I rolled back and forth on my bed, hugging a pillow over my ears. That freaking Minho. I swear— Another whine from his electric guitar screeched through the walls.
That's it. I'm gonna shove that amp up his—
KNOCK KNOCK.
I froze. Who the hell? When I opened the door, it was Twan.
"Hi, Elise."
"Uh... hello...?"
He looked me in the eye—and then his gaze trailed downward. Oh great. He's looking at my so-called pajamas.
"Oh... nice."
I immediately grabbed my blanket and wrapped it around myself like a burrito.
"Oh! Sorry, I didn't know you'd wear something like that," he said awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck and looking away.
"It's okay, I guess. Anyway, what do you want?" I replied.
""Just checking if you're asleep."
"I can't sleep, Twan."
"Heh. It's okay, you'll get used to it."
Then, just like magic, the guitar stopped.
"Okay. Good night, Elise." He waved as I slowly closed the door.
Gosh. It's already 11:00 PM. I really, really need to sleep.
And with that, I dozed off a few minutes later.
...
"Elise!"
Knock knock knock!
"Elise!"
Groggily, I got up and opened the door.
"Good morning, Elise!" Nana beamed.
"Morning..." I said while yawning.
"Oh! Here's your uniform, by the way."
He handed me the set. I glanced inside the bag and saw one regular uniform and three P.E. uniforms.
"Why are there three P.E. uniforms?" I asked, confused.
Before Nana could answer, someone yelled from downstairs: "Nana! I want bacon!"
"Ugh. Just ask Mr. Saejima later," Nana told me. "Now go do your thing, and wear your P.E. uniform for today—and for the rest of the week."
Wait. What?
"Nanaaa! Bacon, please!!"
"Okay, okay! Twan, shut up! You'll get your bacon!"
"Yay!" Twan's shout echoed, and I couldn't help but smile. He reminded me so much of my little brother yelling for me to cook if Mama wasn't home.
"Alright, Elise, go go go. I've got a bacon gremlin to feed."
"Okay," I replied, giggling.
Nana's vibe was immaculate. That kind of positive energy? Ugh. So healing.
After about thirty minutes of bathroom time (don't judge—hair, skincare, hygiene, it's a routine), I went downstairs for breakfast. The boys were already eating.
"Hi, Elise!"
"Hi, Twan.""
"Morning, Elise."
"Good morning, Ryan."
"Sit beside me," James said, patting the chair next to him with the smuggest look.
Nope. No way. Not today, Satan. I sat next to Travis instead. He was just reading a book. Quiet, detached. Safe.
...Or so I thought.
He closed his book and raised an eyebrow at me.
"What do you want?"
"Nothing?" I blinked. Okay, rude.
"Stay away from me. Got it?"
"O-Okay..." Damn. Scary much?
"Elise, aren't you gonna eat?" Twan asked.
"I already did, thanks." Not true. But my usual breakfast is Toast, a boiled egg, and a sliced apple—low-fat, energizing, and simple. Mama always makes me eat like a queen, but since she's not here... time for operation summer bod.
I walked over to grab an apple from the fruit bowl, but another hand reached for it at the exact same time. Minho. We locked eyes.
"Mine," he said.
"But... I grabbed it first. Besides, there's another one." I replied.
"Do you think I care?" he replied as he ripped the apple from my hand and took a dramatic bite.
This. Guy.
"Try this bacon, Elise!" Twan offered with a big smile.
"Nah, I'm good. Thank you."
"Hey, you should eat. Breakfast is important"
"I lost my appetite," I mumbled, shooting a glare at Minho.
He's already halfway on finishing the apple. His eyes met mine again—and he smirked.
Smirked.
"Stop staring, will you?" he said.
"Excuse me? I was not." I replied
"Don't deny it. I know I'm attractive."
"Dude, stop," Twan chimed in. "Everyone knows the youngest is the most handsome and cute."
"Yeah. But not the hottest," Minho replied, casually flexing like he was auditioning for a whey-protein ad.
"Cocky much," I muttered under my breath.
"I heard that."
I rolled my eyes just as Nana waltzed into the room.
"Oki people, time to move! Don't wanna be late for class!"
"What about my books, Nana?"
"You'll get them later, Elise!"
"Oh, okay."
As I left the dorm and started walking, I felt an arm drape across my shoulder.
"Hey, Elise~"
"Uhh... James?" I immediately shrugged him off.
"I'm gonna walk you to school."
"No thank you." I walked faster.
"Elise, wait!"
Ignored.
"We're in the same classroom, y'know!"
"What?" I stopped mid-step.
Smirk. "You don't wanna be with me, my love?"
"You're joking." I replied.
"Nope."
Of course. OF COURSE he's my classmate. Why can't it be Travis? He's terrifying, but at least he's not this annoying. As we entered the school, I could feel eyes on me. Boys were staring. Whispers followed.
"It's her.
"Dude, she's in our class."
"I knew she'd be here."
"Sorry, guys. She's taken." James put his arm around me.
"He's joking," I deadpanned.
James pouted dramatically like a toddler trying to be cute.
"Class!"
Everyone turned as Mr. Saejima entered. His eyes went straight to James... whose arm was still on me.
"Elise, is that pest bothering you again?"
"Ouch, Dad. I'm no pest!" James clutched his chest like he was heartbroken.
"So... is James bothering you?"
I sighed. "He's just joking around, sir." James owes me. Big time.
Mr. Saejima gave him one last glare before turning back to the class.
"Very well. Class, you may now sit down." Everyone moved to their seats.
Me? I stayed standing. There were only two seats left; one next to Travis, the other beside this goth-ish looking guy who looked like he hasn't blinked since 1999.
Before I could choose, Mr. Saejima said: "Elise, sit beside Travis."
"Okay, sir." Great. Just great. I made my way to the seat beside him, the one that felt colder than it should. Travis didn't look at me. Not a glance. He just stared straight ahead, flipping through a thick, black book like he was doing it out of spite. Honestly, I didn't care. The feeling was mutual.
Ryan sat in front of him, and right in front of me was Twan, already waving at me like a kid about to get scolded. I gave him a half-hearted smile and sat down, adjusting my chair so I didn't touch Travis accidentally. God forbid our elbows graze or something.
Behind James, there was no one. I wish I could've taken that seat instead.
Damn...