CHAPTER 2

The orientation is short and Steph and I went to our room section. As we got to our room section, we sat on the empty seats in the second row since the first and third row are already occupied by some our of classmates. I think they are the old students here because it seems like they already know each other. Those who are the quiet ones are the new students like me and Steph. I hope we all should get along well. After a while, a middle-aged man, holding a book entered the classroom.

"Good morning, students! My name is Frederick Atkison. I will be your professor in Economics." He introduces.

And as a tradition, we write our names on the one-fourth sheet of paper, passed it to the Professor. He calls our names randomly and we introduce ourselves to us to know each other.

"Anyway, class. The uniforms are already available. You can get yours later in the admin office and starts wearing it tomorrow."

"Yes, Professor!" We answer.

"Alright. Let us start our first discussion..."

"Good morning, Professor!"

All of us look at someone who just enters the classroom so suddenly, and my eyes widened as my mouth hangs up a little. I am not looking at Steph but I am pretty sure she is shocked as I am. What is he doing here? No way... Did he enroll here too?

"Whoa. The asshole is here. Unbelievable." I heard Steph whisper in a disgusted tone of her voice.

I look away before our eyes could meet. I feel my heart pounding. Not because I am nervous, but because I am angry.

"You are?" Professor Fred asks him.

"Good morning. My name is Khai Yixel Chenault. Nice to meet you all."

The tone of his voice is still the same. But I don't like to hear it anymore.

My girl's classmates on the other hand warmly welcomed him, complementing how good looking he is.

"Asshole." Steph mumbles in a whisper.

"Okay. You may occupy the seat at the back Mr. Chenault so we can start our lesson." Professor Fred says.

"Yes, Professor. Thank you." He then walks to the empty chair at the back and Professor Fred starts discussing his lesson. What an unlucky day for me.

"Hey, it is not yet too late to transfer to the other school." Steph whispers.

"Whatever," that is all I can say.

Why would I transfer school just for him? Who is he? Besides, what happened between us is already a past and it will never be discussed.

"I'm sleepy," I said while yawning. Crossing my arms on my desk, I shoved my face on it. "Wake me up when the class is over."

"Alright. Sleep well."

~*~

[THREE YEARS AGO]

My heartbeat faster in nervousness, my hands are shaking at the same time sweating coldly, and I cannot think properly. The clock is ticking and it puts me more under pressure. Five minutes to go the quiz will be over, but I still don't have the answers yet. Ah, I'm doomed! Why I am so bad at Math!? I stayed up late last night to study and even memorize the formulas but why I end like this again? Who the hell created this subject? Seriously. What should I gonna do now?

"Okay, class. Three minutes left." Teacher Krissa announces.

I'm nervous and scared even more.

Some of my classmates stood up from their seats and pass their papers to Teacher Krissa, then leave the classroom with a wide smile on their faces, saying that they survive the long quiz. How about me? Should I pass my paper too? But it is blank. I am going crazy, badly want to evaporate.

"One minute!" Teacher Krissa announces.

Oh god, I'm dead.

The room is getting empty.

Can somebody help me? Please. Please. Please. Wandering my eyes around, turning my head around, I saw Khai is still sitting, looking at his paper. Doesn't he have no answer also? Impossible. He is a math wizard. A top student in our room section. But what is he waiting for? Why don't he passed his paper and go out? I turn my attention back to my empty paper. I can't believe this. I feel pity myself.

"Excuse me, Teacher Krissa." A student from outside called her.

"Hi, Hannah. How can I help you?"

Hannah? I heard her name before. Right. She is the top student in room 2. She must be really smart in math.

"I'm sorry to disturb your class, but the Principal wants to meet you."

"Oh, is that so. Okay. I'll be there after this..."

"It's okay, Teacher Kris. I will collect the paper and leave it on your table." Khai cut Teacher Krissa's sentence.

"Perfect. Thank you, Khai. I will go then." Teacher Krissa says and she leaves the room with Hanna. So, it was me and Khai are only left the room. Ah, this is embarrassing. I cannot show him my blank paper. He might... Laugh at me even though he is not the kind of person who laughs. He is always wearing his serious face.

"Are you finished?" He asks me from behind. I heard his footsteps are approaching me so I immediately cover my paper, and pretended like I am answering. I wish I was born smart in math.

"No. You see, I am not finished answering the questions yet." I stutter.

"But it's already time," he argued.

"Are you deaf? I told you I am not yet finished..."

"You are not finished answering or. You don't know how to answer the questions?" He questioned, as he is finally standing in front of me. Lifted my head, I look at him with my eyebrows raised. "Which one is your reason?" Is he insulting me?

"What are talking about?" I ask in annoyance. But he didn't answer me, rather he took my paper and sat down on the chair next to me. I was surprised when he starts writing the answers on my paper.

"What are you doing?" I ask. He remains silent, concentrating on writing. He must be gone crazy!

"Hey! What are you doing? Why are you answering my paper? Are you allowed to do that? Hey!" He didn't still give me a word. I forgot. He rarely talks.

A few seconds later, he finished. Like, wow! I'm stunned.

"Buy me a sandwich and cold water." He says.

"What? Why would I?" I ask bewilder.

"Shouldn't you thank me?" He looks at my paper. Not blank anymore.

"So, you are asking me to pay you with food?"

He just nods his head as an answer.

I laugh. "Wait. Who told you to answer the quizzes for me?"

"You, " he instantly respond.

"Me??" My forehead wrinkled. Is he kidding? I didn't even say a single word.

"Come on. Let's go to the cafeteria. I'm hungry."

---

"Cass! Cass! Hey! Let's go to the cafeteria! I'm hungry! Cass! Cassandra!"

Steph's voice echoed in my ears causing me to open my eyes, blinking them thrice.

"The class is over. Wake up! Come on, let's eat." She pats my shoulder, grabbing her bag she stands up. "Come on! Hurry!" She walks out of the classroom.

"Hey! Wait up!" I yell, abruptly get my bag, and run out.

"How was Professor Fred's class? Did you take down notes?" I ask Steph while we are on our way to the cafeteria.

"Hmm. Nope. I was also sleeping." She giggles.

"What?" My mouth hangs a little. We're really best friends.

"Why? His class was so damn boring. What do you expect me to do? Besides we are not only the one who was sleeping. So, it's okay." She says, flipping her hair. Then she wraps her hands around my arm. "Hurry. I'm hungry." She pulls me to walk faster.

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