Prologue: Christmas Party
### December 15, 2020
**9:00 a.m.**
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*Ring!!!! Ring!!!*
"Ugh, what day is it..." Liam muttered, his face still sleepy.
Suddenly, he remembered that the Christmas party was happening today.
*The Christmas Party is an annual school event held on December 15, where students and teachers play games, eat, and exchange gifts before the winter break.*
"Oh sh*t, I forgot!"
"No, no, no, it's starting right now! I have to hurry."
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**Ten minutes later**
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"Hm? I think this is good," Liam said, inspecting himself in the mirror.
He was dressed in a white shirt tucked into black pants, with a watch on his wrist.
"It's good, but... I'd rather my hair look normal."
Although Liam considered himself an introvert and found school boring, he did have friends—most of the boys in his class, in fact. He messed his hair back to its usual style, hiding his forehead and eyebrows.
"This is better."
He quickly grabbed some food for the party and left the house, walking towards school.
*Students can wear whatever they like to the party, depending on their class's suggestion—be it colored, formal, or aesthetic clothing.*
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*Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Liam Cruz, a plain-looking guy standing 5'8" tall. I study at STU Junior High School. I might look unremarkable, but I'm good at reading people.*
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**Ten minutes later**
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"I'm almost at school," Liam thought, relieved to see other students dressed nicely too.
"Oh, it's Liam!"
"Liam, over here!"
Liam looked around and saw Jacob, Michael, Chloe, and Sofia.
"Good morning, Liam!" Chloe greeted.
"Morning, Liam," Michael echoed.
"Good morning," Liam replied.
Sofia was on the phone, paying him no attention.
"Oh, Liam, your outfit looks great! You're kind of handsome, huh?" Jacob teased.
"You're bluffing," Liam laughed.
"No, I'm not. Hey Michael, doesn't Liam look good today?" Jacob asked.
Michael, who was playing a game, looked up, adjusted his glasses, and studied Liam.
"Yeah, you look good, Liam. Where did you get that shirt? I want one too," Michael asked.
Chloe, who had been listening, interjected, "Liam, are you confessing to someone? Who is it? Someone from our class?"
"H-huh? N-no, of course not!" Liam stammered, sweating.
"Take it easy. It looks like you're really confessing to someone," Chloe laughed.
"It's not like that. I don't have the courage to confess to anyone... someone like me..." Liam's tone grew somber.
Chloe reassured him, "Hey, don't be like that. Even if your confidence is low now, it might return next year. You look cool today, Liam."
She smiled warmly, causing Michael to glare at Liam with a mock serious expression. Liam mouthed, 'Okay man, sorry, haha, stop with the death glare.'
*Michael and Jacob are my closest friends. Jacob is funny but often gets into trouble, while Michael is good at studies and games but terrible at sports.*
Liam turned to Jacob, teasing him, "So, are you in trouble again"
"No, no, no," Jacob replied, avoiding eye contact.
"It's his fault for running in the hallway," Michael said.
"How dare you! You were chasing me!" Jacob retorted.
"Because you kept bothering me!" Michael shot back.
"Hey, hey!" Jacob protested.
"Haha, stop it, guys," Chloe intervened.
"So, Chloe, why are you here? Did you get punished too?"
"No, it's because of these two troublemakers," Chloe explained. "I was there when they got caught, and now I have to watch them while we wait for the food we ordered."
Liam looked at Sofia, then asked Chloe, "What about Sofia? Why is she here?"
"She was in charge of the order and handling the money," Chloe answered.
*As always, even teachers admire Sofia. She's smart, beautiful, and a natural leader. I admire her too, but not in a romantic way.*
Sofia glanced at Liam briefly and said, "Good morning," then went back to her call.
A moment later, she asked, "Liam, can you help us with the food? It looks like there will be a lot."
"Sure," Liam replied.
"Thanks, and sorry for the trouble," Sofia added.
"No problem, especially with Jacob and Michael here."
*She talked to me. It's rare... Why did she change towards me? She used to talk to me normally, but now...*
*Although I'm good at reading people, I can't look people in the eye, especially girls. My eyes wander, making me seem like I have a crush on them or like I'm a freak.*
*Four months ago, I told my classmates about my wandering eyes to clear my name. Some accepted it, but Sofia and a few others still ignore me.*
*I don't want to repeat my mistakes from four years ago.*
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"Hey, Liam."
"Liam."
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*Four years ago...*
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"Hey!" Jacob shouted, snapping Liam out of his thoughts.
"What?!"
"The food is here."
"Right, let's go get it."
*Don't overthink it, Liam... It's already in the past.*
Liam slapped his face lightly to wake himself up.
"Let's go."