Chapter 5

I looked away. I was afraid that he might see the uneasiness in my eyes. He would surely think of me as someone he could play with, and I did not want that.

"Okay," was all I could utter at that time. I did not know what to say or what to do. I just looked down on the grass and played with the hem of my uniform. My heart could not stop beating so fast.

He cleared his throat. "That incident was not an accident, Sydnee. Someone wanted you dead, and that person might not stop until you're dead."

"Are you scaring me, Sir?"

And I heard his laugh. The deep laugh from my Math teacher was not really amusing. In fact, it was alarming that I made him laugh like that. It was as if I made a very stupid move, and he might give me a lower grade.

"You can say that," he said after some time. His smile never faded on his lips. "But do your parents know about that? Have you told them?"

I shook my head. "What's the point? I don't like talking about school to them." I secretly sighed. "And as if they care," I whispered.

I did talk to my mom about that incident. In fact, I even questioned her, that earned me a very good scolding from her. What's the point of insisting to her about that incident? What's the point of telling her that someone might after my life?

Besides, it might be an accident. That kitten died out of prior poisoning, so what's the fuss?

"You should talk to them. This is a serious matter," said the Math teacher, Anthony.

I heaved a sigh again and smiled faintly at him. "Thank you for your concern, Sir. But I should go now. The class will start shortly."

I slightly shoved him, and I immediately apologized for my rude behavior.

"Sydnee," he called.

I stopped from walking away and turned to face him. His brown eyes were the first that I saw. There was no hint of smile on his lips, unlike earlier where he teased me with his charming smile.

Wait, charming?

I blinked. "Sir?" I asked.

"See you later after your afternoon class. We need to talk something."

"Is it about that poisoning incident, Sir?" I drew a deep breath. "It's okay, Sir. Don't worry about that because I'm sure that it was an accident. No one will kill a commoner girl like me."

"We can't tell."

I brushed my hair with my fingertips. This teacher was driving me to the edge. Why would he keep on insisting that incident? Why won't he stop?

"Sir," I said seriously. "Please stop it. I hate it when someone keeps on insisting something. I don't want to appear rude to you because you're my teacher, but please know your limit!"

His emotionless face was not helping at all. Why so emotionless? Was he mad that I shouted at him? He will give me a low grade in Math, wouldn't he?

I gulped. Only in this time, I realized what I did. I should not disrespect him. Even though he was quite... annoying.

"Sir." I gulped hard. I should explain to him my side, but it was harder to explain to other people what I really mean with my words. "P-Please don't give me low grades in Math because I am rude to you. It was just so annoying when someone insists their will on me."

"I understand."

He understood? I slightly smiled. "Thank you, but you should not worry about that incident because I am a hundred percent sure that it was all a coincidence."

"You can't really tell that it was a coincidence, Sydnee."

I felt like my blood rose to my head. He was really an annoying man!

"Why, Sir?" I sounded like a helpless bear with my tone.

He must have sensed it because he looked away and said something. "I was once a victim of food poisoning."

My breath hitched for a second. He was what?

My forehead creased. "Sir... you're really ---"

"I'm not kidding, Sydnee. I was a victim of food poisoning and the culprit was my friend." He sighed. "And it was not an accident, because my friend was trying to kill me out of jealousy. So consider that it was not a coincidence, Sydnee. Someone is trying to kill you."

AFTER WHAT my Math teacher said, I always keep my mind occupied in order to not think of his words. Those words were really impossible. No one would kill me. Why would someone want me dead when I keep my low profile in school and community?

There's no room for jealousy and competency, so why bother wasting time in a commoner?

"Hey," someone said from my side.

I looked at my seatmate, who was staring intently at me. "Why?" I asked.

She smiled. A creepy smile. "You know Anthony?"

I blinked at her question. "Anthony?"

She nodded, and her grin grew wide. "Yup."

"Uh, who's Anthony?" I looked around the room. "We have a classmate named Anthony? And why did you ask me?"

It was weird that she talked to me. Normally, we were just silent in each other's sit and not minding each other's business. But today's different. Really different.