She paused and took in some juice.

"Oh, that?" she asked and continued eating, but I wasn't.

I was just staring at her, hopefully waiting for an answer.

"Well, I have no idea. Nobody does-maybe except the Star Boys," she replied, and I sighed disappointedly.

"But it all started four years ago," she added.

"Theodore was the leader of the band back then, and he and Jerome were best of friends. They seemed inseparable.

"Normally, Theodore was a nice, quiet guy, while Jerome was the flirty type. Connor, Darrin, and Malcolm were just like Jerome-always having fun.

"But unexplainably, Theodore disappeared; like, he just disappeared, and nobody has heard from him since then.

"So, Jerome took over as the band leader, but things were never the same again..."

"Like the deaths of his girlfriends?" I interpolated, and she shrugged.

"Well, yeah. The death of his girlfriends. It's also kind of complicated.

"Since Theodore left, Jerome has fallen in love with two girls, and they both ended up dead."

"So what do you think?" I asked.

"Do you think it's just a coincidence?"

"Well, I don't know about that. Like I said, it's complicated. Maybe it's a coincidence, maybe it's not. But one thing's for sure; something really big definitely happened between Theodore and Jerome-something really big."

A brief silence stepped in for a while.

"I heard there are no female workers in the Star Boys' mansion," I broke the silence.

"Oh, yes. Jerome's idea," she replied. "He's been trying to avoid contact with girls in every way.

"You know his dad is late, and his mum and little sis actually live in the mansion because of the kid.

"She's a very, very busy woman and travels out of the country a lot..... So, as a result, she stays in the mansion, so whenever she's away, the Heartthrobs could help in looking after Molly, but the Star Boys are usually very busy, and many times, Molly has gone missing.

"Huh? Why doesn't she just get a nanny or something?" I asked, muddled.

"Hello? Have you forgotten I said no female workers in the mansion?

"Jerome's mum has hired about eight nannies-if I'm not mistaken-but they all lost their jobs within 24 hours."

I gasped.

"You mean Jerome sends them away?" I asked.

"Nope. Not Jerome, but Molly. She always cooks up one complaint or the other, or ill-treats and scares the nannies away, and in the end, they end up running away.

"But, it's rumoured Jerome's the one behind it. I heard he's actually the one making her send the nannies away, and that's because he doesn't want any girl around him. Even their cook is a boy."

"But why's he suddenly abstaining from girls?" I asked.

"Well, maybe he's scared to fall in love again. I mean, after what happened to the other two girls he loved. Anyway, I don't know; I have no idea."

I nodded and looked down at my food.

"So, who's your favourite among the Heartthrobs?" I asked, and she blushed.

"Huh? Of course, it's Jerome. Who else could it be?" she replied happily.

"But... if you were to choose between Theodore and Jerome, whom would you choose?" I asked, and she looked stuck for a bit.

"Well... I don't know. Theodore's also very lovely and comparable to Jerome. But, I think I'd still choose Jerome," she replied, and I smiled.

"What about the Stars? Are they also in my grade?" I asked, and Carissa crinkled up her face.

"Who? Those spoilt, arrogant brats?" she asked, and I pulled a surprised face.

"Huh? Why are you saying that about them? I love them," I said defensively, and she scoffed.

"Trust me, darling. It's because you haven't gotten to meet them.

"They're vipers, especially their leader-Ashley. She's a she-wolf. You really need to be careful with them."

I scoffed and shook my head. Is she serious or something?

Ashley is my role model.

How can she tell me to be careful around her?

Carissa and I went on talking for some time, and I kind of enjoyed her company. She was a fun person.

After lunch, she followed me to class. But since we were in different grades, we couldn't stay together, and she left afterwards.

To be sincere, I didn't entirely enjoy my first day in Star College because I didn't get to meet any of my superstars-aside from Jerome, who had just acted blind towards me.

After some hours, the school was over, and everybody headed home.

When I got home, luckily, Dad was still around. And so, his wife and kids didn't have an opportunity to bully me.

Too bad he'll be leaving tomorrow.

I had dinner with him and explained briefly about my first day in Star College. Although, I didn't tell him about the Jerome part.

We spent a long time together, and after a while, I went up to my room for a bath and a rest.

Well, like I said, I only get to enjoy these privileges when Dad is around.

The moment he leaves again by tomorrow, my life's gonna turn into a living hell.

I brought out my diary and wrote about my little experience with Jerome.

It was very brief, but meant a lot to me. I kept smiling the whole time.

I remembered his sweet words to me:

"Do you realise this is a restricted area?"

Hold on; did I just say sweet?

Well, at that moment, they were scary. But right now, they're sweet.

Oh, Jerome!

I could recall how cute he looked when he turned around to pick up the keys-those dazzling eyes of his; the nose; the sweet pink lips, and the hair.

I wish I could hold that face again. Even if it was just for a second.

'I really like you, Jerome,' I wrote in my diary... 'And I wish I could take away the sadness you feel....Too bad you now dislike ladies.'

I closed the diary and lay upward, rethinking the whole thing.

I really wish I could get to see Jerome again.

Well, tomorrow was Tuesday, right? And we had Further Maths.

Mr. Leonard's definitely going to force him to come to class.

Oh, God!

I really can't wait.

I wish I could get to sit next to him.

--

Next Morning

I woke up the next morning, feeling kind of excited.

I had breakfast and dressed up, and after that, Dad dropped me off at school.

"See you later, Ophelia," he told me as he stopped in front of the school and awaited me to step down.

I was sitting down at the front seat with him.

"Dad," I called sadly.

"When will you be travelling?"

"Oh, in less than two hours," he replied, and my eyes drooped.

"Uhm... how long will it take before you return?"

"Uhm... I don't know; maybe some weeks."

My heart ached when he told me about it. I can't imagine what it's going to be like living with that family of his.

"Don't worry, Ophelia. Everything will be fine, okay?" He said as he kissed my forehead, and I smiled and left the car.

Hmm.

Back again in Star College. I hope today won't be as boring as yesterday.

I started walking into the building, admiring all the students I came across. Too bad none of them paid attention to me.

I got to the classroom and took a seat at the back, close to the window.

More students kept trooping in, and I looked curiously for the Star Boys.

Oh, Maths was the last subject before break.

Oh-oh.

That means the Star Boys might not be coming now.

Too bad.

After a short while, the first teacher came in and took us for Science.

I just jolted perfunctorily, as that wasn't what I was waiting for.

Then, after 45 minutes, the next teacher came in and took us on Social Norms.

And finally, it was time for Maths!

Hah!

I can hardly wait!

The Maths teacher came in and commenced teaching, and I was kind of puzzled because the Heartthrobs were yet to come.

Huh?

I itched my head and couldn't pay attention to the lesson because my mind was occupied.

Where are the Heartthrobs? I thought they never failed to miss Mr. Leonard's class?

I became broody and totally lost focus in the class.

I had really planned on seeing them.

"Can anyone help with the equation on the board?" Mr. Leonard's voice broke into my thoughts, and I took a look at the board.

It was a familiar equation.

"Yes? Anyone? Ophelia? The new student?" he called, and I felt surprised he had actually called my name.

Some of the students turned and looked at me, and I became nervous.

"Ophelia, can you help us out?" he asked again, and I stuttered and stood on my feet.

"Uhm... okay, sir," I replied as I walked up to the front of the class and took the marker from him.

Then, I faced the board and started solving the equation.

Like I said, it was a familiar equation. But since it was Further Maths, it had to be lengthy.

I was still focused on the board, solving the equation, when I suddenly heard the students gasping and jittering.

I turned to see what was going on and...

Oh, my God! The Heartthrobs!!!

They're here!

They came!

Oh, my God!

They really did come! Am I dreaming?