The school was bustling with new arrivals as the bus pulled to its destination. Stepping onto the drop-off area, Miles led the group forward, while noting they had all assumed their routine personas. Heads bowed and shoulders slung downward, not daring to clash gaze with the other students.
Their arrival attracted a few glances here and there but didn't draw much attention.
Squaring his shoulders right and his gaze up, Miles shook his head wryly at his friends and walked into the hallway which was even more lively and crowded.
The sound of lockers slamming and voices echoed through the hallway. Students walked in pairs, there was no sight of teachers so the bullying had already started.
Not far away, Rachael had just placed her bag inside her locker, grabbing a few books as she mildly listened to her friends, the four girls surrounding her, chat about the weekend when her eyes suddenly zoomed in on a modest looking boy surrounded by nerds.
'Huh? Why does he look familiar?'
Seemingly trying to remember where she had seen Miles recently, her gaze held long enough for her friends to notice.
"Hmm, I can see why you're looking at him. He's kinda cute." Lauren, her best friend interrupted, a thoughtful look on her face as she glanced at Miles.
"What are you talking about? That's Miles Sinclair." Lily the slender and the most unattractive girl in the group quickly rebutted, a sneer on her face as she gazed at Miles like he was a low life.
"Miles Sinclair?" Both Rachael and Lauren were taken aback, having no recollection of this name for a moment before remembering what cancelled their Saturday swim training.
"You mean that Sinclair?" Both girls revealed a doubtful look and Lily nodded in confirmation, rolling her eyes exaggeratedly.
"If he is the one, why does he look alright?"
"Hmmm, I don't know but let's go already."
Before turning to leave, Rachael glanced thoughtfully at Miles and this time happened to be caught by the group.
Moments earlier…
[Rachael Armon has reached 30% Infatuation gauge.]
Miles stood frozen in place as he heard the system's pop up notification and saw a side screen to the left corner of his eyes.
'Rachael?' His eyes searched through the hallway but then got another notification.
[Lily Bennett has reached 33% Infatuation gauge.]
"Damn Miles, what are you standing there for, we need to get to class before they find us." Theo nudged, getting no response, he had to raise his head.
"What are you looking at?"
Simon was also a bit impatient, but when he traced Miles' gaze, he found out that they were being checked out by the girls from the swim team and his heart almost leaped from his chest.
"You've gotta be kidding me." Oliver almost drooled as the girls turned away.
Meanwhile…
'Does she realize it's me?' Miles thought, gazing at their shaped backsides, except for the slender girl of course.
'Wait, who the fuck is Lily?'
"Broo, did they just check us out?"
"Hmm, I heard Rachael is hosting a birthday next weekend. Perhaps we might get invited?"
"This is our chance." Simon exchanged a deep handshake with Oliver, grinning excitedly.
"Fools."
However, Theo quickly dumped a bucket of cold water over their excitement by placing his arm on Miles' shoulder, and signalled at the two.
"She was checking out 'New Week, New Me'."
The two froze in realization.
"Shit, no way."
"Miles, before you go home today, you've definitely gotta help me write down a list of your skin care routine.
" Fuck off." Smirking, Miles slapped Theo's arm away.
After a little banter, they had almost gotten to their classroom when a group of new arrivals began causing a commotion from the other end of the hallway.
"Move out of the way dick head."
The sound of lockers being shut caused the other students to scatter and make way.
" Keep moving guys, I think I forgot something in my locker." Miles said to the other three and quickly turned back before they could stop him.
"Where are you going?"
"I'll be back real quick."
Hearing this, the 3 exchanged glances and quickly dove into their respective classrooms, afraid of being a scapegoat.
__
After dashing away from the group, Miles smiled in relief. Now that he was alone, he could boldly confront Daniel and his two underlings without fearing that they would take action on his friends behind his back.
'Alright, let's do this.'
Just when Daniel was just a couple of metres away, Miles pretended to drop his bag on the paved path and casually knelt to pick the scattered books.
"Huh? Who is this snobby loser?!"
" Get the fuck out of the way!"
Seeing Miles block the way as he calmly tried to pick up his books. Daniel's two side cronies didn't hold back from running their mouths.
However, to the astounded surprise of everyone present, Miles didn't glance at them or seemed bothered.
The two cronies' faces flushed in embarrassment when they saw this. One gritted his teeth and the other formed a fist. They both recognised Miles and even verbally abused him quite often, they couldn't directly bully him because he was prey to the higher ups like Daniel.
The unexpected defiance was a blow that struck their egos quite brutally.
Exchanging glances, they nodded and turned to Daniel, hoping he would give him the permission to rough Miles up, but froze when they saw the horrified look on his face.
At this moment, Miles was done packing up and stood to face them.
"Surprise."