Chapter 04: "Fight or Flight?"

I am having dinner with my family. The four of us sitting on the dinner table talking about how our day went. I miss this scene. Back in the future, I only get to eat by myself in my cold and lonely apartment. Eating instant noodles and cold instant food all day.

As I took a bite on my favorite hot curry that mom cooked, I can't help my tears from falling. Not out of sadness, rather it was joy and warmth.

"Brother, are you crying?"

"Is it too spicy?!" Mom worriedly asked.

"Get him water!" Dad ordered Jia.

"Here. Drink up." Jia gave me a glass of water.

I missed the warmth my home and my family gave me. I didn't appreciate this back then. But now, I'm certain that I'll treasure this time.

"I just miss you guys." I wiped my tears and smiled.

I can see the confusion on their faces.

"You didn't get in trouble again, have you?" Mother said.

"Alright, that's enough. Let's eat."

"This is really... nice..."

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"What?"

"Come on! I'll be late on my first period!"

"Just let us in, man!"

"Sorry guys, no can do. We need to follow school's policy."

"Can't you just consider it?"

When I arrived at school, I saw the students outside of the school's gate. It looks like they are not allowed to come in. Although, it is still early.

"What's happening?" I asked a random student that passed by.

"Looks like the council is at it again."

"The student council?" I thought to myself and walked through the crowd.

"Calm down guys. Let's just wait for the student council president." The council's vice president said calmly.

"Can't we just pass through?!"

"This is ridiculous."

The murmuring stop as the council president stepped in. He stared everyone with those glaring eyes and domineering aura.

"According to the school rules. No identification card, no entry." He started as he raised his ID.

"I-I was in a hurry so—"

He didn't even let the poor guy finished his explanation. What a jerk.

"No weapons are allowed. Such as, knife, cutter, gun, or any objects that could endanger others. You must also expect that vapes, alcohol, phones, and cigarettes will be confiscated and you will be punished severely if you will be caught."

"The students must also wear complete and appropriate school uniform. This includes, buttoning your polo shirts and tying your necktie correctly."

He continued. "Females must wear a skirt below the knee."

"Seriously... I didn't know until now that this school was very strict. I guess that's what you get for skipping too many classes." I mumbled, still looking at the strict council president's lecture.

"And lastly..." His glare fall upon me. "Unnatural hair color is not allowed. Males must also cut their hair neat and clean. No unnecessary jewelries and piercing either."

Every word he uttered hit me.

Alright... I get it. I'm removing the piercings and wristbands later.

"If you couldn't follow these basic rules. Don't ever set a foot in this institution." After saying those long set of rules, he finally turned his back.

"Damn these rules!"

"I can't go home now, my mom's gonna kill me!"

"The devil had spoken."

"Can't he just let this one slide??"

They were about to close the gate. I quickly slipped in, I don't want to climb the fence again considering what happened last time.

"H-hey! You can't come in—" one of the council members tried to stop me.

"Hey! Council President!" I shouted and unluckily it made him stop and turn to look at me.

To be honest, I kind of expect him to completely ignore me. Now, I'm getting nervous.

"H-hey... Man. I just want to say that..."

He walked towards me and stared right into my eyes intently. It can be seen on his eyebrows that he was pissed off.

He was a bit taller than me, making him bow his head a little to level my eyes. As he moves closer, the distance between us was also decreasing.

"What is it?" He smells like lavender. Compared to his strict looks, he actually smell sweet.

"Well..." I avoided his eyes and looked to the side.

He stepped away. He must've felt the pressure he's putting on me.

"If you don't have anything to say, I'll be leaving now." He was about to go when I unconsciously grabbed unto the bottom of his shirt.

"What the hell am I doing?!!" Those are the only words that's been running on my mind right now. I unconsciously grabbed unto this jerk!

I took away my hands as I realized this.

"I'm just saying... You should at least consider this as first offense, right?"

"On the first week of school during the orientation, the rules were clearly stated. I don't see any valid reason to consider your negligence."

"But this will be the last time! Right, guys?" I turned my head to the other students, signalling them to go along with it.

"Y-yeah..!" They said in unison.

"See? So, why don't we just... Settle this within ourselves." I leaned closer to Zen Liang and slide half of my allowance money in his pocket.

"Kids love money, right? I'm sure he would give in." Or that's what I thought.

"Bring him to the dean's office." He coldly said as the other council members dragged me in.

"Hey! W-wait a minute!"

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"Mr. Jian Tan! What have told you about those punky hair?!" The dean scolded me.

I was being punished because of that jerk.

"I am about to lose all of my hair because of you!" As you can see, for the years I've spent in high school, all I brought was trouble. It's not my fault though, he's balding because he's always angry!

"Sir I was just..."

"Enough! Give me your hands!"

I lay my hands on the table. When the teacher was about to hit it with a ruler I quickly took it back and acted like it hit me.

"Ouch!!"

"It didn't even landed on your hands yet!!" He actually noticed.

"Excuse me, sir." That guy went in and handed the teacher a folder.

"Oh, thank you." The teacher's face softened when Zen Liang arrived.

"You see that Mr. Tan?! You should be more like Zen Liang! He's a good role model for students!"

This guy is a teacher's pet! I don't know what Miya saw in him.

"Yes, sir." I softly replied.

"I'll be going now, sir." Zen Liang went out and he didn't even bother looked at me.

"Jerk..." I mumbled.

"What did you say?!"

"N-nothing!"

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"We'll see! If I get my hands on that scumbag!" After finishing the run in our PE time, I grabbed a towel and sat down on the bench.

"So the story was really true, he's a devil." Chet sat down.

Luke handed us water and sat with us. "The teachers will always be on his side. He's a top student after all. And his parents donated a good amount of money in this school."

"For real? I knew he was rich as heck. But I thought those were just rumors."

Oh that's why... He actually doesn't need that money. He's loaded.

"Maybe he paid the school to get him on top of the class—"

"Hey!" I stopped Chet from talking that way. I don't really like hearing nasty rumors. Even if it's about the person I dislike.

"It's just a rumor. It's none of our business."

"Yeah, you're right."

"So what are you going to do now?" Especially with that hair of yours. I'm pretty sure the dean won't let you go next time." Luke is right. I was lucky they only punished me this time with a nonstop scolding from the dean.

"I can't bleach it again! My hair's gonna die!" And I like it this way. It doesn't feel too plain.

"Just wear a wig then" Chet suggested.

"That's so inconvenient. Hold on, how did you got away with yours?" Chet wasn't punished or anything, he colored his hair blonde.

"I've got some fee tricks on my sleeves. Hehehe."

"He told them it's his natural hair."

"They seriously bought that excuse?"

"Of course not. He dyed his hair down there too as a proof. No one wanted to look at it so they let him go." Luke was referring to Chet's private part's hair.

"That's disgusting!" I looked at him with a disgust.

"Hehehe. Work smart, bro."

This guy is unbelievable.

After sometime, the students from Class A walked in the field. It seems like it is their PE period.

The Class A are those students who excelled in academics. They are the students who brings the school's pride and glory. And they most of them really loves to study.

"Those geeks are here."

"They even brought their books during PE."

Yeah... They are very hard-working.

This is also the class Miya belongs to. I am very excited to see her. But my excitement faded when I saw 'that guy' again.

They were sitting on the bench. Miya and 'that guy'.

I peeked behind the tree near where they are seated to eavesdrop on them.

"Ugh! I can't hear them!" I whispered on the air.

"What are they talking about?"

"They look close."

I didn't noticed the two actually followed me. They were also hiding behind the tree while leaning on me. I was startled causing the three of us to fall.

"Ow! What the heck are you two doing here?!"

"Same question for you."

Because of the noise, we were caught. Miya and Zen Liang are looking at us.

"W-wow! Pretty trees, right?"

"Yeah... N-nice..."

I'm digging my own grave. I hope the world would just swallow me whole!

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After school, I decided to go home late. There were only few students left. As I was walking on my way to the gate, I saw Zen Liang.

Finally, I'll settle this once and for all.

I walked up to him. "Hey, Zen Liang!"

He stared back at me.

"You... What's between you and Miya?" I directly confronted him.

He just stared at me. I am kind of regretting my actions now. I promised that I'd be good this time, but now I'm getting on the top student's bad side.

"Y-you know what... Nevermind." I was about to leave when suddenly he speak up.

"Are you interested in me?"

"That's right I— HUH?!!" I thought I misheard it.

What the hell was that?!!