My eyes stayed locked on Josephine's face—I was still stunned. The way she stood up for me back there… maybe she wasn't as upset with me as I thought.
Just then, the door slid open. The same man from yesterday walked in, his hands clasped together.
"Apologies for being late," he said with a light smile. "Lost track of time. But hey, what matters is—I'm here now, right?"
"Yes, sir," Jennie responded quickly.
They all let out a loud sigh the moment those words left Jennie's mouth.
"Stupid as ever…" I heard Josephine mutter under her breath.
Jennie shot up from her seat, her eyes flaring. "Who said that?"
Josephine didn't even flinch. She calmly raised her hand and turned to face Jennie. "Me," she said coldly. "Do you have a problem?"
The look on Josephine's face was enough to freeze fire. Jennie visibly shivered, then slowly sat back down without another word.
The whole class burst into laughter as she lowered her head, completely silenced.
"Alright guys… the other day I asked you all to write down one or two things about yourselves on a sheet of paper," the man began, pacing slowly in front of us. "Today, I'll be reading them out — just so we can get to know each other a little better."
He paused, his gaze settling on me. "Mia, right?"
"Yes," I replied quietly.
"Good. And no need for the 'sir' — I'm Johnny," he said with a half-smile.
"Okay… sir," I muttered without thinking, and a few people chuckled. I could feel all eyes shifting to me, and suddenly, every small movement I made felt louder than it should.
"Where was I… right. So Mia especially is gonna get to know you all better today," Johnny continued, reaching into the pocket of his black trousers. He pulled out a bunch of stapled sheets, flipping through them slowly.
"You're just nineteen, so this shouldn't take too long," he added with a slight grin.
And just like that, the room went still.
Just as Johnny was about to begin, the door slid open — and he walked in.
My breath caught for a second. It was him.
The same guy who helped me when I fell that first day in class… the same one who held my hand at the terrace. My eyes dropped instantly, avoiding his like they burned.
"Liam, why are you coming in at this time?" Johnny asked, his tone flat.
"No valid reason, sir," Liam replied casually.
Liam... I whispered to myself. So he's the one — Jennie's crush. The one Cecilia told me about.
"Well, have your seat…" Johnny said with a comforting smile.
Liam walked in calmly, heading in my direction. But before he could pass Jennie's row, she reached out and grabbed his hand.
"Liam, you can sit here… I don't mind," she said sweetly, patting the empty seat beside her.
"Thanks," he replied, gently pulling his hand away, "but I'd rather sit at the back."
My heart thudded.
He walked past her and slid into the seat beside mine. I felt his gaze on me. But I didn't look back.
I kept my eyes fixed on Johnny.
"Alright, let's begin," Johnny said, flipping to the first paper in his hand. "First on my list… Alan Thompson. Please stand."
A boy slowly rose to his feet. His shirt was blue, matching his oddly pale complexion. A few noticeable spots dotted his face, and his oversized glasses magnified his small, darting eyes. His teeth were slightly pointed—almost fang-like.
Johnny read, "He says he's a thinker… a philosopher. Likes the color blue, doesn't enjoy crowds, and prefers being alone. Alright… you may have your seat."
As Alan sat down, I heard Jennie mutter under her breath, "Freak."
"Jennie… language," Johnny snapped without looking up.
I'm not one to judge, but honestly… he did look freaky. One person I definitely wouldn't be caught associating with.
"Next we have, erm… Jale Gaite. Please stand," Johnny called.
A tall guy rose to his feet. Fair-skinned, broad shoulders, well-defined arms, and eyes the color of warm coffee. He looked like he belonged on a magazine cover.
Johnny read aloud, "Says he loves anything cool…" He paused, raised a brow. "That's it? Really, Jale? That's all you could write?"
"Sir…" Jale began.
"Save me the stress. Take your seat," Johnny waved him off.
Johnny went on, introducing a whole lot of others—Kate, Jake, Phillip, Jennie… I barely paid attention to what he read out. My mind drifted, eyes fixed but unfocused.
But then—
"Liam… please stand," Johnny said.
And just like that, every organ in my body snapped to attention. My heart skipped, my breath caught, even the tiniest hairs on my skin stood alert.
It was strange… how just hearing his name could make my entire being respond. I hated it. But I couldn't stop it.
"Yay Liam… can't wait to hear what he wrote!" Jennie said, clapping her hands like an excited child.
Johnny read from the sheet. "Says… he just loves being himself, hates people who pretend, craves two things… and hopes he finds them really soon." He looked up. "Alright… thanks, Liam."
As Liam sat back down, my thoughts clung to his words. Two things? What could he possibly be searching for? Peace? Love? I stole a glance at him, but quickly turned away when our eyes nearly met.
"Next… Josephine," Johnny called out.
He paused.
His eyes scanned the paper, then shifted to her.
"Why is this blank?"
Josephine tilted her head with a smirk. "I'd rather not say. Besides, everyone here already knows who I am… so no need for formal or written introductions."
"Alright… lastly, Mia," Johnny said, reading slowly, "says she just wants to find inner peace."
The moment the words left his mouth, I lowered my head, feeling the weight of every gaze settling on me. I didn't dare look up—not until Johnny broke the silence.
"Alright, you all can go out now for a quick rest. I'll call you back in a few minutes. And if I don't… then till tomorrow, people."
With that, they all began to file out of the class. I was still seated, trying to keep to myself, when I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. I looked up quickly, expecting to see Cecilia — but it wasn't her.
It was Alan Thompson.
I froze for a second, my body tensing, but I tried to stay composed.
"H-Hi… Mia," he said nervously, his voice shaky, sweat trailing down his temple.
"H-hello…" I stammered, unsure of what to expect.
"I just wanted to—"
"Beat it, Alan. She's not interested," Cecilia cut in sharply, appearing out of nowhere and nudging him aside.
Alan took a step back, his expression unreadable. "I'll… see you later then," he murmured before hurrying off.
"You're welcome," Cecilia said, arms crossed.
"For what?" I asked, raising a brow.
"Should I call him back?" she teased.
"No!" I said a bit too quickly.
As I leaned forward slightly, my eyes caught sight of Josephine — still seated, eyes blank, unmoved. Without saying another word, I stood and began to walk toward her.
"Josephine, I—"
"If it's about what I said earlier," she cut in, not even looking at me, "don't take it the wrong way. It doesn't mean we're on good terms." Her voice was sharp, distant. "She insulted the orphanage, and I couldn't just sit back and watch. Not everyone is like you, Mia."
With that, she stood and walked out of the classroom without another word.
"That's cold," Cecilia muttered beside me. "I thought you said you didn't know her?"
"We do… she's an old friend," I said quietly.
But was it really just about the orphanage? Or… did she still have a soft spot for me?
Maybe, just maybe, a part of her heart still remembers. And if it does, I'm going to find it again — rebuild what we had.
It's going to be like the old days, Josephine. Just wait.