Chapter 13: "I'll Repay You With My Body"
"Bro, let's go silver lane! Luke will take the jungle." Chet ordered while aggressively pressing his phone.
"Got it, wait for me."
It's weekend and we're in my room playing mobile games. Luke is sitting on my study table while Chet is laying down on the bottom of my bed with me. My ankle is still swelling, so I placed my leg on top of my pillow.
"Anyway, sorry for not taking you on the infirmary, dude. That balding dean kept on hindering us from leaving the field."
"It's fine. Besides, Zen Liang was there."
"Speaking of which, I should invite him to play with us next time. This game is pretty popular today, I'm pretty sure he plays it too."
"Should I message him? Ah- right, I don't have that guy's social media account." I thought to myself as I mindlessly click my phone screen.
"So... You're telling us that the strict, cold, and unapproachable council president helped you treat your wound?" Chet asked while playing on his phone.
"Yeah..." I mumbled with a flustered face, still facing my phone screen.
"I guess the plan worked out. You guys grew closer. Just continue that and buddy him up, then ask him to leave Miya to you— Boom! Gotcha Haha! Mid lane! mid lane!" —Chet half-assed reply.
"I guess he's not that bad..."
"YOU HAVE BEEN SLAIN" the computer announced as I was killed by the enemy in the game.
"Haha! Don't tell me you've been swayed by his sweet gestures?" Chet teasingly said.
"What?!! Of course not! I-it's just... I think he's not that bad... Y'know..."
"Bear with it."
"This will reduce the swelling."
"You're not sick, are you?"
What he said and what we he did that time kept running on my mind. The image of his face and gentle touch were still pretty clear.
"Alright, alright, if you say so."—Chet.
"Damn it! What am I thinking? H-he's my rival! Even if he's gentle... Caring.... Hot—"
I shook my head aggressively as I realized that I'm thinking way out of the line.
"Dude! The enemy—"
"DEFEAT"
"NOOO!! My precious star!!" Chet cried out loud as we lose the game.
"Alright, that's enough games for now." Luke finally spoke up and took away Chet's phone.
"We've found a stone as big a fist on the field. It seems like someone threw a stone on your ankle." Luke said as he fix his glasses.
"No wonder it was swollen." I sighed. "Oh, well..."
"Who do you think it was?" Chet asked, laying on his back.
"I have a rough list of guess..." I'm pretty much sure it's either one of those class A students or those gangsters we pissed off from Class E.
"Do you want me to beat them up?" Luke asked without hesitation.
"Good idea! Let's beat those bastards." Chet added as he crack his knuckles.
Seriously...These guys love trouble.
"Nah, it's fine."
I'm pretty sure they won't pull up something that stupid again.
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Today will be the announcement of the winners during the Sports Day.
The students gathered and lined up at the gymnasium. Everyone were quiet as the ceremony starts. The teachers were also on the side along with the student council members.
"Good morning, everyone. Today we will announce the winners of the sports day." The physical education moderator greeted while standing on the stage.
"We got this guys!"
"I think we'll actually win!"
"Yeah!"
My classmates enthusiastically murmured.
Most of us actually won first place, that's why we're quite confident with the result.
"For women's volleyball... Third place goes to Class B."
As the class name were announced, the players who participated on the said event went up to receive the award. The stadium was filled with applause as the players went up.
"Second place for class A. And first place for class D."
"Woohoo!"
"For swimming... Third place goes to Class C. Second place goes to Class A. And last but not the least, First place goes to Class D."
"Nice one pres!"
"For men's basketball... Third place goes to Class C. Second place goes to Class D. And First place goes to Class A."
/It's actually going well!/
"We already have 11 wins guys!" My classmates excitedly exclaimed.
"We're 3 wins ahead than Class A!"
"Haha! See that bastards?" One of my classmate shouted to the students of Class A and stuck his tongue out.
We thought the awarding was already over. When suddenly the dean stepped in and took the microphone.
"In addition... Let us recognize the winners for the chess category from class A." The dean announced.
"The first place for sudoku goes to Class A."
"Scrabble.... Class A."
The stadium was filled with murmurs and our surprised faces upon hearing.
"What the?!"
"They didn't tell us anything about these events?"
"This is cheating!"
"Unbelievable..."
"That's all. Thank you, students for participating on our annual Sports Day." The dean was about to go down from stage.
"This is ridiculous!" My classmate shouted that made the dean stop.
"The board had only announced it to the chosen students. Those students who are truly capable. Therefore, let us give a round of applause for Class A, as this year's class sports day winner, once again." He added and left.
"What the hell?!"
"This is so unfair!"
"Damn it!"
This is not a surprise at all. The dean will always be on their side, considering that most of the students in that class came from the powerful names in this country.
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"Argh! Can you believe them? We worked hard for this!" Our class president whined as we gather in the classroom.
My other classmate sighted, "We can't win against them."
The enthusiasm on their faces before had faded and the dead silence crept up.
"We're sorry, Jian. We failed."
This feeling of belongingness lingers to my heart. I failed to experience this back then.
Atlas, I really did missed out on a lot of things.
I sighed in relief and let out a warm smile.
"Let's eat out after school, alright?"
As they felt the sense of comfort, a weak smile had formed on their faces.
"Rascal, inviting us like you have a stack of money on your pocket." Chet jokingly said as he messes up my hair.
"Drinks is on me." Luke added.
"Oh~ Mr. Big shot!"
"Oh! I know a good place."
"Make sure it's affordable or you'll pay for it."
"Ehh?! That's abuse pres!"
"Haha."
Our joyous moments were cut off shortly after as the council president along with the vice president showed up.
"What are they doing here?"
"I don't know. He probably wants to rub their awards on our faces."
"Hey! He'll hear you!"
Zen Liang stepped in and went directly to my direction. All eyes fell on us.
"Follow me." He said with his hands on his pockets.
"Huh? O-okay?"
The confused faces from my classmates are visible.
"From others' point of view, this looks like a scene from a romance drama where the female lead gets asked out by the popular guy in public."
"But for me, this is more like an action drama where I was being called out to fight with a lion."
"Haha. Yay, lucky me." I sarcastically thought as I follow Zen Liang.
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"H-hey! You know this is not right! I'll report you!"
The four of them were tied and kneeling on the ground. They're the four gangsters from Class E we had encountered last time.
"I knew it would be these guys..."
"Go tell, and you will get more punishments." The vice president said with his usual grin.
The four flinched and kept their heads down.
"We found out they were the one's who injured your ankle." Zen Liang stated with his arms crossed.
I sighed and knelt down to their level.
"Seriously..." I scratched the back of my neck before continuing, "What's up with you guys?"
They raised their head and looked at me.
"You bastard! Untie me and I'll beat you up!" The biggest among them exclaimed.
"Just you wait!"
"Untie me and I'll break your ankle—" before he could even continue, I threw a rock close to his face, it was too close that if he moves a bit his face will be smashed instead of the tree behind him. The impact was too strong causing the birds to fly away. Their body turned into stone out of fear.
I stood up and intensely glared at them. I can sense the dominance flowing on my body.
Even if they act all tough, they are still kids after all.
"Are you really going to keep living as the futureless high school gangsters?" I asked as I look at them on the eye.
"Do you plan to throw away your lives and keep living like this?" I continued, "Think about how you really want to live, or regret it on the future. Your choice."
They were left speechless, just staring at me as I turn around and left.
Who you want to be is all up to you. What you do will affect you and the choices you make. It's painful to regret your past actions in the future.
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After class, my classmates and I went out together to eat out. Everyone are enjoying themselves talking and joking with each other.
"Why did the council president called you out awhile ago?"Chet whispered as we walk.
"Ah, it was just about the incident during sports day. It's all taken care of."
Chet sighed in relief, "That's good. I thought you're in trouble again."
"I don't go around looking for trouble!"
"That was weird though." Luke interfered.
"Why?" Chet asked as we turn out gaze on Luke.
"He doesn't get too involve on matters like that. It's usually the other members who takes care of the other students mess." Luke added.
"Maybe he felt guilty?" Chet concluded. "Ugh..! Whatever, I'm hungry! Let's go!"
"You're always hungry."
"Hey!"
"Oh, by the way, is Miya coming?" Chet asked.
"No, uncle called her. I guess it is something urgent." Luke replied.
"Bummer. You missed your chance on eating with your crush." Chet teases me.
"I'm so unlucky. I could've spend time with her!!"
"It's fine. Maybe next time." I replied and sighed.
"There, there." Chet tapped my shoulder.
As we were all walking, we came across Zen Liang and the council vice president standing by the gate.
"Oh, hey! Council pres! Vice pres!" Chet cheerfully greeted them.
The council's vice president smiled and nodded while Zen Liang is still putting his usual stoic face.
The rest was quiet. Luckily, Chet is good at breaking the ice. He came up to the two and put his hands on their shoulders.
"What's wrong with you guys? The council members actually helped us. Look, they didn't even obliged us with shaving our head even after losing!" Chet added.
The rest of us felt weak on our knees. This guy just reminded them about that deal.
The council vice president stepped in. "The truth is the council had decided to reconsider your suggestions."
Everyone looked at them in surprise.
"Is this a prank?"
"But, why?"
Zen Liang spoke up, "We will be considering some of your suggestions about the school policies. We want a fair and just environment. Therefore, we considered it."
We were quite shocked about the outcome. We never imagined the council president would do such thing.
"Woah!"
"That's awesome!"
"Is that for real?"
"Our hard work paid off!"
Everyone were glad about the announcement.
Zen Liang's eyes shifted on me.
"Why did he suddenly change his mind?" I thought to myself as I avoided his eyes.
"Oh, right. We're going to eat out. Do you guys want to join us?" Chet asked, inviting the two with us.
"Yeah! This is like a celebration!"
"I'm pretty sure Zen Liang will decline, he doesn't like crowded—" My thought were cut as he speak.
"Okay." He answered.
"What?!!" I reacted.
"Wow! Nice!"
"Let's get going!"
"We're eating with the council pres!"
"Look at these girls' smile."
"Shut up!"
Well, I didn't expected that...
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"Cheers!" We cheered in unison as we drink. It's only juice though, they don't sell alcohol to high schoolers.
"The food here is really delicious!"
"I know right!"
"Hey, council pres, you're not that bad after all huh." My classmate who used to despise Zen Liang said as he put his hand around his shoulder.
"Hey! Don't make him feel uncomfortable!" One of the girls complained.
"Yeah, right. You just want to sit beside him do you?"
"Ugh... Shut up!"
"Alright, alright, that's enough."
After eating, everyone went their separate ways. Luke and Chet went on their way together because they live nearby.
"Bye, dude! Have fun!" Chet winked while waving his hand.
"Don't go all out." Luke added.
"Just leave, please." I smiled in annoyance.
"These bastards..."
I'm now all alone with Zen Liang.
How did it come to this?!!
"S-so... Uh... We have the same route, do we?" I awkwardly asked.
"Yeah." He nonchalantly answered, as usual.
We walked home together. The moon shines brightly tonight and there are only few people passing by.
"We lose." I said out of the blue.
"Not really. They play unfairly."
"Ugh... I know. What a bummer." I glanced at him for a moment.
"What is it?" He noticed.
"Uh... Those guys from class E..."
"They will receive their punishment. Harming other students is a major offence."
"I don't really mind it. They are just kids, they are still learning."
He looked at me, "Don't you want them to get expelled?"
"Nah, they still have a long way ahead of them. Let's give them another chance."
"You talk like an old man."
Ugh... Why did that word hit me like a dagger? Is it because my mind is now almost on its 30's?
"Although, you still troubled me a lot of times already." He suddenly said.
I stopped and looked at him. "W-what?!"
"How do you plan to repay me?" He added and shifted his gaze right to me.
"Fine! H-how much is it?" I took my wallet out but as I open it, it was so empty that there were cobwebs inside.
"Uh... Hehe... Can I pay you next week? I already spent my allowance on a game." I pleaded.
"How irresponsible." He coldly answered.
"Hey! It was a limited offer, okay?!" He's right though, I tend to spend my money out of impulse.
"I was kidding, I'm not asking for payment."
I've never seen someone joke with a poker face.
"However, if you really want to repay me..." He continued. "You can use your body."
"E-eh?"
W-WHAT?!!