When Love is a Quest Chapter 3: Her first love

Chapter 3: Her first love

Before Zinnia Lopez entered high school, her family sent her to study abroad. They wanted to protect her from the prying eyes of the public.

Being the sole heiress of a large dia company ant that people were bound to invade her privacy and follow her every move. To shield her from this attention, her parents decided to send her to a foreign country where she could live normally and freely.

At first, Zinnia struggled with the adjustnt. Everything was new and unfamiliar, and she felt out of place. But everything changed when she t him.

Jas Lucas was the na she saw written on a na tag on the chair beside hers.

She sat quietly in her chair while her classmates chatted happily around her. The language spoken was foreign to her, so she lacked the confidence to strike up a conversation.

Then, a boy who seed to be from the sa country as her caught her attention. In a classroom where she felt isolated and alone, his sudden presence was like a morning sun bringing warmth and light.

He had a gentle face with deep brown eyes and a warm smile as he approached her.

"Hello! I'm Jas Lucas. Nice to et you, my seatmate." He stretched out his hand, asking for a handshake.

Zinnia was taken aback when she heard his voice. It was gentle and pleasing to the ears. Most importantly, he spoke the sa language as her.

Surprised, she didn't react imdiately but managed to shake his hand.

Jas then took the seat with his na tag and settled his things. Looking at her with a friendly smile, he asked, "By the way, seatmate, may I know your na?"

He tried to read her na tag, but it was blocked by her. So, he just looked at her face with a gentle smile, waiting for her response.

"Hmmm... I-I'm Zinnia Lopez," she said shyly. It was her first ti talking to soone since she arrived in this country.

"You have a beautiful na," Jas said. "Does your na co from the flower called zinnia? That's actually my mom's favorite flower. She says zinnia ans goodness, lasting affection, and enduring love."

"I didn't know about that aning," Zinnia replied. "I only know that zinnia is also my mom's favorite flower, and that's why they gave

that na."

"By the way, Zinnia, is it okay if I ask how long you've been living in this country?"

Zinnia nodded and answered, "Just two weeks ago."

"Oh, I've been living here for three months already. I was supposed to be in third-year high school, but due to difficulties with processing my docunts and not knowing the language, they placed

in first-year high school."

He sighed, looking sad about the situation. Then his mood brightened as he continued, "I was feeling so sad when I found out I had to start over as a first-year student. But when I entered this classroom and saw you, I was so happy. You're the first person I've t who seems to co from the sa country as ."

Jas smiled brightly, then continued his story, "Actually, earlier when you didn't react when I told you my na, I was so nervous. I thought I was mistaken, that you just looked like soone from my country but were actually born here and spoke the local language."

He sighed and chuckled to himself. "I felt so relieved when you finally spoke. It was like... thankfully, I t soone who shares the sa language. I finally have soone I can talk to without worrying about a language barrier."

He looked Zinnia in the eyes and flashed his brightest smile. "With you around, starting first-year high school again isn't so bad anymore."

Zinnia smiled back at him. She felt the sa way. Even though Jas was chatty, she didn't find it irritating. Instead, his presence reminded her of ho, filling a void left by the absence of her parents' familiar banter.

Hearing soone speak her language was comforting, especially because Jas had a nice voice and spoke with a gentle tone.

From that encounter, they spent their school years together. In that foreign land, Jas beca her companion, her best friend, and eventually, her first love.

During their final year of high school, discussions about crushes and romantic relationships beca common among students.

Zinnia and Jas, both good-looking, attracted nurous admirers. Because they were always together, people began to assu they were in a romantic relationship.

This made them both more aware of the complexities of their feelings. They liked each other, but they were afraid of ruining their friendship. What if they broke up? Would they still be able to be friends, or would they beco strangers?

Their fears were valid, but they also wondered about the potential of their relationship. If they were ant to be together, wasn't it worth taking their relationship to the next level? They could show everyone who might want to co between them that their bond was unbreakable.

But what if their feelings weren't mutual? What if Zinnia loved him, but to him, she was just a friend? Or maybe Jas was in love with her, but she didn't feel the sa way? Both were scared of an uncertain future.

The day of their graduation arrived. Before they went their separate ways, Jas mustered up the courage to ask Zinnia out.

"Zinnia, wait... I-I want to invite you this Saturday. It's my birthday."

"Sure! We've celebrated each other's birthdays many tis. Of course, I'll be there."

"It's not just that. I want to tell you sothing very important. So I really hope you will co."

Jas blushed deeply as he spoke, unable to et her eyes.

Zinnia's heart skipped a beat. Her thoughts raced with anticipation. 'Is he finally going to confess his feelings to ?'

"I'll be coming, I promise," she managed to say before she hurriedly walked away, almost stumbling as she did.

Jas chuckled, watching her departing figure. He smiled wider at the thought of the upcoming event.