5. Surprise

Still at the end of lunch break, school canteen. The sight of Anthony's eyes staring intently swept over every student who was still standing still in the cafeteria. In an instant the crowd dispersed from just the gesture of his eyes, returning to their respective classes. Elyn also received the same gazed while she hesitated between staying or leaving as if she hadn't seen anything. But no one knows what will happen and what he will do to the kid if Elyn leaves him.

Anthony's eyes were still watching her closely. Mark seems busy intimidating the kid who makes small mistakes and it is also not intentional. Sihan was able to catch the interest of Anthony who did not take his eyes off the new face.

“The new transfer kid came to our class, her name is Evelyn." Say Sihan whispers in case Anthony is curious.

“I didn't ask her name. But what about that look on her face, was she looking for trouble on purpose?” Anthony was provoked.

With just a hand gesture on Mark, the gang friends took the poor boy away to disappear from the canteen with them.

It was true that Elyn looked at Anthony with a look of hate and anger. Clearly emanating from the look in her eyes, Elyn could not allow the deeds of Anthony and his friends. Bullying the weaker ones in groups, it's the same as criminal. In the distance someone observes the situation, looking for the right timings to appear. He doesn't want to be dramatic, but he wants to see what's really going on. The plan originally wanted to give a surprise failed miserably due to circumstances out of control.

Anthony walks close to Elyn. Although they were quite close, no one started the conversation. For a matter of seconds only the eyes staring contest takes place without sound.

“You'd better leave if you don't want to get into trouble.” Say him in a low voice.

Elyn was not sure whether she would regret this later or not, for sure at this time she did not want to retreat. “If I refuse?”

“Just try it. I'll make sure you regret it.” This warning is very serious. Honestly Anthony was provoked by Elyn's sharp gaze at him. That's why now he's not feeling good about it.

“You will be the one who will regret if once again I see you and your friends are so full of yourself, do anything you want without even think twice, think of other and don't care bare consequence.” Now Elyn understands that Anthony is the type of child who feels that harming others is not a fault or bad thing.

“Oh yeah? What are you gonna do? Complaint?” He was deliberately provoking. With a smile on his face, looked confident.

Elyn did not in the least intend to retreat from this shootout. "Curious? Try it if you dare.”

Anthony laughed feeling silly, did she really think he would retreat because of her threat. “You'd better learn about your position before meddling in other people's Affairs.”

Elyn didn't want to lose. “What makes you think you can do whatever you want at will? Your parents' money?”

“You! Say it again?” Anthony narrowed the distance, stepping forward closer and closer towards Elyn.

Meanwhile Sihan was on standby to prevent Anthony from fighting with the girl but he quickly lost to someone else.

“ANTH, my best friend!!” Shouted James while running into Anthony's arms, not rather saying forcing a hug on him. “I miss you so much! Where are the others? Why is it so hard for me to find you all.”

“You–” Anthony was very surprised by the appearance of James. “When you come? You're back?” he took off James's arms to look at his old friend's face.

“Yup! I am back! So, give me a hug longer please...” James tried to get back in Anthony's arms but this time was rejected as hard as he could.

“No-no, stop it!” Snapped him.

At this time Antony's face, which showed more expressions than just the usual sour or cold expressions, made Elyn dumbfounded watching from the side. It seems that the surprise that James made about his return did not completely fail.

James signaled to Sihan that they should leave immediately while Anthony's attention was distracted. Whether it was obvious or not, James was intent on stopping Anthony from doing anything he plan to do. About whether James intended to be captured by Elyn or not, it did not matter. Only, James does not want on the day of reunion to gather with his friends after a long time spoiled by trifles.

Coming like a storm crashing fast then passing like silence after the rain, that was Elyn's impression on the person who looked so close to Anthony. Yeah, that's pretty obvious. He calls Anthony his best friend. But it's not the time for Elyn to be amazed by someone who looks like the storm earlier, she also has to go back to class. Of course, to the same class where the troublemaker gang are.

Meanwhile after James dragged Anthony along with him.

“Hey, I asked When are you coming back?” Anthony is annoyed that he has not received an answer from James.

“Ah that, you want to hear? All right, I'll tell you...”

***

James's return schedule from his student exchange program was indeed accelerated, which he was supposed to return to when the new semester began later. But he can't wait to get together with his friends, and also wants to make a surprise. After all, in London the program he participated in was over, it didn't matter that he came home ahead of schedule. Actually, James has returned to homeland since yesterday, he also had time to stop by to find friends in their old club room. Thought everyone would be there. Yes, as sure as James believed that he was determined to come to school without unpacking the closet to wear a uniform. There was no one in the club room. Even worse, the club room is abandoned like it has not been occupied for a long time. Because it feels a bit wrong to wander around the school without a uniform to look for the whereabouts of his friends, then undo the intention James did. Finally, he stayed in the club room and cleaned the room, not because he was diligent but because there was nothing to do while he was already there.

“But why? Why is the club room such a mess?" James Protests. “Have you never been there again? To the Assembly Hall, our secret base?”

Sihan wanted to prevent James from bringing it up, but what power he had was indeed as a person with a weaker position among them. While Anthony only silently received James's complaint.

"Hey, what is it? Tell me?” James demanded an explanation.

“Go back to your class. Don't skip class while you're back.” That cold and sour facial expression became Anthony’s Shield, when he wanted to show people around to keep distance. Then he walked away and left James. Sihan followed him behind.

“Hey! I'm not done talking yet...” James's call was ignored. Abandoned, James had no choice but to hold up his curiosity. He is getting used to Anthony's moody habit.

“You, too, go back to class. Don't let your chemistry grade get red again." Anthony said to Sihan who is still faithful to follow him.

“Are you okay?” asks Sihan, not sure if he can let Anthony alone.

“Just go.” While Anthony step went elsewhere after sending Sihan back.

Most of the students are indeed in their classes following the lessons. But Anthony is very sure that the person he wants to meet must be in that room right now. Not because he hated the subjects on the schedule at this turn time, but the teacher who filled the class. Even though that person did not attend class, his grades were still the best among students in mathematics. As student council president he has no difficulty learning on his own and maintaining his position.

Anthony didn't feel the need to knock on the student council room even though it wasn't his territory. Once inside he immediately strafe William with questions.

“Did you know James is back? Or am I the only one who doesn't know? Then,” he felt heavy to ask the next question. “Why did you leave that place there? Why don't you get rid of it or change it, using it for another room? At least if you want to keep it, you should take care of it properly!”

William, who found the annoying brat once entered the room full of questions and angry at the end of the sentence, could easily suspect something had happened. William stood up from his seat leaving the computer still on.

“Wow wait… What's wrong? What are you talking about, James and what room?” William tries to remember every sentence Anthony told him and once again digest.

“Wait! James is back? What do you mean? Of course I didn't know about that and just heard it from you.” happy to hear the news of James's return.

He was locked up in the student council room for a long time until he had not heard anything about what was happening out there.

“When did he come back? Where is he?” It was William's turn to ask Anthony. “What do you mean by room? What kind of room do you mean?”

"Sigh. Forget it!” Anth walked out leaving by slamming the door.