1000 Season Chasing Stars

CHAPTER 11

As soon as she found out about it, Erika obviously felt uneasy, she did not want Niko to be close to Laura. Every time Niko would meet Laura, Erika always looked for an excuse to keep Niko company.

But Laura doesn't mind. ''It's okay-2, Niko'', she said calmly, ''I can take care of our classroom food stall.''

Erika uses her parents' connections to have kiosk-2 franchises in the school cafeteria not sell her food to Laura. He assumed that if Laura did not have food to sell, her stall would automatically fail. The day before the school bazaar, Laura saw a photography club putting up photos in the school hall. Looks like they'll be holding a photo exhibit at the school bazaar tomorrow. Suddenly 2 Laura got an idea. He approached the head of the photography club and asked for his help to leave the photo room to be exhibited. With the guarantee of the photography club getting free food from his kiosk, Laura gets the vacant place she wants.

 

After school, Laura talks to Niko. ''Niko, I have an idea. You don't have to agree to it if you mind.''

''What idea?'' ask Niko wonder.

''Um, I know you like drawing. What if some of your best work is displayed in the hall tomorrow?'' advice Laura.

Niko was surprised to hear Laura's suggestion. ''What? My picture?''

Laura nodded. ''Yes, I asked the chairman of the photography club to provide an empty place in the hall. I think your picture-2 could be there.''

Niko thought long. ''I never show pictures of me to anyone else.''

 

 ''Your picture is beautiful, Niko, '' said Laura tenaciously. ''I'm sure others who saw it thought the same.''

''Comein'that. Are you sure my picture is that good?'' ask Niko.

''Why don't you prove it tomorrow by showing it off in the hall? You have nothing to lose. If people-2 like your picture, that's a good thing. If not, no what-2, right? What matters is that you've tried.''

Niko looked at the girl in front of her with a new perspective. She didn't expect Laura to be so persuasive.

Niko smiled. ''I didn't think you could be persuasive enough jg.''

Hearing Niko's words, Laura was stunned. He remembers almost two years ago he could not speak to Niko. Now he can talk like an old friend. Partly because Laura realized that her 2nd year with Niko was coming to an end. He won't lose Niko, because he never had one. And as a friend, he wants Niko to appreciate his hobby.

 ''So, ''' continued Laura, ''you're going to do it?''

''I will think about it first, Niko said slowly.

''You have until tomorrow morning, '' said Laura. ''I'm not sure someone who wrote 'DON't GIVE UP' on me will give up tomorrow morning.''

Niko laughs. ''We'll see tomorrow morning. 'Thanks', Laura. I really-2 appreciate your help.''

''Sama-2,'' Laura replied (''you don't know you've made me do things I couldn't have done before.'')

***

''Wow, that smells good. What are you cooking?'' ask mom after the office.

''Taste for the bazaar tomorrow,” Laura said as she stirred the pieces of chicken meat in the pan.

''You make chicken rica-2?'' asked the curious mama while looking at the chicken that his daughter was sauteing.

Laura shakes. ''No, I'm trying a new recipe. CHIKEN SPAGHETTI'S. Other classes

serving famous restaurant cuisine, but I want to try to make it myself.''

Mama took a spoon and tasted Laura's cooking. ''Hm. Mama thinks you can win the race tomorrow.''