Romeo and Katrina have been close since their first day of high school. They exchange everything, including inside jokes and secrets. Through good times and bad, they have always been there for one another. But as graduation day draws closer, something starts to shift. Katrina discovers that she is now observing aspects of Romeo that she had never before noticed, such as his chuckle and how he appears in his varsity jacket. And all of a sudden, she begins to view him entirely differently. They start to understand that their feelings for one another extend beyond simple friendship as they work through the challenges of high school life. However, with college just around the corner and the possibility that their paths will diverge, Romeo and Katrina had to choose whether to risk their friendship and try their luck with love.
Chapter 1 A Random Meeting
Katrina has never been a person who focused much on those around her. She had always taken her position for granted because she had grown up in the lap of luxury, surrounded by all the trappings of riches and privilege. But when she met Romeo in high school, everything changed on that fateful day.
On a typical school day, Katrina was with her usual group of friends, chatting and joking about the newest fashionable clothing and technology. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Romeo wiping the floors with a mop and bucket as she was moving down the corridor. He was a quiet boy with a kind face and a soft manner.
Katrina found herself pulled to him for some reason. She took her time approaching him because she didn't want to attract too much attention. She smiled at him and quietly whispered, "Hi."
Romeo raised an eyebrow in shock. He smiled back, "Oh, hi," he said.
His kindness, which Katrina had rarely experienced in her network of acquaintances, left her feeling moved. He and she began up a discussion, and as they spoke, she became aware of something peculiar about him. He was sincere, truthful, and caring in a way that she had never known.
Katrina noticed that she was looking for Romeo more and more as the weeks went by. During breaks, she would converse with him, occasionally sneaking away from her friends to spend time with him.
He instilled in her the importance of perseverance and the delight of serving others without expecting anything in return. He demonstrated to her that being nice was a quality, not a flaw.
However, not all of Katrina's friends approved of her spending time with Romeo. They considered him to be beneath her, the hopeless kid of a cleaner. They advised her to avoid him and stick with people of her type.
Katrina, however, was not receptive. Romeo stood out from the crowd, and she was aware of this distinct quality about him. And she became aware that she was smitten with him as she gazed into his kind eyes. Hard.
After their rendezvous in the park, Katrina couldn't stop thinking about Romeo. She felt drawn to him in a way that she couldn't quite explain. She felt secure and content because of the love and gentleness he possessed. The following day, as she entered the building, she noticed Romeo standing by his locker. She suddenly felt both excitement and anxiety.
Although they had never actually spoken at school before, she suddenly desired his constant company."Hey," she remarked as she approached him. Romeo turned to face her and grinned. Katrina, hello. Good or bad? I'm OK, she affirmed."How about you?" "I'm good, too," he replied. I'm just trying to get through another day of class.
Katrina laughed. "I know what you mean. It can be tough sometimes."
They chatted for a few more minutes before the bell rang, signaling the start of first period. With a sensation of thrill she hadn't experienced in a while, Katrina turned and went away.
Katrina and Romeo became more infatuated over the ensuing few weeks. Every night, they would spend hours on the phone together, discussing their aspirations. Katrina discovered that she was able to be more vulnerable with Romeo than she ever had been.
Katrina was worried about her friends' reactions despite her growing affection for Romeo. They had a specific prestige to uphold and all came from wealthy households.
She was aware that they would never understand her bond with Romeo, the kid of a housekeeper.
But as she got to know Romeo better, she understood that his character went well beyond his upbringing. He was wise, considerate, and had a pure heart. He showed her that treating others nicely and with respect was the proper attitude to have in life and that showing kindness and compassion could go a long way.
On the other hand, Katrina's friends were just concerned with keeping up their status and outward appearances. They had no interest in getting to know people outside of their social group and were always knocking others down.
Katrina knew that she had a choice to make. She could either continue to hang out with her friends and ignore her feelings for Romeo, or she could take a chance at something real and meaningful.
And as the prom dance approached, Katrina knew that she had to make a decision. She wanted to go to the dance with Romeo, but she wasn't sure if she was ready to face the judgment of her friends and peers.
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