Chapter 4: Stalked

(Henry's POV)

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"Everyone quiet!" Miss Dorothy shouted, and the room instantly fell silent.

I flinched a little.

"This is your new classmate. I know how you all think, so don't try to do any funny business on my watch," she added strictly before stepping aside, giving me space to introduce myself.

What should I tell them…?

"Hello, I—I'm Henry Cooper, 18 years old… and I love reading books," I said weakly, still embarrassed about what happened earlier.

"Huh?! I doubt he's 18, just look at those baby fats on his face."

My face heated up instantly.

Is there something wrong with my face…?

"Dude, look at him—he's blushing. You made the new kid blush."

I glanced at the guy who said it. He was big, black-haired, lean—like a jock. He laughed together with a brunette guy, who was probably the one who called me a baby.

Hmph… how mean…

"Will you two idiots shut up?"

A girl suddenly stepped in and smacked both their heads.

"Ouch! Will you take it easy, Sandra? We were just joking around," the brunette guy said defensively, rubbing his head.

She only glared at them, then when she noticed me looking her expression softened into a smile.

Well… she seems… nice.

"Okay, that's enough! Henry, go over there and take your seat," Miss Dorothy ordered, pointing at a chair beside the girl who smiled at me.

I didn't waste any time. I walked quickly—well… as quickly as I could—afraid she might shout again.

When I got there, I hesitated, seeing there were two empty chairs.

Where should I sit?

"Umm—"

"You can sit next to me. The other chair is Kara's, the silly girl who got detention earlier," the girl said softly.

Oh? She knows Kara? But Kara seems to have lots of friends so I guess it's no surprise.

I nodded and sat beside her.

"So, new student, are you really eighteen? If so, why are you short? Why do you look still have baby fat on your face? Why are you—"

"Ow!"

The brunette guy suddenly hissed as Sandra pinched his arm.

"Lay off the kid, you're scaring him," she snapped.

He shuffled back, checking his arm while his other friend leaned closer to comfort him. They started whispering about how cruel Sandra was.

She just rolled her eyes at them and turned to me.

"Hi, I'm Sandra. And those two knuckleheads are Drake and Casper. The black-haired one is Drake, and the pouting idiot is Casper."

As soon as she said that, both guys turned at the same time and scoffed at her.

They looked… oddly hilarious.

"You know, Sandra, if you weren't a girl, you'd be full of bruises right now. Good thing my mom raised me right to never hit a girl," Casper said, closing his eyes and raising his chin, like he just said something worth praising.

Sandra only gave him an unamused look and ignored him.

The black haired guy, then leaned forward and looked at me, "Sorry about earlier. I was just joking. Name's Drake by the way," he said.

I smiled a little and nodded.

"And I'm Casper. Don't believe anything she says about me—she's a liar and a buzzkill," Casper chimed in, blinking at me repeatedly trying to look cute.

"Hi… nice to meet you. I… I hope we can all be friends," I said shyly, glancing at them one by one.

"Awww, he's so adorable for his age. Look at those pouty lips, don't be shy, come give me a hug—"

[BANG!]

"You there! Stop chattering and pay attention!"

Miss Dorothy threw a crumpled piece of paper at Casper.

It would've been fine if Casper just let it hit him. But to everyone's surprise, he caught it midair…and threw it back.

"He's dead," someone whispered behind us, laughing silently.

I slowly looked at Miss Dorothy and her face was twisted in anger.

Oh dear…

"YOU—!"

She was about to explode when suddenly, someone appeared at the door and called her.

She looked at Casper with the look of death but nonetheless let it go since someone was looking for her.

They talked briefly, and then she left, warning us with a deadly glare.

"I have something urgent to do. All of you better not make a mess or else…" she said, looking at Casper one last time before leaving.

That was… lucky.

"She's so scary," I mumbled weakly, feeling my heart about to explode.

The three of them turned to me and nodded.

"Believe it or not, baby boy, she's the only teacher here like that. The others are… well… mostly fine, it's probably because she doesn't have a family," Casper said with a sigh.

I blinked.

Baby boy…?

Why would he call me that…?

I wanted to ask—but… maybe it was normal. Friends give weird nicknames, right?

"Really? She doesn't have a family? That's actually… sad." I said.

His mouth hand open as if he can't believe what I said. "Wow you are really kind, huh? I bet when someone gives you candies you just take them." he chuckled.

Drake slapped his head. "Stop teasing him."

"I wasn't… it's just he is so cute and innocent."

"Hmm?" I tilted my head, not getting what he meant earlier.

"Are you three Kara's friends?" I asked curiously.

"Yeah. We've been friends since high school—stuck together ever since," Sandra replied.

From the corner of my eye, I saw the two guys nodding with small smiles.

"Is it really okay if I join your group?" I asked quietly.

"Of course! You're adorable, we need someone like that," Casper said, smirking at Sandra.

Sandra rolled her eyes and harrumphed, crossing her arms.

I smiled.

Grey would be happy to hear this.

I can't wait to tell him.

"I'm sorry, there was a situation I needed to handle. Okay, turn your books to page 38," Miss Dorothy's walked in, a little out of breath.

We all settled down and paid attention. 

…

The bell rang at exactly 11:30.

We talked for a bit and they decided to go to a café outside the school.

"I have to go to my brother first," I said. "He told me to meet him at lunch… and I promised him that I would."

"It's fine. We still have to fetch Kara anyway. We'll catch you on the way out, babe," Drake said, ruffling my hair.

I waved at them as they walked in the opposite direction.

I walked quietly through the crowded hallway, pressing myself against the wall to avoid bumping into people.

As I was walking, I felt… someone staring at me.

I looked around but everyone was just busy with their own lives,

Is it just my imagination…?

My breathing grew uneven as I looked around cautiously.

I'll be fine… I'll be fine…

I kept repeating it in my head.

I thought I was already okay.

But maybe… I was wrong.

And because my mind was such a mess—I didn't notice where I was going and ended up crashing into someone. 

"Oof!!!"