The next morning, the vibration of my phone woke me up.

Groaning, I put my phone on silent mode after I saw the dozens of messages pouring in.

I settled back in bed. Lord knows I'm not getting up early on a Saturday.

Ten minutes later, I groaned again and sat up. Fucking hell, now I can't even fall back asleep!

I showered then headed downstairs.

Annie was eating a plate of bacon and eggs at the dining table. She glanced up from her phone at me as I sat down at the other end of the table. "'Good morning. You're up early, it's only 10 am."

I shrugged. "Hey, guess that's the effect of sleeping early."

She hummed.

I spent the rest of the weekend eating, gaming, exercising, studying, and, of course, sleeping. All too soon, it was Monday morning.

Lunchtime, that's when I should carry out the plan-

Mr. Howard yelled, "Mr. Smith!"

I blinked, focusing on him. "Yes, sir?"

"I've been asking you to come to solve the problem on the board for the last minute!"

I nodded. "Sorry. I'll get to that right away."

Several people sucked in a breath as they heard my response. Even Mr. Howard furrowed his brow.

"Um... alright then. Get to work."

I took the marker and walked toward the board.

People glanced at Hans. He ignored them, staring at his notebook instead.

"Is he just going to solve it? Impossible!"

"I can't wait to see what he writes on the board!"

I quickly solved the question on the board. Sadly for y'all, I don't have the energy to bullshit Howard today.

Capping Mr. Howard's marker, I turned back to face the class. "Done."

An evil smirk appeared on his face as he walked up and took the marker from me. "Well, it's wrong!"

I walked back to my seat. "No, it's not."

Mr. Howard's nose flared. "Your overconfidence would be the death of you one day! I say it's wrong!"

I sighed. "Have you even checked it?"

"It wouldn't make a difference anyway!"

"Humor me."

Mr. Howard shot me a murderous look before finally studying my answer. After a few moments, he mumbled, "N-now, class, turn to page 78 of your textbook and..."

Asshole.

. . .

Fortunately, Miss Greene didn't bother me. On the downside, her class seemed to go on forever.

At last, it was over. I headed to the cafeteria, but I stopped at the vending machine and picked up two bars of chocolate first. Might as well have something sweet to fight back the sourness of what I'm about to do.

Shortly after I sat down, the table I was sitting filled up. Hans didn't sit at our table when he arrived at the hall. Instead, he sat at the other end with Dylan's group.

I glared at him. Once a snake, always a snake.

Seth was the first to speak. "Dude, what happened? We've all been texting you since Saturday!"

I watched the rows of people entering the hall. They're coming in. It's almost-

"Angelo?"

Blinking, I looked at him. "Yeah?"

"I was asking-"

"Because I didn't feel like it."

His brow furrowed. "What?"

"That's why I didn't reply because I didn't feel like it. Excuse me."

Before he could say anything else, I stood up and walked to the middle of the cafeteria. Many people looked at me. Curiosity lay within the eyes of some, resentment in the others.

Still not enough.

I clapped my hands slowly. The chatter in the hall died down as I grabbed everyone's attention.

I took a deep breath. It's time.

"Good morning, everyone. I'll be quick with what I have to say," I drawled. "I just want to apologize for the... unfortunate way Friday night turned out. I was wrong to end the party on such a note."

Various people grumbled to each other.

Some girl glared at me. "Really, you think an apology is going to fix the way you acted? That was one of the worst parties I've ever been to!"

Someone else added, "Yeah! I mean, we took time out of our lives to come, just for you to send us off early in the rudest way possible. That's fucked up, man!"

"Preach, bruh!"

Other people began shouting out their complaints. I listened to them all silently, despite the fact I itched to rip into all the complainers with my words.

When the sea of yells finally dried out, I spoke. "I've heard all your complaints, and I want to once again apologize. Yet, I know this wouldn't be enough to make up for my mistakes, so I have another announcement to make. Firstly, I'm arranging for another party this Friday."

Dozens of people stiffened.

Here goes.

"Lastly, I'll like to pay for anything you guys want from the vending machine."

For a few seconds, nobody said anything in the hall.

Then, the cheering began.