Chapter 48
My head almost exploded when Mr. Kim Ku started walking toward our row.
Each step.
Closer.
Closer.
I stopped breathing.
Yoongi didn't even blink.
Mr. Kim suddenly reached the desk in front of us and snatched their paper instead.
"Stop whispering!"
Phewwww.
I almost collapsed in relief.
Yoongi's knee brushed mine under the desk.
"Relax," he muttered.
Easy for you to say.
We reached question 20.
The last one.
The hardest one.
It was written in bold:
20. If f(x) = 2x² – 4x + 1, what is the value of f(2)?
A. 1
B. 5
C. -1
D. 9
It looked simple.
Too simple.
I quickly calculated in my head.
f(2) = 2(2²) – 4(2) + 1
= 2(4) – 8 + 1
= 8 – 8 + 1
= 1
Answer d .
But
Yoongi circled A.
"It's A, not D," he whispered calmly.
I turned sharply. "No. It's D."
He leaned closer.
"Check again."
"I did."
His eyes narrowed slightly. Competitive.
"Let's make a deal."
Oh no.
"If the answer is A," he said softly,
"you give me three wishes. Anything I want."
My heart stopped.
"And if it's D?" I asked.
He smirked.
"Then I'm yours for three wishes."
Excuse me?!
Why does that sound illegal?!
I swallowed.
"Fine."
We both circled our answers.
The bell rang.
Chairs scraped loudly as everyone stood.
I stood up first, acting casual, and handed my paper to Mr. Kim Ku.
Yoongi handed his next.
Our fingers brushed again.
Why does he keep doing that on purpose?!
I escaped outside before he could say anything.
The school yard felt warm compared to the classroom.
I walked straight to the store and bought a strawberry yogurt.
Of course strawberry.
I went to the swings.
Sat down.
Took a deep breath.
"What if I'm wrong?" I muttered, sipping it.
What if he's right?
What if I lose?
What will he ask for?
My heart started racing for no reason.
The swing suddenly moved.
Just slightly.
Someone pushed it.
I turned.
Yoongi.
Of course.
He stood behind me, one hand in his pocket.
. "Running away?" he asked.
"I'm not running."
"Sure."
He walked around and sat on the swing next to mine.
. Then he took out his phone.
My heart dropped.
He opened Google.
"No way. Don't search it," I said quickly.
He ignored me.
Typed in the function.
My stomach twisted.
He calculated again.
Slowly.
Out loud.
"2 times 4… minus 8… plus 1…"
He paused.
My hands tightened around the yogurt.
. "…equals 1."
Silence.
My brain froze.
His lips curved slowly.
"That's A."
My eyes widened.
"WAIT WHAT?"
He turned the phone toward me.
The answer glowed on the screen.
Correct answer: 1.
He WON?!
I jumped off the swing.
"I won" he said
He chuckled softly, watching me.
Then he stood up.
"And?"
I froze.
"And what?"
He stepped closer.
Too close.
"You remember the deal."
My heartbeat went insane.
"What do you want?" I asked, trying to sound brave.
He looked at me.
Not joking now.
Serious.
"Be my date to the ball."
.