Are you the One?

flowing like a stream

A week has passed since that exam and you're nervous about your results. Each step up to your class feels like you're getting closer and closer to upending doom. What if you fail? What sort of first impression on your tutor would that be? Would he even be up for explaining things you've gotten wrong? What if he dismissed your doubts as merely stupid questions?

You laugh to yourself. This was just a unit test. Why were you worrying as if your life depended on it?

A face comes up in your mind's eye. That boy who sat in front of you. If you scored lower than that punk who didn't even write on the paper, who left before the time was even over--

A ping on your phone.

Heidiiiiiiiiiii YAH!

Where you at???

You stop in front of the class, take a deep breath and enter.

There are fewer students in class than in your school and way fewer than last week during exams. Maybe they were from the OL and AS classes.

Scanning the classroom, you're kind of relieved when you don't see that boy. Although the relief turns into annoyance when you realise he's skipping classes. That punk! You spot Heidi and head over to her, settling down in the chair next to her and taking out your stationary.

"Hey girl," you say as you reach over and grab her notebook.

You flip through the pages, counting how many notes you've missed. Too many.

"Could you send me pictures of these please?"

Heidi looks you up and down. "You know, I think I could get used to seeing you like this," she grins. "Hi, gorgeous."

You roll your eyes. Heidi always took the chance to play-flirt and giving her a reaction would only encourage her more.

"That coming from you as if you're not dressed up like a doll," you look her up and down. "Who are you dressing up for?"

Heidi swats your arm and turns away. "No one. Quiet."

You giggle just as the door opens and the tutor walks in. Your first day of class is about to begin.

_____

Thirty minutes into class and you've gotten the hang of the lesson. The tutor hasn't marked the test yet so you're at ease. You turn to Heidi with a triumphant smile when you realise she's watching the door.

You follow her gaze and see him.

Black hair, silver glasses, and a lazy smile peeking through the clear pane in the wooden door. It creaks open and he strides in waving at the tutor who seems to have given up on him a long time ago. Once again, he sits on the row in front of you, except he's two seats away.

"Save me, dear God," you whisper and continue your work.

Another thirty minutes in, and its break time. The tutor leaves the class and a horde of students leave too. To the canteen, you guess.

Heidi gets up and smoothens her clothes. "The girls and I are going to have something to eat," she says not looking at your eyes. "Do you want to come along?"

You study her face and you realise with a jolt that she doesn't want you to come along. She probably wants to spend time with her friends here.

"No, I don't think so," you smile at her. "I had a big lunch. You go ahead."

"Alright," she says and dashes off without saying another word.

You watch her leave, frowning. The Heidi at the academy was different from the Heidi at school. You wonder why.

Since you have fifteen minutes before the break is over, you take out your phone and scroll through YouTube. Just as you're about to click on an intriguing video, you hear a voice.

Looking up you wished you didn't.

"Hey," he says turning around fully this time. "You're new here, when'd you join?"

"Last week," you reply curtly.

"I see," he squirms in his chair. "So I'm guessing you're smart. I want to start an academy for little kids, maybe seven to fourteen-year-olds. Something like this, but for kids. You get me right?"

You raise an eyebrow. "Yes."

"Would you... would you like to partner up with me and teach at the academy? When I open it I mean. Of course, I won't do any teaching- I'm not that smart, but some of my friends would join too, I think it'll be a great opportunity. You'll be paid too."

You're taken aback. He's so confident.

"I'm sorry," you try to smile. "I didn't even catch your name..."

"Aaron," he says. "Aaron Kim. What about you?"

"Mara Cho," you reply.

"That's a nice name."

"Thanks, I guess."

"So what school are you from? I'm guessing you're from Stafford High? My older sister used to go there too. Her name is Ariana Kim. She was a prefect some time back."

You recognise that name. You've seen her before too, she's only around three years senior to you. "Oh, I do know her." Suddenly, you trust him a little bit. "What school are you from?"

The conversation flows easier than any other conversation you've ever had. It's easy to speak to him, you realise. It's like a boat floating on a stream, continuously moving. You start to warm up to him a little bit. Maybe he isn't that bad.

_____

Next chapter is out on the 15th of September 2024! Stay tuned :)