Lin An
The chatter around my desk was starting to grate on my nerves. Why did they all have to gather here?
"So your father's a civil servant? And your aunt's an officer?" one classmate asked eagerly.
"Obviously," She replied without missing a beat.
"Then why come to this school? You could've gone to one in the city—some prestigious academy," another chimed in, glancing around as if our small-town classroom wasn't good enough for her.
She smirked. "Well… I was tired of living the luxury life. Thought I'd try something different."
That only opened the floodgates.
"Is it true your family owns a villa by the lake?" "Do you have your own driver?" "Did your father really pay for the cafeteria renovation?" "Are you going back to the city after graduation?"
Their voices overlapped, feeding off each other.
I let out a slow breath and finally said, "If you all want to chat, then you can leave." My eyes stayed on the classmates, never once meeting hers.
"Why are you being so rude?" one of them shot back.
"I'm not being rude. I just need space," I replied, keeping my tone level.
She rested her chin in her palm, turning toward me with that faint, knowing smile. "Lin An, don't be so selfish. Let your desk-mate enjoy a little attention."
"Oh right," one of them suddenly said. "Don't you both have 'An' in your names?"
"Wow, that's true," another agreed.
"That's right," She said lightly. "Probably because we're destined."
I pushed my chair back, the legs scraping against the wooden floor. "Fine. Have your talk. I'm leaving."
Without looking at her, I walked out, the sound of their voices following me down the hallway.
Down the hallway, I spotted Aihan and Aizen leaning against the wall.
Aizen straightened when he saw me. "Where are you going, bro?" he asked, draping an arm around my neck.
"For a walk," I said simply.
Aihan was there too. I kept my mouth shut—she was the type who thrived on gossip, the kind who could turn a sentence into a rumour by lunch break. She brushed her bangs away from her face, pretending not to listen, but her ears were practically leaning in.
Aizen caught my glance toward her and smirked knowingly. "Aihan, can you give us a minute?"
She rolled her eyes, muttering, "Fine," before sauntering away.
As soon as she was out of earshot, we started walking.
"Can you switch seats with me?" I asked.
Aizen looked at me like I'd just suggested setting the school on fire. "Why, Lin? Don't like your desk-mate?"
"I don't," I said, shrugging his arm off my neck.
He stopped mid-step. "Wait—you don't? What are you talking about?"
I frowned at his tone. "What do you mean, what am I talking about?"
He stared at me, completely serious. "I thought you two were dating."
I blinked. "What?"
"What 'what'?!" He threw his hands up. "The first day she sat next to you, she acted like she knew you. And for the past two months, she's been tagging along with you—eating your lunch, using your stuff—and you never push her away. Doesn't that scream dating to you?"
I gave him a sharp look. "Aizen."
"Okay, fine! If you're not dating, then at least admit you two know each other," Aizen said, his brows pulling together in confusion.
"No, we don't," I replied flatly.
"Then why not just push her away?"
"Because I know she won't listen to me," I shot back without hesitation.
He tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "And how exactly do you know that?"
Before I could answer, I spotted Suya walking past at the end of the hall.
"Suya!" I called out.
"Hey—where are you going?!" Aizen shouted after me, but I didn't stop.
I reached Suya in a few quick strides, grabbing her wrist and pulling her along without another word.
I don't know her. I don't. No…I don't.