#25 Misunderstanding

"Hey, have you heard?"

"There's a new girl transferring to our class right?"

"We'll need to redo our ranking."

"That's the boys' job."

Right. Eric did mention that there's a girl coming today but how does she look? I'm quite curious for some reason.

Soon, it was time for homeroom. Our teacher entered the class, followed by the new student behind her. She stood in front of the whole class and started introducing herself.

"Hello. The name's Natasha Nelson, I previously studied overseas and just came back last week. Nice to meet you all, I hope we get along." Natasha was an alluring person. Even the boys were fascinated by her beauty when she swept her hair behind.

I looked at Eric instinctively and felt relieved when he didn't look interested in her. He was looking out of the window while the other boys were fawning over Natasha.

'Eh, what am I thinking?' I slapped both my cheeks to wake myself up.

Natasha's seat was the blank seat beside Eric. It was just a coincidence that his desk mate was absent that day and the teacher just asked her to sit there temporarily.

I nearly broke down when Eric smiled at her. Well, at least he did not go as far as to pull the chair out from the table for her. I had no idea what was my expression at that time, but Carl had a frightened look on his face while trying to calm me down by patting on my back.

'I've never felt this before but is this what they call… jealousy?'

Uncertain of my own feelings, I talked to Mia about it during break time. I didn't make eye contact with Eric or reply to his texts. I didn't even read it.

"Maybe you should read what he sent." Mia always gave the best advice on what to do, an advice that both of us knew I wouldn't follow.

Read his texts when I'm in this pathetic state? Don't be ridiculous.

"There is a way to know if he cares for you, although I've never tried it out myself before."

"Spit it out."

"If he didn't even notice your change in hairstyle, then it's a no-no."

"You noticed my new hairstyle?"

"Of course. Everyone was talking about it in class."

Those words of hers astonished me. I never knew someone would actually notice my hairstyle. Guess my effort did not go to waste.

When break time was over, I returned to my seat while thinking of a way to make him notice. It wasn't a way I would usually go for but I thought I should take Mia's advice once in a while.

I was never an attention seeker so I didn't know what to do. Should I just face him right up?

"Amanda, Ms. Elizabeth asked us to help her out in taking the Mathematics materials later."

"Oh, okay. Remind me later."

Now, back to the topic. How should I let him notice me? I really wanted to ask Mia but class was starting. I bit my fingernails unconsciously, trying to figure a way when suddenly, someone called me.

"You must be Amanda! Oh and just call me Natasha, that's how the others do."

I lifted my head to see the bold person who called me by my given name during our first meeting. Since when did she come here? She was just flirting with Eric a little while ago when I saw her.

"I'm not comfortable with strangers calling by my given name so please don't." No one ever talked to me like that during our first meeting, not even Mia.

"We're strangers even though we're in the same class? So are everyone here strangers to you? Even your desk mate?" Her inquisitiveness annoyed me.

"You really get on my nerves," I wasn't just aware that the way I spoke was rude, "leave," I know it.

"I thought I could get along with everyone but it seems like I can't help it if you're arrogant. I shall take my leave." Natasha's smile faded as she returned to her seat. I could hear her complaining to Eric and he glanced at me.

It's over now. That even more made me not want to read his text or even gain his attention.

So what? It doesn't matter anymore. I already got his attention but except that it's in a negative way.

For the first time, I paid full attention in History class. I muted my phone so I wouldn't get distracted by a certain someone who kept texting me during class. He has always been good in History and I could see him teaching her, which he never did to me, or so I thought.

Out of a sudden, Natasha slammed the table and yelled, "why would you say such a thing to me when I am clearly the victim here?"

Everyone's gaze shifted from the teacher to her. Eric had a very fierce look when he answered her.

"If you want to deny such a simple fact then leave."

He must have said that to mock her. After all, we can't just leave the class like that without a valid reason.

"Settle down, both of you. Sir Frederick, please switch your seats with Noah."

Are you kidding me? That's literally the seat in front of me?!

I did not look up but I could feel his gaze on me. What is it? Mad at me now? Honestly, I should be happy that he finally hated me because I wouldn't get anymore annoying texts from him but why, what was that feeling?

I held back my tears and kept my head down during the whole time when suddenly, Eric approached me.

He rested his chin on his arm that was placed on my table. It was a simple task for him since he was sitting in front of me.

"Do you despise me?" He asked in a soft and calm voice.

"Yes." I was kinda proud of myself to be able to answer without hesitation.

I could tell he was disappointed even without looking. I didn't care about him since the next class was starting. "Read my texts, please," he said before standing up for greetings.

I hate to admit that I was actually curious about what he sent. 'It wouldn't hurt to take a look, right? Since Mia told me to.'

Luckily, the teacher was just revising on our previous lessons so it was the perfect chance to read them. I took out my phone and took a deep breath before clicking into his message.

"I should have requested to switch her away too."

"She's already annoying enough by her appearance."

"Is she trying to beat our class' ranking?"

"Does she want to take the top place?"

"Luckily I switched the boy away or else the class would be in chaos."

I couldn't interpret what he was saying so I left it to deal with it after class ends. But before I could take out my phone again when class ended, Eric leaned on my table in the same position as before.

"Do you still despise me?"

From my understanding, there were supposed to be two transfer students today but Eric switched the boy away for whatever reasons he has, and now he regretted for not switching the girl away too.

He anticipated I would read his text after he asked me to so he asked that question again? How could I possibly answer him when I totally misunderstood the whole situation?

"I… not to say despise but, I don't dislike you."

"Then does that mean you like me?"

...Huh?