Chapter 5 Anxious

Bea

I don't even know him, and this is the first time I've encountered him. Still, I really want to strangle him to the bone.

As we left the garden, I was still stomping my feet. Sure, he's handsome, but he's so grumpy!

"Come on, let it go," Mathew tried to calm me down.

Let it go, my foot. I was embarrassed back there! The next time I see him, I'm definitely going to punch him in the jaw.

I heard Mathew sigh softly, seeing that I was still fuming about what happened.

"By the way, when are you getting your exam permit? Let's go together," I asked, feeling calmer now.

"Maybe Saturday. You?" he replied, looking at me.

"Let's go together. Also, send me the pointers for all the lessons later, okay?" I snapped my fingers at him.

"See? I'm only important to you when you need something!" he said dramatically.

"Heh! Since when did I not care about you? I even care why you shaved your head for that jerk with a terrible attitude," I hissed.

"Hey! Admit it, even if he's like that, he's handsome. So it's okay," he said, blushing.

I looked at him with disgust. "Crazy," was all I said.

"By the way, friend, have you found the person who gave you that bracelet?" Mathew pointed to the bracelet on my wrist.

I shook my head. "Even if I wanted to return this, I can't remember his face."

"Are you mentally impaired?" he asked.

I didn't know whether to be insulted or take it as a joke. But it didn't seem like a joke, given the curiosity in his eyes.

"Teh, if we weren't friends, I would've taped your mouth shut a long time ago," I rolled my eyes.

"But seriously, why can't you remember? It's a shame, he might be handsome," he said sadly.

"Are you more concerned about me or about the person who gave this to me? Besides, I can't remember his face because I can't look strangers in the eye," I sighed.

"Weh...but you were staring at Marco earlier like you were about to hex his entire family," he insulted me.

"I would curse him, with that attitude. And why do we keep talking about him? Can we change the topic? My blood boils whenever I hear his name," I grumbled, wishing I hadn't met that jerk.

"Teh, that's how my grandparents started, did you know that?" he teased.

"Old wives' tale, I don't believe in that," I said, walking ahead. This is so irritating!

"Hey, wait up!" I heard him shout. He caught up with me until we were walking side by side again.

"But you know, Teh, you're the only one Marco has talked to like that. Usually, people just scream when they see him on campus. Perks of not knowing him, I guess," Mathew said, making me want to tape his mouth shut. Marco, Marco, Marco—enough already!

As we walked through the hallway, we passed by the assessment office. "There are so many people in line. Maybe we should get our exam permits tomorrow instead of Saturday to avoid the hassle. Is that okay with you?"

I looked at Mathew. "Yeah, sure. Besides, ma'am announced there are no classes tomorrow, so it's okay even if we have to stay late in line."

I smiled faintly, and we continued walking. As we did, I couldn't help but feel nervous all of a sudden. Is it because of earlier, when I argued with the school council president?

But my instinct tells me that's not the reason. I'm suddenly anxious about something. Could I have a heart condition? My heart is suddenly pounding, even though I was fine earlier.

"Teh, are you okay?" Mathew asked, looking at me.

"Huh?" I asked, confused.

"You've been staring off into space. I've been talking a lot, and you're just staring blankly," he complained.

"Sorry," I apologized. My heart feels like it's being squeezed for no apparent reason.