Lab and Detention, was it?

"No, Auntie. I'm just here to help Leon," I heard from a familiar high-pitched voice downstairs. I ran my fingers through my hair and fixed the collar of my uniform for the last time. I double-checked the contents of my folder, making sure I brought the files containing my schoolmates' data with me. "What? Are you sure he's that excellent?" nanny Zhang asked curiously with a hushed voice. "Did you think otherwise? I mean, he's pretty silent," the woman said, "and well … I think that's what gives off his intimidating presence," she whispered. My eyebrows unconsciously furrowed at her remark. I checked the time and walked out of the second-floor lounge, heading downstairs with big strides. Without making eye contact, I said, "Britney, we're going to be late. Why don't you keep that mouth of yours from useless chitchats." "If you didn't take too much time, then we wouldn't be late, Leon." I was stupefied. Her pitch was lower, yet it didn't make her any less condescending and irritating. I receded and sighed, refusing to argue any further. This girl is so feisty. Why does she contradict me every time? Without a word, I strode towards the garage and rushed inside the car. I turned it on without sparing a second to wait for Britney. Thankfully, she got the cue and followed my lead immediately. She sat silently in the passenger seat, arms crossed, disappointment painted all over her face. I ignored her. Britney's opinion doesn't matter as long as we reach school at least less than ten minutes past the time. Upon seeing the premises of the school, I parked my car in my usual spot, which the others have strangely avoided. Opening the door with my left hand, I brought myself out and walked briskly towards the second gate. "Good morning, Leon. How're the preparations going?" "Good morning, Mr. Flynn. It's been rough, but I think we can make it tomorrow. And--" A slender figure suddenly collided with my solid back, interrupting our conversation. She walked right past between us with long strides, which she obviously tried hard to accomplish with her relatively shorter legs. I chuckled, seeing Britney's irritated expression and the stamping of her feet. How she came up with those emotions never fails to amuse me. I'm not doing anything to make her angry, am I? "That girl does not respect you," Mr. Flynn pointed out, his eyes on her. I smiled unconsciously, Indeed, she doesn't. The smell of coffee has invaded the entire student council office as I work at my desk with files of paperwork waiting for my signature. I skidded my fingers across the thickness of the pages when Britney suddenly plopped down a cup of coffee in front of me, spilling a few drops on my table. "Can't you be a little more careful?" I said harshly, but it was too late to bring those words back in my mouth. "What happened to your foot?" She shrugged, turned around, and struggled to walk evenly. Why is she not taking care of herself? I scrambled to search for Paracetamol in the medicine cabinet just behind me to help her reduce the pain, but upon finding it, I just shoved it right back in place. 'Whatever. She's her own responsibility.' "Hey, Pres! Can you explain what the ampicillin culture is for?" Rico, an Asian junior and the vice president of the student council, asked as he showed me a piece of paper. Printed on it is a research article. It displays a petri dish with colonies of bacteria, glowing green under UV light. "It's to eliminate those bacteria that didn't acquire antibiotic resistance … the ones unsuccessful in taking up the plasmid." * I have already transferred the pile of paper to my right. Ah, ten more pages, and I'll be able to go home. Thinking of taking a break at the cafe just a block away from school, I stood up and stretched my arms. I slid my wallet into my back pocket and ran for the door. It's already nighttime? The cold wind blew hard right after I went outside. A lot of students were giving me polite smiles as I walked past them. They are the ones in charge of the decorations, and they're all almost done, adding just their finishing touches to make tomorrow a little bit interesting for everyone. Biology, huh? And then med school follows. I've got a long way to go. As I passed by multiple rooms, I noticed the familiar slender figure. Her silhouette was always the same, daring and beautiful? Except now she's being carried, bridal style. Furry has risen, taking over each of my cells … my entire being. I immediately ran in their direction, my fists clenched tightly, clean nails digging into my cold palms. They're kissing. Are you kidding me!? Shortly, I caught up to them. "Dennis Hillary. Britney Rosalind. Don't you think what you're doing is inappropriate?" I asked, infuriated. I almost exploded when I noticed her wearing his shirt, which seemed to be oversized on her. What the f*ck? Dennis stopped walking. He looked surprised when he turned to face me, his mouth slightly ajar. "Hello there, Pres. We are--," "You are," I enunciated, "violating the school's rules, Mr. Hillary. Aren't you aware of the corresponding punishment? You too, Ms. Rosalind?" "It's not what you think, Leon," she said, her face unreadable and voice monotonous. My anger shot back up when I saw how tight her arms were clinging to his neck. What? She's afraid to have a bit of distance from him? "Two weeks of detention, can you deal with that?" They didn't answer me, which enraged me even more. I stared at how their bodies were touching, her flesh sculpted to fit just right with the arches and folds of his muscles. The sight was sickening. I badly wanted to snatch her away from him. Why am I being like this? Agony rushed to me, but I resisted showing it to anyone, especially in front of her. Instead, I continued with my indifferent gaze. "You are the secretary of the student council, and you're displaying such indecent acts?" I blurted out, without budging. I took a step forward to show her how mad I am. "How irresponsible of you, Ms. Rosalind." I saw tears run down her face. Her lower lip shaking, eyes displaying resentment and ... disappointment? I unconsciously dropped the ten papers I was holding. My stomach churned from the sudden pang of guilt and sadness. My knees weakened, I had to take a step back to prevent myself from completely yielding. "Bring me down, Dennis," she stated, her voice quivering yet displaying strength and willfulness. "But--" "Now." Dennis unwillingly obliged. Upon reaching the ground, she immediately fell. Her sprained ankle from earlier twisted in a much worse angle, dirtying his shirt and scraping her knees in the process. Sh*t. Various emotions gushed all over my body that I felt unstable, but I looked at her coldly and said, "Whatever." I walked past them and aimed towards the gate, my heart completely crushed. "Heartless," Britney whispered, but I heard it clearly. And it shattered me. I sauntered with the same pace I've started with, feeling empty. I didn't dare look back. I just walked away and headed to my car. I hit the steering wheel as hard as I can, muttering every profanity that I know of. * Staring past my lounge's glass walls, I saw people with their kids. They looked happy and carefree. The woman, who seemed to be the little boy's mother, was deliberately shoving the ice cream in her son's cheeks. The little human glared at his mom while playfully punching her in the tummy. The man just beside the woman was laughing the whole time as he made sure that his family was protected from any potential danger. A part of me wished I was the kid. Being left with money to act as my parents has made me an unhappy kid. I was never with a friend. My relationships with the people around me are pure business. Sighing, I heard a knock at the door. "Young master? The food is ready." Nanny Zhang's voice always unexpectedly warms my heart. The light smell of meat and smoke surrounded the whole dining room. My eyes squinted at the sudden intensity of light as I went downstairs with nanny Zhang. My fingers skidded across the intricate crevices of the table, appreciating the unexpected difference in texture as I sat down, ready to fill my stomach as I looked with anticipation. "Nanny, am I not suited for love?" She turned around to face me and sat down on one of the wooden chairs. The table, which showed off its glorious medium rare steak as its main character, was separating the two of us. "Hmm … I've taken care of you since you were little," she said, grinning. I nodded, smiling at her playful nature. I haven't realized it till now, but I think, at least nanny Zhang and I do not have a pure business relationship. "You have a big heart, Leon. You just have to risk opening it." "Opening my heart?" I asked, tilting my head at the strangeness of her words while ignoring the enticing food and the protest of my stomach. She nodded and patted my head. "Yep. You have to show how you really feel without fear … without the anxiousness of being left again.