Vincent was deeply in thought for most part of the class, it was so crucial that even the teachers had to stone him more than once.
He couldn't stop think about those guys, based on what Levi has said of them. They were all amazing guys who had their morale trashed once or twice–and because of that they became absolute weaklings.
It was lame but it was understandable. In a school like Mereung, you just want to keep your head low and successfully finish school.
But yesterday seemed to have caused something to all of them. That tiny glimmer of hope that he gave them seemed to have changed them so much.
And starting with Kasem, it looked like all of them would start confronting their weaknesses.
Perhaps that was what this trial was about.
Vincent sighed as the bell rang for break.
"Are you fine?" Levi asked, his face growing serious.
Staring at him for a second or two with blank surprise, Vincent smiled.
'Seriously, this guy.'
He answered:
"Yes Levi, I'm good. Thank you."
The door suddenly slammed open. As it did, all the girls in the class stood up, their faces reddening like tomatoes.
"Oh my Gosh, it's Daniel!"
"Damnit, I forgot to wear my make up today!"
"Daniel is in our class?!"
"What's Daniel doing here?!"
"Daniel!"
"Daniel!!"
"We love you Daniel!"
While the boys were glared with bloodlust as they watched a popular stranger steal the heart of their girls in one sweep.
Hearing the name Daniel, a blonde haired guy that was usually asleep rose his head and turned back, watching Daniel approach the guy at the back seat—his face contorted to a frown.
Then he stood up and strolled out of the class.
Daniel, oblivious of the shouts and the glares bore down at Vincent with a lot of interest.
"Huh?"
He leaned forward to take a closer look, inspecting Vincent's face with an acute stare before returning to his initial position.
"I was not imagining it right? You got more wound than this yesterday."
Vincent frowned and ignored him.
Daniel was silent for a couple of second, his eyes peering into the young boy then he spoke after:
"So, do you have my answer."
Vincent stood up sharply and looked the red-haired guy fearlessly in his eyes, saying:
"Can we not do this here."
"Then let's go to the rooftop" Daniel responded and grabbed his hand, hurling him out of the class without waiting for his permission.
The girls wowed as they saw Daniel and Vincent hold each other away from the class.
Meanwhile, as Daniel hurled Vincent through the corridor and to the stairs, they pass a black haired young lady, who was almost exuding coldness with an unforgettable soothing smell.
She paused, turned to look at both guys.
'Is he in trouble?' She wandered for a second. 'Daniel can be a lot of trouble, I really hope he'll be fine…'
She abruptly paused, her brows creased to a deep frown.
'What did I just do?!'
She threw herself a slap on both cheeks.
'It's not like I know him personally, he's just a customer, a customer, that's all'
She strutted away afterwards.
Daniel and Vincent stood opposite each other on the rooftop of the building.
Barbed wire barricades ran along the rooftop edges to prevent students from being reckless. There was also a separate demarcation on the rooftop that contained an artificial garden.
"So… what is your aanswer? Daniel inquired with vibrant light in his eyes.
Vincent lingered for a while, looking at him long before speaking.
"Why?"
Daniel tilted his head with a deadpan expression.
"What do you mean why?"
Frowning, Vincent made his question clearer:
"Why do you want to teach me boxing, why are you hell bent on doing that? Why do you want to have me spar you in a month time? What are you up to? If you can't at least sincerely respond to me then I will refuse."
Daniel stared a little gaped at the seriousness of the boy in front of him. A second later, a wistful smile reflected on his face, his eyes slithered down and crept back to Vincent's.
"I want to enjoy boxing."
"Uhh?" Vincent frowned, 'did he hear I right?'
"You want to enjoy boxing?" He repeated Daniel's words.
Daniel nodded, his expression wasn't the usual cockiness, somehow he seemed forlorn. His eyes were lowered with a bitter smile leaving its traces on his lips.
"I fell in love with boxing when I was five. It was the only thing I have ever loved. Even till now but the ring, competitions are were I get to enjoy it, those are places I get to feel alive. But I couldn't anymore. Damn, I was about winning lightweight champion when my father told me to quit"
Vincent observed his expression, the sincerity from his words were almost palpable.
"But I don't want to give up on my passion just because my father got in the way. I have tried to find someone who is like me. I have trained few, they couldn't withstand it… but something tells me you will be different–
"I am not like you." Vincent interrupted, frowning.
Daniel's face contorted into a show of slight shock.
"And I know I need to learn a lot of things about boxing. I have never boxed before nor have I ever been in a situation that'd cause me to fight. I know I don't know when to throw the punches, I know my footwork is nonsense, I know my body positioning is awkward and I know there are several other things that you think will need work…"
Vincent paused, keenly staring at Daniel as he continued:
"I will learn boxing from you. I will do whatever it takes to defeat you in the next one month but have it driven into the core of your subconscious that you and I are not the same."
Daniel allowed a wide smile. He nodded once.
"Hm! I will keep that in mind."
Vincent furrowed his brows in a distasteful manner as he saw the vibrant sparks dancing on Daniel's face.
The red-haired kind threw his hands over Vincenr shoulders.
"So now that we are buddies… when should we start training…"
Vincent removed his hands and walked away.
Staring at his thrown hand for a seconds, Daniel grinned heartily and ran to catch up before Vincent entered the stairs room, he threw his hands over his shoulder again, their voice growing distant.
"So Monday? Or Tuesday? Or should we just meet everyday?"
After they left, someone that had been laying in the garden with a book covering his face removed the book.
He looked bored and empty and gazed at the sky with a slight longing.
"Weird…"