Sofia’s Deal

After watching her, Darwin looked forward and sighed. "Let's go. I'm hungry."

Before he could take a step, Dean and Doron grabbed him from behind.

"What did you just say?" Dean narrowed his eyes at him.

"Hey, Sofia! Darwin has something to tell you!" Doron called out, waving his hands toward her.

"What the hell?! You idiot!" Darwin clamped a hand over Doron's mouth.

"I thought you said you weren't scared of her," Dean smirked, yanking Darwin away from Doron.

"I'm not, but....." Darwin hesitated.

"Hey, Sofia!" Dean and Doron shouted in unison.

"No, you idiots..." Darwin lunged forward, trying to cover both their mouths.

"Say it.....'I lied,'" Dean grinned, prying Darwin's hand off his face.

"Aghhh! Why should I?!" Darwin glared at them.

"Hey, so—" Dean started but stopped mid-sentence, eyes glinting with mischief.

"Fine! Sorry, damn it! Happy now?" Darwin grumbled, looking away.

"Good." Dean and Doron hooked their arms around his shoulders, grinning as they led him toward the canteen.

Just then, a sudden round of applause erupted.

"Excellent!" The professor clapped his hands.

"Amazing!" The entire classroom burst into cheers for their classmate, who had just finished his presentation.

"So, who wants to go next?" the teacher asked, glancing around the room.

"Sir, can we do a chalk-and-talk?" a student from the back spoke up.

"Yes, sure. No problem." The teacher sat down.

Darwin let out a relieved sigh, only to flinch as he felt a sharp pinch at his waist.

"Ahhh!" He shot up from his seat.

The class went silent for a moment before the teacher chuckled. "That was unexpected, Darwin. But I knew one day you'd be able to speak in front of others."

"Yes, Darwin! Darwin!" Sofia grinned, joining in.

The entire class followed suit, chanting, "Darwin! Darwin! Darwin!" as the room echoed with his name.

"What the hell?! This woman… Why me? Damn it…...." Darwin muttered, his hands shaking.

He tried to move, but his legs wouldn't budge.

"Don't be shy! Go on! All the best." Sofia gave him a little push, winking playfully.

"That..." Darwin swallowed hard and took hesitant steps toward the front of the class, stumbling over a bench along the way.

"Careful!" A classmate steadied him before he fell.

"Hahaha!" The class erupted into laughter again.

"Alright, no more laughing," the teacher warned.

Darwin stood before the blackboard, staring at his classmates. They were all smiling at him—especially Sofia, whose soft smile made him feel even more self-conscious.

"Ahnnnn.....…" He turned around, grabbed a piece of chalk, and started writing out a chemical reaction between potassium permanganate and ferrous sulfate.

"Wait, wait....…" The teacher stopped him. "What is this?"

The class laughed again.

"Sir, the reaction....…" Darwin's chalk slipped from his fingers and hit the floor.

He bent down and picked it up.

"What reaction?" The teacher shook his head. "First, introduce yourself."

"M-My…...." Darwin choked on his words, struggling to get them out—just like time disappears during holidays.

"Don't tell me—tell your friends," the teacher said, gesturing toward the class.

Darwin looked at them, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

The chalk slipped from his hand again. Laughter followed.

He covered his mouth, stepping back slightly.

"Come on, say it. There's nothing to be shy about." The teacher crossed his arms.

Darwin bent down, picked up the chalk again, and exhaled shakily.

"My name.....…"

The chalk dropped—again. His classmates burst into laughter once more.

"Just put the chalk on the table first. Introduce yourself, then pick it up," the teacher advised.

Darwin nodded and, despite his nervousness, slowly made his way through the presentation.

"Sir, we can't hear him," Sofia complained, smirking.

The class laughed again.

Darwin turned to her, mouth slightly open in disbelief.

The Next Day – Christmas Eve

The classroom was decorated for Christmas. Darwin sat alone, staring at something in his hands. He had arrived much earlier than his classmates.

Sofia was the second to arrive. She immediately noticed him sitting alone and saw an opportunity.

She tiptoed behind him and leaned in. "Boo!"

Darwin's hand jerked in reflex, and something slipped from his grip—a DVD case. It clattered onto the floor.

Sofia's eyes landed on it before Darwin could react.

His heart skipped a beat. Without thinking, he lunged forward and snatched it up, but as he glanced at Sofia, he froze.

She was already recording.

"You pervert." She smirked, holding up her phone.

"What?! Delete that video, damn it!" Darwin reached out to grab her phone.

"Oh? So you can talk?" Sofia closed her palm around the device.

"Delete it! It's none of your business! Whatever I do is my problem!" Darwin stopped just short of touching her hand.

"And what if I don't delete it?" She stepped forward.

"I-I'll complain to your parents," Darwin threatened, still avoiding eye contact.

"Oh?" Sofia raised an eyebrow. "And what do you think will happen if I show this to your parents? Think they'd be proud?"

Darwin's voice dropped. "You….... You wouldn't....…"

Sofia grinned. "I'll delete it—if you come to tomorrow's Christmas party. No excuses." She perched on his desk.

"I-I have something to do…" Darwin mumbled, nervously tapping his index fingers together.

"Then say goodbye to this video." Sofia pulled out her phone again, hovering her finger over the screen.

"No, no, no! I'll come!" Darwin blurted out.

"Promise?" She tilted her head, locking eyes with him.

"….....Yes." Darwin sighed, scratching his head.

Satisfied, Sofia stood up and left the room.

Darwin exhaled and opened the DVD case.

It was empty.