Chapter 3: Him

I was exhausted by the time Latin lessons ended. Man, my mom must have been trying to kill me by registering me in a tuition centre which went on four days a week. When Dad came to fetch me from Smarts after my second Latin lesson on Sunday, I tried to convince him to withdraw me.

Without much luck.

"Why should I do that?" he asked.

"I've got mountains of homework from school already without extra tuition lessons. I won't have time for both of them," I reasoned.

"Then cut your play time. You always spend 2 precious hours every day with the computer and then your PS2 when Luke comes over," Dad countered, swerving into the garage without knocking anything over. "Whatever the problem, you're not quitting Smarts. Emily is a very dedicated teacher so she can help you."

Damn my pathetic ability to hide result slips from Mom.

Actually, the reason I wanted to try and convince Dad if I could withdraw was because I heard something rather disturbing from Ralph during that day's lesson.

"I wonder if I'll be able to pair up with Janet next week," Ralph had said, staring at the ceiling. "Ken was a lucky bastard for being fortunate enough to have been her partner last week."

My sharp hearing caught his words and I asked, "Partner? What do you mean?"

"Oh, right, I forgot you were new," said Ralph. "Every week, we draw lots in class to determine our partners for that week. With our partner, we'll discuss about Latin terms at either partner's house and also in class. This week we weren't assigned partners because one of our classmates stopped and left us at an odd number. But now that we have you, we can be paired up again, so I'm hoping to draw Janet."

Pairs? At the word, I couldn't help but get goosebumps when I imagined myself paired with any of the girls. They'd be so wrapped up in trying to get my number - and that's already being modest.

At home, I was dreading the following day. When Lucas came over, I was too distracted because of my problem that I lost all the games we played to him. Even he knew something was disturbing me.

"Spill, Ans. What's bugging you?" he asked, folding his arms. "I won't play another game with you if you're not putting all your efforts into it. I feel like I'm beating up a dying man."

"I'm not dying," I frowned. "I just don't like my new Latin class."

"Why? No pretty girls?"

"That's part of my problem."

And so I told him of my dilemma and fear of being tortured into revealing my number to an ugly toad. After listening to me rant, Lucas just spent 5 whole seconds staring at me.

Finally, he broke the silence by saying, "You are worried that you might be paired up with someone you consider an ugly toad?"

"It's a serious situation, Luke. I might get hurt trying to defend myself," I said, the frown still on my face.

Out of nowhere, Lucas brought his hand up and whacked me on the head, making me yell, "What the hell's wrong with you?!"

"Ansel Saint James, you moron," he scolded. "You're meaning to tell me your partner is Latin lessons has to be a beauty in order for you to work with them?"

"Just in case you missed out, those girls probably like me already. You should know how I feel, since you're second to me in looks. Personality-wise, though, you beat me, but that's not the point! I'm probably gonna give this girl an opportunity to confess to me!"

"Then reject her, like you always do!" Lucas yelled in reply, waving his arms up and down. "Better yet, tell the girls you have no intention of dating anyone right now! Now play the game properly or I'm going home."

Thankfully, I managed to play the game fine after that and Lucas stopped complaining. I, too, learnt to put my worries aside and thought positive instead.

Besides, my partner could just as easily be a boy.

The next day, being a Monday, I had school first before tuition at Nurturing Minds, so I had to wake up early and catch my sister before she left for her university. To my "luck", today, Isriel was going to car pool Marcus' car so I was reluctant about getting into his car.

"Ans, if you don't get in, you'll be late for school," Isriel was getting impatient. "Getting a ride in Marcus' car will not kill you, will it?"

"I don't bite, Ansel," Marcus said with a glint in his eye.

My stomach churned in disgust. He knew my intense dislike for him, but he had the nerve to mock me. He was wearing contact lenses instead of glasses today and looked a little better than he usually did - one of the reasons my sister fell for him. You could say Marcus was the kind of person that looked cool with contacts but a complete geek with glasses. However, it did not change the fact that Isriel deserved someone who looked good 24/7.

Unfortunately, there was no one else who could offer me a lift to school, so I had no choice but to get in his red Mustang. At school, I was greeted by Lucas at the gates, where he usually waited every day.

"Was that -?" he started, after we were within earshot.

"Yes, that was his car. I didn't have a choice, but it sure ain't gonna happen again. Not in a million years," I growled, walking past him to the school hall. My fists were still clenched from the thought of being made to stoop so low.

"Honestly, though, I don't understand why you hate him," said Lucas, back in class when lessons were about to start. "I've met the guy before, but he's totally normal."

I could feel my nerves tensing up. Not because of my anger towards Marcus, but actually the fact that I did not know the answer to Lucas' question. All along, I've just felt annoyed every time I saw Marcus, but I've never specified why I felt that way myself.

Perhaps I had a sister complex.

School was a bore, as usual. I was alright through English and Science class and started nodding off during Geography and Arithmetics, which was after recess, which I spent behind the school in the field with Lucas. Slept clean through World History though.

When school hours ended, Lucas reprimanded me for not paying full attention during lessons.

"You can't really blame me, can you? Mrs. Bullock could make anyone sleep," my voice was muffled by a yawn. "And I was deprived of good sleep since my father was watching the Live screening of a football tournament until three in the morning."

"Right," Lucas said with a smirk. "You've given quite an opportunity to the girls to take a picture of you while you were asleep."

"I couldn't care less. Besides, I've got better things to worry about than sleeping pictures," I said. "Ugh, thanks for reminding me, Luke. That's been off my mind for a while till you brought 'girls' up."

"At least now you're prepared."

I rolled my eyes and continued walking to my dad's car. Once more I tried to get him to withdraw my registration but he just dismissed the option immediately. He was quite strict about it this time as well, so I made a note not to touch on it anymore. Having a little time before my Latin classes started, I changed and bought something light to munch on.

"Hello there, Ansel," said Johnston, seating himself beside me again. "Excited about who will be your partner?"

"Not exactly," I said. "And why are you so excited about it anyway? Wouldn't it be embarrassing to draw a guy for your partner instead of a girl?"

Johnston looked at me through confused eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"Well, it's not for certain your partner will be a girl, right? Just warning you, but don't get your hopes up, alright?"

Now Johnston looked more confused than ever. "Oh dear, I guess Ralph didn't make it quite clear about how we pick our partners."

"What do you mean?"

"We have thirty students in the classroom and it's divided equally into girls and guys. Ms Emily separates our names into two boxes then let's us choose one by one, excluding whichever names are taken in each round. So whoever us guys choose, it'll be a girl and whoever the girls choose, they'll get a guy."

My jaw dropped a whole 8 centimeters. So much for hoping.

"Alright, everyone, since our numbers are even again, here are the boxes to determine your partners for the week," said Ms Emily then, walking into the classroom, holding two boxes on one hand and her cane on the other. She placed the two boxes on the tables and drew her name list out. She said, "When I call your names, come out front and pick your partner. We'll start with Andrew."

Andrew Wilk went up and put his hand into the box. I could see he was praying hard because he had shut his eyes tight. He finally took his hand out and passed the small piece of paper to Emily, who took it and started feeling it, her sunglasses slipping down to her nose.

"Andrew's partner for this week is... Mary Evans," said Ms Emily. "I hope the both of you will get along and finish your assignments on time. I want everyone to get good evaluation marks this time."

"Evaluation marks?" I asked.

"We get evaluated on our results at the end of the week to see if we're doing better or worse. So far, we haven't gotten good marks throughout the class," Johnston said.

"Why?"

"One problematic student. She's such a quiet girl that no one can make her talk," he explained. "She's only spoken to Ms Emily and Janet before. Directly, I mean. We've heard her voice, but that's as far as we got."

"So... she's shy?"

"Hell no. She's not shy, she's quiet. There's a difference. It's just that given a chance, she'd rather not talk."

"Angela Taylor, you're up."

The girl named Angela went up and picked another name.

"Ralph Kian."

Being only two seats from me, I heard Ralph utter, "Damn it", low enough for Ms Emily to miss.

"Anneliese Sanders," Ms Emily called again. "Quinn Lawrence is your partner."

"Come to think of it," I said then, "Why is it we need partners of the opposite gender?"

"To get rid of any barriers between the male and female population but obviously, it's not working. We only ever mix with guys and they only ever hang out with girls," said Johnston.

"Ansel Saint James, if you will please," I heard my name then.

"Here goes nothing," I said, getting up. "Wish me luck," I nudged John, who nodded back. I walked up to Ms Emily's table and breathed in, bracing myself.

"Stick your hand in, James, and choose the first piece of paper you touch," said Ms Emily.

"And the girl whose name is written on it will be my partner, right?" I asked.

"I see your friends have already told you about our weekly activity. Yes, that's what happens."

Out of the corner of my line of vision, I made out most of the girls to be crossing their fingers. Without even realizing it, though, I found myself praying to draw Janet's name, because she was one of those who weren't crossing her fingers.

I reached into the box, did as Ms Emily had instructed me to do and took the first paper my hand came into contact with. I handed it to Ms Emily and she felt around it with her hands. She gave an impression of slight shock, as if she can't believe what was written down.

"Well, Mr Saint James, your partner for this week is..."

Chapter 2: She

"-Awn! Oh my God-"

Bright light.

"Dammit, you jackass, wake up!"

Forte? Where are you?

"Oh! I think she's coming to!"

When my vision had cleared, I found myself strapped to a bed. The beeping noises of the heart monitor buzzed in my ears, causing an unbearable headache. It made me feel no better that the patches on my body made me itch like crazy.

Instinctively, I scrunched my nose up. God, I hated the smell of medicine. I tried to speak but the dizziness was swallowing up my consciousness. My ears strained to catch the conversation being held by the bed side.

"She's fine now. I'll leave the rest to you. She can be discharged by tomorrow. We'd like to run more tests to make sure she's fine."

"Oh, thank you, Doctor. Yes, we'll take it from here," my mom's voice was slightly broken but I knew she was relieved to hear I was okay.

"Mom?" I squawked, my voice hoarse from dehydration.

"Dawn?" she rushed to my side and asked, "Are you feeling alright now, dear?"

"Mom, for God's sake, get me out of this place," I snarled, trying to get the blankets off. Unfortunately, Forte, my 'trusted' brother, flung them over me again.

"You're not getting out of here till we can ascertain nothing's wrong with you, he growled. "Tch, you made us worried sick about you, dumbass."

"It was just a little heart attack. I'm fine, aren't I? Doctor Nathan said so," I persisted. "It's not like it hasn't happened before anyway."

My mom gave a hysterical shriek and collapsed onto the chair. Forte sighed and shook his head. I just remained silent, looking around the room.

"Where's Dad?" I asked, not really wanting to know the answer.

"Out getting himself drunk."

Should've guessed as much. Since he'd been married to Mom, he'd been out day and night either drinking or playing truant with some gangs. He only came home for three reasons; to refill his wallet, to eat and to sleep.

Wouldn't be surprised if he'd already started sleeping around with other women.

"Dawn, you have to stop this," Forte said, "You can't keep landing in a hospital every time you overeat. You have to go on a diet."

Diet. Man, I hated that word more than I hated hospitals. That's all I hear out of everyone I see. Nowadays, I can't even eat a decent meal in school without people sniggering at me. Then again, in those conditions, Forte would take the tray from me and glare at the rest, growling, "Can't my sister get some food for her beloved brother? I'll give you a second to turn around before I break your necks."

I really treasured Forte. He always protected me from whoever bullied me. My only safe refuge was home. Nowhere else could make me safe.

"Dieting will not help," I insisted. "I just want to get out of here. For, please, let's go?"

"No can do, Dawn. You're staying until after Doctor Nathan's done with the tests. We can't risk you getting another heart attack," said Forte, shaking his head.

"You worry too much."

"You don't worry enough," said Forte. "Like you said, it's not the first time you've had a heart attack. We have to do all we can to make sure it never happens again."

I leaned back and closed my eyes. "Fine. I give up. Wake me up when he's done with his mumbo jumbo."

By evening, I was so drained thanks to the amount of blood the doctor had to withdraw from me that I skipped dinner - something I almost never did - and slept instead.

When I woke up, Forte and Mom were sleeping on chairs beside me. I had my breakfast which consisted of nothing but vegetables because I was also slightly constipated. By 12 in the afternoon, Doctor Nathan confirmed I had nothing to be worried about at the moment and allowed us back home but only under the condition that I returned to the hospital for regular checkups.

"Finally," I thought, huffing at the hospital before getting into the car.

Inside the car, Mom started the engine and said, "I'm going straight to the office after I drop you off so Forte, dear, make sure Dawn doesn't eat any more than what the doctor prescribed. Get rid of all her junk food and do not allow her outside the house if it's to buy any food."

Forte nodded and looked at me in a way that meant "You heard her."

Rolling my eyes, I looked out through the windows. Yeah, that was pretty much my life. Sorry for the late intro, but my name's Dawn - as you would've already figured - and I'm turning 15 in two months. My mom's Paula, 39, and my brother's Forte, 17. We're pretty much a happy family, despite my constant trips to the hospital.

Let me tell you why. I'm obese, apparently. I presently weigh between 75 to 80 kilograms and that's monstrous to Mom, though I kept telling her there were fatter people in the world. No offense.

So far, I've fainted once in school because of indigestion and suffered two minor heart attacks including the one I just had yesterday. My unbalanced diet, according to Doctor Nathan, was the prime cause to all the incidents as well as the lack of exercise.

Recently my mom bought a treadmill for me from some fitness shop, but I've only gone on it two or three times since its purchase. We had P.E. classes in school, of course, but I've always made up excuses that got me out of them such as fake asthma, stomach cramps and all that.

Well, I've never been at outdoor person. I've always preferred being inside, either eating, being in front of a television or getting cosy on a sofa while reading a good book.

To make matters worse, my dad had been confirmed a diabetic but he hid the fact from Mom before they got married. Turns out I might be prone to diabetes. How comforting.

Other than that, though, I lead somewhat a normal life.

I go to school at Mort Hans Innerworth Gregor Heathcliff, also known as Mort HIGH. Each name represents the various principals who founded the school. Mortimer Ainsley was the boss, however, so his name remained as Mort.

Being an introvert, I didn't have a lot of friends. I didn't have you called a group of over exultant girls either, who have frequent fads over new Roxy arrivals and pink handbags I could get for quarter the price at a cheap shop.

I guess I'm just... different. In more ways than one.

Chapter 1: He

"You're not pretty enough."

Ahh... The world was cruel when it came to love. The pain and suffering, the agony and humiliation. Dealing with such emotions could break and shatter one's heart, when one has the misfortune to be on the confessing end. That would definitely prove to be a problem in the near future.

Fortunately for me, I'm on the receiving end.

The name is Ansel Saint James, currently fifteen and a student of Mort Hans Innerworth Gregor Heathcliff. Yes, it's a mouthful, so it's recently been shortened to just Mort HIGH. No, I don't know why it has a long name.

Pardon me, I usually like to avoid questions like those in future. Cutting to the chase, once again, I'd been made to comment such as mentioned above to one of my classmates in Mort HIGH that early morning.

I still remember the way she knelt and cried before me, her face buried in her palms, as I turned around and walked away from her.

"You honestly amaze me, Ans," my best friend, Lucas, said, falling into step beside me. He was always hiding behind a tree nearby whenever I found a letter under my desk.

We've been pretty much friends since we met. He wasn't very badly built either. We had the same brownish-blonde hair, though his was just slightly shorter. We were the same height and I was only older than him by a few days. I often wondered if our lack in difference was the reason we had such a strong bond.

"How many does that make?" I asked, heading towards the car outside, where my sister had agreed to fetch me.

"She's the 5th this month and 17th this semester," said Lucas, checking his handbook. Closing it with a snap, he turned to me and said, "If you keep judging girls by their looks, you're not going to get married."

I laughed, but didn't reply. We got into my car and greeted my sister. She gave a disgruntled noise and said, "You're going to make me late for my date, Ansel. I hope you're happy."

"The guy's hardly handsome enough to catch your eye, Is," I frowned, referring to Marcus, who'd been dating Isriel for nearly a year already.

"Unlike you, Ans, I don't choose my boyfriend based on how hot he is. As long as he loves me with all his heart like I do, that's all I ask."

I gave an unsatisfied huff and folded my arms. I definitely was not going to acknowledge Marcus as her boyfriend. Isriel had the beauty of Aphrodite. She deserved a prince, not a college lecturer whose spectacles were too big for his eyes. Not to mention he looked like an absolute nerd.

"Thanks for the lift, Is," Lucas smiled as he got down the car outside his house.

"It's the least I can do since you're looking after my baby brother," Isriel smirked sideways at me.

"You're one to talk, you're turning 20 this year," I snapped.

We departed Lucas' home and drove back towards our house. Tch, at least, there's where I thought we were headed. Boy, was I wrong.

"Alright, you get off here," said Isriel, suddenly stopping outside a shop lot.

"Is, I was joking about your boyfriend and your age, now go home," I said, scowling.

Isriel looked at me through the rear view mirror and raised her eyebrow. "This is not a mistake. You get off here," she said in a monotonous voice. "Mother found your report card last semester."

I swore under my breath. "She's sending me for tuition?"

"Bingo. Congratulations on figuring that out," said Isriel, sarcastically. "Now honestly, get off. I'm really late."

"No way. Drive me home this instant. I can study at home. I don't need the extra tutoring."

"Yeah right. You've been studying comic books, Ans," said Isriel, scrutinizing at me. "Off. Now."

Hardly believing I was being forced to attend tuition, I got out of the car and my sister drove away. Sighing, I looked at the sign on the door. "Nurturing Minds." I could feel goosebumps everywhere on my body as I opened the door and walked in.

The centre was quite sturdy, but not much was done about its looks. I walked up to the information booth and asked, "Err... I'm Ansel Saint James, new student. Can you tell me where my class is?"

The woman who saw me nearly fell off her seat. "H-H-Ho my God."

"Don't excite yourself, will you?" I snarled. It wasn't the first time it had happened. Usually did with Lucas, as well. We both had our fair share of instant oohs and ahhs whenever people saw us, many thanks to our appearances. "Now please tell me where my class is."

Lifting a shaky finger, she pointed to the back, giving a loud hiccup when I said, "Thank you" and continued walking. Eventually, I found my room, it had a long name list pasted on the door. Scanning through it, I found my name to be the last and opened the door.

As far as my eye could see, the whole classroom was looking at me. Most of the girls nearly toppled over whilst the guys just stared in awe and envy. Then, as if time had resumed after a brief pause, everything happened instantly. The girls started to talk and giggle amongst themselves, casting side glances at me whenever possible. The guys stood up and walked towards me, arms outstretched.

"Well, hello there," one boy came up to me and flung his arm around my neck. "Must be Ansel, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am."

"My name's Johnston. You can call me John," he smiled, while ushering me to an empty seat in the middle of the room.

"Okay. Thanks, John," I said, dumping my bag onto the seat.

When I stood upright, it freaked me out a little to see that the boys were looking at me from top to bottom, as if to scan every inch of my body. Slightly irritated and very irked, I asked, "Is there anything wrong with me?"

"I'm kind of hoping there is. I can't seem to find a reason for any girl here to resist you. You're like the perfect man," another boy said. Noticing he had not introduced himself, he said, "I'm Harry, by the way."

"Thanks for the compliment, Harry, but I don't think the girls will like me much after they get to know me," I said, barely concealing my modesty. I looked around the classroom and thought, "Ugly, ugly, ugly, damn ugly, super ugly." There wasn't a single lady in the room pretty enough for me to even ask her name, let alone like.

"We were expecting you, Ansel, but we didn't know you would turn out to be... well... this good-looking. Your girlfriend must be a lucky one."

At that, I laughed. "Quite on the contrary, I don't have a girlfriend."

Regretted my actions, though, because the girls suddenly became hyperactive and the chattering grew louder. I could even hear one scream, "He's mine!"

Looking back at the guys, they were shaking their heads and sighing. "If only we had half your current physique and good looks, I'm sure it'd be enough to get at least one of the girls," said Harry.

I didn't know what to say, honestly, but it definitely did not make me proud knowing the amount of ugly toads looking forward to dropping at my knees. To my luck, the door opened just then and a female teacher walked in. She wore sunglasses and a cane with her right hand.

Almost immediately after she had made her entrance, her eyes found me and said, "Stand, new boy."

To tell you the truth, I was quite surprised she had not even stopped for a split second after seeing me. I stood up at once and said, "Yes, Ma'am?"

"Good reflexes, Ansel. I look forward to teaching you. Be warned that this tuition centre will not tolerate any laziness, rudeness, impertinence and whatever falling into the 'runt' category. I've learnt of your unsatisfying results in school and I will do my best to help you, but only to an extent. You will have to do the rest yourself. Clear?"

"Clearer than water."

One side of her mouth went up in a smirk. "Sit, boy."

I sat.

"My name is Emily Watson. Learn the name, fear the name, because I will not hesitate to castigate anyone who proves themselves to be a thorn in my side," Emily said, still with her sunglasses on. "There will be no need for you to use cellphones, pagers or any means of communication during my class. If any of those are seen, they are mine. You might not have been informed, but this lesson goes on every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. There will be a pop quiz next week, but I'll leave you to ponder about which specific day it will be held on. So far, are there any questions, Mr James?"

"No, Ma'am."

"Good," said Emily. She then walked to the back of her study and did a roll call.

Meanwhile, I got to know more about the people in my class, with the aide of John, who sat beside me. He told me the names of the boys in the class and then moved on to the girls.

"The guys and I have actually been trying to get Janet's attention for the past two years now. It kind of pains us since we know we probably won't stand a chance against you, so don't fall for her, okay?" said John, gesturing towards to girl among a group. Most of them were the extremely giggly girls whom I already knew were aiming for me.

I made Janet out to be the prettiest of the lot. Certainly, she didn't look half as bad as the rest, but John and the others could rest assured. "She will not tempt me," I replied.

Though those were my words, I was aroused to look at her to find out what aspects she had that could attract the attentions of the guys. Janet didn't have a very beautiful figure, and she did not even seem  as though she was trying to look good. I honestly could not figure out why the guys were interested, until she smiled.

It was so sweet a smile that lit her complexion almost instantaneously. It was beginning to be a treat to see such an expression.

"Nonetheless, I cannot fall for someone who only makes me swoon when she smiles," I thought, and discarded the feeling immediately.

Just as Ms Emily finished the roll call, an administrative staff knocked on the door. "Come in," Emily said, and the door opened. I recognized her to be the lady whom I asked where my class was. "Forgive the interruption, Domina Watson, but I'd like to request for their fees."

"No worries, Opal. I've only done roll call."

"Alright, then. Let's see..." Opal started checking her name list for those who have not paid. "Mr Leonard, are you going to pay today?"

"Err... Yes, please, but only after lessons."

"Okay... Next will be Ms Fuhrer, is she present?"

Beside me, John said, "No, she's absent."

"I see. Thank you, then, Madame."

"You're very welcome." When the door closed, Ms Emily said, "Alright, that's that. Take these notes down now and hand them in later."

That marked the first Latin lesson.