TNT Oneshots

Attention ~ Zhang Zhenyuan

"Your uniform is untidy."

"Your hair is unkempt."

"You're not wearing your designated school shoes."

"Where is your ribbon?"

"Tuck in your blouse."

"Fix your socks."

All of those statements come from the student council president. Ah, yes. Zhang Zhenyuan.

It may sound irritating to the others because he's telling me about the school rules I break almost everyday. Even in the classroom, he tells me to tuck in my blouse, to wear my ribbon, to tie my hair, and other stuff like that.

To me, it's not irritating at all. It's just my way for him to notice me. Break rules.

I know it sounds immature and all. Yaxuan, who's also part of the student council keeps telling me to stop it since Zhang Zhenyuan wouldn't be interested in girls like me.

Even in the classroom. Zhang Zhenyuan's my classmate but he sits from across the room. I just love staring at him, not until he catches me staring or when the teacher calls me to write the answer on the board.

"What else is there to break?" I asked and sipped on my chocolate flavored milk.

"Aren't you still going to give up?" My friend, Yaxuan sighed.

"Wait, you're the Vice President, right? Which means you and Zhenyuan are close!"

"Not really- "

"Ask him what he likes in girls!" I grinned.

"Just stop it okay. We talked about love interests already one time. He said he likes someone already and there's no way it's going to be you. So please, stop breaking rules anymore. It won't work, and what if you break another rule tomorrow? You might as well end up being in the principal's office for this! You can't just tell the principal that you're trying to get Zhang Zhenyuan's attention."

"Zhenyuan... likes someone?"

"Yes. I know it's true. The way he smiled when he told me that just doesn't seem like he's lying."

"Ah, I see." I said as I forced a smile. "Well then, I have to go back to the room. See you later."

I walked out of the cafeteria and went upstairs to my classroom as if my feet were heavy. As I got in, I heard a voice call my name and said, "Fix your hair."

Ah, it's Zhang Zhenyuan. I thought... I'm finally getting his attention. Turns out he's just doing his job as the student council president. Turns out he likes someone already.

I couldn't take it anymore. I was just standing still, trying not to look at him. But, I can feel my tears being ready to roll down my cheeks. So I did all I can. I turned around and ran to the girls' restroom. I locked myself up inside a cubicle and tried my best not to make any sounds.

- - -

"Class dismissed." The teacher said as he took his lecture book with him.

"I'm on duty today. Can you wait downstairs for me so that we can go buy some milktea?" Yaxuan said as he walked to me.

"Hm, sure! I'll wait."

After that, I went down without trying to catch a glimpse of Zhang Zhenyuan. I waited by the school gates for her. But he then messaged me saying that there's an urgent meeting of the student council in the classroom. I replied to him and said that I can wait.

I began to feel tired of standing so I squatted down for a bit. I hope their meeting isn't that long.

- - -

Minutes have passed and I received another message, telling me to go home already as he still has to arrange the room. Soon, droplets of rain started falling from the sky, then a heavy rain came. This is bad. I don't even have my umbrella with me!

I just stood there. Maybe, if I get sick, I won't have to see Zhenyuan for days and maybe I'll move on from him after that. But then I sighed. My phone would get wet, and my school supplies would get wet too. I know, if I hug it while looking down, then my bag wouldn't get that wet!

I started walking with my head down but it was so cold that I was walking so slow. I feel myself shivering from the cold. But then, rain didn't hit me. Did it already stop?

I looked up and saw that I'm being roofed by an umbrella. I looked back slowly and smiled, knowing that it was Yaxuan. "You're done with arranging the roo- ?" I stopped and dropped my smile. It was the student council president.

"What do you think you're doing? You'll get sick for doing this." He nagged. Funny how I wasn't happy about this. Usually I would be but now I'm not, now that I know he likes someone.

"Leave me alone." I mumbled and continued walking but he grabbed my arm.

"No, I'm walking you home until this rain stops."

We started walking slowly in silence. It was awkward, not until I sneezed.

"Look, now you've caught a cold! Look at you, you're all cold and shivering, you should've at least went under a shelter or went back inside the school! But look at you now. You - !"

"Enough!" I yelled at him. He stopped in his tracks and was taken aback while he was looking at me. "Stop nagging me like I'm a kid! From tomorrow onwards, I'll tie my hair, I'll fix my socks, I'll tuck in my blouse, I'll keep my hair fixed!"

"Well that's good that you decided to do that!" He yelled back.

"Yes, it is good! So you wouldn't bother telling me things! I'm so tired of trying to get your attention. That's why tomorrow, I'm not going to break any rules!"

"Trying to get my attention?"

"Yes!" I cried. "Don't you get it?! I like you! I've been doing stupid things hoping I would get your attention! I thought I did but it turns out you're just being the typical student council president and you already like someone! I'm tired to get your attention, Zhang Zhenyuan! Yes, I like you but starting tomorrow I won't try anymore! I hope that someone you like, likes you back!"

I walked away from him, sobbing. He just stood there, shocked, maybe. But then a hand grabbed my arm and pulled me into a warm hug. I smelled Zhenyuan's scent. 

His one arm was embracing me while the other was holding onto the umbrella. "Why didn't you say so? You know, the one I like, won't like me back starting tomorrow. So I also have to confess."

What is he talking about?

"I like you too. Looks like you did get my attention, my little rule breaker."