Wie man Charles Hayes hasst

BENEDICT'S VIEW

The first day of a new school semester always felt like a new beginning.

New booklets. New topics. New seating arrangements.

Unfortunately, the students remained exactly the same.

The corridors of Crestwood High were filled with laughter as everyone reunited after the winter holidays.

Some fell into each other's arms as if they hadn't seen each other for years. Others were already comparing their vacation photos or discussing whose vacation had been better.

I tightened my grip on the straps of my backpack and went to my locker.

This half-year was more important than the last.

Actually, every six months was important.

You didn't get a place to study medicine simply by wishing for it – you had to work hard for it.

Every test, every homework assignment, and every exam counted.

While most students were already talking about football games and weekend parties, I was wondering how I could maintain my grade point average.

"Benedicta!"

I didn't even have to turn around to know who that was.

Alexis Brooks had a voice that could be heard even in a crowd of a thousand people.

“There you are!” she exclaimed as she caught up with me.

"I have been here for exactly three minutes."

"Did you count that?"

"I usually do that."

She sighed theatrically.

"I swear, one day you'll calculate how many breaths I take per minute."

"I already know that."

Her eyes widened.

“…You’re joking, right?”

I smiled.

"Perhaps."

She narrowed her eyes.

"You are creepy."

"I've been called worse."

"You need help."

"And you should stop being so dramatic."

"I prefer to be entertaining."

We reached my locker, laughing softly.

Alexis has been my best friend since middle school.

She was loud where I was quiet.

Carefree, where I was cautious.

If life had been a movie, she would have been the character who somehow got everyone into trouble and yet always got away scot-free.

"What?" she asked, when she noticed me looking at her.

"I just wonder how we've been friends for so long."

She grinned.

"Because you secretly love me."

"I can only tolerate you."

"Ouch."

"You will survive this."

"I don't know …"

She placed a hand on her heart.

"That really hurt."

"You'll feel better soon."

"No."

"But."

"I need emotional support."

"You need your first lesson."

She burst into peals of laughter.

"I missed you."

"We only saw each other three days ago."

"Even."

Before I could reply, the hallway suddenly became unusually quiet.

Not silent.

Only... different.

Conversations ceased.

Some students turned towards the entrance.

Someone whispered a familiar name.

Alexis looked past me and shook his head.

"So he's already back."

I didn't have to ask who she meant.

There was only one person who could provoke such a reaction.

Charles Hayes.

His reputation always spread faster than he did.

“Do you think he realizes that he is the main character in everyone else’s life?” Alexis murmured.

"I hope not."

"I heard that he played basketball for most of the holidays."

"I also heard that he failed two history tests last semester."

She laughed.

"Of course you're the one who remembers that."

"I remember a lot of things."

"You're probably right."

I opened my locker and reached for my chemistry book.

"Good morning, Doc."

I closed my eyes for a brief moment.

Then I turned towards the voice.

Charles Hayes stood just a few steps away. His backpack slung casually over one shoulder. His dark hair was slightly tousled, probably from training before school, and the sleeves of his college jacket were rolled up to his elbows.

He smiled.

Not that overly confident smile that most girls kept talking about.

But simply…

a light, relaxed smile.

As if he had fully expected to find me right here.

"Good morning," I replied.

His eyebrows lifted slightly.

"No complaints today?"

"It's too early."

"For school?"

"For you."

A soft laugh escaped him.

"I see that as progress."

"You shouldn't do that."

"I just like to be optimistic."

"You make it easy to notice you."

He leaned one shoulder against the locker next to mine.

"How were your holidays?"

"Quiet."

"So... you didn't miss me?"

"No."

"You responded to that remarkably quickly."

"Because I didn't have to think about it."

"Ouch."

"I thought you liked optimism."

“I do.”

"But?"

"I was hoping you would lie to me."

"I don't make promises I can't keep."

For a moment he just looked at me.

It wasn't unpleasant.

If anything, it's rather confusing.

Most people looked at you because they wanted something.

Charles looked at me as if he were trying to understand something.

"You've changed your hairstyle," he finally said.

As if of its own accord, my hand wandered to the braided plait over my shoulder.

"I braided it myself."

"I know."

I looked at him for a moment.

"Can you tell?"

"Normally you always let a small strand of hair fall out next to your ear."

Without thinking, I reached for it.

Nothing.

I had them stuck this morning.

When I glanced over at him, he was smiling again.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You're smiling."

"Perhaps."

I shook my head.

"You are strange."

"You already told me that today."

"It's still true."

"I take that as a compliment."

"You'd better not do that."

Before I could say anything, the school bell rang.

Students streamed in all directions.

Alexis glanced at her timetable.

"English."

I nodded.

"Chemistry."

"Good luck."

"To you too."

She set off, leaving Charles and me alone for a moment.

He stepped aside so that other students could pass us.

"May I ask you a question?"

I sighed softly.

"You'll ask them anyway."

He grinned.

"Probably."

"Then go ahead."

"Will you ever say yes if I ask you out on a date?"

I looked at him silently for a moment.

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"Why?"

I closed my locker and turned my full attention to him.

"Because I don't know you."

"Then get to know me."

"I know your reputation."

His smile faded a little.

"A reputation is not always the truth."

"Perhaps."

I picked up my backpack.

"But it usually doesn't happen without a reason."

For a brief moment he said nothing.

Then he nodded slowly.

"That's fair."

This answer surprised me.

I expected him to disagree.

Or would try to change my mind.

Instead, he accepted my answer.

"I still wish you a nice day, Doc."

"Thanks."

I set off.

After a few steps, I heard his voice again.

"Benedicta."

I turned around.

"Yes?"

He smiled.

"I will still not stop trying."

I returned his gaze.

"You should."

"Why?"

"Because you're wasting your time."

He put his hands in the pockets of his jacket.

"I prefer to decide that myself."

I shook my head slightly and continued on my way.

When I reached the chemistry room, Alexis was already waiting in front of the door.

"N/a?"

"Well, what?"

"Did Charles Hayes just ask you again?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"I said no."