"Hey." The strange boy flatly addressed me.
I had intentionally avoided his gaze, but that was difficult to do now that he was standing directly in front of me.
Everyone's gaze had shifted from Maria and were now locked on us, I could feel it. The most convenient option for me would be to ignore him and pretend that I didn't hear in hopes that he would take the hint and scram.
However, that would be rude, and if I did that with the attention of everyone so fixated on us, it would create a terrible impression on not just me but my family. As someone who learned etiquette to the highest degree attainable for my age, I couldn't smear my family's name.
'Plus, I intend on making friends in this place eventually. It wouldn't be good if I give a bad first impression and came off as snobbish.'
"Hey." I finally responded after a grueling series of internal debate.
