Mr. Stanley: Alright, Collin, take your seat next to Eugene.
Tracy: Now this is a sight to behold.
I guess Eugene has found himself a rival.
Let's see what the new guy brings to the table.
Rose: ...
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Mr. Stanley: See you at our next lesson, students. Have a nice day.
Mr. Brown, Hope you enjoyed the lesson?
Collin: Very well, Mr. Stanley, it was as interesting as its students. I can't wait to see how interesting it will continue to be.
What do you think, Rose?
Rose: Huh?
Mom: I almost jolted from my seat when I heard my name.
The whole class turned to look at me, including Mr. Stanley.
Mr. Stanley: Oh, you two know each other? Well, isn't that nice? Rose, I leave Mr. Brown in your care, then.
Alright, students, I'm out.
Mom: I was short of words.
I just wanted to vanish out of sight.
I could hear the murmurs and giggles. I knew they were about me, and I felt so embarrassed.
I quickly packed my stuff and rushed out, but Collin blocked my path, and I almost bumped into him.
They all started laughing. As I turned to look at them, I saw their taunting faces, and I couldn't hold back my tears.
I covered my face with my palms and ran past him. I just wanted to get to my room and lock myself in there.
Tracy: Now that's enough.
Antonio: Yh yh, you pretend you dislike her, but we all know you're just like her.
Tracy: Shut your mouth, Antonio, before I shut it up for you. You are warned.
Mom: Tracy got out as well. She looked around, but I was gone.
I have no idea how I got into my room. I couldn't stop the sea of tears pouring out of my eyes.
It wasn't supposed to hurt that much. I thought I was used to their mockery, but there I was still breaking down because of that.
Rose: Why do they always do that to me? Just why?
Mom: I lay down on my bed as I continued to cry and then dozed off soon after.
I woke up some hours later with a puffy face and red eyes. I looked horrible.
I took my phone and was shocked to see 15 missed calls.
Me: Wow, fifteen?
Mom: Yep, and 3 messages
Unknown message 1:It's Eugene.Call me back when you see this.
Unknown message 2: Rose, you better return the calls, or else you are getting a whooping fromme.
Mom: That was Tracy
Me: And the third?
Mom: It just said,
Unknown Message 3: Stay put.
Rose: What the hell?
MOM: I was too tired and drained to care about the calls.
I dropped the phone on the bed and went to the bathroom to take a shower, and the next moment, I heard the door banging.
Rose: I wonder who it could be.
Mom: I fixed myself up and went to get the door.
Rose: Collin?
Collin: Hi.
Rose: What are you doing here? And how did you know where I was?
Collin: Forget about that. Are you ok?
Rose: Go away, I don't want to see you.
Mom: As I was about to slam the door, he blocked it with his foot.
Collin: Wait , hold on.
I know.
I messed up. Bu...but can we just talk?
Mom: I hesitated. He was looking at me like he was going to cry if I said no.
Rose: Fine!
Come in.
Collin: Now that's more like it.
Rose: ...
Mom: He just barged in like he owned the place.
Rose: How rude.
Mom: I closed the door and what I saw next made me regret letting him in.
Rose: Hey!!
What do you think you are doing?
Collin: ....
Can't you hear me? What the hell are you doing?
Mom: He was moving about my room as if he was searching for something.
Rose: What are you looking for?
Collin: Nothing.
Mom: He turned around, and our noses almost touched. I didn't realize how close I had gotten to him.
Rose: Mhh..hm
Ermm... Just sit down, will you?
Collin: .....
Rose: Did you hear me?
Collin: Sure.
Rose: You know it's rude to just barge into someone's room and start playing detective.
Collin: My bad.
Rose: Are you always like this?
Collin: Like what?
Rose: Forget it. What did you want to tell me? Get on with it.
Collin: Geez , why are you so feisty all of a sudden?
Rose: Just speak already.
Collin: Alright, chill.
I came to apologize for what happened, and as for how I knew where you are, let's just say I have my ways.
What's with your class, anyways?
Rose: I... I don't know.
Mom: I felt uneasy when he asked me that. I didn't know how to respond because, truth told, I had no idea why they hated me or treated me that way.
Collin: You can tell me anything, you know?
Mom: His voice changed. It became softer, drawing me in. He pushed his seat towards me and stared at me. I was seated at the edge of the bed, and I felt my cheeks burn. I avoided his gaze. I was so shy that I felt like a dumbass.
Rose: You are one of those guys, aren't you?