Chapter 44 - Bullying Teren?

If a nerd tried to approach the popular, those popular's friends would just laugh about it.

But if the nerd persisted while the popular was giving signs already, that's where the bullying begins.

However, what is this scene in front of them? They don't understand.

Is this a joke? Why are Mike and Catherine bowing their heads to this dork? Iesa is understandable, sort of... Actually, no. Bowing their heads, really?

Who bows in this day and age?

The popular's friends can't confront the popular about it. Iesa included, but the dork?

Thus, Josh blocked Teren's path, only letting Iesa pass through.

"Can you tell us what you're doing there?"

Teren didn't expect this but wasn't stunned. He just sighed and went around Josh. He went back to the room as if he wasn't asked a question.

They all looked at Teren, that attitude ticked their nerves. Meanwhile, they didn't see Iesa's glare at Josh before following Teren with quick strides.

Seeing this, both Mike and Catherine sweated. They wanted to smack their friends loud and crisps!

However, they contained their emotions. If they did such a thing, what is their reason?

Could they say that Teren is a dangerous person capable of defeating a superhuman etcetera? Of course not! That would only break their friendship.

Therefore, they became silent about it. Catherine was the first to go, ignoring her friends.

Mira and Eline made worried faces, afraid to confront Catherine about it.

Girls... they care a lot about friendship. What they could do is try to console Catherine first and make her release what she's been hiding.

But that was not the same for boys.

Mike followed which was then asked by Josh immediately.

"What did you talk back there?"

"Sorry, but I'm not in the mood."

"Seriously? Now, I'm getting curious."

"Hayss..." Mike sighed and just went to the canteen.

The other boys followed while the girls went to the classroom to talk to Catherine.

...

Iesa looked at Teren's dispirited face. After all the conversation they had, even though she has no idea what he's thinking, she had an idea.

'If I remember correctly, he said that he can't handle situations like this. Now that I think about it, he's awkward to other people. That can be blamed on his psychopathy.'

Strangely, this put a smile on Iesa's face.

When Nick and Lina came back, the former saw Teren's attitude. He was petrified.

'Those sighs... he's about to kill someone...'

'Huh?' Iesa reacted and focused on hearing Nick's thoughts.

Cautiously, Nick sat on his chair before continuing his thoughts.

'On the first day, I didn't know what kind of person Teren is first. I tried to bug him and his sighs irritated me. He didn't sigh to Lina or Iesa, only to me, who was bugging him. Then, he tried to kill me.'

Iesa conveniently heard a whole explanation making her nod in understanding.

But when the "popular kids" came back. She picked up some disturbing thoughts.

'Teren... what an eyesore.'

'What does this guy want and what did he do to Mike and Catherine?'

'Is he stalking them?'

'Maybe they're pleading not to stalk them... that must be it... but why is Iesa there?'

While the whole day passed, these thoughts became words as they spread out. Since the school was already talking about the issue of the basketball club, they were accepting of this rumor.

Teren is a creep.

A liar.

Boastful.

Arrogant.

Trying to befriend Iesa and other popular kids...

Iesa was seen following Teren, everyone knew that.

Out of jealousy? Confusion? Whatever their reason, they've become skeptical.

Who is Teren to take the spotlight?

What an eyesore.

The school day ended. Lina was taken by her friends.

"Don't be so kind to him. That guy is a creep."

Lina, who was unaware of the rumors going around just raised an eyebrow.

'What is this bitches talking about my dog?'

Meanwhile, Iesa looked at Nick and said.

"Don't follow us." she said.

"W-why?"

Iesa then explained about the unwanted attention Teren was getting. Nick, who has no friends, didn't know it but was aware of the stares so he understood.

"But... wait... shouldn't you be the one to stop following him?"

"What?"

"I mean, you're the famous one here and the reason..." Nick stopped on his words as he realized Iesa's darkened face.

"I'm just trying to protect him. If I'm not around, they will bully him. Is that a problem?" Iesa continued.

"N-no..."

"Then don't follow him... for now. Once this is resolved, you can do whatever you want."

"Okay..." Nick nodded and turned around.

'Is she really at my age? Why is she so domineering?'

Iesa then followed Teren as she ran.

"Hm? Where's Nick?"

"I don't know. Why would he follow us anyway?"

"I guess, you're right." Teren only nodded and thought.

'What about you, why are you following me? Wait, we're friends, right? Yes, it's normal that she's following me...'

Seeing their backs, Mike and Catherine were about to follow them when their friends caught them again.

"Hey, wait up!" Josh waved his hand.

This stopped them from continuing their talk.

However, they didn't give up. Catherine still has her trump card - Teren's number.

The group then tried to cheer up the two. Not to gain any more suspicions, Mike and Catherine went with the flow.

Teren walked Iesa home again and was "invited" inside the apartment. Still not having the resolve to restrain himself, Teren bailed out once again.

Thus, night came...

Inside a private hospital, Clade opened his eyes. Feeling pain all over his body, he groaned. But this didn't sadden him.

"I'm... alive...!" tears flowed from his eyes. as he spoke behind the mouthpiece giving him air.

"Congrats." said but the person playing on his phone beside him.

Rolling his eyes, Clade easily recognized this person.

"Hanon... you fucker...!" his eyes became bloodshot. If he could move, he would choke this "trusted companion" of his.

"Easy, Clade. Your restrictions just wore off. I can't believe it. Almost all your internal organs failed.. You're almost pronounced dead, good thing though, technology came so far for your body to rely on."