"That's it! I'm done!" I threw the pen away on the table and shoved my face on the bed.
"Why am I even doing this?" I left my study materials on the table and took my phone out.
A message pop out from my screen. It's from Luke and Chet. I opened the chat head to see what are they chatting about.
Chet: Studying is for losers.
Luke: Don't forget what I thought you.
Chet: Ah! Give me a break, man!
Chet: Oho~ Look who's here.
Chet noticed me as soon as I viewed the group chat.
Jian: What do you want?
Chet: Hehe. How is it being tutored by the top student?
Jian: Ugh... Don't get me started. It was hell!!
Jian: He kept giving me a stack of books and notes! And he's making me answer endless questions after!
He's more strict than the teacher!
Luke: Sounds fun.
Jian: Where the hell is fun with that?!
These two just want to tease me.
Chet: This looks fun.
Chet suddenly sent a photo of me and Zen Liang in the library. I was holding his pinky on that photo, and from the angle it was taken, we looked like the typical teen romance couple in a cliche library scene.
"WHAT THE HELL?!!" I stood up and threw my phone on the bed.
"JIAN! WATCH YOUR MOUTH, PUNK!" My mom shouted from the other room.
I quickly picked my phone up and regretted my action.
"My dear phone... You can't give up on me yet, I don't have a budget for a new one." I weep and caress my phone.
I went back to the group chat and read the messages.
Chet: We passed by and caught you flirting with Zen Liang.
Luke: Now I understand why you don't want me to tutor you. It's fine, I support you.
What the hell are they saying?!
Jian: I'm not freaking into him!
Chet: lol
Luke: No need to be shy.
"Damn these guys!!" I turned off my phone and got back on my study table.
"I was just being friendly with him!" I thought to myself, remembering how I acted around him.
"I'm a hundred percent straight." I claimed as I nod my head.
"I'm doing this for Miya!" Right! No one else, but her.
"I promise that I'll make you proud."
What I said yesterday suddenly came into my mind. It made me stop for a moment. I can feel my heart beating fast.
"I-I guess... I'll study first." I mumbled and picked the pen I threw awhile ago.
"I-I'm going crazy." I sighed as I started answering the sample questionnaires Zen Liang had given me.
----------------
"Here! I did great, right?" I proudly showed him my answers.
He checked my work as we sat on the table in the school library.
"Hey, what's your social media account?" I leaned my cheek on my palm while staring at Zen Liang.
"I have none." He answered, still checking on the papers.
"What?! Are you serious? Bro, even kids nowadays already have one!" I was quite shocked by his answer.
"I don't need it." He shortly replied.
"You've got to be kidding... Then, how do people contact you?"
"Phone number."
"What the hell? Who uses phone number in this day and age?" I complained, "You can't even send stickers there." I mumbled.
Is this guy an alien or what?!
"Stop talking nonsense and correct these." He gently slammed my head with the papers he's holding.
"Ow! How could you be so cruel?" I took the papers and did what he asked while pouting.
We studies for the whole weekdays together. He's so serious in teaching me that my quiz scores are miraculously improving.
"Woah! I can't believe you actually passed, man." Chet commented.
"Hehe. I know. Wait— what does that have to mean huh?!"
"Nothing. Haha." Chet shrugged.
"You might actually pass the exam next week." Luke stated as he flip my quiz result.
"Yeah. But, I might just got lucky today. I just got a passing score." I sighed. "It's better than before though."
"Keep fighting, man." Chet tapped my shoulder.
"It's weekend tomorrow, so I still got time to relax. Hehe." I sighed in relief.
"Aren't you supposed to be studying?"
"Look who's talking. You don't even study."
"Haah! Of course, I do. I'll be staying at Luke's place so he can tutor me." Chet replied as he grabbed Luke on his side.
"Yeah, right. You'll only disturb him."
"Of course not!"
"Jian, someone's looking for you."
As Chet and I were bickering, our class president called me out.
"Coming!" I replied and went out.
She pulled me to the side and whispered, "What did you get yourself into this time?"
"Huh? I did nothing."
"Then, why is he looking for you?" She whispered and pointed her fingers on Zen Liang, who's now standing on the corner at the hallway, with his hands on his pocket.
"What is he doing here?"
Every students who passes by can't help but look at him. Most especially the girls. He's a real eyecatcher. It's not a surprise though, he got that attractiveness to the next level.
"Don't worry, Pres. I got this from here." I assured her and went up to Zen Liang.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him.
He turned his gaze on me and answered, "Your account..."
"My what?" I couldn't understand what he's referring to.
"What's your social media account?" He cleared his question this time.
"Why? You don't even have a social media."
"Stop being stubborn and just tell me." He softly flicked my forehead.
"Ow! Hey!" I covered my forehead and hissed.
What is he up to now?
"Fine. It's Jianthecoolest. No space, and only the first letter is in capital."
"That's the most ridiculous username I've ever heard." He coldly commented.
"That's none of your business! A-at least I have an account!" I exclaimed as my cheeks turns red.
"Whatever." He replied and left.
"What the hell is his problem?" I mumbled as he disappear from my sight.
----------------
It's finally the weekend. I initially planned to study but I was caught up in playing games on my phone.
"Aren't you supposed to be with your books?" Jia asked while getting herself ready.
"I'll do it later." I replied, still playing on my phone. "Where are you going anyway?"
"We're having a group study." She replied and put on her shoes. "I'm going."
"Alright, be careful. No boys! Got it?"
"Yeah." She went out and shut the door.
"I'm pretty sure I'll get a scolding if Zen Liang sees me like this. That guy is as terror as the teachers!" I thought to myself without taking my eyes off my game.
As I was playing, my phone suddenly notified me.
I ignored it at first, but it keeps on notifying.
"What the hell is this?!" I quit my game and opened the notification.
User2390: XX Street now.
User2390: We're not yet finished.
User2390: Ghj
User2390: That was an error.
User2390: 10 minutes left. Faster up.
It was a message request from User2390, I don't even know who the heck is that.
On the other hand, I got a gut feeling who it is.
Before I could even reply to his message, he suddenly called me.
I hesitantly picked up the call.
"Hello?" I greeted.
"What time is it?" Zen Liang's voice answered from the other line.
"Oh! Zen Liang? When did you made an account?" I couldn't believe that a hermit like him will actually make a social media account.
"Don't change the topic and come here. You still have a lot of things to review."/
"But it's weekend—"
He didn't let me finished my sentence and ended the call.
"Jerk!"
----------------
"I'm going to study on a weekend..." I sighed as I walk on my way to the place Zen Liang sent me to meet him.
As I was walking, I came across Miya. She's wearing a pretty pink dress that suits well with her blonde hair and black cute purse.
She looks like she'd been on a date...
"Hi, Jian." She greeted me with a smile.
"H-hello..." I greeted her back awkwardly.
"Where are you going?" She asked.
"Uh... S-somewhere. Haha." I awkwardly laughed.
"Oh, alright. Have a nice day." She smiled at me once more.
"W-wait..." I unconsciously stopped her.
"Hm?"
What am I doing?? What am I supposed to ask her?
"W-well... Are you perhaps free after e-exam?" I nervously asked her.
She looked at me in confusion.
"Damn! What did I do?!"
"Hmm... I guess so. Why?" She innocently answered.
I am hesitant to ask her out, but it's now or never.
"I-I know a new cafe opening up. S-so, maybe... If you want..." I can't even look at her on the eyes as I am fidgeting.
"Sure! Let's go together." She smiled brightly.
I can feel my face turning red.
"R-really?!"
"Mhm!" She nodded. "I need to go now, see you soon." She bid her farewell and left.
"D-did she just agree to go out with me?!!" I thought to myself as my heart jumps out of happiness.
"I did it!!" I screamed, causing the people around to turn their heads on me.
I looked like a madman, but I couldn't care less. My crush agreed to go on a date with me.
I went to the place that Zen Liang asked with a bright and big plastered smile on my face.
He's standing there with his arms cross.
"Oh! Hey there pal." I happily greeted him.
"What's with the weird face?" He asked as he raised his eyebrows on me.
"Calm down! I'm in a good mood today, let's not let this jerk ruin my mood." I repeated on my mind as I kept the plastered smile.
"Can't I be just happy? Ah, it's so beautiful to be alive!"
"That's enough. Let's get going." He walked out and proceeded on his way.
"Hey! Wait up!"
----------------
"If you add this to the left side it will double the number. And that's wrong, therefore—"
"Ack! Nothing's going in my head!" I covered my ears as I hear Zen Liang's endless explanation.
He sighed, "Of course. Listen carefully with your ear and don't let it come out."
We ended up in a bookstore cafe nearby. Yes, it is a bookstore and a cafe at the same time. Pretty convenient, right?
"How come you have a social media account now?" I asked him as I pointed his phone. "And what's with the weird username? Haha." I teased him a bit.
"The username is in default."
"Then change it. Here let me do it." I took his phone and opened it.
Surprisingly, it doesn't have a password at all. This guy is an alien!
"There you go!" After typing his new username, I gave him back his phone.
"ZenIsMean?" he read the username is set.
"Yep! No space. That's your new username." I winked at him to tease him even more.
"This is stupid." He answered.
"At least, it's better than User2390!"
"Alright, that's enough." He sighed in exhaustion.
"Let's start again." he continued and proceeded on tutoring me.
"Ahh! My brain is hurting. I'll never get it." I pouted.
"Just try it." He looked at me with those sincere eyes.
I can feel his sincerity and willingness to teach me. I felt moved by this guy's dedication.
"F-fine..." I looked away as I felt my cheeks heating up.
After an hour, I finally got what he taught me.
"And multiply the exponent by this one." He patiently explained.
"Oh! I kinda get it now."
"Alright, that's good. Try it on your own." He handed me a paper to solve on.
I eventually answered his question.
"This is right." He checked my paper and nodded.
"Yes!" I exclaimed out of happiness.
"This one is wrong though." He added and pointed the wrong part of my answer.
"Argh..." I sighed.
"I'll explain it to you again, okay?" He moved closer to me.
I can smell his lavender scent.
"Put this one on the other side to get the denominator, and then—"
Instead of listening on his explanation, I can't help but look at him instead. We were just an inch apart from one another. I can feel my heart jumping out. And I can't figure out why.
"Why is he so patient with me?" I thought to myself as I stare at him, seriously teaching me our math lesson.
"Do you get it now?" He raised his head and looked at me. Our face close to each other.
"H-huh?" I was too stunned to answer properly.
"Y-yeah! Haha. Gotcha!" I nervously answered and moved a bit farther from him.
He just looked at me without a flinch.
"Good." He turned his gaze away from me and put down his pen as he stood up.
"W-where you going?"
"I'll be looking for additional study materials." He answered and went on.
"O-oh?"
I decided to follow him too.
"Do you really want to study on a freaking weekend?" I complained as I follow him around at the bookstore's shelves, looking for additional study materials.
"You can skip if you want to fail." He nonchalantly replied as he scan through the shelf of books.
"You're so boring..." I mumbled.
I was tired of walking behind him. I went to the other side of the shelf. The shelf was not that tall, there fire we can still clearly see each other's face.
"There aren't any comic books here." I whined, scanning through the shelf.
"We're not here to read comics."
"Hmph... Whatever..." I glared at him badly for being a bummer.
What does this guy enjoy doing beside from being a boring old man?
"Hey, Zen Liang." I called him out.
He still didn't looked at me as he continued on walking and scanning through every book on the shelf.
"W-what do you think about...Miya?" I hesitantly asked him, not sure what I wanted to hear.
"What should I think about her?" He replied without bulging an inch.
"Are you serious?! Dude, she's perfect!" I exclaimed and looked at him intently.
"There's no such thing as a perfect person." He emotionlessly replied.
"You're a real kill joy huh..." I sighed and turned my head away from him. "What's your type then?" I added.
"I don't know." He simply replied.
"Dude, you're so heartless..." What do I expect from him? Of course he doesn't have a type!
"Well, mine will be Miya. She's the dream girl a guy could ask for! Miya is the prettiest! She's cute, kind, smart, you name it!" I truly admire her a lot.
"That's superficial." He replied, not interested at all.
"What do you know?!" I reacted.
"I bet you haven't even liked someone—" As I was about to face him, he is already facing me.
We are now staring at each others' eyes, not too far away from one another with only the tiny bookshelf in between us.
I was too stunned to continue what I was talking about.
I can hear every beat of my heart as the world around me turns in a slow motion. I can see nothing else but his eyes and face, locked into mine.
This week is finally exam week. It would be your typical sleepless night and endless studying.
"Damn it, I know this one! I just forgot..."
"I didn't study this at all!"
"Haha. Easy."
"What the hell are these questions?"
Those were the thoughts lingering in my classmates head as we were answering our exam. We are all seated apart from each other as the teacher sat in front, on his table while his eyes were locked on us, like a human CCTV.
"Argh... What was is again?" I hardly thought to myself as I tap my pen on my paper.
It then hit my mind. I remembered what Zen Liang said.
"It's not about memorizing. Just get yourself used to it, and it would be familiar. For instance, if I change these given numbers here. The solution is still the same, only the situation had changed." That's what he said when he's teaching me.
"20 minutes left." The teacher announced.
I looked at the problem on my test questionnaire once more. It is somehow becoming clear now.
"Got it!"
----------------
"I already got my results." Jia stated as we were eating on the dinner table.
"How was it?" Dad asked before taking a sip on his water.
"It's alright. Most of it are above average." Jia nonchalantly replied.
"Very well!" Mom cheered. She then shifted her eyes on me. "And you?"
I already want to forget about it.
"O-oh, I still haven't got mine yet. The results will probably come out on next week. Hehe..." I answered and scratched the back of my neck.
"Fine... As long as you pass." Mother sighed and continued on munching on her food.
I am a bit confident about the results. I got the top student to tutor me!
"Hey! I'm pretty sure I will get good grades this time!" I exclaimed and looked at them eagerly.
I just know it! I have Zen Liang on my side!
"Don't you dare tell me you cheated?!" My mother furiously said.
"What?! Of course not!!"
"Pretty suspicious." Jia added.
"It's okay, son. Just don't do it again." My father continued.
"What do you guys take me for?!!"
----------------
After the weekend, the exam results are about to be posted.
"I'm so nervous about the result..."
"Me too."
"Ugh... Screw it."
"It is, what it is."
I heard the murmuring of my fellow students on the hall. And it made me even more nervous.
The results will be posted tomorrow. For now, all I could do is hope and pray that I wouldn't fail, so I don't have to attend summer classes during vacation.
"I freaking hate exams..." I whined as I walk along Chet and Luke.
"Didn't Zen Liang tutored you before exam?" Luke asked.
"Yeah..." I looked down and mumbled, "But, I'm bad at almost every subject!"
I'm not exaggerating. I'm really terrible at academics.
"It's okay, bro. All you got to do is accept your fate. Like I did." Chet tapped my shoulder and comforted me.
"Wow... That's so encouraging." I sarcastically replied.
"You better do good this time."
"Ugh..! It was hard!"
"That's because you weren't listening."
"I am!"
As the two were bickering. I saw Zen Liang from a distance walking by himself.
"You guys head first." I ran out and went on Zen Liang's direction.
"Hey! How about lunch?"
"I'll catch up later!" I answered back as I make a run to Zen Liang's direction.
"Zen Liang!" I shouted as I ran towards his way.
It made the other students looked at me, and it also made Zen Liang stop and stand still.
"Don't run. You might bump into someone." He said as I caught up to him.
"S-seriously... You're like a mom..." I said as I was panting after running hurriedly.
"What do you need?" He asked as he fixed his attention on me.
I stood straight and looked at him directly on the eyes with confidence.
"The exam results will be posted tomorrow." I stated.
"And?" He raised his eyebrows on me.
"And I worked hard for it!" I continued.
"As you should." He coldly replied.
I pouted and glared at him, "Ugh... Can you stop being mean just for a second?"
He relaxed his face and sighed, "What is it?"
Hehe. I know this guy has a soft spot too!
My mood quickly changed as my face lit up. "If I pass all of my exams you should give me a prize, right?"
"..." He didn't answer me at all and just stared at me.
"Come on! I studied hard, did I? I even endured your torture tutoring!" I complained.
"Fine—"
"Really?!!" I was excited, and didn't let him say another word after agreeing, for I know he'll only give me another sermon.
"I'll see you later! Bye!" I energetically left and bid him farewell.
"..." Zen Liang just looked at me as I left.
----------------
Today is the judgement day.
"The results are out!"
"Let me see!"
"Hey! Your head is on the way!"
It was crowded on the hall. Everyone are looking at their results on the bulletin board.
"Damn it! I failed math again!"
"I got way worse, bro. I failed two subjects."
"Argh... You've got to be kidding."
I took a deep breath and slip my way in the crowd.
"Excuse me!" I digged my way in and immediately looked at my scores.
"Hey! No pushing!"
"Damn it..." I mumbled as I looked at my results.
----------------
"Alright. How was it?" He asked as he cross his arms.
We are now standing under a huge tree outside. I was looking down while he plastered his gaze upon me.
"Well... I..." I mumbled while looking down.
Before I could even finish my words, he then took out three lollipops on his pocket. It was the same candy he gave me last time. He gently tapped my head with the lollipops.
"Hey!" I complained and covered my head with my hands.
"Let's study again tomorrow. So you can do better next time." As he was talking, he's also unwrapping one of the lollipops. "After all, practice makes progress." He added and gave me the lollipops, including the unwrapped one.
"H-huh? Aren't you going to scold me for being stupid?" I took the lollipops and looked at him.
"It wouldn't change anything. Just try again until you get there." He simply answered.
This guy is really weird...
"I-I was just joking!" I break the act. "I actually passed." I confessed. I handed him the copy of my results with my face slowly becoming red.
He took the papers on my hand and look through it.
"See?" I proudly said with a lollipop on my mouth.
"Alright. You've improved."
"Of course, I did!"
"Good job. I'll get going now." He was about to leave.
"What?! Hey! How about my prize?!" I caught up to him.
"You already have them." He was referring to the lollipops he just gave me.
"Are you serious?! I've worked hard for it and you'll only give me three lollipops?" I whined, still following him around.
"Yeah." He replied while walking.
"No way!" I grabbed his hands.
It made him stopped and looked at me.
"A proper prize is necessary!" I eagerly looked at him and stated.
----------------
I am now climbing the school's fence in front of the council president, Zen Liang.
"So, you want me to help you skip class?" He said with his arms cross. I can feel the judgement on his stare boring on my back.
I finally got to the top. I sat and faced him.
"No. We're going together!" I replied with a bright smile.
"I'm leaving." He replied and turned his back.
"H-hey! Come back! Just this one time! I promise, this will be the last time!" I pleaded. I lost my balance and was about to fall from the fence.
"A-ah!" I suddenly fell down, but luckily Zen Liang was quick enough to catch me on his arms.
I raised my head to look at his eyes, still on his embrace.
He looked worried. "Do you want to break your bones?"
"O-oh..." I immediately got off him and stood straight. I can feel my chest jumping. "T-that was close! Haha..." I awkwardly said as I scratch the back of my neck.
Zen Liang sighed, "Let's just go through the gate."
"What? No way! That's boring!" I disagreed.
This guy is way too innocent!
"Haven't you skipped class your whole life? Seriously, bro... You don't go through the gates, it should be through the wall and fence!" I proudly thought him as I was pointing the fence we're climbing.
He didn't reply. He just looked at me in disbelief.
"Come on, man! You need to experience this before leaving high school. Or else you'll be missing out!"
I climb back on the top of the fence. While he's still on the ground.
"Do you trust me, Pres?" I lend him my hand with a smirk.
"You're unbelievable." He shook his head before taking my hands.
"Hehe... Let's have some fun!"
----------------
We arrived at the Dokidoki Fun Place. It's a popular arcade around.
"Welcome to Dokidoki Fun Place!" I introduced.
"What are we doing here?" He asked, as he looked around the place.
It was filled with arcade games and kids playing around along with their parents.
"What else? We'll play of course!"
"How childish..."
"Argh... Stop complaining!" I took his hand and went in.
We went directly to the counter to buy some Dokidoki Fun Place coins.
"My brother used to bring me and my you get sister here before. I kind of miss this place." I muttered while gathering the coins.
"Have you been to a place like this?" I looked at him and asked.
He paused for a moment. "No." And simply answered.
I could feel the emptiness along with his lines.
"Then that's good! Now, you'll experience how fun it is here!" I enthusiastically grabbed his hand and went to play.
We spent a lot of time playing different games in the arcade.
"Hey! Hey! Left!" I screamed as we play the gun games on the side.
"Damn!" I complained while playing the air hockey. "Why are you good at this?"
"I don't know." He shrugged off.
"Tsk, what a show off!"
"Argh! Another one!" We also played basketball, and as usual, I still lose.
"Let's play that one next!"
"Cool! This one too!"
"Just point that one there."
"Like this?"
"Yep."
"Nice one!" We both cheered and bumped our fist.
It had been a long and fun day with him. After playing, we went to a food court and ordered some snacks.
"Why do you kept on winning!" I whined while sipping on my soda.
"Because you suck." He replied before taking a sip.
"Tch! You just got lucky."
"Yeah?" I can see a smirk forming on his stern face.
"Yeah! Oh, let's do this again someday! O-of course, not during classes. Hehe." I gladly suggested.
"I don't know if it's just me... Or did he looked a bit happier?" I thought to myself as I glanced at him.
He looked at me.
"W-what? Do I have something on my face?" I asked.
He then suddenly patted my head.
"Let's do this again someday." He stated with a smile on his face.
It was the first time I saw him smile. And even better, he smiled at me?!
I can feel the heat on my cheeks and ears. I can't help my heart but beat even faster. I feel like I'm going insane.
"I love this..."
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