Chapter 4
The courtyard was unusually quiet that evening, the last of the students already heading home. Alex lingered by the side path, hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on the pavement. He thought he'd have peace once classes were over, but trouble had a way of finding him.
"Hey, pretty boy," a voice sneered.
Alex froze. Three boys from another class blocked the path, their uniforms untidy, grins sharp with mischief. One of them stepped closer. "Word is, you stole my girl. She dumped me after confessing to you. You think you're better than me?"
Alex didn't even get the chance to defend himself before the first shove came, pushing him back against the wall. He clenched his jaw, refusing to look weak, but his fists stayed at his sides.
The shove became a punch. The others closed in, laughing, taunting, feeding off his silence.
Then a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Oi! What do you think you're doing?"
Rian heard some noise, as he was coming back from the library.
Rian's figure emerged from the shadows near the gate, his phone in hand. His expression was looked scared, but he tries to hide it .
"I already called a guard," Rian added, his voice a little off. "Unless you want to explain this to the principal tomorrow, I suggest you run."
The boys exchanged glances. One spat on the ground, muttered a curse, and they backed off, disappearing into the night.
Alex exhaled shakily, his pride stinging more than his bruised shoulder. He looked up, expecting mockery, but Rian only slipped his phone back into his pocket.
"You should be careful walking alone at night," Rian said simply, already turning to leave.
For the first time, Alex's usual wall of arrogance faltered. "...Thanks."
Rian paused, half-glancing over his shoulder. "Don't mention it."
Rian helped him out of the school.
---
Alex started showing up at the library more often. At first, Rian thought it was just once or twice after class, but soon it became routine. Alex would lean against the doorway, tossing his bag casually over one shoulder, and say, "You're not running away today, right?"
Rian would roll his eyes, but he never said no.
Somehow, their study sessions turned into an odd rhythm. Rian explained things patiently, while Alex interrupted with random questions, jokes, or stories that made nearby students glance at them. Alex was loud, bold, and always smiling—completely different from Rian's quiet world.
---
The classroom was nearly empty by the time Rian started arranging his notes for Alex. Vanessa slung her bag over her shoulder, ready to leave.
Just then, Alex walked in. Tall, confident, and with that careless smile he seemed to wear like a crown.
Vanessa froze for a second, then forced herself to walk past him as if he were nothing special.
But the moment she passed, she turned on her heel to face Rian, her eyes widening.
"He's so hot," she mouthed dramatically, fanning herself.
Rian chuckled at her silly gesture, shaking his head. Alex, who had his back to her, didn't notice a thing.
"Good luck surviving," Vanessa whispered with a grin before slipping out the door.
Now, it was just Rian and Alex.
---
After a longer session than usual, Alex insisted on walking Rian home.
"You don't have to," Rian said, tightening his grip on his books.
Alex shrugged. "Can't let my tutor get jumped on the way," he'd say with a grin.
Rian paused. For once, he didn't argue.
The walk was awkward at first, but then Alex started talking about everything—his friends, basketball practice, even the latest drama between classmates. Rian listened quietly, but a small part of him realized he didn't mind Alex's company at all.
When they reached Rian's street, Alex kicked at the curb and smirked. "So… tomorrow, same time?"
Rian shook his head, but he couldn't stop the corner of his mouth from lifting. "You're hopeless."
Alex's grin widened. "And you like it."
---
Back to Present
The memory slipped away when a gentle tap landed on his shoulder. Rian blinked, pulling himself back into the present.
Standing beside him was Julie, the new math teacher who had been assigned to shadow him for the term. With her oversized round glasses and slightly nervous smile, she looked more like a student than a colleague.
"The staff meeting is about to start," she said softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
Rian returned her smile, warm and reassuring. "Thanks, Julie."
She nodded quickly, as if relieved by his response, and the two of them walked out of the classroom together, leaving the chalkboard and the ghosts of old memories behind.