---------- VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! For those who don't read this, you're guaranteed to regret it for seven generations. Leading up to Valentine's Day, I, Andre, the most popular guy here, offer invaluable happiness. Facilities: - Apologize to someone. - Prank someone until they cry in front of the class. - Gifts as a token of friendship (friends with benefits). - Ask someone out until they're head over heels (This one is for girls only!). Success Rate: 100%, Guarantee from The Perfect Andre. So, for those of you who are definitely interested. Contact me, Andre, in Science Class 3 or call 081312345678 for the delivery service of this super awesome Van Andre Chocolate! ---------- “Wow, is this a promo from Andre, the rich kid?” “Yeah, looks like it, he's even cursing people!” The students buzzed, discussing the advertisement posted on the school's bulletin board this morning. They initially didn't believe the exaggerated ad by Andre, the coolest student here. But as February 14th drew closer, they had no other choice. Direct proof was already available. A few days after the ad was posted, two signatures appeared. From Aldy, the nerdy science student, and Cintia, the super sexy social studies student. They stated that they had used Andre's service and succeeded 200%. 200% because they had already started dating before Valentine's Day arrived. And then there was one more sensational piece of evidence. Mira, a social studies girl, successfully pranked Melo, a clueless guy who had broken up with Mira for no clear reason. During a notoriously strict Economics class, Melo repeatedly asked permission to go to the restroom. After more than 10 times, the teacher's patience ran out. Melo tried his best to beg for permission while holding back an undeniable urge from his stomach. The Economics teacher still wouldn't let Melo go. He was almost crying now, with whimpers that seemed ridiculous to those who weren't experiencing it. “Ma'am, please, ma'am….” Melo desperately half-ran towards the classroom exit. But still 2.5 meters from the door, an unpleasant sound came from his backside. All the students burst into laughter, especially Mira, who became hysterical. Melo cried uncontrollably, unable to bear the shame. In essence, all of The Perfect Andre's offers were a huge success! Andre's propaganda spread throughout the school, especially among the shy kids who didn't dare to ask someone out. Not to be overlooked was Andre. This wasn't The Perfect Andre we've been talking about, but Andre, the thick-spectacled guy who actually looked quite decent without his glasses. He was always insecure about his nerdiness. So, whenever he was near a girl, cold sweat would trickle down his forehead, and he'd immediately get flustered. Nevertheless, he had high standards when it came to girls. He had long been eyeing Vera, his classmate. But Vera, this beautiful and smart girl, never took Andre seriously. She only spoke to Andre if she needed something or, at most, was part of the same study group. So, unable to contain the turmoil in his chest any longer, Andre decided to use The Perfect Andre's service. “Dre, I want to talk.” The Perfect Andre looked up to see who was approaching him. The handsome, well-built man stopped writing in his notebook and shifted his sitting position slightly. “Oh, it's you, Dre, what's up?” Nerdy Andre sat on the empty chair next to The Perfect Andre. It was break time, so the classroom was quiet. “I need your help.” The Perfect Andre smiled broadly. As if he understood that someone like nerdy Andre would surely come begging for his help. “Let me analyze. I have three packages here. Package A, for pranking people until they learn their lesson. Ah, you don't have any enemies, as far as I know.” Nerdy Andre just nodded in agreement. “Then Package B, for people who want to get back with their ex. But, you've never even dated before. Sorry, just kidding. Hehehe.” Nerdy Andre fell silent, a little offended. “Then. Ah, here it is. Package C. This is for people who want to ask a girl out. I'm sure you need this!” The Perfect Andre finally exclaimed. Nerdy Andre smiled contentedly. He looked at The Perfect Andre's face, whose fate was so different from his, even though they shared the same name. “Dre, you absolutely have to help me.” “So, who's the girl you want to ask out?” Nerdy Andre paused for a moment. He was afraid his answer would make The Perfect Andre laugh. “Vera.” The Perfect Andre's expression turned serious. He thought for a long time before finally saying, “Hmmm, that's a tough one. But don't worry. With a little golden touch from me, everything will be sorted. Maybe there needs to be a little modification from you.” The Perfect Andre took off the thick glasses worn by Nerdy Andre. Then he took out his phone plus a digital camera and took a close-up photo of Nerdy Andre's face without glasses. “Look at your own face. Pretty cool, right? So you have to be confident, okay!” Nerdy Andre saw his own face on the phone screen. But unfortunately, he couldn't see it clearly. He asked for his glasses back, and now he could see his own face, which turned out to be quite okay. “And for those 'bottle-bottom' glasses of yours, I'll help you find contact lenses later.” “But you really will help me, Dre?” Nerdy Andre asked as he returned the phone. “How about this, you know Nero, your classmate, right? I'm the one who got him back with his girlfriend, Resty. So you must trust me!” Nerdy Andre now smiled confidently with The Perfect Andre's indoctrination. He remembered Nero, his deskmate in class. After getting back with Resty, he was always busy typing SMS for his girlfriend. Whereas before, Nero used to confide in him every day during study breaks. Therefore, his motivation to compete in the game of love grew even higher.***
Just as the school gate opened, Andre pushed his way in. This February 14th would be the most historic moment of his life. He was the first person to arrive at school. Tension mixed with excitement accompanied his quick steps towards the classroom. He passed through the stuffy classroom, where the AC hadn't been turned on yet. He approached Vera's desk and slipped a small box inside. A weight lifted from him after his first mission succeeded. He let out a sigh of relief and quickly left as if he hadn't been in the class at all. An hour later, Andre walked calmly to the restroom from the direction of the canteen. He went to the washbasin to wash his face. In the mirror, he saw his tense expression. Remembering something, he took out a package containing contact lenses. He had bought them during a trip to the mall with The Perfect Andre for a makeover. The Perfect Andre felt everything was ready. He then gave his final touch at a cafe. “Dre, this is our ultimate weapon,” The Perfect Andre handed him a small box. “My job is done here. Now it's up to your intention and courage to get that girl.” Nerdy Andre took the box. On top of the box was a small envelope. “You don't need to worry about the contents of that letter. The important thing is you have to be back at this place before 8 PM tomorrow night,” The Perfect Andre instructed while finishing his drink. “Thanks, Dre!” The Perfect Andre, who had already left, just gave a thumbs-up, wishing Nerdy Andre success. The sound of the bell for class broke Andre's reverie. He grabbed his bag and walked confidently towards the classroom, which was far across from the restroom. He entered the classroom and saw Vera already sitting in her seat. Andre sat in his own spot and began to observe Vera's movements. No reaction yet. Andre was patient enough until the Physics teacher arrived, and Vera put her white hand into her desk drawer. There was an expression of surprise as Vera opened the package in her hand and then read the attached letter. Andre was very satisfied to see Vera's happy expression. Even though Vera didn't turn to look at him once, he was happy enough and couldn't wait for tonight.***
In a corner of the cafe, as instructed by The Perfect Andre, Andre sat waiting. It was only 10 minutes to 8 PM. He had already finished 2 glasses of lemon tea because he was so nervous. Actually, he shouldn't feel this way. He had seen his own face in the mirror. The glasses that usually hung stiffly on his nose were now replaced by two beautiful contact lenses. In his mind, he rehearsed what words he would say to Vera. He reopened the notes he had made at home. While Andre memorized sentence after sentence in his notes, a handsome young man entered the cafe. He took a strategic spot so he would be easily seen by newcomers. A beep sounded from Andre's watch as it struck exactly 08:00 PM. He stopped memorizing and waited to see who would appear from behind the door. A few minutes felt like a year until Vera appeared there. She looked incredibly beautiful wearing a blue blouse and a long black skirt. Vera cast her gaze upon someone, and she smiled. As if struck by a bayonet, Andre realized that it wasn't him Vera was looking at. Vera smiled at the handsome young man in the middle of the cafe. His heart shattered even more after recognizing who the man in front of Vera was now. It was The Perfect Andre. He crumpled the notes, which were now crushed in his grasp. Without thinking twice, he slipped away to the restroom to escape the painful sight before him.***
“Hi, Ver, how was your journey, smooth?” asked The Perfect Andre as Vera arrived in front of him. He stood up and invited Vera to sit down. “Thanks, Dre, you've already…” “Oh, what would you like to order?” The Perfect Andre interrupted. “Whatever you want,” The Perfect Andre ordered food from a passing waiter. A moment later, the waiter arrived with three servings of food. “Why three, Dre?” Vera looked confused. Everything became even more confusing for Vera when a girl with distinct Eastern European features approached The Perfect Andre. He stood up and hugged the woman. “Vera, meet Nadya, my girlfriend who just arrived from Czech Republic.” Nadya extended her hand to shake Vera's. But Vera didn't respond and remained fixated on Nadya. “Dre, sorry. I need to go to the restroom first.” Vera hurried away, leaving The Perfect Andre no time to stop her.***
In front of the restroom mirror, Nerdy Andre wiped his tear-streaked face. He couldn't believe that The Perfect Andre, the person he trusted, had taken the girl he was after. He was well aware of his misfortunes all this time. ‘What is there to be proud of about nerdy Andre compared to The Perfect Andre!’ Andre screamed inwardly. From the open door, Andre heard someone enter. That person stood in front of the mirror a few meters next to him. He couldn't see clearly who it was because he wasn't wearing contact lenses yet. But what was certain was that it was a woman, and she was crying. Without thinking, Andre approached the woman. “Excuse me, ma'am, why are you crying?” There was no answer from the woman; instead, her crying intensified. “Someone must have lied to you, ma'am, just like me!” Suddenly, the woman's crying stopped. Andre couldn't clearly see what was happening. He felt he had made the woman angry. He took his glasses from his pocket. When he could see clearly, he realized the woman was staring intently at him. “Huh, is that you, Vera?” Andre was surprised to realize who had been in front of him all this time. “Ver, what are you doin'…” Andre's words were cut short when Vera reached for Andre's glasses and took them off. Then she put them back on. “Dre, you look so different without glasses. But I prefer the sincere gaze from behind those clear objects.” “Even if I look nerdy because of them?” “There's no nerdy Andre or anything else; you are the only Andre I haven't realized all this time.” They exchanged smiles. Andre was mesmerized by Vera's soothing gaze until his eyes caught a symbol on the wall. Andre slapped his forehead and said, “Oh no, this is the men's restroom. Why are you here?!” Vera laughed, realizing her carelessness. It turns out that what the eyes see isn't always true. They then left the restroom before anyone could catch them.***
In an unseen corner, a pair of eyes was observing. Andre and Vera had just walked out of the cafe, holding hands. The owner of those eyes smiled subtly and took out his notebook. In it, he wrote: ----- Last client of Van Andre Chocolate. February 14, 2006 Name: Andre and Vera. Status: Now a couple. Success record: 100%. -----