บท 10: Chapter 9: Timothy and Andrea

After dating Andrea, Timothy saw for himself how different Andrea was from his initial impression. She preferred wearing pants over skirts because it allowed her to move easily and freely. Using sunscreen was good enough for her. She kept her hair short because maintaining long hair would require extra effort. Despite this, Andrea genuinely admired her female friends for their femininity. She loved beauty even though she wasn't skilled at beautifying herself.

She was a girl who styled herself like a boy. She was a girl who would and could fight with boys. She was a girl who confidently befriended boys and acted as an older sister to her girl friends. Nevertheless, she was a girl through and through. A very cute one at that.

So, who was the violent girl in Qilin's video? Was it a different person?

"You see... Yesterday I heard my teammate on the phone with her boyfriend. You know what? They called each other... Darling! Um, should we do that too?" Andrea asked shyly.

"Darling?" Timothy chuckled, seeing Andrea turn red.

"No, don't. It's too much...," Andrea said, clutching her hand to her chest.

"How about... Baby?"

"Baby? Hmm... Baby... Baby... It's cute! Okay, Baby!" she grinned happily.

"Then, Baby... Can I ask you about something?"

"Of course! What is it, Babe?" She was addicted to calling him that.

"I heard a rumor. The kids said you were the reason there's been no bully incidents since last year," Timothy said carefully.

Andrea paled almost instantly. "You! Where... Where did you hear something like that?"

"I heard there was a video too..."

"What?! Did you know who took the video? Oh my God, what should I do? My mom is going to kill me," Andrea freaked out.

"It's only a rumor. If there was a real video, it would have been circulated by now. So, calm down, okay? Can you tell me why there was a rumor like that?"

Andrea calmed down. "Yes, it should be okay as long as there's no evidence. Whew... I almost had a heart attack."

"So, it's a fact, not a rumor?"

"Hmm, actually it was... an accident. I didn't know they were bullies. Hmm... You promise, don't tell anyone, okay?"

Timothy: "Okay, I promise."

"It was the day I got my first smartphone. You know I got a scholarship, right? Even with that, there were so many things that needed money, like uniforms, books, and a lot of other things. I didn't want to burden my mom, so I didn't really mind going to a regular school. Then, my mom told me that all my academic necessities were paid for by my dad. I always thought he was dead or something... So, it was rather shocking for me to hear the news."

"And then?"

"Mom gave me his number. She said he was going to be in the city for two weeks. Apparently, he lived in another country. I was confused and... I couldn't decide until the last day. Finally, that day, I was going to call him. I thought I would meet him after school and greet him. Even if he was never there for me, at least he was responsible financially."

"Did you meet him?"

"NO! Those people were playing on the road behind school. I guessed they were bullying some kids. I remembered one of them recording one kid, who was almost naked. I was just unlucky, using the same road. They accidentally knocked my phone while playing with the kids. It fell into the gutter. I was so angry, I couldn't help it. I... kind of lost it. I beat them up. I think someone passed out or something."

Timothy frowned, remembering the video. Andrea looked like a violent demon there. Not only did she beat them up, but she also stripped them and recorded it, similar to what they did. She even extorted money for the smartphone she lost. He guessed that her phone right now was bought using that money.

Andrea: "My mom forbids me from fighting with girls, or anyone who's weaker than me. It's because I become more... aggressive when I lose control. But... Don't worry! I really, really never fight anymore after that. I'm not addicted to fighting, just so you know."

Timothy: "Okay, I believe in you."

Andrea felt really moved hearing those simple words. There was no judgment. He didn't despise her.

"Thank you... Baby," Andrea smiled in relief.

"But, your mom was right. You shouldn't fight with girls," Timothy teased her.

"I don't. I even became a team captain. I might be the gentlest team captain ever. None of them are afraid of me. The seniors treat me like a baby. Those juniors treat me like I'm their sister next door, always asking for sparring. And the worst part, the kids my age, they just treat me like their little sister. Some give me dating advice, some offer to go shopping together." Andrea complained.

"They like you, that's why."

Timothy's reason for dating her was only one: to make Qilin give up on her. But she was truly a good girl, and he felt he should treat her well.

Timothy was always polite, being a gentleman. But Andrea was definitely unsatisfied with the progress of their relationship. She might have been influenced by her friends' dating advice, but she took it the wrong way when Timothy didn't even try to engage in the naughty things that most teenage couples should be curious about. That's why she was becoming bolder and bolder.

When she kissed him on one of their dates, Timothy was quite shocked. He didn't feel the usual surge of emotions that should accompany such a moment, but he also didn't feel bad that his first kiss was with her. The kiss itself felt good, even without involving the so-called love. Timothy even wondered if he would come to like her normally, maybe someday. That's why he went along with Andrea's willfulness, trying to get used to the intimate moments with her.