Nathan
Out of ten thousand possibilities, I never imagined to end up among kids like this.
It's lunch break and I'm sitting at the canteen with Anna and her friend Ariana beside the white table. They both are having their chats and gossips which I absolutely don't want to hear but I can't do anything with my ears and end up memorising their tea anyway.
"Sumi's face was hilarious when sir told her to get out!" Ariana says to Anna and laughs.
Anna smirks, "She thinks herself oversmart."
"Yeah, but actually, probably, universally, multiversally — you are the Einstein of our class!"
"Shut up." Anna laughs. Ariana laughs more.
I watch them quietly.
Anna's always been familiar to me. But I just met Ariana today, yet she doesn't feel like a stranger. Instead, her attitude toward the world is so uplifting that even someone's bad mood can get better just if she says a hi. It's like she carries sunshine in her voice without even trying.
I wonder how someone like her can still exist in this world. I'd long left the hope of seeing naturally vibrant people until today I saw this girl.
"Eat this bro."
Sam. I'd forgotten he existed just beside me.
I turn just in time to see his fork dangerously close to my mouth. This guy!
"Thanks but I'm fine." I try not to show him my annoyed expression.
"Oh c'mon! Just say aah."
Oh god where am I! Is it a kind of nightmare?
Without having any other options, I open my mouth a little and he shoves the pork inside my mouth.
"Isn't it good!" Sam studies my face with so much excitement that I feel so bad disappointing him.
I gulp it down. "Yeah, it's so good." And I try to smile.
His eyes gleam with delight. "Then have another bite!"
"NO!" I almost shout. Then lower my voice and calm my tone, "I mean, I–I'm done with my lunch. Yeah." I laugh an awkward laugh.
Anna laughs, "You two look so cute Nathan." She points between me and Sam.
I glare at her. She laughs more. I genuinely can't decide if I want to strangle this girl or put her in a museum for rare specimens. But still, she's been my best friend since my childhood and I can't imagine anyone else at her place. So I think that I sort of… can endure her bossy attitude. Yeah, that sentence makes some sense.
"Hi Aria!" "Hi Anna!"
We've intruders. Two girls—tho I don't know any of them. They come to our table acting like here's going on an exhibition.
To be precise, they seem to be so interested in Anna and Ariana. Aria—that's what they call her.
"Aw, Aria looks pretty even when she eats!" One of them comments at Aria.
"Yeah, and Anna looks smart even when she's mad!" The other one comments at Anna as she raises one eyebrow at them.
"Your motive?" Anna asks them, annoyed.
One of the girls smiles so wide at her, her lips almost reach the side of her eyes, "Nothing else than bother you." And —
Splash
She takes the glass of juice and splashes that onto Anna's dress! Holy shit! Anna gets up so fast, her chair screeches loud. The rest of us also get up.
"HOW DARE YOU!" Anna shouts at her.
The canteen freezes.
Anna's so pissed. Super pissed! Her face turns red in an instant. Her eyes burning with fire.
The scene that occurs next; occurs so rapidly I get very less time to process the events inside my head.
Anna grabs another glass of juice and strides over to Tiara (I knew her name from Anna and Aria's gossip). She wastes no time in any chitchatting with her and splashes the juice all over Tiara's dress!
"YOU BITCH!" Tiara barks at her.
But Anna's voice is calm, almost lethal, "I know you sent them. Don't play innocent. You piece of a shit!" And she walks out of the canteen without another word.
The events had already got the attention of everyone present there. Head peered from every angle to witness the scene. And amongst all those concerned heads, I spotted a very relaxed one.
Pale skin, jet-black hair, the black mole under his left eye and a perfect jawline—those features are so sharp they made the face appear as some kind of drawing. At all, he looked like an anime guy coming straight out of the manhwa.
I stiffen without meaning to.
Then I adjust my specs. I'm not used to seeing these types of unearthly faces. But again, I looked at him. He looks familiar though. Leaning to the canteen counter and watching the drama with a smug look and a slight smirk on his face… He looks demonic!
Then he too walks out of the canteen just as Anna walks out. Obviously I know this guy!
Kye Yon
The next heir of Song Industries and the grandson of this school's director. I've known him for fourteen years of my life and I very well know his and Anna's chilly-juice chemistry. And it's obvious that he's satisfied with the drama Anna just got into.
"YOU!" I hear a sudden cry and look at the plot of the scene again only to find Sumi holding a glass of juice in her hand and is about to throw that onto Aria.
Then I do something very 'un-Nathan'. For example, I grab Sumi's arm before she could throw it onto Aria.
All the students look at me. Shit! Who told you to be a hero Nathan?! But I can't step out of my sudden role of being a hero. So I say something to be more realistic in my unexpected role.
"I don't like to insult girls, Sumi. But I also don't like to see them being insulted. So, behave yourself." And throwing her arm down, I hold Aria's hand.
Her hand is warm. Too warm.
Get a grip, Nathan!
I hear my ancestors' voice in my head barking at me to get a grip on myself and walk out of the canteen with Aria Sam follows us behind.
I'm surprisingly good at playing the hero. Someone please clap for me or give me a medal! I deserve something like that, right?