บท 17: Put Yourself in Play Pretend
Kai, now caught under the spotlight, quickly flipped through the pages, his mind racing to absorb the verses before the recitation.
However, truth be told, he already knew of this poem.
He had memorized it a year before in the same subject. Aside from that, he could definitely memorize the short poem if it weren't for his classmates' scrutinizing stares.
"30 seconds," Sir Dao prompted.
Kai lifted his head and observed his classmates' faces. He wasn't sure how many people went to the same middle school as him. However, Kai concluded that more than half of the class didn't have any expectations for him.
"To be fair, I wouldn't be able to do this too."
"Yeah, what more for someone dumb like him?"
"Shh! He'll beat you up if he hears you."
"Times up!" Sir Dao exclaimed, making the class turn silent.
"Since Kai is quite confident he can pass my class without a textbook, let's see how well he does," Sir Dao sarcastically said.
Kai stayed silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons of reciting the poem.
If he does recite the poem correctly, he'll be able to show Sir Dao that he wasn't as stupid as he looked. His pride was also on the line.
"In the flower fields…," he started off, still hesitating on what to do.
The downside to that was the suspicion he'd get afterward.
Kai stopped once again as he felt his classmate's confused gazes. If he had to count the people who would become suspicious if he recited the poem correctly, then it would amount to at least twenty.
He couldn't afford to lose 20 XP just because of a terror teacher.
"Well, Mr. Kai?" Sir Dao asked, a knowing smirk on his lips.
Kai sighed before gazing into his eyes. "I don't know the rest, sir."
Sir Dao clapped loudly, already expecting the situation to turn out this way.
"I was foolish for expecting something from you," the teacher laughed. "Sit back down, then. I don't want to waste my time any further."
Kai silently sat back down as Sir Dao proceeded with his first lesson. His other classmates, not finding Kai any different from his past self, also tuned into the lesson.
Meanwhile, Kai internally cursed the bitter teacher in his mind.
***
The bell finally rang, signaling the start of their lunch break. Others quickly stood from their seats, rushing to go to the canteen to buy food and eat with their dear friends. Kai watched as boys his age excitedly unbuttoned their shirts so they could play some kind of sport under the scorching heat.
Even if they were almost polar opposites, Kaiden Tian and Kai Guo had one thing in common—they seemed to not have any friends.
Kai stayed seated, bringing out the duck-shaped lunch box his grandma had prepared for him. A small smile emerged from his lips. At least someone actually put in the effort to prepare him a meal.
He heard a small chuckle, causing him to turn to his side. There, he saw Bao with a three-tier lunchbox.
"What's funny?" Kai asked.
Bao pursed his lips and quickly shook his head.
Kai smirked and leaned against his seat. "You can tell me. I'm not going to beat you up."
Bao scratched the back of his neck and adjusted his glasses.
"I just think it's quite ironic—a big guy with a duck-shaped lunch box, you know?" he asked.
"It is pretty ironic," Kai chuckled. "It's great, though. It even has its own divisions and stuff," he said, scooping some of the food into his mouth.
"Aren't you going to go out and eat with your friends?" Bao suddenly asked.
Kai shrugged, continuing to eat. "It's comfortable here."
"Yeah," Bao said, almost a whisper.
"Besides," Kai smirked, "it seems like you need some company."
Bao shook his head, feeling a bit more comfortable with Kai's presence.
"I'm used to being alone," Bao sighed, also starting to eat.
"Looks like we're more similar than I thought," Kai remarked.
Bao chuckled. "You? Used to being alone? I don't think so. You're always surrounded with trouble."
Kai subtly frowned, tilting his head to the side. "Do you know a lot about me?" he asked.
Bao froze before quickly drinking his water and shakily wiping his mouth after.
"Not a lot," Bao denied. "I just heard some stuff here and there. It's hard not to hear your name in this town."
"Well, what did you hear?" Kai asked, growing more curious.
"Just that you got into a lot of trouble and stuff," Bao softly said. "But I think you're not what people make you out to be."
Kai raised his eyebrows, imploring Bao to explain further.
"I mean, I've only met you for a day, but I already feel that you're not a bad person," Bao confessed. "I have to admit—I was afraid of you this morning when you just entered, but after the basketball game, I actually think you're a decent person."
"Hey," Kai said, not a hint of hesitation in his voice, "want to be friends?" he suddenly asked.
Bao dropped his utensils on the table, and then he gazed at Kai with wide eyes.
"What are you talking about? Friends? With Me? A—are you sure?" he asked.
Kai shrugged. "Why not? We'll be seatmates for the rest of the year anyway."
Bao appeared like he couldn't believe what he was hearing for a second.
Then, a small smile finally emerged on his lips, appearing genuinely happy.
"Alright," Bao said after a while.
"Let's be friends."
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