Chapter 3

During lunch, all the students have rushed out of the classrooms as the sounds of chattering fill the hallway. They all headed to the large cafeteria to have their lunch, but Ying, on the other hand, walked to the library. She was obsessed with reading books since she reads them everyday whenever she gets a chance. She entered the building and was greeted by a kind librarian who was reading a novel. The librarian was a young and pretty lady who had the most unusual eye color. She had bright purplish pink colored eyes which sometimes look like it was glowing. She had a nice smooth tan skin which most of the girls were typically jealous of. In fact, most girls are jealous how attractive she looked for a librarian. Ying, however, saw the librarian as a very caring staff of the school and that was all.

"Why hello, Ying." greeted the librarian.

"Good afternoon Ms. Seris," respond Ying.

"Looks like you'll be having lunch here again," said Ms. Seris.

"Yep. I mean, this place has something that I really love, books. By the way, have you read that new book by Stephen King?"

"No, not yet, I heard good things about the book,"

"Well, I only read the first few chapters and it's so good. Is there any other books do you recommend?"

Ms. Seris thought for a second. There were countless books that she has read in the past and a book recommendation seems a little difficult since there were so many good books out there. After suggesting which book Ying should read, Ying went over to the table at the corner of the library as she sat down and begin taking out her lunch and book. She silently took a bite out of her lunch and continue reading the wonderful book by Stephen King. After for a couple of minutes of reading, she looks beside her to see if anyone was nearby, and in surprise, she saw the new kid Andros again who was reading a small black book in silence.

"Andros?" whispered Ying. Andros stopped reading for a second and glanced over to notice Ying.

"Oh hey, it's you again," reply Andros.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came here to read, isn't that obvious?"

"I know I know but it's lunchtime. You should be eating lunch at the cafeteria,"

"What about you? Why are you not in the cafeteria,"

"Well..." Ying looked down at her book and her lunch for a moment. "This is where I eat lunch, alone and with my books,"

"Then, in that case, let me join you,"

"O...okay,"

Andros stood up and walked over to Ying's table to sit down. The two sat and read in awkward silence as Ying tried to come up with things to talk about. As she was about to open her mouth, Andros asked a question.

"So why are you here alone? Don't you have friends to meet?" asked Andros.

That question lead to depressing thoughts for Ying. It was the same question everyone had asked her. However, she couldn't blame Andros for asking since he was new here at this school.

"I assume that you are uncomfortable answering the question, so I won't force you to answer,"

"W...well I guess I can tell you," Ying took a moment of silence to gather her thoughts, finding a place to start in her answer.

"I'm listening," reminded Andros.

Ying took a deep breath, calming herself down.

"The fact is, no nobody in this school really likes me. Everybody seems to make fun of me, calling me names and wish I had never existed. Why would anyone want to be friends with a loser like me? Does that answer your question?" ask Ying.

Andros stared at Ying for a moment and looked away. Ying's heart had suddenly felt empty because she basically told Andros that she's a total loser in the school. He will soon agree with her and will start to hate her too, or that's what she thought.

"I'm sorry for not telling you about this earlier and I know you're pretty upset that you are here with someone who's a disappointment which is me. Only if I had to tell you earlier, you wouldn't feel sorry for hanging out with me and I'm pretty sure you hate me now," said Ying. Her expression became dark and dreary, realizing that all of this was a mistake. He wasn't supposed to know, but she had told him anyways. After finishing her statement, Andros turned back to her with a confused look.

"What are you talking about? Don't be silly, I'm not upset nor do I hate you. The other students are just jealous that you are different and special," praise Andros. It was now Ying's turn to be confused a blank face appeared o her face in questioning.

"Huh?"

"It's pretty unusual for me to hold conversations with another person like this since I'm not the type of person who likes to express myself very much, but you somehow managed to make me express some remorse for you," explain Andros. Ying remain silent, as she understood a bit about Andros but she doesn't understand his purpose for doing this for her.

"Look, if this is your way of making me feel better, I..."

"I'm telling the truth. Is that too much for you to handle?" interrupt Andros.

"Okay. And?"

"I can't believe I'm saying this but..." Andros sighed for a moment as he looked away in embarrassment. "I wanted to ask if you want to be friends," Ying notices his humiliation as she smiled softly.

"Why are you looking away? Are you scared someone might see you propose your friendship to me tough guy?" joked Ying. Andros let out a slight groan as he raises his hands to his face.

"Don't push it. So is that a yes or a no?" asked Andros. Ying was about to accept but remembered that once she accepts his friendship, other students would treat him the same way they treat her. She didn't want him to go through that, especially when he's a new student and they had barely known each other so rejecting wouldn't be a problem...

"If you're thinking that everyone might call me a loser, forget it. It's not like I care about what they say. I rather hang out with someone like you who is understanding,"

Those words sent Ying's heart to glow in joy, for that was the first time she has heard something so heartwarming in a long time.

"Fine. Let's be friends. But if you people end up hating you, don't blame it on me," said Ying. Andros' mouth extends in a small grin.

"Deal," Andros felt an unexpected pain on his arm as he gripped it tightly. Ying gave him a look of worry as she gently touched his painful arm in comfort.

"Andros! A...are you okay?" asked Ying. Andros released his arm and slowly stood up from his seat.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go," said Andros. He quickly left the library as Ying sat there in confusion. At first, she thought she had done something wrong, causing him to leave, but she found herself jumping to conclusion.

"It's probably some business to take care of. That's all," Ying said to herself.

"I'm not sure what you guys were talking about, but you really need to stay away from him," said an arrogant voice. The voice startled Ying as she looked around to find where it was coming from. Then, Skye revealed herself from her hiding spot, where she stood behind the bookshelves. Ying's body began to tense up at the sight of Skye who didn't look happy at all. Whenever Ying found herself talking to Skye, it usually means trouble but it looks like there's no way to back away from this.

"Skye? What are you doing here?" ask Ying. She closed her book slowly and stared at Skye incautious.

"I heard you talking to Andros just now. I know Andros may be a real hottie but he's mine slut, not yours. It's better that you stay away from him, or else..."

Skye paused for a dramatic effect, but Ying did not bother to say anything. Talking back to her wasn't going to make things better. As Ying stayed silent, Skye smugged, knowing that Ying would be too scared to say anything back.

"Or else I would tell everyone your secret about your dad,"

Ying stood up immediately to face Skye as a bit of anger was built inside of her.

"You don't know anything about my dad!" said Ying.

"Oh really?" Skye walked towards her and whispered into her ear with a wicked grin. "I heard your dad left your mom when you were born. That's sad that you never had a father figure in your life,"

Ying eyes in shock and fear by her words as her body froze in disbelief.

H...how did she know?

"So you better be a good girl and stay away from him," whisper Skye in a harsh voice. Skye walked past Ying and left the library, leaving the feeling of a lost hope inside Ying. She slowly began to clean up her books as she tried her best to restrain her tears from coming out.

During class, Ying stayed silent and avoided eye contact with everyone around her. When Andros entered into the classroom, it caught her by surprise for a bit that Andros was in the same class as her but Skye's words reminded her of the consequences. Andros looked around the classroom and spotted Ying sitting in the corner of the classroom alone as he walked over to her.

"Hey, I didn't expect you to be in the same class as I am," said Andros.

Ying didn't respond nor looked at his direction. Andros was about to speak up again until Skye interrupted him.

"I think she's not in a good mood and should be left alone. You can come sit next to me Andros!" exclaim Skye.

Andros took a moment to look at Ying and then sat down at the seat next to Skye. His gut feeling told him that Skye had done something to Ying to make her ignore him, but he doesn't have enough evidence to prove it. Skye sent a sly smile at Ying as Cassie who sat next to her giggle mockingly.

"What a total loser," whispered Cassie.

"I know right," reply Skye. They both watched Ying in disgust and at that moment, Skye's eyes lited up in excitement. "Hey, I think I have an idea of making her life more miserable,"

"Really? What's that?" asked Cassie. Skye looked back at Andros to make sure he wasn't eavesdropping on her plan. Andros was looking out the window thinking, which left Skye a perfect chance to share her

"Come closer, I'll tell you,"

Skye silently described her plan, but Cassie became a little hesitant.

"Don't you think that's a little cruel?" questioned Cassie.

"Whose side are you on? Her side or mine?" asked Skye.

Cassie couldn't help but sighed and go along with it.

"Fine, but you'll be the one responsible if one of us gets into trouble,"

"Deal," reply Skye with a smirk.