Chapter 4

“At least people liked her. What about you? Why do you keep bullying her? Do you like her?”

Knight’s question hang in the air as all of my classmates looked at him. I did too.

Everyone was shocked that this new guy is already talking back to the number one bully in the campus.

I have never expected a cute and adorable Knight who eats a burger like a kid is looking really serious and scary right now.

Julian, who was silenced for about ten seconds, found himself and scoffed at Knight. He was to him and cocked his head to the side. “And just who are you?” He asked him. “Do you know who you talked back at?” He asked again but now, with a warning in his voice.

I looked at Knight and he’s looking back at Julian with equal flames in his eyes. He’s not even taken aback at all!

“You. Who else?” Knight replied with an equal threat.

Everyone gasped at his remark. He just defied Julian Paredes. Again.

Julian raised his brow as his jaw tightened. I know that he felt insulted but I was happy that he got his match. He’s way too hard on bullying and I like that he is insulted. If karma would strike, he would at least have twenty embarrassing moments.

“You—”

“Good morning, class!”

Julian was about to punch Knight when Mr. YuHarrygco, our teacher in Chemistry, arrived. He pursed his lips in a firm line and pointed a finger at Knight. “You’ll have your time.” He warned and Knight just stared back at him, not even looking taken aback.

Everyone then settled and I looked at Knight. “You shouldn’t have done that.” I whispered to him.

He looked at me and smiled. “What do you mean?” He asked. “He doesn’t have the right to bully people like that.” He continued. “And besides, I consider you my friend now. I protect my friends.” He finished before looking at Mr. YuHarrygco that’s starting a new topic.

“I heard we have a transferee.” Mr. YuHarrygco beamed as he looked around finding for Knight. “Oh! There he is!” He smiled. “I hope you know how to balance an equation because you’re going to answer my first problem.” He said and he started to write the chemical equation that Knight should balance.

_ Pb(OH)₂ + _ HCl = _ H₂O + _ PbCl₂

Mr. YuHarrygco nodded at Knight and he stood up to answer the question in front.

Everyone was laughing and was expecting that he would not get the right answer. I think everyone’s opinion on Knight is divided now. I’m pretty sure that every girl turned their heads when they saw him pass by him this morning but since he had the guts to talk back to Julian, they might think of him as a delinquent as well.

1 Pb(OH)₂ + 2 HCl = 2 H₂O + 1 PbCl₂

Mr. YuHarrygco smiled at Knight as he finished balancing the equation spot on. He didn’t even list how many molecules is which. He just answered it and placed the numbers.

Isn’t that pure genius?

Or was the equation that easy?

“Very well, Mr. Javier.” Mr. YuHarrygco beamed as Knight walked back to his seat. I saw him glance and smirk at Julian when he passed by his chair.

I shut my eyes. This is going to be a long day for him and Julian because everyone knows that he hates losing to someone. Especially now that he found another person who can match his angst.

Everyone followed Knight as he sat on his chair. He looked at me and smiled.

“What’s this?”

“Is he dating Ashejan?”

“Wow! Ashejan’s really fast when it comes to boys.”

I rolled my eyes as I heard some murmurs around. I heard Genina cuss under her breath about how people are so mindful of others’ lives that they forget about theirs. I looked at her and mouthed that it’s okay since they might be right about me and my exes.

The class was peaceful until it was lunch time.

Julian walked over to Knight and looked at him with anger in his eyes. “You think you’re a hero because you saved this pitiful woman?” He asked him as he pointed at me. He smirked. “Well, you thought wrong, New Boy. You can’t protect anyone from me.” He said as he took my bag and threw all its contents on the floor.

Everyone gasped.

“Julian Paredes!” Genina was getting pissed as well. I am too but I’m too tired to even think about what Julian thinks of me right now. After all, he thinks badly of anyone because he’s a bully.

Julian cocked his head to the side as he raised his brow at Knight and smirked. “You can’t save what’s dead, Javier.”

Everyone could sense hostility in the way he spoke Knight’s name. He must have hated his guts right now. After all, Knight is the only person who dared to talk back to him.

Julian was about to walk out of the room when Knight began talking. “Nothing’s dead. She’s not dead, Julian Paredez.” He replied as he helped me pick up all my things on the floor. Genina helped too but she did it with a lot of curses under her breath.

“Does he bully people a lot?” He asked me and I nodded.

“Yes. He does that since elementary.” I replied.

“So you know him for a long time?” He asked me again.

I smiled and nodded. “Apparently.” I spoke.

“Unfortunately.” He corrected my word.

I smiled and shook my head. “He’s always been like that so I really don’t take his words to heart. I’ve grown used to him teasing me like that.” I explained.

He scoffed. “He must have liked you a lot that he always wastes his time to tease you every single day.” He beamed.

“What?” I asked in disbelief. “That person? No. He doesn’t know what it feels like to like someone.” I replied.

“Because his eyes only see you.” He beamed back and there, I knew that he made his point. But no. How could one like someone when all one does is bully that someone?

And besides, it’s Julian Paredes.

I shook my head and just picked my things up.

“I think you’re right.” Genina told Knight. “Maybe that ass-hole really likes Ashejan and he’s bullying her to get attention. Don’t you think?” She looked at me.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “Let’s not talk about this him, please.” I told them and they stopped.

“Hey,” Genina called Knight who slung his backpack around his shoulder. “Where are you eating lunch?” She asked.

Knight looked at me and Genina and smiled. “I’m going to the library.” He replied. “I’m not really hungry.” He added and then bowed at us and walked out of the door.

Genina looked at me and then at Knight. “Tell me a story, Ashejan Araullo.” She told me.

“What?” I asked.

She narrowed her eyes on me. “How did you and the new guy know each other?” She asked me. I knew it.  I knew she’s noticed that Knight talks to me like I am his friend.

No. He told me he considers me as a friend.

As we walked to the cafeteria, I told her what happened yesterday. From the time Jervic broke up with me to the time it rained and I met Knight to the time we ate breakfast a while ago.

“So, you’re close like that, huh?” She asked me as she munched on her ham sandwich.

I shook my head. “He’s just like that because I was the first person he knew.” I reasoned. “And besides, I think he’s just really a kind-hearted person. It’s a natural thing for him to help.”

She scoffed at me and shook her head. “Yeah, right.” She said as she drunk her juice. “And just when I thought that you’re the person who’s so experienced with boys, you proved me wrong.” She told me.

I narrowed my eyes at her. “It’s not what you think.” I told her.

She laughed. “Then what?” She asked me and I bit my lip.

“He’s just kind!” I reiterated and she shrugged at me. “Whatever you say, Ashejan.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes. Why is she even thinking too advanced? There hasn’t even been twenty-four hours since I knew Knight and she’s telling me that he likes me already. It’s not possible. He’s just kind and nice.

“Hey, look.” Genina told me as she motioned for me to look at my right. “Is he breaking up with his newest again?” She asked me as we watched Jericho Marquez break up with his new fling. It hasn’t even been three days and he’s already breaking up with her.

Genina shook her head. “He’s really a heartbreaker.” She commented. “I’m glad you’re over him already.” She added and I gave her a look.

“It’s been a year since I dated him!” I beamed. Jericho Marquez is my ninth boyfriend but we only lasted for a month and a half. But even then, I still hold the longest record on all of his flings. He’s a real playboy, just like his best friend, Hades Cortez, who I dated before him.

Upon saying those words, I saw Jericho glance at me in my peripheral vision. I looked at Genina and she’s grown stiff and motioned behind me.

“You were saying?” I heard Jericho from behind. I cannot be wrong. That voice belonged to Jericho. I slowly looked up and saw him looking down at me.

“Can you stand up?” He asked me. His voice is a bit scary so I stood up without question. The next thing he did was unexpected.

He pulled me in and kissed me. Torridly. In front of everybody.