Ketto fell asleep almost instantly, exhausted from the day. He didn't stir until his mother came home. She woke him gently and told him to sleep in his bed, not on the sofa, warning him that he might catch a cold. He nodded, but instead of moving to his bedroom, he just turned on the TV and started watching some entertainment shows while his mother prepared dinner. His eyes were on the screen, but his mind was elsewhere. He was still replaying the events of the day, which felt like one of the most awful experiences of his life.
Dinner was a quiet affair. He barely spoke, and his mother didn't push. He just had no energy for conversation. After finishing his meal, he retreated to his bedroom early. He lay in bed and tried his best to close his eyes, willing himself to fall asleep quickly. But as often happens, the more he tried to force sleep, the more awake and alert he became. He started counting sheep, but it was useless. Then he switched tactics and began counting backward from one thousand. He made it to 920 before the boredom became unbearable and he gave up. In frustration, he pulled the sheet over his head, but soon it became too hot and stuffy. Throwing the sheet aside, he sat up straight in bed and looked out the window. The world outside was silent, and pale light streamed through the glass like a river of stars. Somewhere in the distance, a light flickered from a direction he couldn't quite place. After sitting there for nearly half an hour, he finally felt drowsy. He lay back down, and this time, sleep eventually claimed him.
By Monday morning, he was dreading school. If he had a choice, he would have stayed home. But there was no alternative; he had to go. When he arrived at the classroom, he didn't walk in right away. Instead, he peered carefully through the doorway, scanning every corner and seat, making absolutely sure that Hanky hadn't arrived yet. Only after confirming that Hanky's seat was empty did he release a long, deep sigh of relief. He slipped into the classroom quietly, hoping no one would notice him.
But as he reached his seat, Addy turned around and looked up at him. "Good morning, Ketto," he said.
Ketto felt his face flush and waved his hand awkwardly. "Morning, Addy."
"Did you feel better over the weekend? How are you doing now?" Addy asked gently.
Ketto managed a small smile. "Better than yesterday, although I still feel a bit..." He trailed off, but Addy understood. He stood up, patted Ketto on the back, and said, "Don't overthink it. It was no big deal. None of us thought it was a big thing, so don't put so much pressure on yourself."
Ketto nodded, still embarrassed. "Yeah, I don't know how to say it... It's not easy to just... I guess moving on is the best thing to do."
He had just finished speaking when Hanky walked into the classroom. Ketto quickly motioned for Addy to turn around, and he avoided making any eye contact. He desperately hoped Hanky wouldn't notice him. Grabbing a large textbook from his desk, he propped it up vertically, hiding his face behind it. As Hanky walked closer, Ketto subtly adjusted the angle of the book, making sure it perfectly blocked Hanky's line of sight.
At first, Hanky didn't notice anything unusual. But Ketto's overly secretive behavior piqued his curiosity. Quietly, Hanky crept up to Ketto's side and, without a word, pulled the book down.
He laughed. "What are you doing? Are you hiding from me?"
Ketto looked up, and their eyes met. He was mortified and nervous. "No way! I'm not avoiding you," he denied quickly.
Hanky smirked. "Really? Because it sure looks like you're hiding from me. Why are you acting like a shy girl?"
Ketto's face burned red with a mix of embarrassment and anger. "Who's acting like a girl?" he shot back, but his flushed cheeks betrayed him. He knew Hanky had read his mind, and the humiliation was overwhelming. If a hole had opened up in the floor right then, he would have gladly jumped in—or at least buried his head in it.
Hanky didn't press further. He simply returned to his seat, sat down as usual, and rested his head on the desk to sleep. Ketto glared at him mentally. *Stupid Hanky. Go to hell,* he thought, still feeling deeply awkward.
Addy turned around again. "Are you afraid of him?" he whispered.
Ketto nodded instinctively, then shook his head sharply. "No, it's not that kind of afraid. I'm not scared of him." He paused, thinking. "I thought maybe he would laugh at me."
"Why would you think that?" Addy asked, curious.
"Did you forget what happened at the park yesterday?" Ketto replied.
Addy suddenly understood. He waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, that. I don't think he's that kind of person. He was actually trying to help you, remember? He gave you a lot of tips."
Ketto nodded reluctantly. "Yeah, I know, and I thanked him. But you know I'm a total amateur. I lost all my dignity out there—I looked like a wet dog." He continued, his voice dropping lower, "And things have always been a bit off between us. He won't let this go easily. I wouldn't be surprised if he writes some kind of essay about it and shares it with everyone."
Addy looked at him with concern. "You're being too sensitive. Don't overthink it. Just focus on moving forward, and nothing will happen. Trust me."
Just then, the bell rang, signaling the start of class. Everyone fell silent and turned their attention to the front.