"Ramirez," she heard his gentle voice followed by a soft kiss on her shoulder. Dara stirred awake and cracked an eye open, her mind still hazy with sleep. She squeezed her eyes shut before opening them again, blinking multiple times, noticing the beautiful sunrise outside the window.

"Ramirez," Jiro called out again. She turned her head toward the guy and she was welcomed by the sight of him tenderly staring at her. God, he looks so handsome. Her day already felt complete.

"I'm going to work. My classes are in the afternoon so I'll just go to school after my shift. I prepared breakfast for you. Just stay at home instead of going to school so you can rest. I'll just inform your friend that you're not feeling well."

"No, I can handle it. I'm fine," she said sluggishly.

His eyebrows instantly connected with her response. "You're sore," he pointed out.

"I'll be fine, Jiro. Go now. You'll be late."

He fell silent as he stared at the girl, stroking her upper arm with his fingers, not really wanting to leave.

"Stop staring at me," she whined, covering his eyes with her hand. Jiro peeled it off his eyes and held her hand, gazing at her and sighing afterwards. "Okay, I'll go now," he said.

"Kiss me first," she demanded, puckering her lips playfully. He gave her an amused smile as he cupped her face with both his hands and dipped down, giving her a quick peck. He drew back an inch before giving her another peck on the lips and showered her with soft kisses all over her face, making the girl giggle. He then nuzzled the crook of her neck, licking and sucking her skin as he gathered her in his arms, wrapping her in a tight embrace and making her sit up.

"Jiro, enough," Dara said huskily and hit his arm lightly when she felt that the guy was getting carried away. Hesitantly, he stopped and drew back while breathing raggedly.

She stared at him deeply, her heart thundering inside her chest as she took all of him. She then wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face on his shoulder, inhaling his fresh scent. How she wish she would have more mornings like this with him. She felt his hand stroking her back before giving her a kiss on the temple. Dara lifted her gaze and met his eyes, his brown orbs glimmering because of the sunlight bathing the entire room.

"I thought you want me to leave now?" he asked, a teasing smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Instead of responding, she rested her cheek against his chest, listening to the loud pounding of his heart.

"What will I do with you, Dara..." he whispered in a hoarse voice, his arms around her becoming firm.

"Your heart is beating hard," she said in a hushed tone, her eyelids becoming heavy.

"I wonder why," he mumbled, even though he knew exactly why.

She blinked a few times before her eyes shut closed, sleep successfully engulfing her. Jiro tilted his head and stared at the girl who fell asleep in his arms.

The reason why his heart beats hard was now sleeping soundly.

***

DARA

Okay, this is serious. My body was still a bit sore but that was the least of my worries. Now that I was fully awake, I was dreading the moment of encountering Jiro at school because... Oh God, the things we did last night! *Groans*

Just recalling the things that I moaned when he was feasting in my...ugh! I just wanted to bang my head on the wall multiple times because of embarrassment. How did I look last night? My legs were spread apart while he was right there in my—GAH! And he slid his tongue and smelled my...ACK!

I rested my head weakly on the desk as the professor finally left the room. I didn't want to go out because there was a big chance that Jiro was already in school after finishing his shift at his part-time job.

Okay, Dara Ramirez. Calm down. Calm down. This is not something to be embarrassed about. It's a pretty normal thing. When you see him, just act like you normally do. Seriously, it's not a big deal. When he looks at you, he'll just probably be his old stoic self and give you a tentative glance WHILE REMEMBERING YOUR VAGINA! GAH!

I can't do this!

I can't do this!

"Hey!"

"Ahh!" I yelped in surprise and abruptly sat up, clutching my chest, my eyes wide with fear as my head swung toward Namee. "My gosh! You scared me! My gosh! MY GOSH!"

"What the hell?" She frowned and roamed her scrutinizing gaze all over my face. "You're sweating, and your cheeks are red. Stop masturbating in school," she said nonchalantly. "I'm utterly scandalized."

"Dumbass," I muttered as I stood up and grabbed my bag, following her as she headed toward the door.

"You've been spacing out since this morning," she remarked. "I heard Jiro's already here, so you don't have to be worried anymore."

I stiffened at the mention of his name. Hopefully, we wouldn't see him any time soon because my fragile heart was not prepared to face—

"I need to give these cupcakes to Picaro," she said, showing me the boxes inside the paper bags that she was carrying. "Let's drop by the Black Dragon's turf."

*GASP!* Nooo!

My steps immediately halted and I gnawed my lips as my mind weaved a hundred plausible excuses per second to avoid going to Jiro's turf without Namee sniffing the truth out of me. "Um...I forgot something," I said.

"What? I didn't see anything in your desk. You got your bag with you."

"I forgot something in my locker."

"Okay, then let's drop by the lockers since it's on the way."

"Well, it's—"

"Why do I feel like you're just making excuses?" Her eyes narrowed at me, making me uneasy. If Namee found out that I was behaving like an idiot because of what happened last night, she would probably hold me captive and lock me up somewhere until I spill all the juicy details such as the smell, size, and color. *Shiver*

"Oh," I looked at my bag and pretended to be fumbling with it. "It's in my bag. I thought I forgot my notebook in my locker. Ha ha ha," I said. Seriously, my awkward laugh was a dead giveaway and I hated myself for it, but fortunately, Namee just gave me a bewildered look and continued walking.

As we were drawing near the turf, I was praying hard like my life depended on it, hoping that Jiro was not there. When we finally reached the Black Dragon's turf and when I saw that Jiro was nowhere in sight, relief flooded my body.

"Hey, I brought the cupcakes that I baked," Namee said as he entered the turf with me following her from behind. Picaro took the paper bags from her and ushered us to the chairs by the side. The other Black Dragon members instantly crowded around Picaro who gave each one a cupcake.

"Nice!" Bonsai exclaimed, immediately grabbing one and shoving the cupcake in his mouth. "Hey, Ice Leader! Want some?"

My eyes widened and my heart thundered inside my chest with what Bonsai said.

"No, thanks," I heard his rough voice coming from behind and my head almost exploded in a million particles.

He's here! WAH! Help meee!

"I forgot something in my locker!" I announced in a high pitch voice, startling everyone. I hastily spun around and dashed toward the door, not bothering to glance at Jiro as I zoomed past him.

***

Her muscles were still aching but Dara ignored the pain. She had been trying to avoid running across Jiro the entire afternoon and it required her full chi and kung fu. She knew it was ridiculous but what could she do? When she saw him, she couldn't help but feel self-conscious and embarrassed so she'd rather deal with him at home rather than in school.

She was ascending the stairs at the fire exit while glancing back, afraid that she would see Jiro any moment even though the possibility was slim. She texted Namee to meet her at the fire exit stairs. Students didn't usually hang around in that place except when they were trying to avoid someone, like what she was doing.

"Ramirez," Jiro called out as he leaned against the wall, standing at the corner of the stairs away from her line of vision.

Oh shit.

Dara froze before slowly descending the stairs backwards, hoping that he did not really see her and was just saying her name randomly. Who was she kidding? This was Namee's fault! The daughter of darkness probably told Jiro where she was!

"Don't you fucking dare run away, Ramirez. I already saw you," he said firmly, obviously pissed off.

Oh no!

Dara ascended the stairs and approached him, her eyes cast downwards. "I'm sorry," she mumbled.

"Why can't you even look at me?"

She tentatively glanced at him and immediately averted her gaze. It was no use! She could feel her heart beating in an abnormal pace with just the sight of him. His eyes deeply staring at her, his lips, his nose... *Sigh*

"Did I do something wrong?"

"No," she answered timidly.

"Then why the hell are you avoiding me?"

Dara bit her bottom lip and buried her face on his chest, pulling his jacket uniform to cover her head. "I feel embarrassed to see you," she replied, her voice a bit muffled. She then lifted her gaze, shielding half of her face with his jacket. When she saw that his head was tilted to look at her, Dara immediately buried her face in his chest again and covered her head.

His chest reverberated as a soft laugh escaped his lips. He's laughing! Dara thought and immediately frowned when she realized something. He was laughing at her!

She knew it! She knew it! He was thinking about the embarrassing things she did last night! Oh my God, did she moan loudly? Did some random hell come out of her mouth that she could not recall? Or perhaps...*GASP!* He was thinking about her vajayjay! WAH!

She immediately took a step back and was about to run away, but Jiro was quick to catch her, entwining one arm around her waist. He pinned her on the wall afterwards, his hands firmly gripping her wrists on the sides of her head. "I told you not to run away from me, Ramirez," he hissed. "What exactly is this about, huh? Tell me."

"I told you I'm embarrassed," she gnawed her bottom lip and dropped her gaze, not wanting to meet his eyes.

"Hey," he whispered and bridged the gap between their faces, pressing his lips against hers. He guided her hands on his nape and entwined his arms on her waist. "What's the matter?" he asked while staring at the girl who still refused to meet his eyes. "Is this about last night?"

He felt her stiffen, but she did not say a word. Bingo.

"Is there something I did that you didn't like?"

She shook her head and finally lifted her gaze. "It was my first time, Jiro."

"I know."

"It's just that, um...I don't have any experience to compare it with and I don't know if I did it right and...and I don't know what you're thinking or...or...ugh! What am I saying?" Dara covered her face with her hands and groaned in frustration.

"Ramirez..."

She partially parted her fingers and looked at him behind the gaps. He just silently gazed at her, not saying another word. Slowly, she slid her hands off her face and directed her attention to him, her face still drawn with concern.

"Don't think about such things."

"I'm inexperienced and lame," she lamented.

"Enough," he said. He sighed deeply as he held her gaze. "It's me, Ramirez. You have nothing to be embarrassed about," he assured her. "You're the only girl who drives me crazy."

She bit her lip to suppress her smile, but it still showed on her eyes.

"Let's go. Your vacant period is about to end," Jiro grabbed her hand and ushered her toward the stairs. "We should do it often so you'll get used to it," he mumbled, a devious grin crossing his lips.

"Jiro!"

***

The class year was about to end and the atmosphere in InterSAT was becoming gloomy. Most of the senior students walked like there was a heavy weight in their shoulders, while some could not wait to be free and dive into the world of adults.

Dara,

I'm sorry for what I did and thank you for helping me when InterSAT was attacked. I feel so ashamed with what I did. That's why I can't face you personally yet. But I truly am sorry.

Riko

Dara folded the letter that was slipped in her locker and shoved it inside. She must admit, she still felt bad with what Riko did, but she knew it would soon fade away.

She made her way to the cafeteria where her friends were waiting. She sat beside Namee while Bullet was seated across the table, bickering with the girl about something. Dara smiled to herself and watched the familiar scene. She then roamed her eyes around, noticing the banners congratulating the graduates that hung on the ceiling. A year indeed had already passed.

"Munchkin, tell Namee to stop. She's being impossible again," Bullet's voice slashed through her consciousness.

"You're the crazy one here!" Namee argued. "Tell him he's crazy, Dara."

"I don't even know what you two are arguing about."

"I told him that girls should be allowed to start their own gangs too. And he started shooting down my idea," Namee complained.

"I'm not saying you can't. In fact, there's no rule in InterSAT that says girls can't start their own gang. I'm just saying I can't imagine it happening any time soon. And I certainly can't imagine you being the leader of the gang, Namee."

"Why not?"

"Oh come on. What are you going to do? Gossip in your turf and praise each other's hair?" he said sarcastically. "And don't even get me started with girls' gang brawl. How will it play out? Are the female gangs going to face each other and throw insults until one of them cries? Que horror, Namee. Que horror."

"That's not true!"

Bullet shook his head in resignation and continued eating. "Ask your boyfriend. He'll tell you the same thing."

"Picaro will agree with me."

"I heard my name," Picaro said, walking toward them with Bonsai tagging along. He placed his tray of food on their table and took a seat beside Namee while Bonsai sat beside Bullet.

"Hey! What the hell are these Black Dragons doing here?" he complained and turned to Bonsai. "You're not allowed to sit with us."

"Aww, is it because we're not wearing pink? I'm sorry. I promise to wear pink next time and we can paint our nails together and gossip like the girls that we are," Bonsai countered and proceeded on eating.

"Munchkin, I hate him."

"No fighting while eating, kids," Dara remarked.

"Yes, ma'am. I'll just get some water," Bonsai said and left. Dara turned to the scowling Bullet and smiled at him. "The bad guy is gone, Bullet. Stop pouting."

"I'm joining you. There's no table anymore," Stone suddenly appeared and sat beside Bullet. He then looked at Namee and Picaro, guilt crossing his face. "Hey Cheng, sorry for calling you a hooker before. Uh, I was...um..."

"It's okay, Stone. Forget about it," Namee smiled at him. "I heard you helped Dara, so we're even."

"What the fuck is wrong with this day?" Bullet exclaimed in exasperation.

"Why? What's wrong?" Picaro blinked at him quizzically.

"What the hell! Are we best friends now? Why are you all sitting with us?"

"Ramirez," Jiro joined them and sat beside Dara, asking something from the girl.

"Oh great. He's here," Bullet slumped his shoulders in defeat. "I'm in hell. This is hell," he grudgingly muttered.

Bonsai finally arrived with a glass of water in hand. "Now, now. Let's eat peacefully, shall we?" he said and took his seat. He was about to eat when he finally noticed Stone, his eyebrows immediately connecting. "What the fuck is The Claws leader doing here?"

"Exactly my point!" Bullet exclaimed.

"Bonsai, don't cross Stone," Jiro instructed firmly.

"Okay, Ice Leader."

Dara smiled as she scanned her eyes around the cafeteria and noticed that the other students were staring at their table in a mixture of awe and disbelief. She then looked at the people in their table, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. A year indeed had already passed. So much had changed.

***

"Jiro Montecillo."

A roar of approval and loud cheers erupted in the vicinity as Jiro stood up when his name was called and climbed on the stage to receive his diploma. All the InterSAT gangs applauded and yelled his name, with the Black Dragons being the rowdiest of them all.

"ICE LORD! ICE LORD! ICE LORD!"

Jiro's expression remained stoic, not even waving at his gang mates who were enthusiastically chanting his name. He descended down the stairs and slumped back on his seat, boredly playing with his diploma.

When the graduation ceremony finally ended, Dara ran toward him with a huge smile on her face. "Congratulations!" she exclaimed.

"Thanks," he replied lazily.

"What's with that cold reaction? Cheer up! You graduated!" she said merrily as they walked along the university garden.

"Ramirez."

"Hmm?" Dara turned toward him, her smile faltering when she saw his serious expression.

"Can you wait for me at the playground near your house? I just need to talk to Stone about something, and then I'll be right there. We need to discuss something."

"O-Okay. Is everything alright?"

"Yes, everything's fine."

Somehow, her heart was not put at ease by his response.

***

Dara sat on the bench at the neighborhood playground, clasping her hands together nervously on her lap. The light from the lamp post automatically switched on as darkness spread. The girl continued waiting.

Minutes passed by, and Jiro finally arrived. He sat on the bench beside her, the moonlight casting shadows on his face. Her heart thumped nervously as she waited for him to speak.

"When I left for a few days, I told you that I took an exam and had a series of interviews at the head office of the electronic company that Stone's dad recommended," he started. "I got the job."

Relief flooded her and she exhaled heavily, not realizing she was holding her breath. "That's great! Congratulations! Everything's working well for you, Jiro." She beamed at him, but when his gaze flicked toward her, she saw the somber expression in his eyes.

"The plan of Stone's dad worked. The head office didn't know of my juvenile records and since my record had already been expunged and since I passed the exams and the interviews, everything worked well. Their HR department recommended me to the regional office located at the uptown district."

"Wow. The uptown district is just a few minutes away from here, and it's where the big companies are at. You really did great, Jiro!"

"They informed me earlier that they have to send me to Europe for training. I also have to stay there afterwards to help out in the upcoming project before I can settle in the uptown district office."

"Oh," she said, her smile wavering a bit but she quickly regained it. "Everything will be fine, Jiro. I'm sure you'll be able to ace the training and do well in the project."

"I'll be staying there for two years, Ramirez."

Two years...