Chapter 1

I was sitting at the edge of the wall, looking at the few motorcycles passing. It was almost 8 AM. School starts at 08:30. We still have time.

-    Here you go, Paul!

This voice was Denis', my best friend. We know each other since we were 6. At that time, his parents move into the house next to ours. I was shy back then, but we quickly became friends.

-    Finally out! I've been waiting here forever! I said as I took the coffee he was giving me.

-    You know, you could get inside instead of waiting outside like a thief!

-    Hey, who are you calling a thief?

-    ''Like'' a thief! Not an actual thief.

Arguing like every morning, we headed to school.

-    And so, I blew his head off! You can't imagine how happy I was to see the ''headshot'' on the screen … hey, are you listening?

-    Yes! But over there, this person seems to be struggling!

I turned to my head to the direction Denis was pointing and saw an old woman dragging a huge bag.

-    Oh no Denis, don't you dare!

-    I just want to make sure that she's fine!

-    She is! Otherwise, she wouldn't be out! 

But Denis was already going to the old hag.

-    Come on Denis, she assumed she was able to drag this bag. No need to meddle in.

Ignoring me, Denis got to the woman. I had no choice but to follow him. By the time I got there, he had already lifted the bag and put it on his shoulder. 

-    (Sigh) Here we go again!

-    Paul, you can go ahead! I'll just take this lady to the bus stop over there.

-    What?

Before I could answer, Denis already left with the old hag. I looked at my phone again, it was 08:05. It takes us 15 minutes to get to school. We still have time. I leant against a wall, waiting for him. The bus stop is not too far away. He should be back fast enough.

08:10, he was not coming back. 

08:15, still nothing.

08:20, I was seriously concerned. What could be taking him so long.

I was resigning myself to leave when I saw him running toward me.

-    Paul, what are you doing here?

-    That's my line! Do you know what time it is? We are definitely going to be late!

-    Yeah, but why are you here? I told you to go ahead! 

-    Like I can leave without you! What am I going to say? Why couldn't you just leave that old hag alone?

-    Language, Paul! She had to take the express, and it's only scheduled once every 5 hours. If she had missed it, she would have had to wait a long time!

-    That's her problem! Why do you have to help every single person you see?

-    Just because! Come on, we can still make it!

-    How? It's already 08:22!

But Denis didn't answer. He took me by my arm and ran.

Obviously, we arrived late. There was no way we could run 15 minutes' worth of distance in only 8 minutes. The teacher was mad at us. I don't know what Denis told him, but I was allowed to get into classroom while he had to stand outside as punishment.

2 hours later, the class was over. Denis got in after the teacher left. As soon as he stepped inside the classroom, a girl approached him.

-    What's happened this time! She asked.

-    This time? You make it sound like I'm always late!

-    Don't be coy with me! You know what I meant! She lightly punches him.

-    Easy there! Ha ha ha!

The girl who approached him was Mariam, his girlfriend. She is considered the prettiest girl among the 2nd year. And of course, Denis was the lucky bastard who got her. Many boys in the school resent him for that. Although they didn't stand a chance in the first place. Just like me, Mariam knew Denis for a long time. She had eyes for him for as long as I remember. But they only got together in the 3rd year of junior high school because she thought he was going to a different high school. The fear of losing him gave her the courage to confess and they started dating.

-    Hey Paul, what happened? This guy here only wants to tease me and refuse to answer!

-    Well, he played good Samaritan again!

-    (Sigh) for what this time?

-    An old hag who was late!

-    And you missed morning lesson just for that?

-    Not a problem for him! He is always the top of the class!

Another classmate interrupted us to say that. She was accompanied by a lot of girls.

-    Speaking of, did you do math assignment, Denis?

-    Oh no stop right there! You just want to copy his homework!

-    So what? It's not yours I'm copying!

Oh boy, Mariam always had an aggressive personality. If this continue, a fight is bound to happen.

-    Easy girls! Sonia, here's my homework! Denis intervened.

The girls quickly took his notebook and left.

-    But, Denis …

-    Mariam, no need to fight!

-    But they always do that! Always relying on you for the homework!

-    And? Is it a problem?

-    They are just taking advantage of you!

-    Maybe, but they are only hurting themselves as they will never learn! If they want to just copy it and avoid the teacher scolding them, so be it!

Saying so, Denis put his hand on her head and patted it.

-    So, you're okay with them taking advantage of you?

-    Yes!

After that, Mariam stayed silent. They were standing in front of my desk, and only I could see her face because I was seated. She was pouting.

After a while, we started talking about something else and I could see Mariam slowly getting calmer. 

When it was time for the next class, math. The girls had returned Denis' notebook.

-    Okay everyone, take your seat and show me last week assignment. Whoever didn't do it will receive a penalty for next test.

Saying so, the teaching started walking between the desks and verifying everyone book. Of course, when she got the girls who had borrow Denis' notebook, she didn't stop. They had already copied it and escaped the punishment. I could feel Mariam killing intent from here. 

After she was done, the teacher got ready to start the class, only to realised she had forgotten her teaching materials.

-    Okay, class rep, can you go get me my things from my office?

-    Yes of course!

And Denis got up and left the class. Yes, he is the class rep. Being the class rep is a lot of work, so much that no one in the class wanted to do it. And of course, Mr. nice guy volunteer to do it. I remembered at that time he said:

-    This is good practice for being a responsible leader.

A few minutes later, Denis returned, and class finally start.

The rest of the day went with no trouble. After math, it was lunch break and after we had the last class of the day.

Most students, including us were getting ready to leave. However, the classroom door opened, and some upper classmates came in and went straight to Denis.

-    Hey man, I hope you didn't forget your promise!

-    No, no! I even brought my sport equipment!

Look like new people came to take advantage of Denis again. Wanting to make sure, I asked.

-    Huh, what's going on Denis?

-    Oh, Paul! The soccer club asked me to help them train. No need to wait for me. You can go with Mariam!

-    Soccer club? You're not even a member. Why would you help them?

It was Mariam who butted in, clearly enraged.

-    That's right man! With you on the team, we could go far. Why don't you want to join?

But Denis was ignoring him. He was focused on his girlfriend.

-    Mariam, are you mad?

-    No! 

-    You look mad! Did you want to go on a date today?

-    That's not it! I just hate seeing people taking advantage of you! You could ask for something in return.

-    Well, I don't have time to exercise, so this is good opportunity for me!

-    …

-    But if you want to spend time with me, I can cancel!

-    No, no need! I'll just go home and watch TV.

-    You sure?

-    Yeah! Have fun! But this weekend, we are going on a date!

-    Of course!

Mariam then took her bag and left the classroom. 

I followed Denis and the rest of the team to the training field.

-    When will you finish?

-    At 5 PM!

-    5 PM? I have time!

-    Huh?

-    No, nothing! See you tonight!

After leaving him, I pulled up my phone and sent a message. Afterward I walked home. When my house was in sight, I saw a girl waiting in front of it.

-    Hey, Mariam! I greeted her.

-    How long do we have?

-    A little less than 2 hours!

I invited my best friend's girlfriend inside and took her to my room. As soon as I closed the door, I jumped on her and kissed her.

-    Whoa! You're strangely assertive today!

-    Well, I need to hurry! I only have 2 hours after all.

-    Ha! You talk as if you could do it for so long!

Getting irritated by her statement, I put my hand in her underwear and pitched there. However, the sound that came out of her mouth was a moan of pleasure instead of pain.

-    Of course, you'd like it! Does Denis know you're such a slut?

-    How would he know? We have only kissed!

That right, Denis is such an idiot! While you're busy playing Mr. good guy, I am screwing your girl that you only kissed. If you loved being taken advantage of, then you'll like that!

I went for another kiss.