CHAPTER 2
Sanee was grateful that her sleepiness was gone. She could eat lunch comfortably without feeling like she had to eat with her eyes closed. Her sleep was ruined because Genio disturbed her. But at least now she didn't have to fight with herself. Although she couldn't do well on the quiz either.
When Sanee read the questions and started writing, her hands trembled with pain. She just realized that her body was weak regarding staying up late. She had been awake, and it felt like she was lifeless.
Even though her eyesight is satisfactory now, the proof is that Sanee can now see a couple alone at one of the cafeteria tables. They were busy together and chatting about who knows what. Sanee didn't care about what the couple was doing. Even though her eyes were heading there again and again.
Sanee chose to busy herself buying food and drinks. Then walked to an empty table where she could sit alone. Even though her eyes kept going to the couple again. There were words that Sanee wanted to say, but she always kept suppressing them over and over again.
She couldn't explain exactly how she felt when she saw the couple laughing happily. Sanee couldn't scream even though she knew the feeling was more like anger. Sanee realized she was nobody, nor did she have the right to be angry at the couple.
It was just that Sanee had to feel a tightness in her chest when she tried to look at the two people she knew were in love.
When Sanee looked up and looked at the table again. She realized the boys, who always managed to make her emotional, were now looking at her. Sanee tried to smile at them, though she smiled more at Ioara, Genio's girlfriend.
Genio continued to stare at Sanee and paid no attention to his girlfriend, who was now trying to get the boy's attention. Without Sanee realizing it, Genio stood up and walked towards her desk. He didn't even turn around and ask Ioara if it was okay to approach Sanee. Ioara, who wanted to hold back, couldn't because Genio had walked too far, and it was difficult for her to reach him.
There weren't many pairs of eyes watching, but Genio managed to be the light as he walked, as if he were the main character approaching Sanee.
Genio should have stayed at his desk, focused on Ioara, who was with that guy earlier. Genio should have given focus to his girlfriend. Not approaching Sanee as he did this moment.
Sanee, busy herself, realized when a shadow came and covered her. She looked up and saw Genio already staring at her so sternly. As if he didn't want Sanee to leave his life. It was as if, at this moment, he was saying that Sanee could no longer go anywhere but to him.
"Don't forget your punishment. You scored below me, remember?"
Sanee chuckled. She knew she would lose, so she didn't lie to him about not studying. Just working on the quiz questions. She felt her head spinning many times. Luckily, Sanee didn't faint even though she had to suffer the consequences if her quiz score was lower than Genio's.
Mr. Smartass was actually brilliant. But Sanee would never admit it because she knew how big Genio's head would be if Sanee realized that he was brilliant. There might be another 'smartass' behind him. He could easily boast about himself to make Sanee angry. But Sanee also knows how to make him angry back.
Unfortunately, the asshole never believed that Sanee didn't study last night. Genio still thought Sanee was cheating even though he knew that Sanee's score was small.
"Good, congratulations on your victory." Sanee smiled wryly and defiantly. The food in front of her tasted like nothing. She was hungrier to provoke Genio's annoyance. "Now you're satisfied, right? Now, do you believe that I didn't study? You're wrong to accuse me of cheating."
Sanee didn't get an immediate answer. She looked at Genio, who was now staring at her sharply. The guy hadn't spoken yet but seemed to have prepared an expletive for Sanee this very second.
"You beat yourself up, Sanee?" Genio asked, raising his voice. His forehead wrinkled in confusion and disbelief. "You beat yourself up to make me believe you didn't cheat?"
"If yes? And if not?" Sanee asked back, still with her challenging tone. "You won't believe me. The thousands of times I told you that I didn't study, you always said I cheated. Especially if I win, you'll always accuse me of cheating."
Again and again, Sanee saw the look of anger on Genio's face. He was again ready to spill his anger to Sanee that very second.
Sanee didn't understand Genio's mindset. He didn't seem happy about his victory. He even looked annoyed when Sanee gave him the bait, and Sanee succeeded in provoking Genio's anger.
"That means our bet was unfair, Sanee." Genio pressed again and emphasized. "You beat yourself, so you won't be judged as cheating."
Sanee also raised her voice. People seemed to start looking at them. It was like a couple arguing, even though they weren't. "How is that unfair? You win, and I lose. You didn't study last night, and I didn't. It's all fair. You make things hard, Genio."
Genio's sigh was heard. The guy shook his head and repeated the exact words. Not accepting their bet this time.
"Not because you gave in, Sanee. I want our bets to be different from that. You should know that no one should give in from the beginning of our bet and start the competition. Let alone cheat."
"Okay," Sanee said, understanding what he meant. "I didn't mean to give in, Genio. I did talk about the fact that I didn't study at all this morning, but you didn't believe me. And you saw the results, right? I didn't study, and I couldn't focus on the questions. Now you know what you're capable of without studying. I think the bet is fair this time because you can get good grades without studying."
Genio shook his head. "I know that even if you don't study, you're not that stupid, Sanee. I know you understand the material. But what did you do earlier? Give in? Why would you give in, Sanee? That's not the Sanee I know. The Sanee I know would never want to lose to me."
"You're tough to tell," Sanee was annoyed again. "Let's just accept the results of our bet this time. What's my punishment?"
"Sanee!" Genio shouted and pulled her hand closer, so they could look at each other. "What's wrong with you?"
"Me?" Sanee laughed at the question. "Genio, you're weird. You should be the one being asked, why do you care if I give in or not? Do I sleep or not? Whether I study or not is none of your business."
Sanee quickly removed Genio's hand from her. She wanted to get out of there fast. But Genio's voice stopped her.
"So, where are you going now, Sanee?"
Sanee turned around and looked at Genio with her arms across her chest. Her eyes glanced at the table Genio was sitting at with Ioara. She smiled slightly at this strange realization.
"Whether I go to the end of the world is none of your business. Whether I drown in the North Pole is none of your business, Genio." Sanee reminded him of one thing. "Where are you going now? You've been talking to me, chasing after me, and asking me where I'm going. As for your girlfriend, you're leaving her alone, Genio. Look at that. Ioara is waiting for you! It's bad of you to leave your girlfriend alone at the cafeteria table."
Genio turned to Ioara. But he didn't even feel guilty and looked back at Sanee. He didn't care about anything other than asking Sanee. "But now that you're leaving, I ask... where are you going, Sanee?"
"Again, none of your business, Genio."
Sanee turned to leave Genio.
Sanee wasn't going to answer that question. She also needed to figure out where to go other than away. Very far away from Genio.
Because Sanee knew every time she saw Genio, her heart ached when he was with a girl who wasn't her.
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