My confinement in the hospital did not take long because I do not want to stay there any longer. Staying in there is so depressing because I dislike seeing the patients and people crying and hearing their sobs.

I just remained in my room without doing anything at all. I was lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling blankly. I could also hear the crickets like its whispering in my ears.

I came back to my senses and sat down on my bed promptly when I heard a knock on my door.

"Come in," I responded. The door opened and mom came in.

"Good morning, sweetie! How are you feeling?" she asked with so much worry.

My classes start at seven-thirty a.m. The time right now is six a.m and I have been awake since four.

I just nodded to my mom. I managed to talk to dad last night and like her, he was concerned about me as well. He apologized for not being here with me because he was busy running our business. I understand him, though. He is just working hard for our family.

"Sweetie?" I became aware that mom was already talking to me when she called.

"Hm?"

"I said, are you sure you are going to school today?" she repeated. "I can call your teachers and tell them you are feeling unwell."

"I am fine, mom," I simply replied and smiled.

"Minerva, if you are just worried to miss a lesson, a quiz, or an activity, then please, do not give me that reason. School is indeed essential but our health is much more valuable than our grades."

"Mom," I chuckled at her reaction. "Do not fret. I always prioritize my health and I am not concerned about missing anything. I said that I am fine. So, chill out, mom. Okay?"

I think I somehow convinced her because she did not say anything but nod.

I am not that competitive. Well, maybe I am but not really. It is just a drag for me. Yes, I care about my grades so much. But when it comes to our health and family bondings, I always spare so much time for them. I would miss class if I could.

We talked for a moment before she left to settle things up downstairs. Even if both my parents are occupied with their jobs, they always spare some time for me. They love me and I love them more.

"Are you sure you will not change your mind?" Mom questioned me again when I was about to go out of the car.

"Mom," I giggled again. "I am fine. Really. Do not worry now, please? Besides, I will call you immediately if ever I start feeling something bad."

She looked at me seriously. "You promise?"

I nodded. "I promise."

After I said that, I kissed her on the cheek and exited the car.

When I entered Magsville, I headed for the pantry. It is still early so there is no need to rush. Besides, Lia and the squad are in the pantry waiting for me.

When I reached the pantry, my eyes roamed around to look for them. There are plenty of students even at this early time of the morning. Some students especially those who live not too close from here prefer to take their breakfasts here in the pantry to avoid getting late. Practical mind thinking.

When I spotted my friends, I speedily ran towards them.

"Oh, gosh! It's Minerva! Guys, Min is here!" I heard Neal announced to the whole gang while pointing at me.

"MIN!" I was flabbergasted when Lia and Sam ran towards me before I could reach the table. They hugged me so tight that I could feel my eyes popping out.

"G-Guys... You a-are killing m-me..."

When they realized it, they instantly let go of me.

"Sorry, Min. You had us worried back there." Lia said and Sam agreed.

Then, Lainux threw a question at me, "How are you, Min?"

"I am fine now." I merely said and beamed at them to somehow ease their worries.

"What happened to you? Why did you collapse in that bookstore? And what were you doing in a dark corner?" Lia asked me consecutive questions as we walked a little closer towards the table.

However, Sam asked sarcastically just before I could speak up. "Do not tell me you were reading in the dark?"

Silence answered their questions first. How could I answer them anyway? Even I know nothing about what happened to myself. It was so abrupt and I could not remember even a single thing.

"Min?"

"I do not know." Both of them looked at me in confusion because of my answer. They did not expect that. "My mind is just...black. I could not recall anything."

"Maybe you had a trauma or something," Neal suggested.

"Maybe I could find some answers on the internet?" I shook my head to Lainux's suggestion.

I do not want to trouble my friends just because of what happened.

Moreover, I always forget that Lainux is such a techie guy. He works with his computer, laptop, or sometimes his gadgets almost day and night and I am kind of jealous of the fact that his eyes are still in perfect condition. What a fortuitous guy.

"But are you sure you are alright, Min? I can call Tita if youー"

"Lia, I am fine. Really. Worry not, okay? I just...Maybe I was just tired or whatever. But right now, I feel totally fine. So, no need to fret." I did not mean to cut her off. It is just that, I was so tired of being asked by that question repetitively. It is quite irritating.

I could see that she was about to say something. Instead, she just smiled and nodded.

We had a little conversation first before the bell rang. Nevertheless, I chose not to talk about what happened to me anymore. I told them not to talk about it since it always gives me a headache. I do not want to remember it and whatever the reason why I did not remember a thing, mayhap it is for the best.

We were about to go to the classroom when I realized I forgot something when I checked my bag.

"You have got to be kidding me!" I slapped my face softly. "Guys, you go on ahead. I forgot my scientific calculator in my locker." I told my friends as they looked at me.

"Sure. Want me to come with you?" Lia offered but I just shook my head and told them to go on ahead.

Without any other choice, they just nodded.

I was panting when I reached my locker. Magsville University is not an ordinary school, you know. It has modernized lockers and it is so organized. It is well-arranged by school level and sections. Since I belong to the second section or the Model Class, our lockers can be located easily just like the first section or the School of the Future (SOF) Class.

When I finally caught my breath, I opened my locker without any hesitation by entering my PIN on the mini digital screen of my locker. When I opened it, I swiftly get my book and placed it inside my bag. I closed the door immediately after that.

I did not bother fixing my other kinds of stuff inside my locker. Ma'am Osawa does not like it when someone interrupts her in class. She told us that on the first day. The first and second day are acceptable, but the third and so on are questionable.

I am currently running in the corridor. There are only a few students left and I do not care at all anymore about how I look. Most students are already in their classes and I think this is not good anymore. I quickly turned left in the hallway but unfortunately, I accidentally bumped into someone.

Ouch!

"S-Sorry..." I apologized while my other hand is holding the side of my head.

It is my fault because I was in a hurry. Who would even think I would bump into someone anyway? Hopefully, this person is not a teacher or the principal himself.

"Miss, are you alright?" I quickly opened my eyes when someone spoke.

Isn't it obvious that it was kind of a hard bump? And to think that I am late now, of course, I am not okay!

I looked at the person speaking and saw him offering his hand in front of me. Is he the gentleman now? Not interested in that for now.

"Yeah, sorry," I said as I stood up.

I did not bother at all to accept his hand. I can manage to stand up on my own. The important is, the stuff inside my bag did not scatter on the ground. Otherwise, it would waste a lot of time even more.

"If you say so. Why are you running so fast in the hallway, anyway?" he asked.

I took a deep breath and gave him a serious look.

Relax., Minerva! You do not have to be short-tempered today. Control your temper. Inhale... Exhale...

"And whyー"

"Seriously? Can you please stop asking questions? It is none of your business, dude." Oops! I think my temper just exploded. It is just so difficult to control it. When I heard the bell again, that is when I recall that I am so late. "Whatever. If I were you, I would go to my class now."

After I said that, I run pass through him. I did not wait for his reply. Maybe I will get more and more frustrated again if he speaks once more. Additionally, my mind is hurting a bit. The bump earlier gave me a huge impact.

I wonder, could he be a transfer student? He was not wearing a uniform. Or could he be a janitor? If so, why is he not carrying any cleaning tools? Whatever. He is out of my concern for now.

"Yoshida, why are you late?" Ma'am Osawa immediately asked me when I arrived at our classroom panting and sweating.

It looks like she is currently discussing in front of the whole class until I interrupted it. She is our Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health or MAPEH teacher; and I can see MAPEH books on top of everyone's desk.

All eyes are on me now and I could see my friends' worried eyes on me.

Great, Minerva. Just great.

"Ma'am, I am very sorry." I took a deep breath as I am trying to calm myself. "I forgot something in my locker so I went back in a hurry to get it and the locker area is quite far from our building here. I am sorry, ma'am!"

"You are late for fifteen minutes and you were not able to do your job in cleaning."

"I know and I am very much to blame for being irresponsible. Ma'am, I will try my very best that this will not happen again."

Ma'am Osawa let out a huge sigh before putting down the chalk on the table.

"Fine. I will forgive you this time, Yoshida,"

"Thank you, maー"

"Since it is still your first week. But if you will be late again and miss your cleaning duty, you will be cleaning the entire lobby for a week." she cut me off then looked at my classmates. "But the next time that you will be late for more than twice, I will mark you absent. Is that clear to all of you?" The way my adviser speaks right now is so serious.

"Yes, ma'am!" I and my classmates answered in unison.

"Very good. You may now take your seat."

"Thank you." I bowed a little to show my respect and walked straight to my seat.

No matter how much I deny it, this is quite embarrassing. I should try my very best not to be late again.

Right after I took my seat, the class was discontinued again when I heard someone knocked on the door even if it was left open. I was able to see our adviser walked to the door in my peripheral vision. But I did not see the person who knocked because Lia poked my left cheekーthe reason why my attention diverted to her.

"You look miserable," she said. "What happened, Min?"

I was about to answer her when suddenly, ma'am Osawa walked back in front againーwith the principal of Magsville, Mr. Ricardo Touchwood.

The whole class stood up and we all greeted him together. "Good morning, Mr. Touchwood!"

He greeted us back and gave us a sweet smile. He is really cute when he does that. We sat back in our chairs again after the greeting.

Did something happen? Why is the principal here?

My classmates started murmuring to each other. Even my friends started to wonder and we exchanged confused glances. According to everyone, Mr. Touchwood rarely visits the classrooms and he only does that when he is inspecting or if something matters.

"Okay, class. I would like to apologize for interrupting your class without any prior notice," he stated.

"No, not all, Mr. Touchwood!" Ma'am Osawa answered on behalf of us. "You are more than welcome to enter the classroom anytime you want."

"Thank you, ma'am Osawa." He smiled at her before facing us again. "Grade 12 Model Class Section Osawa, I would like you to meet your new classmate. You may now come in."

The murmuring started to get louder and we all diverted our attention to the door when an attractive and tall man came in.

Yup, there is no denying it. He is goddamn hot! I could see my female classmates' heart-shaped eyes and their faces are all red. On the other hand, our male classmates gave the new guy the 'jealous stare' for captivating the girls' hearts.

The murmuring stop and all I heard was heartbeats.

But the problem is...

"Hey, Minerva! You are drooling, girl!" Sam made fun of me and she laughed so hard.

Unbelievable! Can anyone blame me? Who would have even thought that the new guy in our section is the same guy that I bumped into earlier? I was really mad at him for Christ's sake and I was so sassy! Now he is here?!

When I and the new guy's eyes met, he smiled at meーno, smirked at me. I felt so irritated again because of what he did. So I broke the eye contact.

Our adviser and the principal talked first for a few minutes before he bid goodbye to us and left.

In addition to that, that is not the weird part. I noticed that my friends are always smiling. Like, they are so happy. All of them are smiling like a Cheshire-cat and it is creeping me out.

"Guys," I called them. "Why the hell are you smiling like a Cheshire-cat? Are you on drugs?" They first looked at each other and burst into laughter.

What the hell? Why are they acting weird?

"You will see, Min. You will see." Neal said.

This is not making any sense at all. So I looked back in front again and studied the new guy who is just standing so innocently at the front.

"Kindly introduce yourself now." Ma'am Osawa told him and smiled.

Why is she being so kind? Urgh, Minerva! This is weird.

"Listen very carefully, Min" Neal whispered and gave me a wink.

I just let out a huge sigh and did not answer him. It was then that I noticed that he was already looking at me.

"My name is Francis Zaveri."