Chapter 3 Our Classmates

Chapter 3

I knew the two were wondering why Professor Frank knew them, but I just smiled and let them think about it since they never asked about my life, so I wasn't going to tell them.

One by one, our classmates introduced themselves by row, so I knew I was going to be the last one to speak.

"Excuse me, Professor?" a familiar voice interrupted the introductions, and we all turned to look at the door. He waved at Professor Frank, and Baba immediately frowned.

"What are you doing here?" he asked his brother, annoyed, as he approached him.

"You called for me," his brother answered with a grin. I could hear it clearly since I was near the door.

"You should go to my office, Lauter, not to my class!" he scolded angrily.

"Okay, bro," Lauter replied with a grin. To my surprise, he came up to me and suddenly pinched both of my cheeks.

"Ouch!" I complained, rubbing the sore spots and glaring at him, but he just shrugged and smiled.

"Lauter Clifford!" his twin reprimanded him, but Lauter just smiled at him and waved. Professor Lin returned to where he was standing earlier, his expression serious.

"Has everyone introduced themselves?" he asked in a stern tone.

"Only Reyes and Sanchez haven't yet, Professor," Jon answered, causing the professor to glance in my direction. Just then, the buzzer rang, signaling the end of the class, but he ignored it.

"Okay, Sanchez. Introduce yourself," he ordered Sanchez.

"Hi, everyone. I'm Ksenia Faith Sanchez," she said with a bright smile. I glanced at her-she was undeniably beautiful, well-kept, and polished.

"Okay, Sanchez, take your seat," he instructed, and she sat down.

"Now, Reyes, introduce yourself," he said, looking at me seriously. I stood up right away.

"I'm Chrisian Rana Reyes, third-year college," I introduced myself, but he simply raised an eyebrow at me.

"Okay, Reyes, you may sit down," he said, and I quickly sat back down.

"Everyone, eyes on me," he commanded, and the room filled with excited murmurs from my classmates.

"Thank you for your cooperation during our first class meeting. I hope everyone will participate in a panel discussion and brainstorming session next week to improve your critical thinking. Can I count on that?" he asked.

"Yes, Professor," we all responded.

"Alright, see you again," he said before glancing at me. My classmates quickly exited the room. He handed me a book on Philosophy, and I immediately took it.

"Nice meeting you again, Ksenia," he said with a smile, messing up her hair playfully. It seemed like they were whispering to each other because they were speaking so quietly. Frank even moved closer to her.

"Did you bring me a treat?" Sanchez asked with a smile, to which Frank also smiled.

"Visit my house," Frank replied, making sure I could hear him.

"What treat do I get?" she asked excitedly, her face showing eager anticipation.

"Jollibee," Frank answered shortly, making her frown.

"Never mind. I'll get in trouble with you," she replied, and I couldn't help but smile as they both looked at me. Professor Lin then approached and flicked my forehead.

"Reyes, follow me to my office," he ordered before leaving the classroom. I was left standing there, stunned, but at least it was just us left in the room.

"Shall we go?" I asked the others, as I still had to head to Frank's office.

"Sanchez?" Jon called out to Ksenia.

"Yes?" she responded.

"Why does it seem like you're close to the professor?" he asked, curiosity evident in his voice. She just smiled sweetly.

"Sanchez, you're so quiet, but it turns out you've got your secrets," Alexa chimed in with a laugh, patting my shoulder.

"I don't have any secrets. I'm just close to the professor you all admire," she said casually.

"Right, Reyes?" she added, winking at me. I just shook my head, feeling like she was about to reveal more about me.

"I'll go ahead," I said, turning to leave, but to my surprise, the three of them followed me as I walked away. I couldn't help but close my eyes in frustration. This is exactly what I was talking about.

I hadn't even gone far when someone poured water on my head. Luckily, Frank's book didn't get wet, or else I'd be in serious trouble.

"Why didn't you tell him they're bullying you?" Sanchez whispered as she took the book from me to keep it dry.

"Do you want them all to get expelled?" I whispered back as I brushed off my soaked uniform. Thankfully, I had an undershirt on.

"But you're letting them do this to you."

"This is just a one-time thing," I lied, but she smirked at me.

"I've been here for a week, Mondragon," she whispered.

"I've seen them bully you over and over again."

"Alright, I'm going ahead. Just wait for me-I'll change quickly. See you in a bit!" I told them before rushing to my locker room.

I quickly changed into my uniform, thankful that only the top part got wet. I fixed my hair and let it down since I was heading to Frank's office-he might notice if I took too long.

I returned to where I left them earlier, and fortunately, my friend was still there. However, Sanchez was gone since he had class. He's taking up a course to become a police officer.

We headed to Professor Frank's office and knocked, but there was no response, so we went in. They both looked at us.

"Good afternoon," we greeted them together as they were deep in discussion. I shook my head because they're always like that-Lauter is playful, while his older brother is serious. They both looked at us, Lauter smiling while Frank frowned.

"We're just here to return your book, professor," I said, walking up to him and placing his book on his desk.

"You changed your uniform, why?" he asked with curiosity, making me look at him. You can't fool him-once he remembers you, there's no point in lying because he'll know even if you don't say anything.

"I got really sweaty earlier," I answered politely, though it was just an excuse. His eyebrows furrowed even more, and he stared at me before shaking his head. He didn't believe me.

"But you have a handkerchief, right?" he pressed.

"I forgot it," I replied, which was actually true.

He sighed, pulled his handkerchief out of his pocket, and handed it to me. I took it gratefully.

"Thank you," I said with a smile. I knew my two friends were wondering about the exchange since they had gone quiet. We were about to excuse ourselves to have lunch since we had class soon.

"Have you eaten yet?" Lauter asked.

"We're just about to," Alexa responded.

"You can join us for lunch. I ordered food for the school president and me," Lauter offered, looking at his twin brother.

"What do you think, big bro?" he asked.

"Lauter, they're students," Frank replied. I knew he wouldn't agree.

"But I invited them, and it's my treat," Lauter insisted. Frank just sighed. He never wins when it comes to his twin.

"Fine," he said curtly, taking a seat.

"Have a seat," Lauter gestured to us, and we quickly sat down next to him.

"Professor's brother is so nice, isn't he?" Alexa whispered to me. I nodded with a smile. Lauter is indeed kinder than Frank.

We waited until the food Lauter ordered arrived, and it seemed they had already forgotten about Frank's earlier suspicion, which was a relief to avoid more questions.

"Let's eat, it's free!" I cheerfully told my friends, and they nodded, focusing on their meal.

After finishing lunch, we thanked Lauter for the treat. We were about to leave since we had class from one to three in the afternoon.

"Christian?" Professor Frank called out to me.

"Drink water first before you go," he instructed seriously, handing me his tumbler. Lauter hadn't bought enough bottled water, so I hadn't drunk any yet. I was planning to buy some from the cafeteria before heading to class, but Frank had noticed.

I looked at my two companions before taking the tumbler from him. They smiled and decided to go ahead without me so I wouldn't feel rushed.

"Thank you," I said, but before I could take a drink, someone arrived. I smiled again when I saw that they had brought milk tea my favorite. Good thing I hadn't drunk any water yet.

General McLlonard," I greeted cheerfully and bowed to him in respect.

"I came straight to your office, Professor, so I can wait here for my student," he informed my father and playfully ruffled my hair.

"I brought you milk tea. I passed by the shop to get one for you," he said to me, so I immediately stood up and looked at my father. My look clearly said that I wanted the milk tea.

"You haven't drunk water yet, Christian," my father scolded, so I quickly drank water from his tumbler.

"Baba, I already drank some," I informed him, excited for the free milk tea.

"Finish what's left in the tumbler before you drink the milk tea," he ordered seriously, making me pout because there was still half of the tumbler left, and I'd be too full to enjoy the milk tea. General Sanchez handed me a milk tea, and I took it right away-it was free after all.

"Baby!" My father reprimanded, so I quickly approached him.

"Can we share, Baba, please?" I begged, just so I could have some of the milk tea.

To Be Continued...