Chapter 3

SMACK!

“Ouch! Nghn… That hurts.”

Cyril winced, clutching her arm like it was about to fall off. But I was fuming with anger and I don't want to care. I was annoyed at how she just left me there with those bunch of hungry hyenas.

“Honestly, Cyril.” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “You’re such a drama queen.”

Cyril looked at me with disbelief and whimper.

“What drama queen? It really hurts, you know. What is your fist made of? Metal? Ah no, it’s CHROMIUM!”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

“Oh sure, but we both know that you’re strong. Even that bully from high school got beaten by you.”

“…”

I have no word because what she said hit the mark.

Since childhood, I’ve always been stronger than the other kids, I haven’t even gotten sick, not even once, which is pretty strange. Or I’m just that healthy?

“See, you couldn’t even deny it.”

I just stayed silent.

Cyril gained her composure afterwards, cleared her throats, and tried to give me a pouty look, like she had something to say, but was later dismissed upon receiving my piercing glare.

“If you like him or whatever, don’t drag me in your little games.”

Frustrated, I shot her another glare.

She had a complicated look on her face and snapped back.

“WHAT! Who says I like him?”

I raised an eyebrow unimpressed by her denial.

“Really? Because it seemed sure like you were fawning over him like earlier.”

Cyril scoffed, giving me a looked that says ‘Are you serious?’

“Are you really my friend?”

I blinked, caught off guard.

“What?”

“Did you forget that I already have someone I like? Sure, he’s good-looking, but my cutie pie? He’s on a whole another level.”

She grinned smugly, like she had some secret I wasn’t in on.

“And what’s wrong with admiring another hottie?”

I forced a tight-lipped smile.

“Oh, there’s absolutely nothing wrong at all.”

‘Except for your ridiculous obsession with every hot guy that crosses your path.’ I cursed inwardly.

‘But maybe, just maybe, you could try focusing on one guy for once? You’re not exactly winning any loyalty awards here.’

I sighed, giving up on those thoughtless thoughts, knowing I couldn’t change her mind.

But thinking about it, there was really someone she liked back then. But what does she mean by her cutie— I mean, her crush being on a whole another level?

Both guys are good-looking, so I don’t quite get it, what makes it different? Or maybe love just make everything look better through her eyes. Yeah, that’s probably it.

“But… Isn’t he just your fleeting crush in high school?”

"How dare you!” Cyril glared at me with burning eyes, making me unconsciously look away. Judging by her expression, is it really love? It’s more like an obsession.

Ah, wait—that’s a bit extreme. Let’s just say she’s smitten with her crush. Yeah, that’s more like it.

“Ugh... Forget about that. I’m hungry, let’s go to the cafeteria.”

“Hmph! I’ll let that slide just this once.” She muttered, half frustrated.

I sighed sarcastically.

School was dismissed in the afternoon, and it had been a hectic day. I couldn’t believe it was only day one, and I already felt exhausted.

College was so different from high school. Just as I was about to hop on my bike, a hand suddenly grabbed my arm, startling me. I turned to see who it was and found myself face-to-face with the handsome guy from this morning’s class. I shook off his hand breaking away from his grasp.

"What do you think you’re doing?” I asked, annoyed.

He just stared at me with an unreadable expression.

“Are you forgetting something?” he asked.

“Like what? The assignment? I’m not that clueless.”

“Good, now give me your number.”

“Huh? Why would you need my number?”

His eyebrows furrowed at my response, and I was taken aback. To think he could actually look frustrated with that usually calm, unreadable face of his... it threw me off balance.

Relenting, I gave him my number, watching as he quickly saved it on his phone, his expression still holding that faint hint of irritation.

“I’ll send you the time and address for where we’re doing the assignment.”

“Okay.”

And with that, he left.

“That’s it? Wow.”

I muttered with a slight smirk, too speechless to be fully annoyed but amused enough to smile.

***

Back at my place, I went straight to my room and collapsed onto my bed, lying on my stomach. I still had a lot to do, but my body just wouldn’t move. Slowly, I drifted off to sleep.

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