The Heartless Frankenstein (XIV Series #2)

Chapter Twenty One

Against All the Current I

“**!”

I can never get used to this. I looked up Achi even on the internet and for the first time, I actually understood what he meant. “Hey everyone! It’s nice to see you all again. How was school?” I sounded like a mom and it’s gross. I should stop saying that otherwise I’m gonna end up like an old single mom with three kids who can’t do simple algebra equations. I sound like I’m roasting them but I’m actually really roasting my life and not theirs.

Kexin, raising his paper to my face, caught me off guard. He did that so fast, that I almost slapped it away out of consciousness. It was a good thing I’ve always been keen on being attentive with stuff. It requires me to be fast since I’m the libero. I crouched a little away so I could see what he was actually trying to make me see which his test paper was.

“I got a better score!” He exclaimed, almost causing my ears to ring at how high pitched his squeal was. I get that he was excited, and I can’t really be mad about it because he did get a better score than last time.

I looked at him with a surprised yet satisfied expression. I mean, Kexin didn’t look like the type of students who was last in case, okay maybe a little, but he was hard working and that always pays off, as they say. “That’s good! I’m so proud of you! You can finally keep up with sweet Chae and cute lil’ Joey here.” I said turning to Joey who looked flustered after hearing my compliment.

“C-Cute?” Kexin glanced at Joey with a frown. “I got the better score but he’s the one you’re calling cute?!” He exclaimed making me burst into laughter. Dang, did I just make this high school admire me without even doing anything? I’m a legend if that’s what it is!

“That’s because you, my student, are a handsome prince in my eyes!” I chuckled, lightly poking his nose at how adorable he was. I mean, at this point I just wanted him to feel better because it appears I hurt his feelings.

He blushed. He was so speechless that he was just spacing out with his mouth gapped open.

“Teacher, there’s something I couldn’t do well from our last lesson, can you please teach that again?”

I diverted my attention to Chae and looked at the paper she was trying to show me. “Oh, this algebra…” I sighed. This was a really confusing topic even to me when I was in high school so I understand why they wouldn’t immediately get this one. It isn’t that confusing now that I’m in college but I can understand her concern very well.

“M-Me too. This part was a little confusing.” Joey spoke after, pointing at his math textbook. “I thought I figured it out when you were teaching us last time but when I did it myself, I couldn’t do it properly.” He said. I am now just realizing how low his voice was. It was low for a high schooler like himself but I guess it’s where puberty really hits.

“Okay, we’ll get to all your concerns one by one, okay? Let’s go back from the other lesson then and I’ll explain it clearer and slower this time. And with varied examples so you can practice deriving into the formulas. Tell me immediately when you don’t understand something I say okay?”

With that, I took a deep breath to prepare myself for what to do. I need to think of something innovative so they can understand better how to do this. Maybe I should make and prepare a study lesson guide or something or whatever they called those.

“How long will that take?” I pouted in frustration, impatiently tapping my foot as I waited for Aiden to respond on the other line.

“An hour, maybe. I’m not sure. But I’ll come okay so just find something to do or stroll for an hour and wait for me. It’s gonna take an hour or less.”

“Fine!” I ended the call, hissing in dismay before I looked up wandering around thinking where I should stroll like he suggested. I’ve already walked around this area with Snoopy before so I’m not sure what would I do here. He says it like it’s so easy to just walk around and see people snugging and being all gross to each other in public.

I stopped in front of this Bubble Tea shop thinking if I should just wait for Aiden here. I didn’t want to walk around and get tired and get all sticky from this hot sun. I could just stay in the café where I tutor the three but I didn’t want to be seen there for another hour when I basically spend half the day there. That’s just embarrassing.

Screw this heat, I’m going inside.

I stepped inside the tea shop and I immediately don’t regret my decision as soon as I saw the person behind the counter doing the work.

“Good afternoon! We have the best boba drink around the area! You chose the ri— oh…”

I grinned and raised my hand in the air to greet him and letting him know that I could recognized him too. I looked at him and he looked a little flushed that I might have caught him working.

“Lois?”

Yang Yichen.

He looked just as surprised as I was but of course, I’m more amused than he’ll ever be. I liked what I saw. No way am I walking out of this shop after this. “This is the second time I’m meeting you in places I’ve never been.” I confessed. “I’m starting to think the odds are leading me to you.” I walked closer to the counter and he fixed the apron he was using.

He doesn’t show any respond but he flashed a small smile. “What are you ordering, dear customer?” He asked, smiling brightly. I assume he was just doing his job as instructed by his management or something. It’s not like employees can be friendly with people or something.

“Surprise me.”

He stared at me in confusion as if waiting for me to say it was a joke but I was too serious and I can tell he was starting to realize I was serious about it as well. I was more interested that he was working here than the menu they had on the shop, to be honest. “I’ll try not to disappoint you then.” He said, smiling sheepishly.

I nodded, marching to a vacant chair. I’d stay in the counter but there were other customers waiting in line and I didn’t want to be the cause of him getting fired by his job or part-time job or something.

When I took a seat, just near the window pane, I looked at my phone and saw a message from Aiden and an unknown number.

Andy

Received 3:49 PM

Taking longer than I expected. Be there in a bit.

I rolled my eyes in disappointment. I guess that’s fine now considering I can spend some time with Yichen, pub guy. Besides, my disappointment isn’t really going to help speed Aiden up. Might as well just enjoy my free time again instead of training with my team. Although, it’s not like I’ve lost my shape or something. I’m always good. I disregarded his message and read the other text.

Unknown number

Received 3: 21 PM

Hey Lois

Miss u

We should hang sometime

“Hang your stupid ass.” I mumbled to myself before typing and shifting my mood to type in: Sure thing honey. Send me the Ws. My duality shows whenever this happens.

I don’t even know who I’m replying to but who cares. It’s a boy and it’s a date. It’s free food and free stuff, so it’s a go for me. I smacked my lips together, slipping my phone back to my bag, wandering around the shop. It looked very chic and organic thanks to the plants they added as décor inside.

“Here’s your order, ma’am.” Yichen landed a very classic looking bubble tea in front of me with the name of the shop. Quite cute actually. I ached my brows, spinning the tea as I stared at it wondering what flavor he got me. He purposely didn’t even wrote the flavor because I did say I wanted it to be a surprise.

When I couldn’t figure it out, I looked back up to him to ask and initiate a conversation I was sure wouldn’t last because of his shift and whatnot. “So is this best seller?”

He shook his head, laughing as he took the seat across me. I guess he was allowed to talk to customer for a while after all? “I call it The German’s Tea.”

German Tea.

Huh.

Quite an interesting name of a flavor. I’ve never had one like this before. I glanced back down the drink in amusement. “You call it The German’s Tea? How do others call it? The G.T?” I joked and he chuckled.

“It’s custom made.”

Oh?

“I made that especially for you.”

OH.

I’m surprised he was being quite showy with his admiration and fondness of me but I really don’t mind. He looked playful in contrast to having such an angelic face. “Well then I’m honored to have this German’s Tea you specially mixed and made for me.”

“I can only hope you’d like it.” He flashed a smile that almost hid his eyes.

I took my first sip trying to analyze the taste of his so-called German’s Tea. I couldn’t tell what fruit he used or what type of tea he mixed in it but it was the right amount of sweetness. The type that makes you want to sip and drink some more if that makes any sense. I hate that I like it actually. My taste bud might start looking for it and I’d have to get here every time I want it. But it was good.

“How is it?” he asked, expecting me to say something good about it. “Is it good?”

I put on a fake unamused face and scowled. Bringing out my inner acting skills to worry him a little and joke about it after when I revealed I was just messing with him. “It’s underwhelming.”

His smile faded to a frown which looked absolutely cute! Oh god, I love meeting new guys and get tired of them after! That’s awful. I should never say that out loud. “O-Oh… I’m sorry you didn’t like it. I can make you a new one. One that’s familiar to you—”

“I was kidding!” I cut him off before he actually thinks I don’t like it. He was cute, stammering and babbling. “It’s really good. I might come back for more of this German’s Tea of yours. It’s scary.”

He looked relieved as he touched his chest, heaving a deep sigh. “Thank Goodness. That would have been really embarrassing so,”

I chuckled. “You work here?”

He nodded. “Would I be standing on the other side of the counter if I wasn’t working here?”

I scoffed at his statement that made absolute sense, bobbing at it. “Right, right.” I like it when guys aren’t ashamed of working. It’s making me lean to not wanting to date him because he could be a good guy and I’m bound to ruin him if I did. He was way too cute. I can’t keep my eyes off him.

“It’s my mom’s actually.”

It’s his mom’s.

Okay, that makes sense.

“I come here during the weekends to help her out with the shop.”

I nodded in amusement. Not even ashamed of telling about his mom and helping her. God, he’s another treasure I can’t date. Glad that’s out of the way now before I wake up and regret it. “This is really good.” I said again. “You know a tea is good when you can’t stop sipping for more.”

He laughed. “I’ve only made that twice in my entire life.”

“Who have you done it the first time?” I asked out of curiosity. I immediately shook my head and my hands in the air to make sure he wouldn’t take this the wrong way, saying, “Of course, you don’t have to answer it. I was just—”

“The first time was for myself and the other was for my mom. I’m asking her to have it on the menu soon. And now you’re the third to exclusively try it.”

I smiled at him. “This would be a hit. I suggest you add it as soon as possible. I’ll advertise your shop for free.” I winked.

He chuckled, shaking his head down. “Thank you.”