The Heartless Frankenstein (XIV Series #2)

Chapter Twenty Seven

Last bobas and Shots I

It’s been an hour since I started my lesson with the high schoolers. It’s getting pretty out of a habit ever since I got used to spending my Saturday with these kids. It’s sad to think that this is going to be our last meeting, and there was no guarantee we’d see each other again. I’m guessing they all feel the same too. They seem less energetic today and they couldn’t even look at me in the eyes. I can’t believe it’s been a month. How did time pass by like that? It only felt like four days. I guess it was just four days since we were only together for four days within that month.

“**, is this really going to be the last… C-Can’t they make an exception and make you our tutor for the rest of senior year?” Kexin blurted out in the middle of having them answer a math problem. “Are we really not going to meet next Saturday anymore?” He asked, his eyes almost tearing up as he looked up to me with a strong pout on his lips.

I smiled, patting his head with a small chuckle. I’ll probably miss Kexin the most considering he was the most talkative among the three of them. “You’ll be fine. The program director chooses great tutors for you kiddos. I’m sure they’ll give you a better teacher for the next session.”

The three fell silent. I guess they were just as sad, if not sadder, that it was gonna be our last meeting.

“Besides, I need to get back to training for weekends. My team needs me. Your achi is the team’s guardian, you know.” I winked to lighten up the mood but it didn’t seem to be working right now.

“But I don’t want anyone else!” Kexin cried, blanket kicking in the air like the precious baby he always was.

Chae and Joey stayed quiet watching the both of us suddenly getting a little sentimental over the fact that this is the last time I’ll spend my Saturday with them. Our session has always been loud and bright, so this was really an upturn for all of us. I guess I can’t really blame them for it, because I was feeling sentimental as soon as Kexin brought it up. Everyone tried to hold it in until now, and I guess he just couldn’t take it anymore and act like he was fine with this being our last day together.

Before everyone starts crying and everyone starts to suspect that I’m bullying them, I immediately tried to brighten up the mood by bringing up my games. “Don’t worry! You can watch my game when Intercollegiate starts! You can all cheer for me and we can catch up after!”

They looked a little more at ease.

“Although, I might be a little sweaty after my games.”

Kexin whimpered, staring deep into my soul. He must have felt attached to me during the course of month. I mean, I don’t blame him, I got pretty attached to them as well. I’ll, for sure, miss this trio and all the laughs we shared for a short amount of time.

“Make sure you scream and cheer for me as loud as you can so I can see you, okay?” I smiled at Kexin, hoping it would make him feel better. “I’ll buy you three some boxed milk, if that’s any consolation.”

He forced a smile, with tears all over his cheeks. “I will scream the loudest, **!” he says with a sniff. “I’ll scream so loud it would be impossible for you not to hear me!” He added, wiping his tears like a baby.

I laughed. “I’m counting on your words then. Make sure you wave a huge banner for me, okay?”

“Teacher, your games must be very harsh.” Chae suddenly asked. I’ve always liked talking to people about playing volleyball. Talking about it to people who doesn’t have any idea about it makes me really happy. I feel like it’s the only thing I’m happy about, honestly. “You always have bruises in your arms and sometimes I see them over here.” Chae added, pointing at her chest area. And true enough, she wasn’t wrong about them. “Don’t you get hurt?”

I turned to her, scrunching my nose. They all look so cute. They’re practically ignorant babies who still don’t know much about everything that’s happening around them. Such precious, kiddos. “I do hurt myself a lot but you know what makes up for it?”

Chae blinked.

“When you end the game in victory.”

“**, you’re so cool!” Kexin exclaimed, making me flinch a little at how unexpected his loud reply was. “No wonder everyone likes you!” he added with a pout on his face. “When your team gets on the court and you start playing, you’re the only one that shines! Like there’s a spotlight hitting you wherever you go!”

I laughed out loud. That’s one of the best, purest compliment I’ve ever gotten that made me feel giddy. I always liked being complimented with my plays. The pride I have for volleyball is much bigger than any passion I have for flirting with boys. “Of course, I shine more than my teammates, I wear a different uniform from them after all.”

“When is Intercollageation starting, **?” Kexin asked.

“Intercollegiate.” Joey corrected Kexin which made me chuckle. Joey has always been the smarter one among the three of them. I could tell with just his aura.

“In two months, I think. I’ll let you three know so keep in touch, okay? Don’t leave out of the group chat.” I raised a thumb up and they nodded smiling. “I’ll try to keep in touch as well. Playing volleyball during college is hard work. It causes stress.”

Kexin suddenly slammed his fist over the table, frightening all of us. He made a long pause with a frown. “**, don’t play too well!”

My eyes widened in confusion. “If I don’t play well, our team will lose.”

“If you play too well…” He looked down, clenching his fist tighter. “More guys will like you and I don’t like that!” I almost wanted to burst into mad laughter at what he just said. “I want to be the only one that likes you!”

I laughed out loud, unable to keep it in. Kexin really is something. Just when I think he was out of energy for the frustration of not being with me anymore, he comes back even more energetic. Joey and Chae laughed along with me. “Do you like me that much?” I asked, not intending to hear his answer. It was more like a rhetorical question that I didn’t need to really find out.

“I’m sure there are better guys out there that likes her than you, Xin.” Joey teased.

“You’re right.” I admitted and leaned back to my chair like a queen. “There’s so many guys confessing to me but they only receive a sad rejection because no one’s ever gonna come close to my standards.” I said in a low voice so they only hear a muffled voice. I don’t want these three to be influenced by me after all. I’m not the best role model.

Well except possibly for Math.

Chae turned to me. “Teacher?”

I turned to her with an anticipating gaze.

“You might not like someone right now,” The way she looked at me… “But I’m sure there are so many guys that really really like you.”

My facial muscles twitched.

Hearing this from a high schooler sure felt different. I felt so offended for some reason – like she was slapping me with a ‘you’re so immature’ card in my face even if I already knew that myself. “Maybe that’s true.” I sighed. “Anyway, I’m not really that interested in dating anyone. It’s too much for your teacher.” I said, poking the tip of her nose.

Joey and Chae suddenly laughed.

I turned to them, wondering what was funny with what I said. Chae pointed to her side. “You’re breaking his heart, teacher.” I looked at Kexin who froze, his eyes and gaze looking afar like a dead man, lips trembling.

I chuckled. “That’s enough goofing around. Finish the equations so we can have more time to talk with each other after.”

“Teacher,”

I turned to Joey who still looked as cute as he did the first time I met him.

“Will you greet us when you meet us in school? Like when we visit the departments for college applications?”

I smiled. “Of course! Just make sure you do it too if you see me first.” I said, assuring all three of them.

Joey flashed a small smile, bobbing his head lightly.

“I’m going to be so sad if you forget me, **! Promise me you won’t forget this face!” Kexin leaned closer to me, pointing at his face as he sobbed – no tears falling from his eyes but he looked pretty sad. Like a cute puppy who wanted a treat from his fur parent.

“How can I forget you when you look so cute!” I poked his cheeks. “Don’t worry!” I exclaimed, bobbing my head to assure them more. “I’ll come visit the high school department when I have free time. I’ll visit every classroom you’re at.”

“Promise?” Kexin pouted even more. He was too cute. He was already a senior in high school, yet he was acting like a baby. And truthfully, it’s not really a bad thing. “Promise you’ll come visit us?”

I nodded, wiggling my brows at them. “I promise.” I raised my hand and placed it over my heart.

“And come to our graduation?”

I chuckled. Kexin’s far beyond my expectations. He was a lot more persistent than any other guy I met. But unlike them, I actually find this adorable. Maybe because I know myself that I wasn’t flirting with him. “I won’t make that promise but I promise I’ll try.”

The three nodded.

“Now, if you get these problems correct, I’ll take you all to an ice cream parlour so do well, okay?” For the brief moment I shared with Kexin, Joey, and Chae, I grew fond of their company every Saturday. I will miss these three, from the bottom of my heart.