Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Hansen and Naomi were up to their necks in work, but they couldn't help finding joy in their busy lives. Meanwhile, Anya had started her driving lessons. She'd sit in the shade, dressed in her sun-protective gear, waiting for her turn behind the wheel while others lined up.

With finals looming and her newfound driving skills, she'd sling her backpack over her shoulder and head to the library for some serious study time. A photo of her kissing someone had made its rounds on an online forum, making her seem so alluring that no one dared to ask for her number.

After school, Leo would be there, waiting at the gate. On their walk home, they'd chat about dinner plans. Sometimes they'd hanker for a barbecue, other times they'd wander through the food street. Anya had a knack for seafood, and she'd even baked some desserts.

Mr. Calder was in a bit of a huff because his daughter wasn't coming home for summer break. Mrs. Calder chimed in, "If she came back, she'd be all over Ash and want to take care of me, and at night, she'd even hog the bed. So, what's it gonna be?"

Mr. Calder sighed, "Well, I suppose she can stay away then."

In the evenings, Leo would drive, showing Anya the ropes behind the wheel. "Ms. Anya, keep that steering wheel centered, and you won't drift. For reversing without navigation, check your side mirrors and don't forget the rearview. When parallel parking, you need to..."

"Chad, I haven't even aced my theory test yet! We're just learning to start the car."

Leo reassured her, "You can review the questions with me around."

"Chad, why did you have me take the manual transmission test when everyone else is doing automatic?"

Leo explained, "If you can handle a manual, you can handle an automatic, but not the other way around. It's better to know it and not need it than need it and not know it, right?"

Anya nodded, adding, "A lot of guys are learning manual."

Leo teased, "Well, switch to automatic tomorrow. I'll teach you manual."

Anya just rolled her eyes. In the end, she stuck with manual, but Leo was there with her every step at the driving school.

As finals approached, college

students had their review period. Whenever Mia and Molly heard Anya was holed up at home studying, they felt the relief of post-graduation freedom. "Anya, you hit those books hard. We won't bother you.

Anya juggled her studies with daily practice test questions on her computer. Leo's bank account sometime's showed signs of strain, but he never fretted. Whenever` money came in, he'd call Anya to check in.

Their friends would tease, "Leo, you're not hitched yet, and you've already handed over the wallet?"

"Give me a hundred bucks, and it'll shrink to fifty. But in Anya's hands, it turns into a hundred and fifty."

"You're pulling in a nice side income, too, with your online gigs. What do you need all this cash for?" Chunky, the laid-back friend, inquired.

Leo played it cool, "You'll see soon enough. Oh, Chunky, can you dig up some info for me? Looking for a computer science master's grad from National University, Greg."noveldrama

"Why don't you do it yourself?"

Leo shrugged, "I can't seem to dig anything up."

"Leo, quit playin'. You think we don't know you're just pulling Chunky's leg?"

Leo laughed, "Hey, even if I'm sharp,

I'm self-taught. This Greg guy snagged second place in a national computer competition and got straight into the National University's grad program. How am I supposed to find that out?"