Chapter 6

HENRY

I swear, in that moment, I wanted nothing more than to disappear, right there and then. Tell me, what could possibly be more embarrassing than being caught peeping?

“You’re peeping?” Maverick repeated, and my heart jumped at his words.

The nerve! I should’ve been the calm, unbothered one, not the other way around.

I coughed and forced a dry smile. “Don’t worry. I didn’t see anything.” I turned, ready to bolt out of there.

“Wait.”

My world tilted. Panic surged through me, and I hated the feeling. I couldn’t even understand why I was this intimidated by a new student. I’m Henry, for crying out loud.

“What do you want?” I asked, looking at him while pretending to be calm.

There was no point showing whatever mess of emotions I was feeling. Better to act composed than let the newbie think I was an easy target.

“Nothing.” He snorted, then glanced down at my pants. “Check yourself.”

How pathetic.

I clenched my teeth, irritation flaring instantly. What was going through his head? Did he really think I’d entertain his stupid advances? Why the hell was he staring at my pants?

I quickly covered myself with my palm, not feigning innocence, but damn it, I’d just gotten out of a heartbreak. I wasn’t about to fall into another one so soon.

Then it hit me.

My eyes burned with embarrassment. “Shit.”

“Hm.” He smiled, clearly amused. “Get them changed, boy.”

And with that, he left.

I stood there, completely speechless.

It took a second before I finally looked down.

God… how the hell did I wet my pants?

Worse still, I’d mistaken Maverick’s polite reminder for flirting. I actually thought he was making a move on me.

If getting caught peeping was bad, this was infinitely worse.

I didn’t even want to think about how it happened, though it was obvious it must’ve been when his voice startled me. That guy was just… something else.

Thankfully, my phone was with me. I quickly texted a friend, and within ten minutes, they showed up.

“Guy, I only asked you to come,” I sighed, glaring at Arda. Behind him were David and Stellan, looking annoyingly handsome in their sportswear. And then there was me, standing there with wet pants. Tragic.

Arda cleared his throat and scratched the back of his head. “Your text came in while we were together. You know them, they wouldn’t agree to being left behind.” He paused. “But wait, why did you ask me to come?”

I flinched.

I could feel the others staring at me.

Was this idiot serious? Didn’t he read my message? I’d clearly asked him to come alone and bring fresh pants from the dorm. And now, looking at his hands, there was nothing.

While I was panicking, I noticed David’s expression change. I coughed quickly, trying to distract him before his eyes wandered too much.

Too late.

“Henry, why are your pants wet?” he asked loudly.

That was it. Finished.

I shot him a deadly glare, but the idiot still didn’t get it. Who did I offend to deserve such a dumb friend? The others hadn’t noticed, until his big mouth made it obvious.

“I… I wet my pants a little, guys,” I admitted.

If I didn’t say it now, David would’ve blurted it out anyway.

Still, I was furious with him. Couldn’t he just shut up?

“What?” they all gasped.

“Mmh.” I couldn’t bring myself to repeat it. “Can you go get the pants I asked for earlier?” I glared at Arda.

He blinked, confusion written all over his face. “Earlier? When did you mention that?”

I snorted, heat rushing to my face. “Don’t ask me. Check your phone.”

“Oh.” He looked at the screen, then at me. “I didn’t see this. I only saw the first text asking me to come.”

“Great.” I rolled my eyes. “Then go get them. And you guys, follow him.” I shooed the rest out of the restroom.

I don’t think I would’ve survived the embarrassment if they’d stayed. My face might’ve exploded.

Ten minutes later, after changing into fresh pants, I finally left.

As I walked back to the dorm, I couldn’t stop thinking about our new classmate.

Not only did my friends know I’d wet my pants, he knew too.

Damn.

It was already evening, and almost every student had returned to their dorms, so my friends and I headed back to our dorm block.

On the way, they didn’t miss a single chance to tease me about the wet-pants incident.

I made sure to walk in front, just to avoid hearing comments that would make my face burn with embarrassment.

Luckily, when we got to the dorm, no one had eaten yet. The attention quickly shifted to what we were going to have for dinner, and the topic that concerned me finally died down. Honestly, I wouldn’t have been in this mess if I’d just eaten at the cafeteria earlier.

After a lot of debating, we settled for junk food. It was late, and most of the stores were probably closed by then. We ate till we were satisfied, and afterward, everyone went to bed.

Throughout the night, Jay didn’t return, just as he’d said he wouldn’t.

The next morning, the others and I headed to class.

“Good morning, class,” Miss Ella greeted.

“Good morning,” the entire class replied in unison.

She had the first three periods, followed by a break before the next teacher came in.

The lesson had just begun when Miss Ella glanced around the room and asked, “Where is your new classmate?”

At that, everyone turned toward the empty seat.

“I’m here.”

“Good,” Miss Ella said with a smile, then continued teaching. Since he had responded, no one bothered answering her question.

After her class, some students stayed back during the break while others stepped out. I was among those who left.

Just as I got outside, I felt someone grab me from behind. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

“Guess who it is?” a familiar masculine voice asked.

I didn’t look back, but a mischievous grin spread across my face. How could I not recognize it? It was my sister, Adeline.

Still, I decided to play along. “I don’t know. Is it Jay, David, or Stellan?”

I called out several names, and a soft chuckle sounded behind me. Adeline probably thought she’d won, that I hadn’t recognized her voice this time.