4. First Kiss

I quickly changed and sat quietly. Waiting for news that the next subject teacher is absent, or that there is a teacher's meeting, so I don't have to see that man. In fact, there is none of that. Huhuhu.

Until break time, our class leader, Tito asked for his time. Making an announcement.

"I got this announcement from Mr. Harold! Those who don't submit their assignments today can't go home. Here is the list of names." 

Heh? When is it due? How come I don't know?

I raised my hand, "To? When did you submit it?"

"It was after gym class!"

"How come I didn't know!"

"You were too slow! Mr. Harold came to class and asked as to give it to him right away! I have a list of names of those who didn't turn it in! Listen up!"

I glanced at Zetta, asking... "You?"

She nodded. Huwaaaaaa! Zetta didn't tell me! She's my friend after all. She could take my books from my bag without permission. She could give me my homework...and this tragedy won't happen. Oh.. doom is coming to fetch me!

"Why don't you collect mine... Zetaaaa!" I scolded.

"I panicked!" came her reply.

"The ones who didn't collect it, Rocky and Lili. Rocky and Lili will be sent to do a special assignment after the bell to work in separate rooms. Then you can go home."

I cursed in my heart. I wanted to cry but it wouldn't solve the problem. At least by swearing, I could vent my annoyance. Because.. the reason for this shit happening is one person! Rocky!

I turned around... looking at him sadistically.

"It's because of you! You bastard!" I shouted at Rocky which he replied with a peck in the air. Hish.

"Oi oi... Don't fight! You will like him if you hate him at this level......" Tito made me even more emotional. He knows that he is the source of my anger now.

"Patience! Lili will be in Mr. Harold's room. Rocky is told to work in the library. He said the school is locked, so you can't escape! Hehehe ...you're both doomed. Heheeheh."

I patted my face roughly. What is this ordeal again?

"Do you think falling from the third-floor stairs to the first floor can make you faint, Zetta? Or death?" I asked my best friend.

"It can! But you can't possibly roll to the bottom. You'll get stuck! You'll be the laughing stock of the third graders!" she replied, which made me realize... life is full of misfortune.

Even though I had accepted my fate, I would fight for it. As soon as the bell rang, I waited in front of Mr. Harold's room. I knocked patiently until he let me in.

"Come in." his voice was already booming. At first, I walked into this room with a lot of courage. I wanted to say that I didn't know the assignment was collected, I had done it but it was the last copy. Didn't he see it himself earlier, in the gym how come he got to my class first?! ah yes... I was brave, but as soon as I heard his voice, I immediately lost my courage.

I opened the door and bowed.

"Excuse me, sir. I've done the assignment ... but I was in the last sports lesson back, so I don't know." I said, thrusting the math homework book onto his desk.

He accepted the book and opened it. Reading slowly, flipping through the book.

"Sit down!" he ordered sternly.

I sat down.

"Look at me!"

I looked at him. He was opening my book just as I was on the last page of the assignment.

"This is just the question, there's no answer! Is this what you call doing your homework?" he asked sarcastically.

"Yes, I can't do it, sir. If I could do everything, I'd be in science class doing some magic trick that can make a fake volcano erupts?! I'm in social studies because I can't do those kinds of subjects!"

He let out a long breath. Then he gave me my book again.

"Do it, don't make too many excuses."

I accepted the book and looked down. Resigned. Even if I read this until next, I can't do this problem. My head has limited ability in math. I could stay at school all night if must do this.

Now and then I glanced at Mr. Harold. He is checking the worksheets from another class. His eyes are focused. I'm not focused right now... I'm thinking about how to get out of here.

"Um... Sir, is there any other punishment for me? I can't answer this question, sir." I asked in a soft and polite voice. Hoping he would be kind and just tell me to go home.

"No, there isn't. Just do it!"

Ouch. 

"If you can't do it. You can't go home!" he continued.

Oh my God...

"Sir, I can't sir. I don't understand any questions on this sheet. How can I do that, sir? Do I have to stay here all night? It's not funny! Not at all."

"Not funny. 100 hundred percent correct! That's why if you don't finish by three in the afternoon, I'll take you to the hotel. Stay in the hotel with me."

What!

"Nooo, you can't do that I'm a student! I don't want to!" I protested.

"Then, do it!" He hadn't looked at me since. His eyes remained focused on the answer sheet he is checking. He crossed out the paper several times.

I wondered, what could I do to escape? This is.. this chair I am sitting in front of him, how can I...

"Um..sir I'm running out of time. I need to go to the bathroom." Now that's clever! I could be clever sometimes.

"Hem... there's a bathroom here. There!" he pointed to the door behind him.

Ouch... slap my forehead. But because I am embarrassed, I still stood up to go to the bathroom. While looking for a gap that I could pass through, just in case there is an air hole that could fit my body. But there isn't. I returned to my seat and thought hard. What else...

Five minutes later I am holding my stomach.

"Ugh... Sir, I have a stomach ache. I'm hungry sir. My stomach is acting up." I said again. Acting in pain.

He opened his desk drawer. He took out a bottle and then an onigiri. "Here, drink the medicine first. Then eat!"

Oh my... it's really hard.

I did it, but what else. It's too late.

I've finished the onigiri, plus the liquid antacids. 

There's not a single problem I can understand, even if I want to repeat it a thousand times! I have no clue how to solve this.

I glanced at the clock, it is half past three. Another half hour is the limit. 

"Sir, I give up. It's okay if I get a bad grade." I said, collecting the book that hadn't changed at all from the beginning. It's still just questioning.

He checked my book. Closed it rudely.

"There are two choices!" he said and threw my book at me. I caught it.

"What sir?"

"One, you kiss me! Then we become an item. Two, I take you to the hotel right now!"

"Well, that's not good at all! What other options are there sir?"

"None," he replied with a smirk.

"Ugh... I don't want to! I'd rather not go to your class!" I stood up. I didn't care about the assignment. Tidying up my books and bag, I walked straight to the door.

"Dare to hold the door... I'll kiss you right now!" he threatened! And he thought I am scared! 

I didn't stop, I didn't flinch and I kept going. For the air of freedom! Freedom!

I held the door, and just as I turned the knob, I felt like I was blown away. My body slammed into the wall. 

Bugh.

My back was pressed against the wall, and my lips brushed against something softer, warmer, and moving.

Kyaaaaa! He kissed me for real!