Recess Period...
I led Liam to the canteen as his so-called watchdog without saying a word. As I followed him, I kept wondering why he hated me, why he wanted me to be his watchdog but not his friend, and why he had always been so difficult to understand.
"Let's go to the library," he finally said, breaking the silence as we finished our crispy fries and started walking back toward the classroom.
I looked at him with a warm smile.
"Okay."
"Hi, Chloe!"
Xander suddenly appeared in front of us. He waved at me, smiling as he caught his breath.
"I've been looking for you so we could practice basketball today, but thank goodness I found you! Here, have some chocolate sweets."
He held them out to me.
Liam folded his arms across his chest, clenched his jaw, looked away, and sighed suspiciously.
What's wrong with him now?
I looked at Xander. He was still waiting for my response.
"Didn't you hear me?" he asked, arching an eyebrow. "I said... take some sweets."
I smiled back and slowly reached out for them.
One...
Two...
And then—
Liam suddenly pulled me away.
He glared at me, his eyes locking onto mine with a fierce, heated stare.
"Don't accept things from strangers," he scolded.
Xander's expression darkened.
"Me? A stranger?"
He raised his fist to hit Liam, but I quickly held him back, just like a real watchdog should.
Then I turned to Liam and held onto him tightly, making sure he wasn't hurt. I couldn't afford to disobey his parents.
I examined him anxiously.
"Are you okay?"
Xander hissed, threw the sweets onto the ground, and stormed away.
Liam's eyes turned red, and he trembled uncontrollably.
Gee... was he really this hot-tempered? He looked like he could tear someone apart at that moment.
"Calm down," I said gently. "Your illness might get worse."
I lightly touched his arm.
He glared at me, sending chills through my body.
"Leave me alone."
Leave him alone? What was wrong?
I shook my head.
"No. I'm your watchdog. I'm not stalking you—I know you've always hated me. I'm just doing my job," I said, trying not to trip over my own words.
"I see," he muttered before walking away.
"Hey, wait for me!" I called after him.
But he only walked faster.
I hurried after him until we reached the school orchard.
As he was about to sit on a bench, I lost my balance from running and fell into his arms.
The breeze around us suddenly felt unusually cool.
His sharp, intense eyes locked onto mine, yet there was an unexpected softness in them.
It felt as though time had slowed.
Our heartbeats seemed to fall into the same rhythm.
...
"What do you think of me, Chloe?" he asked quietly.
I smiled at him.
"You're handsome. Hahaha!"
...
"Psycho."
He unexpectedly pushed me away.
Wait... what did I just say?
I had been daydreaming about how handsome he was... and I'd actually said it out loud.
Oh, goosebumps! How am I supposed to cover this up?
I cleared my throat, avoiding his gaze.
"It's not what you think, Liam..."
"Aren't you more than a watchdog now?" he drawled. "Aren't you stalking me?"
More than a watchdog? Stalking him?
Oh, goosebumps!
"I'm not stalking you! I-I'm just your watchdog... a watchdog!"
"Watchdog," Liam scoffed.
Why did he always look down on me? Why did he always think so little of me?
I swallowed hard and slowly stepped away from him.
Maybe I should give him the space he needs.
"Where are you going?" he demanded.
Startled, I looked back at him.
"I'm trying to give you some space. Maybe you need time to clear your head."
"For the first time, you're talking sensibly," he said. His voice was lighter, though still edged with sarcasm. "Yeah, I need to clear my head. Stay away, watchdog."
He scoffed.
Huh?
*********
Night...
Only the croaks of frogs and the chirping of crickets accompanied the silent night as cool breezes drifted into my room through the curtains.
I sat up on my bed, munching on sour belts while playing Free Fire against an anonymous player when Clown suddenly messaged me.
Clown: (1) Hey, Jellybean. How come you didn't tell me you went to Liam's place yesterday? That weird boy! (2) Or... is there something you're not telling me?
Me: (1) His parents invited me over for a dinner party. Mom told you, didn't she? (2) What do you think I'm hiding? Well... I don't have to tell you everything, but all I can say is that I'm Liam's watchdog.
Clown: Watchdog? What do you mean?
Me: His parents officially asked me to watch over him and be his school companion. He was sick a few days ago.
Clown: And so? Gee, I don't want to see the two of you together when I come home with my friends. Don't you remember the pain he caused you back then, or are you just too easy to fool?
Me: Nobody is fooling me. We should all let go of the past. I forgave him a long time ago, but he's still the same. You know... always pulling a long face and acting so awkward.
Clown: Are you two friends now?
Me: Nope. I don't think he's interested. I'm just his watchdog... his so-called watchdog.
Clown: Good. Because I can't just sit back and watch the two of you get along after he bruised your fingers back then!
Me: Have you heard from Mom and Dad?
Clown: Yeah. They're doing fine, Jellybean.
Me: I just finished eliminating a bot before you messaged me. It was a female player... so easy.
Clown: Don't worry. Give her a few months. She'll become better than you. Bet on it.
Me: Maybe in her next life! Not even Milo can beat me and my squad. Milo is good, but I'm still better.
Clown: Oh, your classmate Milo? Well... just give him a few more weeks.
Me: Stupid! You can leave the chat now. I want to play a squad match, and I'm finally in the mood. I don't want anyone ruining it.
Clown: Okay, Jellybean. I'll give you some space. But one more thing!
Me: WHAT???
Clown: When I come home, I don't want to see you hanging around with that long-face!
Me: You mean Liam? Stop making fun of him. That's just how he is.
Clown: His nature, my foot! You think I'll believe that? Just stay away from him! You're not friends with him. He's still your enemy, and let it stay that way.
Me: Okay... but you're talking to the most stubborn girl you know. Biggest flex? I'll do whatever I want! Bye!
Clown: I knew it! It's Mom's fault for not telling me to keep an eye on you earlier. No one expected you'd grow this stubborn! BYE.
I sighed and exited our chat.
Wait... he doesn't want to see me with Liam? Why is he so bothered when I was the one who got hurt, not him?
That's weird.
Well... I'll do whatever I want.
**********
I woke up kind of late that morning, with bits of sour belts scattered all over the bed... and the duvet.
I couldn't believe I was this tired. I had been playing Free Fire with some pro gamers. It was so much fun that I was practically undefeatable, but it really wore me out.
Just then, my phone began ringing. Mom was calling. What now?
"Hello, Mom. Good morning!" I yawned.
"Morning, peanut. How was your night?"
"It was fine, Mom."
Yeah, I knew I was lying, but I couldn't afford to tell her that I had been playing games until God knew what time before finally falling asleep.
She replied, "I see... You should hurry with whatever you're doing this morning so you can catch the trambus!"
"Okay, Mom. How's Dad? How are you guys doing over there?"
"Well... we're just chilling out. China is really a paradise. I'd advise you to study hard like Harry so that both of you can explore the whole of Asia someday. It's amazing."
"Okay, Mom."
"So... what are you having for breakfast?"
I rolled my eyes. "I don't really feel like eating. Maybe I'll prepare two omelets. I had enough sour belts last night."
Mom chuckled. I wondered what was so funny.
"Alright. Goodbye, sweetheart. Stay safe. Your father sends his greetings." Mom said and hung up.
"Humph!" I muttered, falling back onto the bed.
I just hate school!
Well, whatever. I'll do my best to make Mom, Dad, Liam... and Harry proud.
**********
Dressed in my usual Tuesday uniform, I spotted Liam walking toward me. He looked as refined and unreadable as always.
Thank goodness I met him on time.
Without saying a word, we stood beside each other.
Fortunately, the trambus pulled up and stopped. We got in, and it zoomed off.
We sat beside each other in silence, our breathing almost in sync.
Suddenly, I felt an awkward pain in my lower abdomen. My underwear became wet, and I felt hot and uncomfortable down there. I touched my stomach. It felt bloated.
Menstruation? No... not now!
My skirt would be stained, and when I got off the bus, people would stare at me and call me careless. And Liam... he'd think his so-called watchdog was careless and unhygienic.
I didn't even know it would come this early. It was supposed to be tomorrow or the next day. Maybe I should start carrying pads with me every day.
I felt so uncomfortable, almost like I needed to use the restroom immediately. Quietly, I clenched the hem of my skirt in my fists. The pain was getting worse.
"Are you okay?" Liam's voice broke the silence. He sounded worried, though he tried to hide it.
"No... my stomach hurts," I told him.
He unexpectedly placed a hand lightly against my stomach, then pulled a bottle of water from his schoolbag and handed it to me.
"Thanks," I said with a small smile before taking a few gulps.
It felt like a dream, accepting something from Liam. Did he really care about me, or was this just another part of his clumsy, unpredictable personality?
"How are you feeling now?" he whispered.
The softness in his voice echoed deep inside me. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. I had always wanted to hear him speak to me like that. It sounded so gentle.
I glanced at him, smiled, and nodded.
"Much better. Thank you."
Even so, I was still nervous sitting beside him.
Does he know I'm on my period?