Chapter 2 THE WRONG QUESTION

TESSY POV

Every single eye turned to me like I was some sought of lost animal that wandered into the wrong cage, and I won't blame them. I knew I looked like a mess especially with the rushing i did

I could hear low murmuring sounds, the teacher, a tall slim man with glasses, he slowly looked up from the the papers on the desk, his frown deepened when he saw me,

“You're late”, he said clearly unimpressed

“I'm sorry sir”, I muttered, voice barely audible, “I was finishing up my registrat…”,

“I don't tolerate late comers,” he cuts in, very sharp and cold, “Don't let this happen again”.

I nodded quickly,

One guy in the back gave a low whistle, another one chuckled and said something under his breathe

My stomach twisted.

“Silence,” he snapped.

He pointed toward an empty chair near the middle row.

I kept my head down and walked to the seat as fast as I could without tripping. I could feel their eyes still on me,

When I finally sat down, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

“So this is how it starts, huh?”

A new city, a new school, a second chance.

And already, I felt like I didn’t fit in

The lecture commenced almost immediately.

I stared ahead, forcing myself to listen to the teacher’s words, I tapped my pen nervously, then opened my notebook and started scribbling random lines.

I do this alot to help me stay focus and grounded

Suddenly, I felt someone staring. I looked up, scanning the room.

And then, there he was.

“The guy I bumped into earlier”, I thought

He was sitting three rows behind me, slightly leaned back, but his eyes were on me. Our eyes met,

I looked away fast, heat rushing to my face again.

“Why is he here? Why didn’t I notice?”

Throughout the class I tried my best to focus.

By the time my third class was over, I was completely drained.

My head throbbed from all the new information. That last lecturer had no business being that angry at the world or at me, for asking a simple question. I just needed to breathe.

I stepped out of the building,letting out a frustrated sigh.

This day wasn’t trying to be kind to me at all. My stomach growled loudly in protest, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since morning. The school cafeteria wasn’t far, and the moment I got close. The aroma was heaven.

I joined the queue, ordered my favorite combo, and found a seat at the edge. I didn't care to talk to anyone. I just needed food and silence.

As soon as I sat, I unwrapped my cutlery and started eating like I hadn’t seen food in days. My stress slowly began to fade,

But not for long.

Out of the corner of my eye, someone walked in tall, broad-shouldered, casual but confident. I just stared, he went to order his food, then turned around, scanning the room.

Our eyes met. I paused,

“OH”

The guy from earlier. The one I bumped into and didn’t even look at properly.

He looked straight at me like he had been looking for me,not just a seat. He started walking over.

I blinked.

“Hey,” he said, standing at the edge of the table. His voice was calm, deeper than I expected, almost soft. “Do you mind if I sit?”

“Uhm, sure,” I said, awkwardly.

He pulled out the chair and sat,

“I’m Brian,” he said, a small smile playing on his lips

“Remember me?, the guy you bumped into earlier” he tried teasing.

I laughed softly, embarrassed. “Right. Yeah, I was in a rush, sorry about that.”

“No worries,” he said. “You looked like you had somewhere important to be. First day?”

I nodded. “And already a disaster.”

He chuckled. “I wouldn’t say that. You made quite the entrance in class.”

I rolled my eyes. “Please don’t remind me.”

We talked. Nothing deep, just school, how chaotic first days are, his love for politics, our reason for choosing psychology.

“So how about your parents?” ,he asked

I froze.

I didn’t even know how to answer that.

It was such a simple, normal question

My fork stopped halfway to my mouth. My chest tightened.

I forced a small laugh. “It’s complicated.”

He tilted his head, probably sensing the shift. “Oh?”

I looked down, trying to steady my voice. “Let’s just say, we’re not close.”

He shrugged, smiling. “Lucky you. My parents practically run my life.”

I gave another weak smile, but I couldn’t unhear it. “Lucky you”

My appetite disappeared.

“I should go,” I said abruptly.

“What? Did I say something wrong?” Brian looked genuinely confused.

“No, not really. Just remembered I had something to do.”

He started to get up. “Wait, Tessy”

“It’s fine,” I cut in. “Thanks for the chat.”

I left before he could say more.

I walked fast, barely seeing where I was going, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to get away. From the cafeteria, from Brian and everything.

Why did one question have to shake me like this?

“ My parents”?

The images came creeping back like vines wrapping around my chest, my father’s angry voice, the slamming doors, the nights I cried myself to sleep wondering if my mother would ever come back.

I needed space

I took the narrow shortcut I had seen earlier during orientation.

Hardly anyone came this way, just the way I liked it.

But this time, I wasn’t alone.

Three girls stood near the fence, leaning lazily like they owned the space. I recognized one, Cynthia, I think her name was from earlier in class. Her glare had been sharp even then.

As I walked past, they turned.

“Well, well,” Cynthia said, stepping forward. “Isn’t it the latecomer from class? Guess the cafeteria wasn't paying enough attention for you?”

The others snickered. I didn’t reply. I just lowered my eyes and kept walking.

Another girl hissed, “Who does she think she is? Walking around like she’s too good for anyone.”

“She’s just trying to act innocent,” Cynthia added. “Those are the worst kind.”

Their words dug into me like tiny knives. I kept walking, faster now

I had heard worse before. Much worse. But somehow, it still hurts.

Then, suddenly, a voice behind me.

“ What's going on here?”,