JIAN'S POV

"How am I supposed to work with this?!" as I stepped out of the elevator I could hear the ruckus in the office.

"It's the only data he provided, boss..."

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! GET OUT!!"

"Get the papers!"

"Ugh... My head hurts…"

This is my life... I wake up early in the morning just to go to this zoo-like office, where everyone are screaming.

"Mr. Tan!!" the devil calls.

"Y-yes, sir!" I ran towards him.

"Bring this to the HR." he shoved a pile of papers on me and turned his back afterwards as he answers the call from the other line.

Well, as you can see. This is my life, a miserable one.

I'm Jian Tan, 25 years old. Stuck up in a stupid job with a minimum wage.

"I really want to cry..." I thought to myself.

"What are you still doing? Move!!"

"G-got it!!" I frantically ran out. I'm really screwed! No… My life is really screwed!!

"Hey, Jian!"

"Yes, Senior?"

"Get me a coffee, please! Thanks, I'll pay you later!"

"Huh...but..."

"Oh! Me too!"

"Make that three!"

"A-alright..."

I can't even say a word. I'm also in a hurry, so I have no time to argue.

Ugh, when did I become a pushover?

I went to the elevator, and all three of them were broken.

"Sorry, young man. You got to use the stairs for the meantime."

"Wow... Could this day get any better?" I sighed and proceeded to the stairs. Ain't I lucky?

"I really hate those bastards! You'll see, if I won the lottery I'm gonna quit this freaking job! WAHAHAHA!" I screamed on top of my lungs as I went up the stairs.

"I said all of that and I don't even buy lottery tickets."

As I was having so much fun climbing the stairs from the third floor to the seventh floor. Half of the papers on my hand flew out of the open window.

"WHAT THE— AH! THE PAPERS!" I tried to catch it as fast as I can, but it was too late.

"DAMN IT!" I ran back out like a dog to retrieve it.

I was catching my breath as I finally arrived at the ground, outside the office where the papers flew off.

"Ugh! You've got to be kidding me!" I picked-up each and every paper on the ground.

And went back again. There's so much running I had to do this day. But I'm broke, so I don't get to complain...

I hurried back in, as soon as I got to the seventh floor, my boss went out and sarcastically smiled.

"Don't ever show your face at my office again."

I'm done...

"But... boss!" I practically begged him and hold unto his leg.

"Get off me!!"

"Don't fire me!! I'm really broke!!"

"Are you a leech! Let go!"

"NOOOO!"

...----------------...

After a long day of running back and forth from the office and eventually convincing my boss to give a second chance, I went straight to a bar.

I want to get drunk and forget all of my problems.

"Ugh... What am I supposed to do with my life..." I mumbled as I drink the strong liquor on my glass.

While drowning myself in sorrow, my phone suddenly rang.

I still have the strength to picked it up.

"Hellooo~" It was quite obvious that I was drunk.

"Hey! Jian?! What the heck? You're seriously drinking right now? You're really hopeless! Why did I even dated you?!"

Ahh... This again...

"Hey! Why aren't you answering me?! You know what... We're done—"

As soon as I heard all the nagging from my girlfriend on the other line, I dropped the call.

This isn't what I need right now.

I dropped my head on the table.

"Um... Excuse me?" a familiar voice echoed into my ears.

I slowly raised my head to see a beautiful girl standing in front of me. She's wearing a yellow dress that perfectly match her long wavy blonde hair.

"M-miya...?" I asked, still wondering if I'm seeing things because of the alcohol.

"I'm glad you still remember me, Jian." she sweetly smiled at me. Just like we were in high school.

"Yeah..."

It had been 8 years since I last saw her. She never changed, she's still pretty.

"How are you doing? I never heard anything from you after graduating from high school." she said, just sitting across me.

"Oh... I was kinda busy..." I answered while scratching my neck. Furthermore, I don't know what to say to her.

"Is that so?"

"Yeah..."

The awkward silence broke when someone approached our table.

"Miya~ Where were you?"

A girl with short brunette hair sat beside her.

"Huh? Isn't that..."

I don't want her to see me, this girl knows too much!

"Oh my gosh! Jian?" Oh, well...

"Yeah..." I avoided eye contact as much as possible.

"HAHAHA! It's really you!" yup, there she goes.

"Oh, hey... Riri..." I acknowledge her and smiled awkwardly.

She stood up and sat beside me.

"Come on! Don't be shy now!" she said as she messes up my hair.

"The heck! Get off!" I tried to push her face away.

"Why you little— is this how you treat me after seeing me again for how many years?! Huh?!" She fought back and grabbed my hair.

The scene made Miya chuckled. I stopped and sat properly. Of course, I don't want her to see me as immature.

"You two are really cute together, you know."

"The hell?! I'll rather be with a rat!" Riri flinched in disgust.

"Same goes here!" I also glared at her in disgust.

I haven't seen them since graduation. Somehow, this feels nostalgic.

"Oh right, Jian." Miya took out an invitation card from her purse and handed it to me.

"What's this for?"

"It's an invitation."

I already know what this is.

"I'm getting married next week." she sweetly smiled.

I can hear my heart shattering at the moment.

"T-that's... Nice..." I forced a smile as my fist clenched.

"I'm happy for you... Congratulations." I added, unable to look at her in the eyes.

"Thank you! I hope to see you there."

...----------------...

"Ugh! Am I cursed or what??" I complained as I went out of the bar.

"HAHAHA look at you. What a loser." Riri followed me and stood beside me, she lighted up her cigarette and smoke beside me.

"Want some?"

"Nah, the last thing I would want right now is to have a lung cancer."

"Tch, that doesn't change the fact that she's getting married." she replied after taking another sip.

"Ughh!! Why?? Why does it have to be her?"

"Dude, how would she even know you have feelings for her? You didn't even confess."

She's right. I'm a coward. I had a crush on Miya ever since we were in high school. She was my first love! My angel! My savior!

I had a lot of chance to tell her back then. But, I did not. Now, she's getting married, and I can't do anything about it.

"Don't worry though, I've met the guy she's going to marry. He's really nice and handsome. He is rich too."

"Yeah... Miya is better off with another guy. I can give her nothing. I can't give her the luxury of life. All I have is my face." I sighed.

Riri gave me a disgusted face.

"You're kidding? What face are you talking about"

"Haha, So funny..."

Well, whatever. This is how it's going to end.

"Although, I think you know the guy. He's from our high school."

"I don't care!" I replied, trying to get out of that conversation.

If only, I could change everything...

"Heh... Hey, loser!"

Ugh, I don't want to listen to this rascal.

"What if I told you that you can indeed change the past?" She said, looking at me with that smirk on her face.

"I don't have time for this. I'm going home, I still have work tomorrow."

"Hey! Just listen!!" She stopped me and handed me a coin.

"I'm still not a beggar."

"Dummy, just hold unto that 'kay?"

"What are you—"

"No more questions! Just toss it and think about where you want to go!" She said and ran off.

"She's really crazy..."

...----------------...

As I was waiting at the bus stop, I took out the coin Riri handed me awhile ago.

It shines as bright as the moonlight.

"Can I sell this?" I whispered to the air as I stare at the coin.

It looks like there's no more bus.

"Whatever." I stood up and was about to walk when suddenly I tripped, causing me to fall of the road.

"Ugh... Damn it—"

I am about to stand up but suddenly a truck hit me.

I can feel that this is really the end of me. All of my memories were flashing into my mind. And all I could think of is...

"If only, I could change everything..."

My head feels like it will explode any moment soon. I'm not sure if it's because of the liquor or the accident.

"Hold on..." I thought to myself.

I abruptly opened my eyes and sat on the bed.

"The heck... Am I in the hospital?" I mumbled as I hold the back of my head.

"Huh..?" As I looked around, it feels like this is somehow familiar.

"Ugh... Maybe I'm still dreaming. I'm going back to bed." I lay down and shut my eyes.

"JIAN!!" A loud and familiar voice call upon me, it made me flinched in a second. I got up instantly.

I heard footsteps heading into my room.

"What is..."

When my bedroom door opened I saw my mother.

"WHEN WILL YOU GET UP?! THE SUN IS UP AND YOU'RE STILL SLEEPING LIKE A PIG!" Right after she opened the door, she started her nagging.

"MOM?!!" I was so confused that I unconsciously shouted.

The hint of annoyance and anger can be seen on my mother's face.

"Ah... Wait, mom. I didn't mean to—" I'm so dead.

"JIAN TAN! YOU DARED SHOUT ON ME?!" She furiously pinched my ear.

"OUCH! DAMN IT! I'M SORRY!"

"YOU LITTLE PRICK!"

...----------------...

How the hell did I came here? I'm in my parents house. My room is still the same. And my mom looks a bit younger.

I went in the bathroom to cool down and process everything that's happening.

"Ugh... My ear hurts." I mumbled as I washed my face with running water.

After washing, I took the towel to dry my face.

"This is really weird..."

Suddenly I noticed that my wrists are full of punk leather wristbands. Just like those wristbands I used to wear on high school.

And after awhile, I also noticed the red strands of my hair.

"What the... Did I..."

The moment of realization strikes. I quickly went out of the bathroom and burst into my younger sister's room to confirm something. If I still remember it correctly, she has a full length mirror in there.

I went straight to the mirror and saw myself. No, not just myself. But my younger self!

My hair is dyed red, I had my ears pierced, I have my wristbands, and I looked at least 8 years younger.

"AHH!!" I screamed out of my lungs upon completely processing what had happened.

"STOP SHOUTING!" My mom shouted from downstairs.

I can't believe I went back in time. This can't be true, right?

"H-how? Did I really..? I'm young again?!" I faced the mirror and slapped my cheeks.

My sister opened the door, holding her favorite cup. Just like before.

"Mom! My big brother had gone crazy." She said and walked away.

"I can't believe this. I got a second chance! I can finally change my fate!"

I turns out this isn't a bad thing. I got to redo my past. This time around I will finally make everything right.

"I missed this face!" I mumbled as I hugged the mirror.

"Please stop harassing the poor mirror." I didn't noticed my sister came in the room.

"Ah! Jia! I missed you! Give your brother a hug."

"No." She coldly replied and kicked me out of her room.

"This is the day! I'm going to make a change."

Or that's what I thought...

"JIAN! ARE YOU SKIPPING CLASS AGAIN?"

"Ah, right! Crap! I'm late!" I put on my uniform and hurried downstairs.

"I'm going!"

"Eat your breakfast first." My father said while scanning through the newspaper he's holding.

"I'll eat at school! Bye!"

"THIS BRAT— DON'T FORGET TO EAT!" My mom reminded me once again as I put on my shoes.

"Alright!"

...----------------...

When I arrived at school, I could see the school guard from a distance. He was strict as always, scolding the other students.

Well, I don't want to get scolded and clean the whole field right after traveling back to time.

I'd be a top student from now on! And I'll make my school image as good as possible.

I went to the back fence of the school. It was pretty much easy to climb. I'm good at climbing after all, especially when I skip third period back then.

"From now on, this will be the last time I'm climbing this fence."

As I desperately climb up, I finally arrived at the top. It's now time to jump off, although I was in a bad position. The school's guard dog is fiercely glaring at me.

"G-good boy..." I tried to befriend it but instead, it snarled at me.

If I jump now, I would surely fall on my butt and it will catch up to me when I run.

If only I can distract it.

I heard footsteps from the side. There's a guy, he has black hair and he's wearing a neatly ironed uniform. Perfectly following the school dress code.

"I'm saved!" I thought to myself.

"Hey! Bro!" I shouted and waved at him, still stuck on the top of the fence.

He stopped and blankly stared at me.

"Could you help me distract the dog for a sec? I'll treat you after—"

He didn't even bother to let me finish my sentence. He completely ignored me and walked away.

"What the hell?! Hey! You scumbag!"

I wanted to beat the crap out of that guy! However, I can't even get off here.

I heard the whistle of the guard.

"Get off there!" He shouted.

I was startled and accidentally jump off. I fell on my butt and it hurts like hell.

Eventually, I got caught and was brought to the guidance office. As a punishment, I had to clean the school ground.

...----------------...

"So much for the first day of going back to the past." I mumbled as I picked up the trash on the ground.

"HAHAHA! Am I seeing this right?" I heard an annoying laugh from the behind.

"The one and only, Jian Tan, cleaning the school ground." He added and put his arms around my shoulder.

This annoying brat with a ginger hair is Chet. He is one of my closest friends in high school. He doesn't like following the rules, especially the school rules. We even dyed our hair together. He dyed his because he said he wants to look like a foreigner. He's an idiot, he almost failed all of his subject. The only thing he's good at is running.

"That's enough." Luke interfered and gave smacked his head with a rolled paper.

"Ow!"

This one is Luke. As you can see, he's taller than the both of us. He also chose to keep his natural hair color because Chet complimented him once. This guy is a simp. However, unlike me and Chet, Luke is pretty much the most sane one.

He's actually good in academics but he intentionally failed his class to be put in lower section with us.

"I thought you'd skip class again."

"It's only been a week since the school year started, and here you are being mischievous. How admirable." Chet teases.

I don't know when or how our friendship fell apart. After high school we lost contact with Luke, and Chet eventually end up going abroad.

"Don't look like a sad sack now, dude!" I felt Chet's hand shuffles my hair.

"Let's start cleaning up. I'm getting hungry." Luke took the garbage can I was holding as he starts to pick up the trash.

"Cheer up now! You'll get uglier if you don't HAHAHA" Chet added as he smack my back.

"Son of a— ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?!"

"That's the spirit!"

Chet ran away as I chase after him. Luke was behind us sighing as if he's babysitting stubborn kids.

I forgot how good it was to feel so young, wild, and free. I don't want to let this go. Therefore, I won't let my life fall apart! I will change my future!

In the past, I used to be so careless. I didn't give a damn about the consequences of my actions. I didn't take my studies seriously, I have no ambitions, I don't attend class regularly, and I always get myself in trouble.

I thought I had all the time in the world on my hands.

In the past, my mother had been a regular in the guidance office because of me.

"Why do you kept on bringing me nothing but trouble?!" She nagged as we walked to the school's hallway.

"Ugh! What am I gonna do with you?!" She added and went inside the office to talk with the dean.

I was left outside standing. I can see my mother and the dean talking through the glass window. I didn't really cared back then. My face was bruised because of the fist fight I had.

"How annoying..." I mumbled as I squat down.

"Um... Excuse me?"

I raised my head to see a girl with a doll-like face standing in front of me.

"You scratched your forehead. Here, put this bandaid on." She said and handed me the bandaid.

"Thanks..."

"No worries. And it's better if you go to the infirmary after." She added. "I'll be going now."

I watched her walked away. A smile formed on my messed up face. Since then, I realized that I had fallen for her.

...----------------...

"Good morning!" I smiled, cheek to cheek while walking on my way to the classroom.

"Good morning, classmate!" I walked around and greeted every person I come across.

"Good morning, fellow student!" My cheeks were hurting from all the smiling.

"What's with him?"

"I don't know... Maybe he finally lost it."

"Weird."

I was quite annoyed by the 'whispering' from the other students that I could clearly hear.

Despite that, I still kept the smile on and went in the classroom.

"It's a fresh start for me! I can't mess this up—" I thought to myself.

My inner monologue was interrupted when a ball suddenly flew right on my face.

"Oh no! Watch out!"

"It already hit his face..."

Damn these idiots...

"Bro, are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm good." I replied with that smile still plastered on my face along with my bleeding nose.

"Dude! Your nose is freaking bleeding!"

"I told you not to play with balls inside!"

"It wasn't my fault that it flew into his face!"

This is just the start... Yet, I feel like my life's going to end first.

...----------------...

During lunch I went to the cafeteria with Luke and Chet. We sat down and put our lunch on the table. My nose was stuffed with cotton. It still freaking hurts.

"PWAHAHAHA!" Chet laughed right on my face.

"Bad luck had been catching up to you lately huh" Luke said as he put the vegetables from his plate to Chet's.

"Hey! I don't want to eat vegetables!" Chet complained.

"You need this if you want to run faster."

"Liar!!"

I feel like a third wheel everytime I'm with these love birds.

"Ugh..." I sighed.

"So, what's the sudden mood lately?" Luke asked.

"Well, I want to change my lifestyle. I want to improve myself, and... I want to pursue Miya." I answered in a serious tone.

They both looked at me like I was possessed or something.

"HAHAHA! I bet you can't even talk to her without stuttering!" Chet teases.

"T-that's because I always forget what to say, alright?!!" I replied and slam my palms on the table.

It's true though. I get nervous when I'm talking to her that I forget what I wanted to say.

"Hmm... Even if you figure out how to talk to her. There's still one problem..." Luke lift his glasses up.

"Isn't that Zen?"

"The top student?"

"Yeah... He's really good-looking."

The cafeteria was filled with murmurs.

"Actually... She already..." Luke continued but I could barely hear him.

"I want to ask him out!"

"Seriously? Didn't y'know he already rejected a ton of girls before."

"They say he has a terrible personality."

"What a shame."

"He's just a pretty face after all"

"So annoying..." I can't clearly hear what my friends were saying because of the chattering.

"What's all the ruckus about?" Chet asked as he look around.

I slammed the table, it was loud enough to make the people around us shut up.

"Oh, he's here."

"Huh? Who?"

"The council president and school's top student."

Luke and Chet's attention were on the guy that everyone was making a ruckus about.

I can't clearly see him because of the people surrounding him.

As the crowd slowly cleared up, I can finally picture out slowly.

"He looks familiar..." I squint my eyes to see him.

"Hold on... Isn't that..." I thought to myself.

When I can finally see that guy's face clearly. I realized that he's...

"That bastard from yesterday!" I shouted and stood up while pointing my finger on him causing everyone's eyes, including him, to turn on me.

"That's Zen Liang. The guy Miya has a crush on." Those words from Luke made my dreams shattered into pieces. I was dumbfounded, and I felt like my whole body turned into a stone.

"Who's that?"

"Is he referring to council president?"

"Oops... We need to go, guys." Chet stood up and dragged me out of the cafeteria while covering Luke's mouth.

"Damn it! You two are heavy!"'

...----------------...

"I already lose without a fight..." I mumbled as I shove my face on my table.

Chet turned around to see me.

"Tch, stop being a loser and get your act together, man!" He whispered.

"Chet is right... I haven't even tried yet." I thought to myself and lifted my head.

"What am I supposed to do now?"

"What else? Confess your feelings to her and never let her get close to Zen Liang." Chet suggested.

I was quite amazed how this guy thought about that when all he do is think about games, food, and running.

I looked at him intently and bowed my head. "Please teach me your ways!"

He was quite proud and cocky, he loves teaching stupid stuffs to people. Well, I'm desperate. I've got to take any chance I can get.

"Oh, well... I'm a busy person, but since you're my friend... I guess I could spare some of my precious time." Even when my head is down I could still sense the sparkles and the proud face this guy is making right now.

Chet lend his hand. "Alright, let's do this."

I raised my head and took his hand.

"Yeah!!" We exclaimed in unison.

We didn't noticed our subject teacher as he went to our seat and smacked our heads with a rolled paper on his hand.

"Ow!"

"How about you two talk outside with these books on your hands." I could see fire burning on his decreasing hairline.

...----------------...

"Ugh... This is all your fault." Chet whispered.

"How is this my fault?!"

"Well, it was your damn love life!"

"The two of you outside! Stand straight!"

"Y-yes sir!" We stood up straight and shut our mouths. We don't want to get in to more trouble.

Chet and I were both punished by standing classroom hallway while squatting with our hands piled up with books.

"I promised to myself that I wouldn't get in trouble again. Yet, here I am." I thought to myself and sighed.

"Dude..." Chet said trying to modulate his voice.

"What?"

"Miya's coming!"

"Oh no! Hide me!!"

"Shit!" Chet covered my face with the book he was holding.

Miya was walking with her friends. She stopped and smiled at us. She has the sweetest smile!

"Oh hey!" Chet greeted.

"Hello. Are you guys okay?" She asked.

"Yep! Nothing to see here! This is not definitely Jian!"

"This stupid bastard..." I mumbled.

I heard Miya's soft chuckle.

"Alright, see you two around." She bid her farewell and walked away along with her friends.

"Do you know them?"

"Yeah"

"Looks like a troublemaker."

The book was still on my face. However, I turned my head to the side and saw her walking away.

"She even walk like an angel..." I unconsciously said.

"Dude! Snap out of it!" Chet kept on shaking me and I couldn't careless. I'm totally captivated by her.

...----------------...

The last period bell rang.

"That's all for today." The teacher bid his farewell and walked away.

I quickly grabbed my bag and rushed out. "I'll get going!"

"Hey, Jian! Don't you dare escape from your cleaning duty!" Our class president shouted, but I didn't mind her I need to make a move on Miya right this instant!

I was almost out of breath when I arrived at the school gate. I saw Miya walking with 'that guy'. My rival, Zen Liang.

They were a bit far from me and it seems like they didn't saw me. I was about to approach Miya when suddenly I heard her say something that made me stop and hide behind wall.

"I... I want to give us a chance..." She said as her cheeks were visibly red.

It was a fresh start indeed. Although, it was also a fresh heartbreak.

"Damn... I hate this guy"