TNT Oneshots

Rebel ~ Ding Chengxin

I ran towards the school garden as fast as I could as soon as I received the text. 'What happened this time?' I thought.

As I arrived, I saw him with his head down. I walked near him while panting. The friction between my footsteps and the gravel made noises. I sat down beside him and put my hand on his shoulder. "Xin'er?" I softly called.

He looked up at me with his hopeless face and just hugged me. "It wasn't me. I didn't do anything." He mumbled.

Ding Chengxin is quite a rebel, but he would never cross the boundaries since he knows his limits, but people see him differently. He's been like this ever since their family problems emerged and I am the only one he can lean on.

"What happened?" I softly asked while hugging him back, caressing his back.

"They said they caught me cheating, but I would never do that." He muffled. "They saw me unfolding the crumpled paper that was thrown at me and before I could tell the teacher that I have found notes on the paper, he accused me that I was using it."

"Did the teacher give you time to explain?"

He shook his head and I felt my left shoulder becoming wet. He's... crying.

"Don't worry, I'll help you with this." I reassured.

_____

Days passed by and the case was solved.

Chengxin called out by our room's doorway. The whole class went quiet and they just looked at him. I looked up and walked to him. "Yeah?"

"Here." He handed me my favorite chocolate milk. "How's your studies?"

"Everything's going pretty well, don't worry!"

He may be a rebel, but he's pretty smart. Sometimes, I ask him to tutor me when exams are coming up or when I don't understand a thing.

"You sure?"

I nodded my head and sipped on my chocolate milk.

"Well I gotta get going. Tell me if someone's mistreating you." He lightly flicked my forehead, and left.

Just like everyone, he actually has a soft side, he just chooses not to show it.

I went back to my seat while sipping happily on my chocolate milk that he just gave. My friend then neared me. "I don't get it. Why are you friends with him?"

"Hm?" I hummed in confusion.

"I mean, he's a rebel, a delinquent."

"Lemme correct you in that one." I interrupted as soon as I heard her call Chengxin unpleasant things. "He only likes to disobey some school rules, so what? It's not like all of us don't do that. Besides, he doesn't cause troubles in school."

What I said made me think. Maybe he's just being misunderstood by these people. Even after class, I've been thinking about it. With all this train of thoughts, I didn't notice the staircase and tripped.

My fall made a loud thud, making the students in the hallway look at me. I can't stand up. My right knee hurts so bad! I crawled towards the corner and leaned on the wall. Great, I got a scratch on my knee.

I noticed someone looking at me, so I looked up and saw a tall boy with his bag slung on his left shoulder with his hands in his pockets as he walked towards me. He squatted down to my level.

"You're so clumsy. Are you alright? Can you stand? Let me help you walk."

He stood up and lent me his hand. I smiled at his kindness since he never helps me when there are a lot of people. This is why the other students stared in awe. I grabbed onto his arm as I skip my way with him.

Maybe he really is just being misunderstood. I'd like to help clean his reputation in this school. Ding Chengxin, I'll definitely help you look clean. I'll definitely make them understand that you're not so bad after all.