Gathering

When I got home from school the next day, I found a mountain of roses sitting right outside the entrance. Hazel was in the corridor, lithe and graceful as usual. Her eyes were glued to me. "I know that confession came out of nowhere yesterday, so I want to do it right this time around."

I icily answered, "You can be as serious as you want, my answer remains the same. I will never fall for you."

"Who do you like, then? Is there anyone prettier than I am?" Hazel asked, a little hurried.

I took my keys out, ready to go into the house, but she stopped me. "Michael, I really do like you. I'd love to go to the University of Law, just like you."

I gave her a weird look. No, I never told her I was going to study law or anything. Still, I smiled. "Sorry, but you scored too low for law. Give up on your dreams and die, you moron."

Calmly, Hazel said, "Can you at least be nicer, Michael?"

I looked at her in dead silence.

She continued, "If you're going to study law, you should fill in your application now."

I was seized by an urge to play her like a fiddle. "No, I'd rather work with tractors."

Ah, I saw it, Hazel. That vein in your forehead? It throbbed. I flung the door open, went inside, and slammed it shut in Hazel's face. It almost smashed her nose in.

…

The next day, my phone was bombarded with a ton of texts. The whole school knew their madonna confessed to me. The one who spread that nugget of information? Hazel, of course.

Our homeroom called me tons of times, but I didn't take even a single call. And then he called again. I picked it up, and before I could say anything, he started, "You're a great boy, Michael. I don't mind you dating Hazel."

He didn't mind me dating her either in my past life. The difference was, I was happy that my homeroom didn't mind me dating his daughter, despite my never getting into any university.

"My daughter has been working hard to be a brilliant lawyer. I hope you'll stand with her?"

A smirk curled my lips, and something gleamed in my eyes. "Of course."

Our homeroom teacher froze, but then he spoke again, and I heard that subtle joy in his voice. "That's wonderful news."

I hung up, and it took my everything not to laugh my socks off. Yes, I just changed my mind. I thought playing them like a fiddle would be a lot of fun. This time, I would make sure Josiah never got into university. After all, if I took myself out of the picture but not the root, someone else would be taking the fall.

When Hazel found out I accepted her confession, she came to me as fast as she could. The moment she met me, she asked, "Did you fill in your application?"

"Not yet. I'll do it tomorrow."

Hazel heaved a sigh of relief. "Want to go on a date? My friend's throwing a gathering."

I nodded. "Sure."

She looked at me, still a little miffed. She had no idea why I changed so much, but I didn't care. I wasn't the one running out of time; she was.

We got to the gathering, and Josiah was there. He shot me a baleful glare the moment he saw me. I shot back, "What happened to your eye, Josiah? Got an infection?"

"What?" Josiah was stunned.

"Keep staring at me and I'll blind you," I said.

Josiah rocketed up from his seat, but Hazel pushed him down. "Grow up, Josiah."

His eyes went red with rage. "You're taking that attitude with me, Hazel?"

Out of nowhere, I slapped Josiah, and everyone froze for a moment.

Josiah covered his cheek, and the look on Hazel's face changed.

"Did you just hit me, Michael?"