1 - The Way He Approached Me

ERA’S POV

I didn't get any sleep last night. With such a wheeze and strong cough, my father was rushed to the hospital. His pneumonia is worsening, and he is being treated as of this moment. It happened around one o'clock in the morning while I was sleeping on the sofa. It's certainly upsetting that I can't do anything.

"Look at Era, she's acting like a fool yet once again!"

I only offered Fina a small smile. I'm afraid I won't be able to depict my face in front of them. Ugh. I'm ugly, and I'm even more so.

"I'm just exhausted. I want to sleep."

"Have you reviewed Principles yet?"  Isa's expression was determined to annoy me, and her tone was distinct from mine. Oh, my freaking god—

"Wait, we have a quiz right now?"

“Oh! Wow! She truly has no idea! Poor you!”

I'm such a moron for forgetting that! Also, I'm not sure about the quiz. To think about it, I'm the president of our block. Crad, Fina, and Isa just laugh at me. What the actual hell? What time is it?! I'm hoping our professor isn't here right now—

"Good morning, students."

WHAT IN THE WORLD?! Fina is teasing me even more with her smirk!

My front-row classmate distributed our quiz papers one by one. My first quiz had a score of ten out of twenty. Sixty percent is only two points away. That is the passing grade. And I didn't make it.

I'm sorry, Heavenly Father.

"One seat apart, please."

I sat at the back of the classroom, at the far end of the room. I can't copy some of their answers when they're too far away! Why do I have this nearsightedness bull crap?! It’s making my situation worse!

The question is on the projector, and it is up to you Lord to answer it. The battle here is simply one of stock knowledge.

"You're such an asshole, President!  Why are you seventeen over twenty? That’s beyond sixty percent!”

Losers, my comeback is real. Crad's eyes narrowed as I laughed at them. They all failed, but those who did not study still passed. And that’s me!

"Did you use any spells, Era?"

"This is the person who you can't see reviewing but passes," Isa pointed out. Nice. You will perish as a result of envy. You’re such a magnificent, self. I hope this is how we always are.

"Where is your class representative?"

Fina pointed at me. And yes, I have surrendered myself. I went down to the platform to speak with our professor.

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Miss Ponciano, can you perhaps go to the faculty? Please see Sir Mikhail for the PowerPoint presentation of your next week's lesson. Just give it to me in the Allied MT building. On the third level."

Is there anything else I can do besides becoming an errand girl?

"All right, Ma'am," I say, "I'll give it to you once I have it."

"Thank you very much!" I just growled silently. Tsk.

I climbed back to the chair to retrieve my belongings. Seriously, I'm from MT faculty, so I'll be sent to AMTB? Are class representatives really slaves? Of course, I can't do anything, and I can't even complain because I'm only in my freshman year.

"Hey, could you save a seat for me? I have a few more things to do."

"Wow, you're now a messenger?"  I just smiled at what Isa said. So annoying. It’s like they are stepping on me.

I went up to the fifth floor and knocked on the faculty room. This sh*tty building doesn't even have an elevator, yet they charge us a hefty tuition fee every semester. Heh!

When I knocked, someone opened the door. A tall, fair-skinned man with a thick brow, a pointed nose, and spectacles. A character typically found in a romance novel. But he has braces. Sir Mikhail Valderama.

We’ll, I have one thing to say—I won’t be falling in love with this stupid-looking guy.

"Are you Miss Ponciano?"

"Uh... Sir... Ma’am Weng has sent me for her slide presentation."

He grabbed my arm and pulled me into the faculty room, despite the fact that we both knew students were not permitted in there anyway. There was a sudden jolt as our skin touched, as I recall what the woman said on the toothpaste commercial. The warmth of his hand... I'm hooked for the time being. Sh*t.

"Do you just want me to hand it over to her? I'll also visit Allied—"

“I'll do it, Sir! Because I was the one Ma'am Sher asked me to? Hehe...”

He just let out a lopsided smile. I got hot suddenly. It was as if he was still holding my arm even though he was no longer. The heck were you thinking about, Era? Why are you behaving in this way?

“Then let’s go there. Together.”

Damn! I almost dropped my eyes from what he said. Who wouldn't be surprised?! The professor that everyone is obsessed with, will come with me?! Why does it seem unbelievable?!

“Miss Ponciano? Are you okay?”

"Y- Yes... I... I just remembered something."

It’s already happening. I'm getting nervous, all of a sudden. I'm not the type of student who talks to their instructors. That's why I always sit in the far corner of the classroom, hoping they won't notice me. I really don’t like being in the spotlight. But now he walks alongside me? Why are they staring at me like that?! Have I done something wrong?!

"Your next class is ten fifty, right?"

"Yes sir. Why?"

“It's only nine-thirty. I'm starving. Can you join me for breakfast?”

I unconsciously winced and my mouth let out a "Huh?" to him, which made him cackle. He's still raising his eyebrows and smiles at me. Is this really a professor?

There is no end to this, and I feel like the day is so long. We went to a fast-food resto. There weren't too many people yet, so we immediately lined up at the counter. Unlikely of behavior toward me, I feel like my block mate is just with me now.

“What do you want? I’ll treat you.” —better?

“Sir, I'll just buy with my money. It's embarrassing—”

“No, no, no. If I use your money, you’ll lose your allowance for a month.”

It's bothering me. Why did he make me sit at the free table while he ordered? Aah! My cheeks are getting hot! Am I going insane?!

My phone is ringing as Crad keeps calling me but I can't answer because he had already arrived with two trays. He knows how to handle a tray the same way the crews do. Wow. That surprised me.

“Here. The time is ticking out so I didn't ask you about this.”

“Sir! Why did you order so much?!”

“It’s alright. We can take these out anyway.”

He removed the plates from the tray. He spent a lot of money on this... it's making me shake my head in disbelief. He ordered everything on the menu. Damn, I'm salivating. It's been half a year since I last ate fast food.

“Here. Just eat. We still have time.”

Sir Mik gave me the plate with rice and chicken but he took it again just to remove the cover of the rice and shredded the chicken into smaller pieces. I blinked too much just from looking at him doing that for me.

“Thank you, Sir...” –and why did he shred the chicken?!

I ate quietly in front of Sir Mikhail, unable to look at him. I chewed carefully; it might be difficult for him to spread the news that he's eating with a goat. It's also embarrassing. This is the first time we had a closed conversation.

"I know you're wondering why I invited you for breakfast."

Can I ask him if he has a motive? That I can't say no to them because they are superior to us? Because I get terrified?