chapter 5: Have some self respect

LUNA POV

I had come up with a foolproof plan. Richard was my next target. I had paid to get his schedule—nothing about the Big Six was small or cheap. Due to girls always chasing after them, some students had made a fortune out of selling the Big Six’s schedules.

Since the Big Six had different majors, one couldn’t just conclude. Richard was a music major, and here I was in his piano class. I was really determined to get Liam’s number at any cost. I could play the piano a bit since it was one of the things I had to learn growing up to become a “perfect wife.”

I wasn’t bad, but among the rich kids who had been playing for years, I stood out, and the lecturer, who thought I was new, complained about my skills. They were already rusty since I hadn’t practiced in a while. So she paired me with Richard.

“Richard, she has skills but just needs guidance,” said Mrs. Jenkins.

“I will try my best to guide her,” Richard replied without looking at me.

I had planned to gain his favor and show him I was worth being in his friend group. So I practiced hard for a month while Richard guided me every afternoon.

Just in the blink of an eye, it was already two months. I was ready to put my plan into action.

Meeting Richard at the studio, I played the piece beautifully, and for the first time, he smiled and congratulated me.

“You have improved a lot,” Richard said while giving me a handshake.

He was about to leave when I called after him.

“Richard, please, I need a small favor from you. It’s about your friend Liam. I really like him, and if you don’t mind, can I get his number?”

He just looked at me with no expression on his face.

“You are being delusional, you know that, right? I knew you from the start. You were the same girl who displayed that ridiculous performance a few months ago. I had suspected that’s why you came to this class, but I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt. Seems you proved me right.”

Walking out, he stopped at the door.

“You didn’t register for the course. I don’t want to see you in my class, or else I will have to report you to the school management. And if you aren’t scared of the consequences of your actions, at least have some self-respect.”

Oh my goodness, I failed again. As I watched Richard’s retreating figure, I made my decision: Daniel would be my next target.

Daniel was a law student. It wasn’t that difficult to get his schedule, but I got it anyway. I didn’t plan to waste more time as I did with Richard—I would ask him about it straight up.

Taking a new approach, I went to the lecturer for Daniel’s class to be his assistant, even though I had to explain why a business major wanted to be an assistant to a law lecturer. After a lot of persuasion, he agreed, and I became his assistant.

Walking behind Mr. Hemsworth, I was holding the forms I was to distribute to the students. I didn’t even read them, so I didn’t know what they were for. I had written a paper and on it I wrote: Write the names of your closest/best friends and their numbers. I then slid it into one of the forms, holding it separately. As I shared them, when I got to Daniel, I gave it to him.

When I was done distributing, I stood beside Mr. Hemsworth while he explained what the forms were for. I didn’t care, so I didn’t listen as I stared at Daniel, waiting patiently for him to begin.

As soon as Daniel opened his form, a scowl was visible on his face. He was clearly displeased. My heart thumped loudly—I was even scared Mr. Hemsworth would hear it.

“Mr. Hemsworth, may I know why this is required?” Daniel said as he stood up.

“What’s that?” Mr. Hemsworth asked.

“It’s asking for my friends’ numbers.”

“I didn’t ask for that,” Mr. Hemsworth said as he looked at me. I had printed, arranged, and distributed the forms.

“Miss Hunter, do you care to explain?”

“I…I…I…”

I couldn’t even get out a word except “I.”

“Did you say Hunter? So you’re the crazy girl who has been chasing after Liam for a while now, right?” Daniel said. With this, the whole class was already staring as I just looked down at my fingers. He continued, “You’re the girl who has been podcasting her love on the school newspaper and radio, right?”

Everyone laughed while some murmured among themselves.

I couldn’t even utter a word.

“Is that true?” Mr. Hemsworth asked. “Can you explain yourself?”

“I’m sorry,” was the only thing I could say.

“Students, I’m sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you. Allow me to deal with this. You can continue with the forms; I will be back.”

“Miss Hunter, I’m very disappointed in you. Is this the reason you approached me?”

“I’m sorry, sir,” I said while looking away.

“Thanks for your help. I think I can handle things from here on. And Miss Hunter, focus on your studies.”

“Thanks, Mr. Hemsworth,” I said as he walked out.

My plan had failed, but I won’t give up. I still have two more friends to go.