At night.
Noor got out of his room.
In the empty corridor, there was nobody.
His mind was flooded with thoughts as usual.
I can't catch a breath. I don't have any idea what's going on around me.
Unusual behavior from everybody. First Miss Ria treating me kindly… and then Miss Jenne acting strange all of a sudden. She didn't like me from the beginning. Then she helped me back then… I really don't get it.
"Oh, you're here."
Noor got startled, but he already knew who it was.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Yes." He turned around.
"Well, let's go then."
"Where?" Noor asked nervously.
"You'll see."
They began walking. Noor kept his distance.
"The moon is really bright tonight."
"Hmm," Noor replied.
"How's your fever?"
"It's gone. Thanks… Miss Rosy took great care of me." Noor spoke with gratitude.
"Is Ria bothering you?"
(What's with her? Her questions are so random.)
"No… no, absolutely not," Noor replied awkwardly.
"Then why is there still a finger mark on your neck?"
(What—how did she find out? I always kept it hidden.)
Noor panicked.
"Ah—what are you talking about, Miss? I-I don't understand."
"You can't hide it, Noor. It's still visible. Did she attack or threaten you?" Jenne asked, interrogating.
"No, it's all a misunderstanding. She… she asked me to forgive her. It's all sorted out."
"So you accept she attacked you."
Noor looked down.
"If it's sorted out, then there's no need to worry," she said.
(Does she… worry about me?)
"But is it true she slept on your bed?" Jenne looked straight at him.
Noor turned grey again, looking upward.
"Haha, your expression is so funny," Jenne cracked up.
(So she was acting serious just for fun…)
"That wolf has a great sense of justice. That's why she asked forgiveness. That also means she won't cause any further problems."
"Oh."
"Then I should be going. You should sleep now."
"Oh… okay."
Noor headed back to his room door.
Wait a minute… she said 'wolf.' Does that mean she knows about Ria's true identity? I should ask her directly.
"Miss Jenne—" Noor turned around.
The corridor was empty.
Sigh.
Some months passed.
My life was going as usual.
Some nights, I ran into Jenne — we talked about how I was studying or how school was going.
My awkwardness around her was gone.
I never dared to ask if she knew Ria's true identity.
On the other hand, Ria always claimed herself as my friend.
I didn't give her much attention, but she never left my side.
I never talked with my dad since then.
Mom called me more often.
Suvro and Ashraf were always watching my back, helping me everywhere.
Our bond grew deeper.
But chaos found its way to me — though this time, it was different.
Ria ran toward him.
Noor stood on the rooftop, watching kids play football.
"Hey, I was looking all over the place." She put her hand on his shoulder.
Noor slipped away, keeping his distance.
"I told you not to touch me." Noor sounded annoyed.
"Why do you feel badump badump inside when I touch you? Come on, you can tell me your feelings for me~" Ria teased.
"Can you please stop this? You should stop reading those romance novels. It's not good for your age." Noor cringed.
"It's perfect for my age. I'm not stopping reading those!"
"You never told me your real age. How old are you? A thousand?" Noor asked with a confused expression.
"Wahh! How could you say that? I'm not that old! It's not fair!"
Ria tried to grab him, but he dodged.
"Oi Noor, let's go to class," Suvro called out.
Perfect timing.
Noor ran off.
"Hey, wait for me!" Ria yelled.
Sometimes later.
"Hey, why is Ria's desk filled with so many letters?" Ashraf asked.
"Is it Valentine's Day?" Suvro added.
"So it's that guy…" some girls murmured.
Ria entered the classroom. Her expression darkened after seeing the letters.
"Hey Ria, looks like your wish came true — so many love letters! Haha, lol." Suvro teased.
Noor stood there confused.
(There are too many letters… I wonder who sent them.)
He picked one up and unfolded it.
"Hey Noor, let me see that," Ashraf said.
Noor read it aloud:
"I can't live without you.
Please accept my love.
Let's be happy together."
Pfft. Buhh. Haahahaha—
Suvro burst out laughing. "Oh my god! 'I can't live without you'— hahaha! I can't breathe!"
Even Ashraf tried to suppress his laugh but failed.
Noor also cracked up.
Ria left without saying anything.
"Oi Ria, wait! Hahaha!" Suvro yelled.
(What's with her? There are so many letters… none are photocopies; all handwritten. Judging by her expression… is someone really bothering her?)
He stood silently.
"Oi Noor, what happened?" Ashraf asked.
"Did anyone see who put these letters here?" Noor asked.
"No." Some girls and boys replied.
(That means someone dumped them during lunch when the class was empty.)
"But who…?" he whispered.
"Is something wrong?" Suvro asked.
"Guys, we have to find that person."
"But how?"
"We have to," Noor said.
(I don't know why… but I got a bad feeling about this.)
When they were about to leave the classroom, a girl called out from behind.
"Umm… Noor."
He turned around. "Yes?"
"I saw the person who put the letters on her desk."
"Who was it, Umi?" Suvro asked.
"It was Roy. When I was about to enter the classroom, I saw him inside with his allies. He said no matter what happens, he will make her accept his feelings. I hid in the corner and overheard everything." The girl said shyly.
"Thanks, Umi," Ashraf said.
"It's okay…" She shyly fixed her glasses.
"Let's go," Noor said.
In the hallway.
"Why did she act like that when you thanked her?" Noor asked.
"Oh, her? She once proposed to Ashraf, but he rejected her, saying 'we're too young, focus on study, make your parents proud.'" Suvro elbowed Ashraf.
"Most kids think ahead of their age these days. I just reminded her it's not the right time for that," Ashraf said, fixing his glasses.
"That's good. But who is this Roy guy?" Noor asked.
"Oh, you don't know him?"
"How am I supposed to?" Noor replied, annoyed.
"Well… he graduated last year," Ashraf said.
"Then what's he doing here?"
"His sister is the class A teacher — Miss Sophia."
"You mean Miss Jenne's class teacher?" Noor asked, surprised.
"Hmm." Suvro nodded.
"Also… he's a state-level wrestling champion. Over 250 lbs. He has a gang of wrestlers his size. It's impossible to touch him. He's arrogant, known for sending people to the hospital for no reason. The police won't do anything because political leaders support him." Ashraf explained.
"You always know everything," Noor said.
"I was watching his match yesterday. He won for the second time in his career — never lost before."
"That doesn't mean we're afraid of him. We don't care who he is! If he messes with my friends, he'll pay the price!" Suvro yelled.
"Who's going to pay the price?"
The three of them froze.