A Job With Him

The Start Of A Friendship

FLASHBACK TO 11 YEARS AGO

I was eating by myself again at the school canteen. I wasn't really a social person and only focused on my studies. It wasn't my intention to not mingle but it just became natural for me after secondary school. I already had one best friend and that was enough for me. I took a spoonful of white rice and stuffed it into my mouth, along with a small piece of grilled chicken. I needed to quickly eat so that I could finish my homework in the library. My sisters said that they wanted to celebrate my birthday once I reached home today so I wouldn't have time to do it after school.

I finished my plate of food and was walking to the tray return section when I noticed a group of guys staring at me. It was creepy but I paid no mind to it. I did not care as long as they did not disturb me. Unfortunately, they did. After returning my tray, they called out my name and walked towards me at a slow pace. I didn't know why but fear was growing in me. I guess it was because I didn't want to get into any arguments right then. After all, I was busy.

"You. You're Amber Lee right? Were you the one who made my girlfriend cry?" The tall guy in the front asked me in a deadly tone. I was a little startled but did not show it.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, my girlfriend came to me and cried about how you complained to the teacher that she didn't do any work for your Geography project."

I then remembered what he was talking about. I was partnered up with a girl named Melissa for a recent project. She didn't do anything and made me do all the work. It was a graded assignment too so of course I couldn't just let her get away with it. I guess she must be this guy's girlfriend.

"Oh yeah, I remember that. I guess I'm the one who made her cry. So what? I only told the teacher the truth. She doesn't deserve the praise or grade she gets from the project since she did nothing for it," I said coolly. I've dealt with bullies before and I knew that I had to stand up for myself. I was cyber bullied before so this wouldn't be too difficult to manage. At least, that was what I thought.

Out of the blue, that tall guy grabbed my arm and dragged me to the school field nearby. He then shoved me to the hard concrete ground and it cause a scratch on my arm. I winced a little but looked back at him and yelled, "What's your problem? What on earth are you doing?"

"You think I would let this go? Huh, no way in hell. I'm going to make your life miserable," he shot daggers at me with his eyes and then left, leaving me on the ground alone. I slowly got up and tried to walk but for some reason, my feet failed me and I fell again. I discovered that I had sprained my ankle which was new because, I never sprained my ankle before. The pain was tolerable but it was difficult getting back up.

Just then, a hand was extended out to me. I looked up and saw a soft smile on a boy's face. I knew him. He was in the same class as me. He was Byun Joshua.