Chapter 37

How they became friends:

For a week, they didn't talk. Michael would secretly glance at him, greet him every morning and Manchu ignored him. He kept staring out the window. Okay, he was used to being ignored. The teacher didn't care. She had to teach, get her salary, and test their memory. That's it.

Most of the class didn't even listen. They were on either their phones reading stuff or seeing some questionable things, sleeping, eating, or reading some book. Only the first benchers were paying attention.

Once the bell rang indicating the class started or ended, Manchu ran like the wind. He would always be the first one there or gone. Michael thought he was just being punctual, that's all. But his gut yelled at him it's because he hates Michael and Michael's scary. How childish could his instincts get?

Once he heard two girls gossiping about Manchu. They were calling him a fag and a girl because of his height and feminine face. They ended up running away when he stared at them. Two days later, some guys commenting on how big Manchu's ass was. He felt so disgusted like bitch. He just started studying here and y'all already speaking some nasty stuff about Manchu. Go to hell.

"Alright, class!" he came out of his daydream when the teacher announced. He rolled his eyes and stared out the window. He didn't know some was awkward and him staring, made that person fidgety. And red.

The teacher said something about a group project. Every one started murmuring among themselves and staring at the nerds. The teacher destroyed their happiness by telling them she'll choose the teams. The whole class whined. Michael couldn't care less. He would end up with a bunch of dumbasses and end up doing all the work.

The teacher continued. She told everyone one team would have three people. She chose three people and gave the members a specific role. The last team peeked up his interest. It was him and "ah yes! Since we don't have one more person for a team, Manchu and Michael would be paired up."

Both of them turned their faces to each other at the same time. One was happy that he'll get to talk to the other at last while one was nervous and thinking of excuses on how to change the teacher's mind.

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After school, he saw Manchu again running. He followed him somehow and caught him by the back of his collar. "Leave me alone!" Manchu turned his head and saw a towering figure. He calmed down but inwardly was panicking. "Oh, it's you." Michael left his collar and walked forward. Manchu joined him. They strolled to the park in silence. Michael cleared his throat and started.

"So your number?"

"Oh. I don't have a phone." What? No phone? Then how does he listen to music every day? As if reading his mind, Manchu answered "for me to go out of the house, my mother gives me her old phone. I listen to music with that. When I come back home, she takes it back." Michael nodded as if understanding. His parents seemed strict or nice. He remembered something and decided to tease him.

"How are you talking to me now? Don't you think I'll hit you?" Manchu remained unfazed "no."

"Oh." that was unexpected.

"I heard you yelling at some guys once when they were making disgusting comments about me. You seemed pretty mad that day and they provoked you a lot. So I know you won't do anything bad to me."

"Really? Wow. I thought you hated me." Manchu smiled at him. "Nope, I don't hate you. You just seem scary like when you are expressionless, thinking about something or angry." So should keep smiling? Nope, he would seem annoying and fake. Like those fake ass bitches. Again that silence.

"So your house or mine?"

"Umm, my house?" Michael nodded. "lead the way then."