"Not the entire day, Jenna. I can't stand not talking to you."

When he said that, I stopped walking. Does he acknowledge that he's trying to avoid me?

"Why are you ignoring me then?"

"Isn't that what you wanted?" He stared at me. "It was you who ignored me first when you saw me this morning."

So he noticed me earlier when I saw him in the guardhouse.

"Oh, yeah, I was going to ignore you," I admitted.

"I understand, and I'm making an effort to respect your boundaries, but I can't tolerate it when someone takes advantage of you."

My forehead wrinkled. "What are you talking about?"

"Ismael just told me that even if you throw me away, I won't go distant from you."

I rolled my eyes. Are you telling me you're here even though you don't want to? What did Mael tell you, and why do you care so much about me?"

He ruffled my hair. "I can't tell you yet, but consider this: I know something about you, and that's the reason I need to protect you, as you have a bird's brain."

I raised the edge of my snout and struck him. "Tsk. Don't talk like you're bigger than me! Why? What's big about you?"

He grinned, so I understood his muted response. I struck his chest. "What a pervert!"

I ran away from him. "What? I've never said anything, Jenna!"

"Do you think I won't grasp what you mean? Arsehole!"

He laughed before pursuing me. "Why? What did you think about?"

"Yuck! Do not touch me! Ew!" I shoved him, as he was ready to capture me. "You're gross, Yves!"

"Wow? I did not say anything! You're the one with a green mind. What are you thinking, huh, lady?"

"Uggh! You are so stupid!" I hurried to our gate and left him there. God! I can't! I totally dislike him!

I jumped into my bed and rested my head on the pillows. I can't stop heating my face. Why did I ask that? Now it will never leave my mind. I'm really curious!

No! I should eliminate that memory!

*****

I got to the academy earlier than usual. It is to prevent colliding with Yves. I had trouble sleeping because I couldn't stop thinking about how filthy our conversation was. I even had dreams of him!

What type of fourteen-year-old had a wet dream? It is incomprehensible! I may be the one who is truly perverted. I was unaware of its appearance, but thanks to him, I now have a strong desire to witness one. I sinned against the Lord. I need to attend church as soon as possible.

"Jenna!"

I heard someone call me. Thinking about Yves, I almost disregarded him, but discovered it was Sir Bascus.

"Yes, sir?"

"Are you alone now?" he enquired.

"Y-yes, sir. Why?"

"Come to my office then," he said, and I did.

"So, have you come up with the dance you're going to submit?" he asked before sitting down at his desk.

"Ah, I was thinking about it yesterday. I was about to discuss it with you, Sir Bascus."

"Really? Then dance. Let me see it." He rested his two elbows on the table and closed his palms. He gives me a long glance.

"H-here, sir?"

"Yes, dance in front of me."

I swallowed anxiously. I'm not sure why I got so caught up in the way he looked at me.

"Ah, I do not have any music with me. Wait a minute. I will be back—"

"Then sing. Sing while shaking your ass, so I can evaluate whether your presentation is excellent enough to get extra credit."

I gasped with dread. "O-okay, sir."

I let out a sigh before beginning to snap. I was preparing to dance when we both heard a knock at the door. I was astonished to find Yves waiting in the doorway. What's he doing here?

"Yes, Mr. Roize?" asked Sir Bascus, clearly displeased.

"Our first class was about to begin. I'm looking for Jenna, and I see she's here."

Sir Bascus looked at me as if he were annoyed. "Your friend is here once again, Jenna," he exclaimed, his face revealing his dislike for delays. "I would like to tell you that the second time we're interrupted, goodbye to your eighty-two."

I gulped anxiously as my chest clenched. I would have been relieved when Yves pulled me out, but I was not. My brow wrinkled as I gazed at him. He was angry. I don't know why. He's not saying anything and is gripping my hand firmly.

"W-wait, Yves—"

I saw we weren't heading to the room and questioned. "W-where are we going? You said the first class was about to start."

I just noticed the two of us behind the building. I can no longer protest since he stared at me as if I had done something horrible.

"Don't you use your brain? Why are you in his office?"

"Huh?" I enquired in perplexity. "We're just doing something—" I refrained from fully explaining the reason because I didn't want him to know the truth.

"Something?!" he exclaimed. "What's up with your head, Jenna? You're only fourteen years old! What are you doing now? You are letting that old man take advantage of you!"

"Old man? Take advantage?" I repeated. "What are you talking about? I'm the one in need, so I'm in there!"

"Hah!" His eyes flared with rage. It's the first time I've seen him like this. What's the problem? Why is he so angry? "I cannot believe you, Jenna! I'll make sure Ismael knows about this. You're so difficult to deal with."

He grabbed his phone and attempted to call Ismael, but I interrupted him. "What is wrong with you? What will you report to him? I am not doing anything wrong!" I attempted to take his phone from him after hearing it ring.

"Do you even hear yourself? You're with that old man early in the morning, alone in his office. What would he do to you if I didn't come?"

I clinched my fist. "Why? What do you think we will do? He is a teacher, Yves! What harm do you believe he'll do to me?"

He grinned. "Yes, he's a teacher, but why is he after you?!" he yelled frustratedly.

"What?"

I've already lost the strength to stop him. I just caught sight of both of us sitting in front of Ismael in the cafeteria.

"What's with the two of you?" Ismael asked us. "Yves, Jenna, ten minutes have already passed. Are you not going to speak?"

I rolled my eyes. "Speak to him. He ruined everything for me." I remembered Sir Bascus' admonition. Am I going to say goodbye to that 82 grade? If it stayed at seventy-three, am I going to repeat grade ten?

"No. What have I ruined? I was helping you, but it appears you have dirty business with him, huh?"

I was startled. Does he already know?

"Are we talking about that teacher, Yves?" Mael asked a serious question.

"Precisely."

Mael gave me a harsh stare that made my body shiver. "Jenna, explain yourself."

I swallowed and refrained from speaking right away due to anxiety.

"Tell me."

I sighed before accepting defeat. "He told me that my grade was seventy-three at P.E., so I had to pass a special project." I stooped to answer him. Despite the fact that he was not the eldest of the three of us, he scared me more than Yves.

"And what special project is that?"

"I need to dance. I came there earlier to counsel on the dance I had chosen."

I overheard him sigh. "In exchange for a higher grade?"

I nod. "He says when my performance is good, the highest grade I will get is eighty-two."

He took another long breath, as if he disliked what I was saying. "I see."

I turned around to see Mael, but he was simply staring at Yves, as if they were communicating through their eyes.

"From now on, you won't go near that teacher, Jenna."

I sighed in disbelief. "What? B-but what about my grade? I am going to fail!"

"You will always be near Yves, so he can protect you," he continued, as if he hadn't heard my query.

"Huh? Mael, he's not protecting me, but rather troubling me! Sir Bascus promised to drop me the second time he spotted us together!"

"Jenna," she addressed me forcefully. "I don't want to tell you this, but you left me with no other choice. That teacher is plotting something. He is a pervert. He does not want to be disturbed since he prefers to be alone with you. You know what's going to happen next, right?"

I couldn't speak in shock. I only glanced at Yves, but he didn't look at me. Is what I've heard true?

"I can see that this topic is over. See you around."

Mael said goodbye to us. He hurried back to his classroom, leaving Yves and me in the cafeteria. So this explains why Yves acted that way earlier?

"You want to eat?" he said softly out of the blue, as if soothing me. "You see, we are late for our first class. Do you want to eat a snack instead?"

I just stared at him, feeling ashamed. He was merely protecting me, but I was foolish enough to treat him that way. And here he is, talking softly and asking me to join him for a snack. I nodded with humility.

"Alright. Wait for me here." He was about to stand up when I touched the edge of his uniform. He looked at me.

"Mael told me to always be near you, so I'll go with you."

We stared at each other for a few seconds until I realized one thing: I couldn't halt my heartbeat any longer. It's calling his name.

"Okay."

I followed him around like a toddler as we went to buy our snacks together. He was talking to the merchants while I stared at his broad back and stunning black hair.

Our eyes met again, and I can't stop thinking about how it looks for me. But, for myself, I prefer to stare at them for a long period.

"Let's return to the table." My heart continues to pound even while we eat. As he always did, he placed the straw in my yoghurt and brought me my meal. I feel like a princess when he's around me. He is the one who handles everything for me.

"I might melt," he murmured. He realized that I had been staring at him for quite some time, even during our earlier visit to the cafeteria. Now that we're back in the classroom and I'm sitting next to him, I'm still staring at him.

"Bear with it," I said. He grinned and shook his head as he copied the notes onto the board.

"This is my payment for writing my notes," I said quietly, referring to what he was doing.

"Can you pay by gazing now?" He looked at me briefly before returning his attention to the board and our notebooks. He's the one who writes for me. So, what else can I do for him now?

"You can do it too!" I exclaimed.

"Well, I simply accept a kiss as a token of gratitude." Is this so?

I immediately kissed his cheek, but it was too late when I realized he was about to turn around, so I hit his lips. My eyes expanded, and in shock, I collapsed into the chair.

"Jenna, are you okay?" He was concerned while taking my hand in the cold to assist me.

Shit. Did that actually happen? Why doesn't he just pretend it didn't happen? I clung to my mouth as I attempted to stand up and return to my chair. I noticed my students' curiosity, as they both wanted to know what had happened to me.

"Jenna..." I returned my gaze to Yves, leaving a trace of lipstick on his lips. Shit!

I dashed to the restroom to calm my overexcited heart.

Good heavens! That was my first kiss!