. I’m not confident.”

I stared at the dress for a while longer. My heart began to beat a little faster.

“It’s different now,” I whispered softly. “Maybe … now is the time.”

I let out a long breath.

“There’s no other choice.”

With a bit of hesitation, I gripped the dress more tightly.

“Hopefully you like it,” I said softly.

Whether it was meant for myself, or for the person who would meet me tonight.

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