Chapter 2 HIGH-SCHOOL

SOS HIGH SCHOOL LIFE:

"Shit! I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Stella exclaimed as she bent down to pick up the books that had fallen from Kornel's hands.

"It's fine, but could you please try to watch where you're going next time? You don't want to bump into things or people. Oh, and phones aren't allowed during class hours," Kornel replied, kneeling to help gather the scattered books.

"Hmm, but I already apologized, so why are you being so harsh and petty?" Stella snapped, standing up angrily and walking away. Just a few steps from Kornel, she tripped on a stone, lost her balance, and screamed. Kornel immediately dropped the books and rushed to catch her.

As she regained her footing in Kornel's arms, Stella stared at him, both embarrassed and surprised. She quickly pulled away, pushed him lightly, and stormed off.

"Watch your steps, crazy girl!" Kornel shouted after her, frustrated. She didn't respond or even look back.

Kornel sighed, picked up his books again, and headed to the library.

Let's pause for a moment to introduce Stella. She's a beautiful brown-skinned teenager with a nice figure, standing at 5'6", with long, dark hair. She's smart but notorious, the kind of girl who turns heads but also raises eyebrows. Her parents, the Thompsons, are wealthy business moguls who own a massive fabric company. Spoiled and headstrong, Stella is used to getting her way. Her family's wealth has clearly influenced her personality.

Later that week, in the classroom, Mr. Tom walked in.

"Good morning, class," he said.

"Good morning, sir," the students chorused.

"Come in and introduce yourself," Mr. Tom said, motioning for someone outside the door.

Stella walked into the room, scanning the class. Her eyes landed on Kornel, and she froze for a moment. She hadn't realized they'd be in the same class. She'd recently switched from the science department to the arts department due to her struggles with science subjects.

"Go ahead, introduce yourself," Mr. Tom prompted.

"Hi, I'm Stella Thompson. I used to be in the science department, but I've switched to arts. I hope we can all get along," she said, her tone slightly defensive.

"Great. You can take that empty seat over there," Mr. Tom instructed, pointing to a chair next to Kornel.

Stella hesitated but eventually walked over, sitting down with a reluctant "hi."

Kornel glanced at her briefly before returning to his book, uninterested.

"I said 'hi,'" Stella repeated, tapping him on the shoulder.

He looked up, slightly annoyed. "What are you doing here, Miss Trouble?"

"Miss Trouble? Really?" Stella retorted, glaring at him.

"Yeah. Who else breaks school rules and bumps into people as much as you?" Kornel said with a smirk.

"You're crazy," Stella muttered, rolling her eyes and turning away to pull out her books.

Mr. Tom began teaching, and Kornel ignored Stella for the rest of the class.

At the end of the day, the school bell rang, signaling dismissal. Students rushed out to their dorms, but Kornel stayed behind, as usual, to read. Stella, noticing his unusual behavior, approached him.

"Aren't you going back to the dorm to relax? It's been a long day," she asked.

Kornel didn't respond, deeply engrossed in his book.

"Hey! I'm talking to you!" Stella raised her voice, but Kornel still didn't budge.

Embarrassed and irritated, she grabbed her bag and walked out, muttering to herself.

As the years passed, Stella's annoyance with Kornel turned into a massive crush. She found herself drawn to him and his quiet, focused demeanor. Despite her feelings, she knew Kornel didn't feel the same way.

During their graduation, Stella finally mustered the courage to confess her feelings. She asked Kornel to meet her behind the girls' dorm.

After a brief, awkward chat, she blurted out, "I like you," before leaning in to kiss him softly on the lips. Shocked, Kornel froze as Stella ran off without giving him a chance to respond.

ROMAN BOYS HIGH SCHOOL LIFE:

Meanwhile, at Roman Boys High School, Time was struggling with relentless bullying.

"Please, stop! I'm sorry! What did I do this time?" Time begged as Paul, the gang leader, punched him in the face.

"Why are you such a weakling?" Paul sneered. "Be a man, Time! Stop acting so soft!"

Daniel and Zero, Paul's friends, laughed as they watched. Eventually, they left Time bruised and battered.

Time's best friend, Shawn, rushed to help him up and took him to the school clinic. They had reported the bullying several times, but the school authorities turned a blind eye due to Paul's influential parents.

As the years went by, Time continued to endure bullying from Paul and his friends, Zero and Daniel. Eventually, his best friend, Shawn, also became a target after the bullies noticed that Shawn often helped Time after their attacks.

As they approached their final year in high school, Time realized he had developed an unusual attachment to Paul, even finding himself oddly accepting of the beatings. Paul, on the other hand, became possessive of Time, ensuring that no one else, not even Zero or Daniel, could lay a hand on him. Paul's bullying became exclusive, and he often shielded Time from others' aggression, despite his own mistreatment of him.

Shawn was eventually spared from the bullying after Time pleaded with Paul to focus his frustrations solely on him instead. Time felt responsible for dragging Shawn into his mess and wanted to protect him. Paul agreed but warned Time that the bullying would become even harsher.

A year later, they wrote their final high school exams and graduated. Time had a mixed feeling about leaving high-school but was also relieved to finally be free from Paul's torment, while Paul, unexpectedly, found himself missing Time and feeling a sense of emptiness. After graduation, they parted ways and returned home for the holidays.

HIGH-SCHOOL SUMMER REUNION:

Due to the different academic schedules in their respective schools, Kornel and Time spent different durations in high school. SOS High School requires all students to complete six compulsory years before graduating, while Roman Boys High School has a five-year program. This difference allowed Kornel and Time to catch up with each other and graduate in the same year, even though Kornel started at SOS a year before Time gained admission to Roman Boys.

At the park, Time waited for Kornel as usual. They always met there every summer break to head home together.

"Kornel! Kornel! Over here!" Time called out, waving excitedly. Kornel spotted him, crossed over, and headed to where Time was standing. As he reached him, Kornel dropped his bag, grabbed Time by the waist, hugged him tightly, and spun him around. Both boys were thrilled to see each other again.

They waited for the next bus, and after a few minutes, it arrived. They hopped in, and the bus drove off.

Upon arriving home, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were overjoyed to see them. They rushed to help the boys with their luggage.

"How were your last days in high school?" Mrs. Anderson asked as they entered the house.

"It was good!" both boys chorused with smiles.

Mr. Anderson pulled out his phone and called Mr. Philips. "The boys are back," he told him, adding that Mrs. Philips should know as well. After the call, he returned to the parlor where his wife and the boys were and instructed Time and Kornel to freshen up before coming down for dinner.

Mrs. Anderson prepared their favorite meals, which they enjoyed for dinner. Afterward, Kornel and Time helped with the dishes before heading to Time's room to catch up.

In the room, they chatted away.

"So, tell me, how were your last days in high school?" Kornel asked Time, genuinely curious.

"Ehmm... it was... it was good, I guess," Time replied hesitantly. "At least I'm finally free from that crazy dude Paul and his equally crazy friends. But I do miss my best friend Shawn," he added with a small laugh.

"So, you mean they bullied you all the way to the end? And the school authorities did nothing just because their parents are major shareholders?" Kornel said, frowning. "That's really awful. I'm sorry "I still feel bad I couldn't protect you. If we'd been in the same school, I wouldn't have let all that happen." Kornel said passionately, reaching out to hug Time.

Time smiled at his friend's concern. "It's fine, dear. At least it's all in the past now. That era is over , "No more Paul and his crazy antics" he said with a laugh, lightening the mood. So, tell me, how did your last days go? And what about the girl... ehm, what's her name again?" Time asked.

"You mean Stella?" Kornel cut in.

"Yes, her. Did you guys ever settle your dispute?" Time asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kornel sighed. "She's crazy, man. Just because I became nice to her and we got along pretty well over the years, she decided to confess her feelings to me on our graduation day. And guess what? She stole a kiss from me and then ran away!" Kornel said, shaking his head in disbelief.

Time burst out laughing. "She kissed you? Wow, so you've had your first kiss! That's kind of cool!"

"That wasn't even a kiss," Kornel said, rolling his eyes. "It was just a pat on the lips, honestly. But I still can't figure out how she had the boldness to do it. I didn't even know she felt that way about me. It's all over now, though. High school's behind us, and I doubt we'll ever meet again."

"Hmm, you're right about that," Time replied, smirking. "But the world is small. You two might cross paths again someday."

"I hope not," Kornel retorted quickly. "That girl is insane."

Changing the topic, Kornel asked, "So, did you apply for Owen College like we agreed during the last holidays?"

"Yeah, I did," Time replied, a hint of nervousness in his voice. "I just hope I get in this time. You know, unlike when I applied to the same high school as yours but didn't meet the criteria."

"Don't worry," Kornel said, patting Time on the back. "You've got this. Fingers crossed-you'll make it this time!"

Time smiled gratefully. "Thanks, man. Let's go to bed before my mom comes in here to scold us."

"Sure," Kornel agreed as he turned off the lights. He joined Time in bed, and the two hugged and cuddled up as they always did during sleepovers.

Meanwhile, the Philips family came over to the Andersons' house after returning from work. Over dinner, the two families discussed Kornel and Time's plans to attend Owen College. They agreed that if both boys passed the entrance exams, they would rent the same dorm to allow them to live together during their college years.

After some light conversation, the Philips family headed home. Before leaving, they asked the Andersons to tell Kornel to visit them in the morning since they hadn't had a chance to see him that evening.

The next morning, after prayers and breakfast, Mr. Anderson reminded Kornel to visit his parents. "They stopped by last night and asked to see you this morning before they leave for work."

Kornel hurried to his house, where his parents greeted him with simultaneous hugs, excited to see him. They chatted briefly before his parents headed off to work, leaving Kornel to return to the Andersons' house.

A few weeks later, the boys prepared for and took the entrance exams for Owen College, eager to begin a new chapter of their lives together. While waiting for the results, they made the most of their holidays, spending quality time together and enjoying each moment positively.