*COUGH—COUGH—!*
...
That was not me, that was from the tigress of Class 3A.
Yes, she fell sick today.
She sat next to me in a mask and coat coughing and sneezing while trying her best to focus on the lesson.
You see? Normally when a student falls sick, they're allowed to take a sick leave — but she was built differently.
She insisted on coming to school, sitting next to me as if the class would turn into chaos without her — we have a vice class monitor, remember? 🙄
After the teacher left the class, she lay down on the table trying to get some rest.
"W…wa…water…"
Huh?
She got up trying to find the water bottle from her bag, but she rummaged through her bag but there's nothing called water in there.
Me: Wh….what's wrong?
Cindy: I...I left….it….home….
Me: You wanna go home?
Cindy: No…(cough)...I...(cough).....
Me: Okay okay, stop talking and take some rest.
I think she's trying to get me infected as well. 🙄
AI: Not likely, she's just full of sense of responsibility.
No, this is more likely to be the distorted sense of responsibility.
AI: Are you going to leave her like that?
It's recess now, of course I'm getting some food.
...
You know I called this a day as she did not smash my table when I was sleeping in class just now.
AI: You sure you're treating her like that? She's basically alone in the classroom and nobody will know if anything happened to her.
I bet this is her retribution for disturbing my nap every single time.
AI: Seriously? 😏
Of course she deserves it, she's a...
...
...
Urgh— fine. 🙄
Me: Here you go.
Cindy: Huh?
I went to get some warm water filling in a paper cup handed over to Cindy, she got up from the table with her dreamy look.
She tried to grab the cup but she seemed weak and couldn't exert any strength on holding it.
I gently pulled down her mask and carefully put the edge of the cup to her lips, she slowly drank the water when I slightly tilted the cup.
Cindy: Tha…Thank you.
Me: Don…Don't get me wrong, the…water dispenser was….was just on the way….
Before I completed my words, she fell down again to rest.
Now what?
AI: It's your choice, buddy. Leave, and she might be unable to seek help immediately, but if you stay you'll lose your Introvert's Lonely hour.
Which means whichever I choose just kills me instantly?
AI: Technically yes, but logically not. Choose wisely, buddy.
...
*CLIIIIIIII.....NNNNG—!*
After the bell rang, every student came back to their own class.
The food in the canteen might be totally sold out, which I don't think I have any chances to get. 🥲
This was the first time I listened to music in the classroom and on my seat.
I hate it as it makes me feel uncomfortable, besides the sunlight from the window is burning my eyes through the reflection on the laptop screen. 😒
Cindy: You…stayed?
Me: Good morning, sleeping beauty.
After noticing the teacher in the classroom, she led the entire class to bow to the teacher and after that she fell asleep again.
Which right after I skipped the class slot just to get myself some food.
As I expected, the canteen is closed, so I have no choice but to go to the vending machine to loot for some supplies. 🥲
…..why does it feel like playing the battle royale?
When I came to the corner of the vending machine, I noticed a familiar ponytail standing at the vending machine inserting the cash — which I had no choice but to hide myslef behind the wall. 💀💀💀
Hold on, she saw me?
No right?
Wait, am I overreacted?
Maybe she forgot me already?
AI: I'm afraid not, you probably have no idea how much impression you left on her.
How much probability is she saw me given by remembering me?
AI: Around....63.44%?
Let see if I can bet on the 36.56%
"Hey."
Me: Wrrhhh–!!!
A head suddenly popped out next to me which scared me.
Yes, it was Ly…..Layla.
AI: Lydia. 🙄
Right, that's what I just said.
…..wait, why're you memorizing her name?
Lydia: Could….could you help me for a second?
She took me to the vending machine.
Lydia: I inserted the cash but it's not working.
I took a look at the vending machine user panel, where the keys were functioning while the screens worked as expected.
Me: I….I think the problem is the cash payment system.
Lydia: What? It's broken?
Me: I think so, the system took your order, but ... perhaps…
I took out the card and scanned on the reader — it worked, and a can of soda dropped out.
Me: Here you go.
I took out the drink from the bottom and handed it over to her.
Lydia: No no no, it's okay.
Me: It's not mine.
Lydia: But…
Me: You're the one who clicked the number, just take it.
Lydia: O…okay….
See? Told ya.
How's it possible that she would remember me?
As a professional outcast in the school, I must say….😌
Lydia: About last week, thank you.
...
...💀
AI: Go on, Mr. Professional Outcast. 😏
You think I should…..
Lydia: I'm sorry for what happened last week…
Me: Um….okay.
Yeah, other than 'okay' I might need a year to think about how to reply to her.
She basically just remembered the entire…. I mean everything.
Including the tactile impression and how I stammered before her mother. 😭😭😭
Lydia: Bu…But don't get me wrong, I….I…I'm not….not a promiscuous girl, I mean…that….was…..
She suddenly became anxious trying to explain something I never thought about.
I mean….of course I know that was a not-under-consciousness or I can say….an emergency situation, so…..😒
Me: I get it, don't worry.
Lydia: Re….really?
I nodded and continued selecting food in the vending machine just to avoid eye contact.
Lydia: I thought you'd threaten me with that.
Me: Huh?
First—of—all—, what makes her think of that?
Do I look like a bad guy or something? 😭😭😭
Lydia: My mom said men would threaten a woman when they have something on her.
....
Okay I swear I almost choke myself when I heard that.
I mean….WHAT THE HELL???? 💀💀💀
Your mom who looked very polite and friendly just taught that to her own daughter????
Me: Se…Seriously?
Lydia: Yeah, my mom said men would manipulate women by that, even manipulate...their body.
She clutched onto her chest with both hands when she said that while lowering her blushing face….for what? 😭😭😭
Okay, now I think she needs to learn not to talk too much to a stranger and propagate everything she learned from her family.
Yeah, it's for the stranger's own good. 💀
Me: D…Don't worry, I won't.
Lydia: I knew it, you're a good person. My mom said if I want to find a boyfriend, you're one of the standard.
Please don't, you don't want a coward to be your boyfriend in the future, and please keep that smile away, you're saying something offensive to me!!! 😭😭😭
And unbelievable!!!
Before that she thought I was a bad guy??? 😭😭😭
Lydia: Thanks for the drink.
After thanking me, she left.
This time is better, no one is telling each other their name….
Lydia: You're Rin, right?
...
Me: Ye…es….😐
Lydia: I'm Lydia.
She turned her back to me while her hands holding the can of soda swinging to the back before she left.
AI: You know it is the best part when you can sit inside someone's brain watching the shows with popcorn.
So you want me to delete the popCorn( )?
AI: Nope, sorry.
Shut up, then. 🙄
I just don't understand why she remembers my name.
AI: Well…someone that'll tolerate your most embarrassing side looks more real than a friend that would unfriend her anytime.
I was never a friend material, you know?
People like me don't deserve to have a friend.
AI: You sure?
"Fff…found you…."
Suddenly I felt a head just resting on my back and a feeble punch just hit my back.
I was shocked and turned around, it was Cindy.
She closed her eyes while punching at my shoulder and kept scolding me with her tipsy voice.
Cindy: How…how dare…you….skip…cla…classes…
Me: Just stay in the class, I'm just here for….
Before I could complete my sentence, she buried her head onto my shoulder and seemed to have fallen asleep.
....
AI: Dude, calm….
WHAT IS GOING ON!!!! 😭😭😭
SHE JUST—SHE'S—SHE'S ON MY &^%$%^&^%$#$%^&*&^%$##@#$%^*&^%$$!!!!!!!!!!💀💀💀
AI: She's just exhausted, don't panic! 🙄
Should I push her away?
This is too much!!! 😭😭😭
AI: Dude, she came out just to look for you, please don't be a selfish person, okay?
Selfish???? Looking for me, for what???
She's my mom? Ensuring if I stay properly in class??? 😭😭😭
AI: You think? 🙄
No, I must wake her up.
I patted her back to wake her up, but she somehow nuzzled against my shoulder. 🥲
Cindy: I've been….(cough).....loo….(cough)....looking…for….(cough)....you…..
Me: For what?
Cindy: It's….it's cold….
Cold? Then you came out????
Me: Alright alright, let's get back to class, then.
She got up and nodded and started to follow me on the way back to the class….
She was staggering on the way back to the classroom, which I need to ensure walking in the straight line.
AI: See that?
What?
AI: A friend. 😏
Sorry, I call this annoying classmate, she could just stay in the class.
AI: Whatever you say, buddy. It doesn't change the fact.
Yeah, the fact of being alone is better.
....
She's still holding my hand.
AI: I know, your heartbeats don't lie.
Yeah, I'm scared, what if someone saw us?
Like….discipline teacher?
AI: Just tell her you're just keeping her balanced, I have thousands of excuses backing you up, buddy. 😏
You think that old lady would believe me?
AI: I don't know, but right now Cindy is counting on you. Focus, buddy.
…..
Let's hope I can reach the classroom safely then. 🥲