Almost Paradise

Chapter 2- Daniel?

    A/N The texts in italics are Lilly's thoughts.
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7:00 AM
Oh great. It's morning.
     Lilly brushed her teeth, wore her school uniform, and ate breakfast.
7:30 AM
     "Bye Mom. Bye Dad," Lilly gloomily said as she walked out the door.
      Just as she walked out she caught her friends walking to school about a block away from her. She ran to catch up to them.
      Lilly panted as she held onto Ray's shoulder.
      "I will kill you. Dude, Daniel hasn't talked to me ever since he came back to our highschool!" exclaimed Lilly.
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FLASHBACK
Middle school
      Lilly walked in class. She sat in her seat, the first row closest to the teacher. On her right were Ray, Emily, and Meagan. On her left was Daniel. Behind her were the rest of her classmates.
      "Hey Lilly," greeted Daniel.
       She waved at him.
      "Did you study for the test today?" asked Daniel, though of course he knew the answer.
       " WHAT TEST!?" screamed Lilly.
       Daniel laughed.
       The teacher was always five minutes late to class and class started at 8 AM. Daniel and Lilly always studied last minute. Daniel at the time had a crush on her and so did Lilly.
End flashback
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I miss Daniel. I remember every memory I had with him and the things he shared with me.
      Daniel is the son of a rich family that owns an entertainment with many of the most famous kpop idols. His parents were always traveling or working, so they didn't care about what he did. Therefore, he did not care about school. They only wish for him to inherit their company in the future. Daniel did not want to inherit their company and before he met Lilly, he didn't quite have a dream yet. But since she told him she wanted to be a kpop idol, he listened to his parents and wished to have Lilly as a kpop idol under his entertainment.
       Daniel and Lilly would get the worst scores in their class, but neither of them cared.
       One day when their family's butler drove him home, his parents were in the living room, holding his report card.
       "Why did you not show us this before, Daniel? I'm..No, we're sorry we didn't pay attention to you in school and how you were doing. Do you know what rank you are in for the whole grade? #267 out of 280 kids," said Daniel's mother.
       "We have decided that you need to transfer schools. Before you respond, let me give you reasons why. That school isn't even at our level, you need a private school. The teachers there will help you more, trust me. Your grades are extremely low and this specific private school has some of the smartest teachers in Seoul. They will help you catch up. Son, you can hang out with students your own level instead of ...the other students. Your turn," said his father. 
       "I'M SORRY DAD AND MOM. I WILL IMPROVE, I CAN STUDY MORE, I WILL DO ANYTHING. MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE HERE. I DON'T NEED FRIENDS AT MY OWN LEVEL BECAUSE THE ONES AT MY CURRENT SCHOOL ARE THE BEST. THE SCHOOL HAS NO PROBLEMS WITH IT...I CAN CATCH UP JUST GIVE ME TIME," Daniel responded in tears.
       "I knew it. Friends. When you are successful in life, there is no need of friends. They can slow you down. I want you to be happy, but I don't want you to be distracted. Time? Why waste time of yours, hours, weeks in that school to catch up, when the private school can teach you more things in no time and you will be like the other smart kids there," replied Daniel's father.
        Daniel has lost the fight.
       After the argument, Daniel ran to his room and texted in the group chat. Lilly, Emily, Meagan, and Ray were so sad and surprised.
       For his last day of school there, all the friends were at their best behavior and tried not to cry.
       Finally, he moved to his new school, but still chatted with his friends.
       At first, he got bullied so much because of his ignorance. It gave him determination to study more and more. He ignored his friends in the old school and studied for many hours everyday and barely got any sleep. Daniel wanted to prove everybody that he wasn't stupid. He got straight As, then got perfect scores on many tests, and later became the smartest kid in the whole private school.
       During the process that took many years, his attitude became to change. He joined the group that nobody dared lay their eyes on. Since the bullies were the only people that paid attention to him, after he became fearless of them, he got closer with the bullies. Sooner or later, he became the biggest bully in school with the highest GPA.
       The private school shut down when Daniel's victims' parents complained about him getting bullied. Daniel was never caught because the staff believed he was a good person, with his good grades and his fake attitude he showed to them when he got called to the situation. It became a huge situation and went to court.
        Daniel's parents decided to bring him back to his old school and he brought his reputation there too. He decided to not physically hurt them or else he would be found out easily, but still keep his attitude and keep being #1 in the school.
        Daniel ignored his old friends in that school, but they kept trying to talk to him. After a few days, they knew to give up. Except Lilly. She did not give up.
        To Lilly, he was still her crush. Though she wished he was like his old self again, she still liked him.
         So Lilly would always greet him whenever given the chance, but of course he would ignore. Sometimes, he would glance at her in class and Lilly would see him. When she stares at him back, he would break off their eye contact.
Does he still like me? Lilly would think that everyday.
         As you can see, their relationship is very awkward.
         AND THE WAY TO MAKE IT WORSE IS TO ASK HIM TO TUTOR HER  🌚
         The three friends ran away from Lilly, laughing until the finally reached school.
         The four of them went to the classroom.
         Lilly looked at her watch.
         7:35 AM.
         In the classroom was one person, studying at their desk.
         "Hey...Daniel," Lilly whispered.