I watched the clouds drift on top of the roof and closed my eyes letting the breeze blow against my hair gently. This weather was perfect, it wasn't too hot or cold. I wanted to lay down and relax but the present company wouldn't allow me to do so.
"Are you even listening to me?" Dae Hyun asked pointing at me angrily.
"No." I answer truthfully. He couldn't have possibly said something of value. Dae Hyun looked frustrated and ruffled his hair in annoyance as he paced around the roof. He continued walking in a circle before stopping in front of me. When he looked at me, I could see the wheels turning behind his eyes. He was trying to figure me out, but he couldn't.
"Why were you at that hotel last night?" he asks, finally breaking the silence.
"What, is it illegal to go to hotels now?" I raised an eyebrow at him. I didn't want to tell him what happened but how else could I explain why I was at a hotel in the middle of a school night and unaccompanied?
"Well, did something...happen?" He asked while looking flustered and turning his body away. He scratched his head awkwardly.
"I just didn't want to be home last night is all." I answer, giving him as little detail as possible. I had no intention of letting this boy know my life story. A look came onto his face that I couldn't read.
"How long are you going to be staying?" He asks, avoiding eye contact with me.
"Maybe a couple of days."
"Can we not tell people about what happened yesterday?" He finally blurts out. His cheeks turn a slight pink shade as he looks away.
"Really? I was hoping to tell everyone how you snuck into my room half naked." I say, trying to keep a straight face.
"That is NOT what happened! You broke into MY room!"
"I guess we will just have to agree to disagree." I laugh this time, letting him know I was joking.
"Besides, it's not like you didn't enjoy the free show." He smirks at me while pointing at his abdomen. I scoff at the absurdity, as if!
"Yes, your face turning red like a tomato because you were embarrassed was definitely worth it."
"I was NOT."
"As I said, I guess we are just going to have to agree to disagree." I laugh as I walk away.
I walk to my locker to get my books for history class. And as I am walking, I trip on someone's extended foot and fall backward onto the floor. I try to brace myself for the landing but the back of my head hits the tiles hard. Students laugh as they watch and stare as I struggle to find footing.
I get up despite the hallway spinning and enter the classroom. Once I find my seat, I lay my head on the table. My head was pounding, and I grimaced at the pain. I bring my hand to my head, massaging where I had fallen. I didn't get to see the person that tripped me, but something was telling me this wouldn't be the last time something like this would happen.
Someone sits in the seat next to me, and I look up, preparing to meet Dae Hyun's awkward gaze. Instead, I am greeted by someone else entirely.
"Oh, you scared me a little" I say, surprised. He was one of Dae Hyun's friends. He had brown/brunette hair parted in the middle and swept over his eyes. He had a fair-medium skin tone, and his hair contrasted it thoroughly, making his face stand out more.
"Hey, my name is Mateo." He greets me while holding his hand to shake.
"Hi, I am Haru, it's nice to meet you." I shake his hand, still grimacing at the pain in my head. It looks like Mateo notices this and lets go of my hand, reaching into his back pocket.
"I came to ask if you were okay. I saw you fall and brought ice for your head." He said while giving me an Ice pack. I find myself smiling a little while accepting his ice pack.
"Thank you, you didn't have to do that." I flipped the ice pack a couple of times in my hand before placing it on my head.
"Haha, you're welcome." He says, laughing while flipping the ice pack since I was putting it on the wrong way.
My cheeks darken, and I tried to look everywhere but his eyes. Seriously Haru! How do you mess up putting ice on your head? I smile and laugh, embarrassed to have messed up something so simple.
"You would think walking would be easier after 16 years." I laugh, trying to make light of my fall earlier.
"I wouldn't worry too much. Only everyone in our grade saw." He chuckles. I groan, putting my forehead on my desk. Trying to fit in was getting harder by the day.
"I hate this." I mumble, more to myself than to Mateo. I didn't want to be known as the girl with two left feet.
"I was joking, Haru. It's not that big of a deal." He says, stifling his laughter. I pick my head up to glare at him but laugh alongside him after a while.
"But really, thank you for this," I express while pointing at the ice pack on my head. "My head was killing me, and I was determined to just tough it out for the rest of the day."
"Anytime." He smiles at me. I couldn't help but look away and blush. I never had someone do something so sweet for me, especially someone I didn't know. My brain couldn't compute what to do or how to react. I looked up at the front of the classroom and see Dae Hyun walking in with the rest of his friends. Dae Hyun looks between us, confused.
Mateo must've sensed this because he chuckles to himself and looks back at me.
"I'll see you later, Haru." Mateo says as he walks back to his seat, which was right behind mine.
Dae Hyun looks back at Mateo and then at me, trying to figure out what happened in between. His thoughts are interrupted by the math teacher, Mr. Choi, walking in.
Mr. Choi was apparently the class's favorite teacher because everyone would raise their hand, especially the girls. Mr. Choi was tall and had a lean build that peaked through his white blouse. His eyes were wide and his jawline was strong. He couldn't have been more than 10 years older than us. His age was probably one of the factors why he was so popular.
"Haru, do you want to try solving this?" Mr. Choi's voice pulls me out of the deep thought I was in. I blink, confused but make my way towards the board. There were three problems on the board, Mateo and another boy were solving the other two. I stand in front of the board, confused on where to start.
"Psst." I look towards the sound and see Mateo writing the steps in smaller print so I could copy. I follow his lead, write the steps under the equation, and circle the answer. Once I am finished, Mateo erases his small writing, and we both return back to our seats. Once I am sitting in my seat, I let out a sigh of relief. Mateo had saved me from one more embarrassing thing today. Just as I am about to turn around and thank him, Mateo hands me a note. I open it hesitantly as I read:
~~~
Want to thank me by hanging out sometime? -M
I read the note and laughed lightly; Mateo had read my mind. While holding the note, I noticed Dae Hyun leaning in, trying to read the note over my shoulder. I quickly folded it and hide inside my desk. I turn around and smile at Mateo while nodding my head. He looked relieved that I said yes and mouthed Friday to me.
Maybe this move wasn't so bad after all.