CHAPTER 7
984 Words
Chapter 7
Mercy's question caught me off guard.
I hadn't expected her to ask me that.
If I said yes…
Mercy would definitely find it strange.
She knew how much I disliked boys carrying my school bag.
She might start asking questions I wasn't ready to answer.
But if I said no…
Wouldn't that be even worse?
Chris was Mercy's cousin.
If he was staying here, I'd probably be seeing him often from now on.
I didn't want to make things awkward between us before we had even become friends.
Besides...
If I had been hoping for a chance to build a friendship with him...
Wasn't this the perfect beginning?
Phew...
This was difficult.
On one side was Mercy's suspicion.
On the other...
Chris' unexpected kindness.
I was completely stuck.
Yes...
Or no?
Seeing them both waiting for my answer, I couldn't just leave them hanging.
Right?
So…
I opened my mouth.
Only to close it again.
"I think it's better if I carry it for her," Chris said before I could answer.
"After all, she's your friend. That makes her my friend too."
Without waiting for a reply, he gently took the bag from Mercy.
Then he looked at me.
And smiled.
It looked warm.
Friendly, even.
But his eyes didn't smile with his mouth.
That detail unsettled me more than his coldness ever had.
"Don't look so worried. I'm not stealing it.” Chris assured.
Of course, I knew he wouldn't dare.
But for some reason...
I couldn't shake the feeling that something dark was hiding behind that smile.
I wasn't sure why...
But I had a feeling Chris was planning something.
Something bad.
And somehow, I felt I was the target.
Now he had my school bag.
There was no way I could ask for it back without making things awkward.
I felt...
Helpless.
Still...
Whatever he was planning couldn't be that bad.
Right?
"Come on! We should get going. We're already late!" Mercy said, grabbing Chris by the wrist before hurrying toward the road.
I quickly followed behind them.
Out of habit, I glanced at my wristwatch.
7:35 a.m.
I wasn't too worried.
Today was the last day of school for my class.
After today, we'd be on holiday.
Mercy wasn't as lucky.
She was still in JSS2 at Elepe Junior School, so her class was only having revision lessons.
That explained the blue gown she wore over her white shirt.
Chris's uniform was different.
He attended the senior school.
Since I was in SS1 at another school, today marked the end of my second term.
But...
What class was Chris in?
I hadn't even thought to ask.
"I'm carrying your school bag, and you're still walking this slowly?"
Chris's voice drifted back to me.
He had turned halfway around, looking at me with an expression I couldn't quite read.
His mocking voice echoed in my ears.
I'm carrying your bag, yet you're still this slow? Mercy and I are already far ahead of you.
Chris turned his head slightly as he spoke.
He didn't rush his words.
He didn't hesitate either.
Every sentence came out calmly, almost as if he had carefully chosen each word before saying it.
That stopped me.
Far behind?
I looked ahead.
I wasn't even that far from them.
They were only a few metres away.
I could easily catch up.
So why did Chris make it sound like they were miles ahead of me?
Like catching up would require me to run a marathon?
I narrowed my eyes at him.
Of course, he couldn't see my expression because he was already facing forward.
Still, I gave him the coldest stare I could.
Even if he didn't notice.
I wasn't planning to give him the satisfaction of seeing me hurry because of his teasing.
But...
I increased my pace anyway.
A few seconds later, I caught up with them.
Now all three of us were walking at the same pace.
I glanced at Chris nervously.
There was something about him that made me feel like I had to choose my words carefully.
"Chris, what class are you in?" I asked.
I was simply curious.
The only thing I knew was that he wasn't in SS3.
In his school, SS3 boys wore green trousers, but Chris was still wearing shorts.
That meant he was either in SS1 or SS2.
Judging by his height, I had assumed he was probably in SS2.
I noticed Mercy glance at me the moment I asked the question.
The look she gave me was strange.
Almost suspicious.
But I ignored it.
Right now, my attention was on Chris.
Waiting for his answer.
His expression remained indifferent.
But somehow...
I felt like he wasn't happy with my question.
Why?
I hadn't asked anything wrong.
"I'm in SS1."
Chris answered calmly.
My eyes widened slightly.
He was in the same class as me?
So my guess had been wrong.
"Science?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Oh, Science. I'm in Commercial."
I smiled slightly.
"You Science students are really problem solvers. We Commercial students are just business strategists."
I don't know why...
But I wasn't usually the type of person to start conversations.
Especially not with boys I had only just met.
But something about walking beside Chris made the silence feel unbearable.
So I filled it.
Chris slowly turned his head toward me.
"You're right. Commercial students are business strategists..."
A small pause.
"And also losers."
I stopped walking.
Wait...
What?
How were we losers?
I looked at him in disbelief.
Beside me, I heard Mercy giggle.
I immediately turned and gave her a cold stare.
She quickly stopped.
"I'm sorry," she said, putting on a pleading expression.
I ignored her and looked back at Chris.
"Hey..."
I narrowed my eyes.
"What's your problem?”
And for the first time since I met Chris…
I challenged him.
What happened next — I did not expect.
- Writer
