Amara's POV :
That eye contact.
I didn't feel any judgement beneath it. No judgement. No mockery. No hatred. Just...a normal eye contact.
I swallowed and walked out of the classroom. I looked at Kurt again. He's kinda different from his friends.
I mean Lukas is definitely a jerk.
Axel too. I mean—not more than Lukas though.
And Zeke? He seems nice, yeah. But he looks too cold to call him 'Mr. Perfect.'
I noticed my lips curving into a small smile before I quickly dropped it. Nah nah. If someone noticed me smiling like a fool, there would be a meme page on me.
I walked towards the cafeteria with my Biology book.
The cafeteria was packed with students and the aroma of food filled the air. Yeah. That was one of the moments I felt like I really am studying in the elitest school in the Philippines.
I walked towards the food counters. They displayed an array of choices behind the glass : rice meals with beef tapa, chicken teriyaki, fresh lumpia; pasta options with choices of white or red sauce; and a salad bar with crisp lettuce, cherry tomatoes and grated cheese. Fresh fruit bowls, milk teas and imported drinks were available, alongside steaming hot chocolate.
Students lined up politely, some with pre-loaded ID cards they simply tapped to pay, while others used cash. The scent of garlic rice, brewed coffee, and freshly baked pastries always lingered, comforting and familiar.
I filled my plate with white pasta and fruit salad before walking towards my usual table. At a corner. OF COURSE!
I took my fork and started eating awkwardly, trying not to make sound or chew too much at a time. You know why? Because of the bullies.
They just want some opportunities to humiliate me. And trust me, I'm NOT giving them that this time.
I was just reading the Principles of Inheritance and Variation when suddenly a packet of a small chocolate milk was gently placed in front of me on my table. I looked up at blinked. It was— I forgot his name. Shit.
He looked at me with a blank face. "Drink that. You'll feel better, trust me." His voice was warm and kind, clearly not matching the expression on his face.
I swallowed and looked at him awkwardly. "Uh...thanks...I guess."
I didn't know whether it was a prank or something. So, I was a bit hesitant to take the chocolate milk.
It was then he smiled a bit. The gentlest smile I've ever seen in this school. Really.
Then it clicked my mind. His name was Kurt. The boy with whom I had a brief eye contact.
"Trust me, I'm not doing anything fishy. Saw how they treated you. Screw them. You should drink this, yeah?" he said gently. "I gotta go... can't risk someone noticing me here."
He turned his back to me before leaving.
My eyes followed him to his seat. He was sitting with that freak Lucas, Axel and Zeke.
God, Lucas's arm was on Cassie's shoulder. I hate that smug look on both of their faces! The STUPIDEST couple in this entire school.
I felt like throwing up at the sight of them so I quickly looked away, trying to focus my eyes back on my precious Bio book. Just then, my eyes fell on the chocolate milk. I hesitated before picking it up. I turned around again to have a glance at Kurt before quickly looking back at the chocolate milk.
Slowly, my lips curved into a stupid smile (I hope no one noticed that!), my cheeks turning red.
And—for the first time—I was blushing.