Chapter 5: The Girl Who Asked Questions
The school field was still buzzing after the race.
Students kept talking about only one thing.
"The new guy!"
"Did you see how fast he ran?"
"He destroyed everyone!"
Timo walked beside Sam proudly like a manager of a famous athlete.
"Please form a line," Timo said dramatically to passing students. "Autographs will be available later."
Sam shook his head.
"You're embarrassing."
"I'm marketing you," Timo replied.
Just then, someone approached them.
"Excuse me."
Both boys turned.
It was Aisha.
Timo immediately straightened his posture like a soldier.
Sam stayed calm.
Aisha looked at Sam with curious eyes.
"You're Sam, right?"
"Yes."
"I heard your poem today," she said.
Timo leaned closer to Sam and whispered loudly.
"Bro… the poet life has begun."
Sam ignored him.
Aisha continued.
"And your race."
Sam nodded.
"Thanks."
She tilted her head slightly.
"You're interesting."
Timo almost fainted.
Sam raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting?"
Aisha smiled slightly.
"Most people are either good at sports or good at academics."
She pointed at him.
"But you're both."
Timo whispered again.
"And handsome too, don't forget that part."
Sam stepped on Timo's foot.
"Ow!"
Aisha laughed a little.
"So where did you learn poetry?" she asked.
Sam thought for a moment.
"Life."
That answer surprised her.
"Life?"
"When you grow up struggling," Sam said calmly, "you start thinking a lot."
Aisha studied him more carefully now.
"You're not like most people here."
Timo nodded quickly.
"Exactly. He's strange."
Sam sighed.
Aisha laughed again.
Before she could say more—
A loud voice interrupted.
"Well well…"
Everyone turned.
Brian and his two friends were walking toward them.
Timo whispered quickly.
"Ah… trouble has arrived."
Brian stopped in front of Sam.
"I see you're enjoying the attention."
Sam stayed quiet.
Brian looked at Aisha.
"You should be careful," he said.
"Why?" she asked.
Brian smirked.
"Because people from the trenches sometimes forget their place."
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Timo muttered quietly.
"Here we go again…"
Aisha frowned.
"That's not funny."
Brian shrugged.
"I'm just saying."
He turned to Sam.
"You ran fast today."
Sam nodded.
"Thanks."
Brian leaned closer.
"But speed alone doesn't make you a champion."
Sam looked at him calmly.
"What does?"
Brian smiled.
"Winning."
Then he stepped back.
"See you at the sports tournament."
Brian and his friends walked away.
Timo exhaled loudly.
"Bro… I'm tired of this guy already."
Aisha crossed her arms.
"He's jealous."
Sam looked surprised.
"You think so?"
She nodded.
"You embarrassed him today."
Timo grinned.
"Yes! Exactly!"
Aisha looked back at Sam.
"But if you're entering the tournament…"
Sam waited.
"You're going to need support."
Timo quickly raised his hand.
"I volunteer as emotional support."
Aisha ignored him.
She smiled slightly at Sam.
"I mean real support."
Sam thought for a moment.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Thanks."
As she walked away, Timo grabbed Sam's arm.
"BRO!"
"What?"
"You're telling me the smartest girl in school just came to talk to you?"
Sam shrugged.
"Maybe."
Timo shook his head dramatically.
"First sports hero."
Then he pointed at Sam.
"Now school romance."
Sam started walking toward the classroom.
"Relax."
Timo followed him.
"Relax?" he repeated.
"Bro…"
He grinned.
"The trenches boy is becoming famous."
Sam looked ahead quietly.
But deep inside…
He knew something.
Fame wasn't his goal.
Escape was.
And the road out of the trenches had only just begun.