Chapter 6

Students are gradually clearing the hallway of section 1-B after my brother left. Moments later. Our next teacher comes in. Upon entering. I saw how skinny he is. However, you can easily say that he is smart based on how the way he walks. Full of confidence while wearing his specs with straps on both sides. He was not carrying a book but he is carrying a thin rod. I swallowed hard not realizing how nervous I am. I look down at my notes. 9:15-10:00 am. The subject is physical education. My shoulder fell off after reading our schedule. I don't feel like going out after that uncomfortable moment. I truly dislike those gazes when they are looking at me. I think that they're laughing at me even if they didn't. It feels so weird and I do hate that.

The teacher clears his throat first before he began to spoke. "Good morning class. My name is Peter Tan." His deep voice is automatically echoed around our room while he is busy writing his name on the green board. After he finished writing. He quickly turns to us. No no. It's not to the whole class but exactly to where I am. I was seated on the first chair of row one. Vertically where he stands. It's near beside the wall and the open window wherein the noisy ceiling fan is placed. And accidentally his eyes settled on me.

Wait!?. I was like?. What?. I want to ask this but damn. My heart began to pound like I'm in a marathon right now.

My cheeks got heated too. I immediately turn my gaze down just to divert my attention to anything. I don't like the idea of staring at someone's eyes especially when they're strangers or not so close to me. My hair stands on end.

So intimidating.

"Just introduce yourself today. Tomorrow we will start our official class." He walks towards the end. Near the bookshelves. Then that's the time where my classmates began to introduce again themselves. I let out a very low sigh. I'm so fed up with this. But I have no choice but to just endure it coz it's normal. The routine goes on until our subject in the afternoon end.

I was about to leave the room when Joyce suddenly stopped me.

"Will you walk or get a ride going home?." She asked while topping my left shoulder. My eyes immediately run through her arms until they ended on her hand that is slung on my shoulder. She smiled shyly while taking her hands off me.

I look at her, seriously. Waiting what her next move when she realizes what I'm doing. Observing her.

She pouted her heart-shaped lips to me then tilted her head. Watching me also.

I let her stare at me. I glared at her again. I'm not mean. It's just that I have this weird guts lately. She is acting so weird every time she comes near me especially when I'm with my brother Lance. Is there anything that I should know?.

Come on Joyce. Tell me what's that weird actions came from.

"Can I go with you?." She sounded pleading. I raised an eyebrow. And talk to my inner self. What on earth is she even thinking? Does she prefer to ride with me or with us just to, you know? Be with my sweet sibling. Why then?. What for?. Hmm. I smell fishy here huh!. Does she like him?. Because what is her reason behind wanting to have a ride with us yet her house is just a block away from school. And one more thing. Lance is not a typical guy who can easily drive you home. He is kinda rude to strangers especially when someone is approaching me without his permission. Ugh! That's the reason why I don't talk to anyone. He might punch them without any notice. But this time is different.

"Your choice," I answered lazily. 'I'll ask him later.' I didn't add this up coz I know when I let her comprehend that, he will back off abruptly. I want to know what would she do if he is around us.

"Really?." She jumped in excitement.

Why is she so happy?. Why?.

"If there is still space." I joked.

"What?!." Her shoulder fell off immediately.

"Please Bamby."

We both get out of the room because the keyholder is here and he announced that he needs to lock the room now. From that moment. I started walking, leaving her behind but still, she chased me. She is so eager to have a ride.

I am now triggered by her actions. Wanting to know more about what she's been doing lately. I feel like she's hiding something from me. Is there any chance that my rude brother will fall in love with my best friend? Maybe. Maybe not Bamby. Let's see.

I give her a sigh. It's now up to her.

"We will go together." She insisted. She's now in front of me. Slowly walking backward. Facing me instead of our way. Her hands are both on her sling bag while wearing a sweet smile. Her smile can deceive anything. Just like right now. I wanted to say yes to her but I'm thinking what would my brother think if I let her. I'm torn between yes or no because of her beautiful smile.

I stare at her blankly until I heard my brother's voice.

"Bamby, let's go!." Lance called me when we entered the gym. As usual. He's with his colleagues. When I approached him. He immediately grabbed my bag back and the book I borrowed from Karen. He is so sweet huh?. Of course! He should be because if he's not, well, he has no car to drive.

"Joyce, come on. Let's go." I scanned first the people around me before calling her. She's standing from afar and that's made me question her more. She simply waved at me and smile. I waited for her response but she only stared at me instead. My forehead creases in a way that she cannot recognize. I got curious. For how long will she stare at me?. I asked that to myself without knowing that, I'm not the one who's she looking at. Then, I realized. I turned my gaze and found something. She is unconsciously watching at my brother who's busy talking with one of his friends. Namely, Zayn.

Minute later. She shook her head saying, "I'm just joking my friend. It's okay. I can handle myself. See you tomorrow. Bye!." Out of the blue. She runs out of the gate as fast as she can. The group of people who are still resting on the gym giggled when they saw her almost stumble on the steel gate. The one that she passes is for one person only. The bigger gate is also open yet she chooses that part.

Joyce, why you so nervous huh?

When I stare at the gate where she almost fell. I wonder why the sudden action. I feel like I can feel her. Like she likes someone but she needs to hide it just for the sake of many.

Oh well.

When will you notice me too, Jaden?