7 Being late....

All other classes were started already. Hallway was empty and only the echoing sound of Mia's running footsteps could be heard.

Running through the hallways, Mia reached near her classroom.

When she opened the door of classroom while panting, she saw that Mrs. Jang was already talking to a guy, who was facing his back to the door.

" Do not come late again...okay?.....", she said with a smile.

Opening sound of the door caught Mrs. Jang's attention.

"Mia? Is that you?....You were never late for the school, like ever. Oh dear.....", Mrs. Jang sighed.

Without any word, Mia started approaching her.

Looking at the boy from back, Mia thought, 'Don't tell me?.....Is he...'

Then she stood next to him keeping her head down.

" I am sorry Teacher.", Mia said apologetically.

And looked from the corner of her eyes at the boy standing next to her.

He was indeed, Ray!

" That's okay dear. How can I be angry on such sweet students of mine.

The one, who has the sweetest reason to be late and the other who is the most favourite student of mine.", she said with a smile.

"But you have to go through the punishment by rule.", she sighed.

"You two will clean the classroom after school. Okay?"

Both nodded.

"Never come late again. Okay? Now, go back to your seats."

Both of them went back to their seats. Mrs. Jang left the classroom as homeroom period was over.

~

Instead of getting sad for being punished as the "original Mia" would do...she was actually happy.

And she didn't know why?.....!

While she was thinking what is wrong with her since the morning, Choi So Hee, who was sitting on the front seat of Mia turned back to her.

"Hey Mia, How can you be late? We have never seen you being late for the school.", she said.

"Umm...well.....", Mia didn't know what to say.

"You know what? I really feel sorry for you..."

"Huh? Sorry for me? And why is that?"

"You know.....You got a punishment for the first time and the worst part of it is that, you have to clean the classroom with..." and she pointed at Ray by her eyes.

"Huh?", Mia got confused.

"He is so weird. I don't like him.", So Hee whispered putting a hand near her mouth.

"But....Isn't he cousin of April, your best friend?", Mia asked.

"Yeah....but did you see yesterday how he grabbed food from April's lunch box and stuffed his mouth with it?.....Ewww....That was so disgusting!", saying this So hee threw a disgusted look at Ray.

Mia felt sad. She looked at Ray who was busy drawing something in his notebook.

"Well, All the best....and yeah....please take off that bandage from your head. It looks ugly.", saying that So Hee turned to the front.

Mia took her hand near her forehead and touched the bandage.

Then she looked at Ray, who was still busy drawing something. Mia quietly leaned towards him to see what he was drawing.

He was very concentrated. Mia leaned further to her left and tried to see the picture.

'Is it? Is it a Rhino?', she thought.

Well, his drawing was not that good so Mia wasn't sure.

So she leaned further.... but lost her balance and stumbled. Quickly grabbing the table, she pulled herself up without falling down.

'Phewww...that was close....', she said to herself while putting her hand on her chest.

Her heart was beating really fast.

No one in the classroom noticed what had happened, as everyone was busy with themselves.

She sighed. And glanced at Ray hoping that he didn't see anything.

But when she looked at him, he was actually looking at her.

When their eyes met, Ray quickly looked to the other side scratching back of his head.

Mia also diverted her look. She looked at his table where the notebook was.

All she saw was a closed notebook tightly gripped by him.

After staring at the notebook for sometime, Mia again glanced at him.

He still was looking to the other side.

'Hmm...', Mia felt a little sad.

The door of the classroom opened and the next teacher entered catching everyone's attention to the front. The whole classroom became silent. And the class started.