Anna
As I walk through the corridors, heading for the library on the third floor, my phone beeps with a notification.
These annoying social sites!
I ignore it and keep on going ahead, now walking up the stairs. These apps deliver delicious news the most when you're busy the most. And other times they be like, brace up migurl! We gave you all the notifications when you were twining with maths ;)
A few of the students stare at me. I won't lie, I'm quite notorious in the junior classes for being a ruthless class monitor. But I'm nothing more than Ruth-less. Ruth was a pain in ass in our junior high, so I simply put up a brilliant plan to expel him.
Ithink that was my nicest act so far.
I've also made it to the 'Dream girl list of the year' since last year. That's another reason why I get those fucking stares. And I also know that.. I've got a brain beside my looks. Unlike those weird 'famous' girls in my class.
Just as I'm about to step inside the library, my phone beeps with another notification. This time, I open it.
[Nathan: You're going to school right?]
Oh hell no! How can I forget about him! Nathan's supposed to come to our school today—his first day—and I totally forgot!
[Me: Ofc yeah! Where are you man?]
I texted him back and his reply came in an instant.
[Nathan: I'm outside the school, waiting for you for almost an hour, you idiot!]
I bite back a laugh.
[Me: Come inside, Cupcake! I'll meet you inside the classroom]
[Nathan: Dare you call me 'Cupcake' again!]
[Me: Cupcake!]
This time I couldn't hold back the laugh. Some of the students glanced at me with annoyance written on their faces. Sorry— I mouthed to them. Returning the book to the librarian, I headed back towards our classroom. Grade 12, section 1.
Nathan's come back to Korea after four years. Not gonna lie — I've really missed him. He's my childhood friend — we practically grew up together. Everything was alright — joyous and bright. Until that one day.. everything changed after that. Our lives changed.
Four years ago, an accident occurred and Nathan's father had to move to the US with his whole family. I still remember that day when they were leaving.
***
It was raining heavily in Seoul. My dad was busy with his father dealing with the luggages and our moms were busy seeking the whole house for everything to clear up.
I was standing silently in Nathan's room. While he sat there still on the floor; his head resting on his both palms.
We hadn't recovered from the aftershock of the accident. Accident… that's a nightmare for him.
"We'll still be friends right?" I had asked him in my trembling voice.
He looked up at me. His face pale, eyes full of pain.
I'm pretty sure there were tears in my eyes. Maybe even streaming down my cheeks.
Then Nathan, still vulnerable from the aftershocks, stood up and gently hugged me. If it were some other day, I probably would've never been that easy to be taken into somebody's embrace — but that day; it was different.
"Forever. We'll be friends forever." He whispered, patting my head. And I cried like a child.
***
It's been four years since that day. Today I'll be meeting my friend in person after so long.
Of course I'm so happy!
But as soon as I come close to the classroom, I hear noises.
Girls' cries—loud and high-pitched.
What now?
I quicken my pace and enter the classroom almost being breathless just to discover a circle of girls. And in the middle of them is… Nathan? Goodness!
Some of the guys are also trying to sneak a peek at him.
"What's happening here!" I shout at them. They break the circle in an instant. "Don't you know how to welcome a new student?" I glare at all of them.
"Yeah girls," Tiara comes into view. She smirks at me and holds out her hand to Nathan. "Welcome, new hotty guy." I notice her even winking at him.
I roll my eyes. Disgusting!
Nathan meets my eyes and cracks a laugh, "Thank god, you came in time!"
Tiara's hand remains untouched, hanging in the air, as he walks to me. It's obvious that Tiara's ears are steaming with anger by now. She goes back to her girls and mutters something under her breath.
I laugh at Nathan's remark "Or they would've started playing 'ring-a-ring-o-roses' with you right?"
He laughs out loud. I grin.
The class has started gawking at us by the time. But it didn't take them even a minute to mind their own businesses when I swept my eyes over them.
My gaze shifted back to Nathan. This guy has grown up. Taller, sharper. But still, his face is charming as always.
As I sit on my bench, he stands beside my desk. "So, I can sit here right?"
"Um.. you could but there's already…"
"Ouch!" Aria cries out. She was… under the desk?
"What were you doing there?" I couldn't help but ask.
"I was searching for…" And while getting up, she bumps onto Nathan. God this girl!
"Ow!" "Hey!"
Both of them cry at the same time.
Now I have to handle two idiots? Shit!