Chapter 01: The New Teacher
Jia Pov:
I am sleeping peacefully, with my beautiful dream where I am holding the hand of my fictional man, walking on the sea beach and looking into each other's eyes . And the moment we are getting close to each other… something hits my head…
Ouch! It hurts!
I fall from my bed 🛏️. My sweet dream breaks when I hear my mother shouting…
Jia, wake up! It's your first day in school after the New Year vacation, and you are late!
When I look at the clock, it is already 7:30, and my class starts at 8:30.
OMG! I am late!
I run to the bathroom, take a shower, wear my uniform, and come downstairs. My mother is already in a bad mood. She is talking angrily while preparing breakfast.
I always tell you to sleep early so you can wake up early, but you never listen. You always watch dramas late at night and wake up late!
I try to ignore her.
My dad comes from the kitchen with a cup of coffee. He hands me the cup and calms my mom.
Oh dear, please don't shout at my princess. From tomorrow, she will wake up early.
He gives me a wink, and I smile.
My mother says, You always support her mistakes. It is affecting her studies.
My dad says nothing and just smiles.
Then my mother looks at me angrily and says, If you get low marks in math this time, I will make sure I stop your late-night TV series and dreams. Do you understand?
I say nothing and continue eating my breakfast.
Then I realize it is already 7:50.
I leave my breakfast, say bye to my mom and dad, grab my bicycle, and ride fast. My speed is like a bullet train.
I feel like my legs will give up, but finally,
I reach the school gate.
Westwood International School—a large area with beautiful grounds, a luxury car parking area, and a clean canteen with yummy food. It looks like a fictional drama school.
But this is not the time to admire it.
I park my bicycle and run to my class. My class is on the third floor. Sometimes I think, why don't they build a lift in this school?
Finally, I reach my class and sit in my seat near the window.
"Ohh… I feel exhausted. My legs are in pain."
After the New Year vacation, the class looks the same. No changes. The toppers are studying sincerely, and the average students and backbenchers are shouting, throwing paper balls at each other, and fighting. Sometimes I feel like I am in grade 2 or 3.
I am lost in my thoughts when suddenly
someone hits my head.
"Oye, Jia!"
When I look back, I see Zoe, my best friend since grade 5.
"Ouch! It hurts!"
"Oh come on, you are behaving like you are made of sand. Let me guess—you are late again."
"Please don't give me a lecture right now."
"Okay, okay," she says and sits beside me.
We always sit together. We fight and tease each other, but we love and support each other. We are not just best friends—we are like sisters.
We are talking when the first school bell rings. It means it is 8:30 and classes will start now.
Zoe asks me, "Did you complete your New Year vacation math homework?"
I realize I forgot to do my math homework.
"WTF…"
"I knew it. You forgot again. Now Ms. Stone will be very angry with you."
Ms. Stone, our math teacher, is very strict. If you don't do homework or don't pay attention, she will scold you badly. When she is angry, she looks like a monster.
"Omg, I am done today…"
Suddenly, the classroom door opens, and we see our principal.
Everyone stands up.
"Good morning, sir!"
"Good morning, students. Today I have bad news and good news."
Students start talking.
"Okay, students. The bad news is that due to some personal issues, your math teacher, Miss Victoria Stone, will no longer teach in our school."
After hearing that, all the students become happy and start cheering.
"Okay, okay, students, behave!"
A boy from the last bench asks, "Sir, what is the good news?"
"The good news is that Ms. Stone herself has sent a new teacher for you."
"WTF… This is not good news!"
"Everyone, please welcome your new math teacher—Mr. Lliano Velasco."
Everyone starts murmuring, "Velasco…"
But I am not interested.
The classroom door opens slowly.
Footsteps are coming…
When he enters the class, everyone becomes quiet.
I have never seen someone like him in my life. His sharp eyes, dark hair, tall height, clean and fair skin… and his deep voice—just like my fictional dream man.
"Hello, students. I am your new math teacher, Mr. Lliano Velasco. I hope we will become friends during my class. Thank you."
After hearing his voice, my heart starts beating very fast, like a treadmill.
How can a teacher be so charming and charismatic?
The principal leaves the room. I am lost in my thoughts.
Then he writes something on the blackboard and says,
"Before leaving, Ms. Stone told me to check your math homework. I hope you have completed it."
Then I remember—I forgot my homework.
"WTF… what do I do now?"
Zoe whispers, "See, I told you."
"Shut up, Zoe."
While we are talking, he comes and stands in front of me.
"Stand up," he says in his deep voice.
My heart starts beating fast.
"Can I see your homework?"
Everyone is watching.
"Actually, sir… I forgot to do it," I say with a small smile.
But he ignores my smile.
"What is your name?"
"My name is Jia Mariano."
"Miss Mariano, if your homework is not completed, then go and stand outside the class. And tomorrow, prepare your homework from chapter 124 to 126."
"What?! That's too much!"
"That is the way you talk to your teacher? Go and stand outside."
"But sir—"
"I said stand outside."
Everyone starts laughing.
"Students who are not interested in studying are not allowed to sit in my class."
Now open your books.
I walk out of the class.
Zoe and the other students laugh at me.
It feels like the worst day.