After the drama practice was over, Ian walked towards the parking lot and leaned at his mom's car. As he waited for his mom, he watched the students pulling and pushing each other as they got inside the school bus whistle letting out loud laughs.
Some leaned over the window and shout goodbyes to their friends, some were talking excitedly despite seeing each other's face for the whole day.
Is it so great to have a friend? Ian wondered and thought back about his day today, the corner of his lips light tugged upwards as he remembered, how June and him fooled around during the drama practice.
The distant figure of his mom approaching made Ian look away from the bus and he smiled at her, "Hey mom," he said.
She smiled, " Hi dear," just as she started unlocking the door, an annoyingly familiar voice called his name.
"IAN!"
Nora gave her son a curious look but he ignored her and turned towards the owner of the voice.
June Weng was by the school bus with a tall boy and a girl who was a little bit shorter than June. She looked somewhat familiar.
Ian scowled. She was June's girlfriend. These days Alicia always shot nasty glares, his way since June always stayed with him. He just ignored her glares. But the fact she was June's girlfriend left a bitter taste in his mouth.
[Male lead's favorability rate towards Female lead -10, current favorability rate : -40]
June waved at Ian and yelled, "See you tomorrow!"
Ian felt a small smile tug his lips as he raised his hand and waved back at him. He watched June turn away and talk with the girl and the boy as the three of them got inside the bus.
[Male lead's favorability rate towards June Weng +5 current favorability rate: 40%]
When he got inside the car, his mother was looking at him with a wide smile.
"What?" He asked.
"Is he your boyfriend?" She asked excitedly.
"What? No!" Ian said as he looked scandalized. He pulled on the seat belt.
Ian heard her let out a disappointed sigh as she started the car.
"He is a friend."
Nora whipped her head towards him and looked at him with wide eyes.
Ian looked at her and raised his eyebrows, "Why are you looking so surprised?" He asked.
"You never have had a friend," she pointed out.
"Gee, I noticed," Ian muttered.
Suddenly, he felt Nora moved her hand and smack him on the head.
"Ow! Hey-"
"Don't be a cocky brat in front of your mother." She huffed, and started driving.
After a while of silence, Nora spoke.
"I hope you don't scare him away."
"I am not a feral animal," Ian muttered and looked out of the window.
The rest of the car drive was filled with questions about June and Ian tried to answer each one of them.
Just as they reached their driveway, Ian looked at his mom and asked, "June seem to have a health problem, do you know anything about it?"
Ian wanted to ask June himself but every time he asked, June would dodge the question skillfully.
Nora shook her head, "I am a new teacher so, I don't really know about the students but I heard some rumors here and there that he was coming to class but he don't have to stay for his board exam because of his health."
"So he is going to repeat next year?" Ian asked.
His mother shook her head and hesitated, "I think it is something you should hear from himself."
Ian gave her a funny look, "Okay," he said slowly.
After parking the car, Ian got out of the car but stopped when he heard Nora call him.
"Ian?"
"Yeah mom?" He looked at her.
Nora had went through a lot of difficulties after she discovered her husband's affair but she knew her son went through even a bigger turmoil. Something inside her finally breathed out freely after so many years when she first time heard about her son having a friend.
She gave him her brightest smile.
"I am so glad you have a friend."
***
As soon as Ian reached home, he flopped on his bed and let out a tired sigh.
Even though he was a neat freak and a study bug, he sometimes let himself unwind by doing absolutely nothing after school.
Just as he snuggled closer in his bed, he felt something inside his pocket crunch. Ian reached inside his pocket and fished out a piece of paper with a string of numbers.
He then remembered it was June's number.
"You want my what now?"
"Your number," June said as he bought up his journal close to Ian's nose, "Here write it down."
"You are bothering me in my class can't you leave me alone when I am at home?" Ian asked.
June rolled his eyes, "Being your friend means I get to pester you twenty-four seven."
"Ugh, fine" Ian muttered as he snatched the journal and pen from June's hand and jot down his number, "I will block your number once you contact me."
"I will pass your number to the all girls and single aunties then," June snapped.
Ian whipped his head at him, "Say that again?"
"Even if you are like a statue and look down on people like they are some speck of dust, they have eyes you know, they think you are...", June trailed off and let out an awkward cough.
"I am what?" Ian asked.
June pursed his lips and took in a deep breath, "You are an arrogant jerk but you are quite good looking so, they can't really hate you but find you good looking, they would want your phone numbers"
Ian shrugged.
"Oi be a little modest, say something," June slapped Ian's arm.
The slap didn't even hurt. Ian pretended to think and slowly said, "I am arrogant and I am handsome but I don't look down on people, I just don't see the need to talk with them."
June rolled his eyes, "Isn't it looking down on people?" He mumbled.
"Here," Ian said, and passed June the journal, "I won't be able to pick up the call, if I am doing homework so don't get too hopeful."
"Fine," June said, as he closed his journal and put it in the bag.
Ian turned towards his bag and took out the books for next period.
"Ian?"
He turned to look at June, "Yeah?"
June smiled, "Thanks for giving me your number."
"Why do you smile so much?" Ian finally asked. It had been bothering him for quite sometime.
June's smile widen, "Why are you asking?"
"Your smile makes me nauseous," Ian deadpanned.
June leaned towards him, his smile growing by the second, "Smiles are contagious."
Ian pressed his hand on June's face and pushed him away, "Don't worry, those contagious smile of yours won't effect me. I am vaccinated against them."
"Yeah but-"
Before, he could say anything, their English teacher entered the class.
Ian reached for his phone and dialed the number. He only had his mom and Euphel's number in his contact list and somehow adding another number made him feel weird.
Three times is the charm.
Ian snorted, "How can a wild boy like him be a charm?"3
Despite his thoughts, Ian pondered over what name he should save June's number as and finally typed out the name with a small smile on his lips.
Irritating Twat.
[Male lead's favorability rate for June Weng +5 current favorability rate 45%]
Ian placed his phone on the night stand and stood up. He began to peel his uniform off when he heard his phone buzz with a message.
Ian didn't bothering checking the message thinking it's from the telecom. He freshen up and went downstairs to eat.
By the time, Ian looked at his phone, it had around five messages from the same person.
Irritating Twat.
Ian tapped on the message notification and read the messages.
Irritating Twat (6:10): Hi! It's June!
Irritating Twat(6:12 pm): Dude, say something.
Irritating Twat(6:45 pm): Am I getting ignored?
Irritating Twat (7:00 pm): Henlo, Ian, are you doing homework?
Irritating Twat(7:45 pm): Am I getting ignored zoned? Ignozed? Although, there is no such thing as that but still.
Ian let out a laugh as, he read the messages. He send a message and got a reply immediately.
Irritating Twat(8:12 pm) : Why is your body a prison?"
Ian frowned at the question.
Ian (8:15 pm) : What kind stupid question are you asking?
Irritating Twat (8:16 pm) : Don't know the answer?
Ian (8:16 pm): No.
Irritating Twat (8:17 pm) : Because it is made out of cells! Haha!
Ian gaped at the message for a long time before a small laugh escaped his mouth.
The joke was really lame but it was funny.