'Awareness is essential...'

Sofia's words lingered in the guidance counselor's thoughts. The man closed his eyes tightly and slumped his body on his chair.

"Why do I felt like I was being lectured by a student? I am the guidance counselor here. However, that student, I could also not find fault of her words!" he reflected as his hand massaged the bridge of his nose.

In the hallway, Sofia's steps were rushed. The trip to the guidance office did not last for 20 minutes but her mood had turned sour.

"Hey!" a voice called her. She turned her head and saw Kevin, standing a few steps away from her.

"So, I think I remember you. During the seminar, you were sitting beside me," Kevin started.

"Get to your point," Sofia snapped. She didn't feel sorry for slapping the boy. And if he would demand an apology to her, she might just slap the other side of his face!

"Well, I came here to apologize. Really, it was a misunderstanding," Kevin gestured a handshake.

Sofia looked indignant, 'You came to apologize?'

The boy was actually told by the teacher who witnessed the incident the possible consequence if Sofia would sue their actions. If his family would know about the incident, he was also afraid that they would scold him for not taking things into careful consideration.

Sofia waved her hands and dismissed Kevin without saying a word. She turned around and started walking. Although she had calmed down, the word 'misunderstanding', pissed her off. But knowing that the person has a special background, she chose to leave.

After seeing that the girl was treating him coldly, Kevin tensed up.

"Allow me to take you to dinner tomorrow to show my sincerity." Kevin quickly persisted.

His invitation caused her steps to halt. Sofia turned around once more and stared at Kevin with scrutinizing gaze. He suddenly felt uneasy with how her eyes examined him. He felt like it could pierce through the depth of his soul!

"I have plans for tomorrow. If you can move this invitation to Friday, I would take it," Sofia spoke.

Move the invitation! Her tone held an air of authority that Kevin could not help but make a quick comparison of how his father talked to his staff. The tone really had a resemblance!

Sofia unknowingly just acted as if she was rescheduling a business engagement!

"Err, sure! Friday it is. I'll take your mobile number so I can contact you," Kevin gulped. He felt like his mouth went dry. For some reason, he suddenly felt thirsty!

Sofia scanned his code and the two proceeded to exchange phone numbers.

In one of the benches, Joey and Stephen were watching the two secretly. It was the first time they saw Sofia chatting with other students on the school grounds. Stephen took his phone and typed a message.

To: Nosy

Who's he?

Joey shook his head and nudge Stephen's elbow. "It looks like your crush is getting another admirer. Hehe, you have a rival! You should up your game!" he casually commented to tease his friend.

Stephen gave him a cold glare. "Nonsense!" he mumbled.

"Ahh, Sofia looked like she is upset!" Joey noticed as the girl placed her hands on both of her waists, "We are like watching a show of two lovers-quarrel!" he added.

After a few minutes, they saw Sofia and Kevin walked in separate ways. Not long after, Stephen also got a reply from her.

From: Nosy

son of a respected benefactor in this school?

Her response ended with a question mark which indicated that she was not so aware of the other student's identity. This gave Stephen an idea that Sofia is not close with the boy.

"Do you know that guy?" Stephen asked Joey.

"Yes, his father is an architect. They are well-known in our district. Seriously bro, where did you come from? Why did you not know him?" Joey answered in a playful tone. But Stephen does not look amused at all.

Joey rolled his eyes after seeing the stiff expression on Stephen's face. Silence followed to take over their conversation as the students walked by.

The school grounds were wide and the grasses were kept neat by their school gardener. When the last period of the class would dismiss, most students would usually stay on the school grounds to hang out with their friends.

They would form a mini group and sit on the plains. Some would make a group project. Others would gather for entertainment. If the group is not playing a mobile game, then the group is gossiping. A typical thing that the students have long practiced.

Every class dismissal would be a highlight of their day. Especially if there were good quality of gossips in the school.

Speaking of good quality of gossip, news traveled so fast about the slapping incident involving Sofia and Kevin. Perhaps, it was because of the live video on social media. It quickly becomes the next subject of talk in the students sitting on the field.

The video attracted most girls. To say, if it was in-game, Sofia may have unknowingly pull the aggro on several groups of nasty enemies.

"I didn't know that there is a student that has a guts of slapping Kevin."

"How dare this girl. Who is she?"

"There is a name in the caption. It says, Sofia Su. Search this name!"

"Yes, this ignorant girl! How can she be angry at him!"

"Ehh? There are no results of her name?!"

Offensive comments and a series of profanities quickly piled up on the video. Some students tried to tag Sofia's account on their hateful remarks. Students were so easy to judge and condemn Sofia for her actions.

Fortunately, the original Sofia was a game addict and did not care about a social media account. She had an account on social media but it was like a throw-away account.

Like a fake account, she just uses the account for essential game announcements or game quests. There was nothing on the account that had a direct connection with her real life.

But even if she would see the foul comments and trash talks about her, Sofia had long been exposed to these types of things. She had played so many games and was used to this type of talking.

If there would be a battle of trash talking, a gamer like her would surely take a lead!

Stephen casually checked his social media accounts and also saw the main sauce of the student's gossips. The live video was clear and their faces were focused on the camera.

"Ohh, Sofia went on a fight with that guy!" he said and gestured to Joey to look on his screen.

"Ouch! Remind me not to make Sofia angry! Her slap looked like it hurts so bad!" Joey commented after watching the video. He even rubbed his cheeks dramatically as if it was him that was getting slapped!

~

The night class finally started and Sofia was on time to join. She sat on the desk next to Claire. There was a comical blank expression on her face.

Their teacher did not give the class a lecture. Instead, there was a meeting of their activity.

"Night class, what are the activities that you have planned for tomorrow?" the teacher asked.

Suddenly. the students started to look at each other. The entire room went silent. There were no plans at all! In fact, almost all the students in their section would be joining the district tournament!

"I won't go to school tomorrow, teacher." one student bravely spoke as the silence inside their room has become more uncomfortable to handle.

The 14th of February was always declared a non-working holiday in District 7. Schools and offices would be open but it would be for the celebration of the Valentines. Students can choose whether to go to school but if they prefer to celebrate the occasion in private, it would also be allowed for them not to come.

"You won't go to school? Do you still consider yourself a student on this campus?" the teacher scowled. Anger was evident in her tone.

No one dared to speak a word.

"Who else won't come to school tomorrow? Raise your hand!" the teacher demanded.

Incredibly, one after another, all students raised their hands. Even the students were shocked to find out that none of them would come to enjoy the Valentines events in school!

The teacher was a bit old and was not aware of the tournament. After seeing that all students were raising their hands, she immediately felt complicated.

"What is happening? Why is it all of you? Speak your answers!?" the teacher asked in confusion.

"Ma'am, there is another public activity in the district. I will go there tomorrow."

"Yes, teacher. We will join the district tournament."

"Me too, I will join the online tournament!"

"I will not participate in playing. But I want to watch the competition."

Sofia's classmates answered simultaneously. Their teacher remained silent until the noises stopped.

"I see. In this case, you are dismissed early. Have fun on your errands tomorrow. See you on Wednesday!" the teacher announced.

The entire classroom broke into cheerful chaos. Some students bow at the teacher and thank her for her kindness. Other students shared a high five and eagerly left the classroom.

Sofia and Claire were also happy. As the two stepped out of the classroom, they saw their three friends. Clark, Stephen, and Joey were anxiously waiting for them.

"Why are you here?" Claire casually asked.

"Listen, guys, the school ground is not safe to take. Let's use the back gate." Joey whispered and looked vigilant.

"Huh? What's wrong? Is there a gang fight? Was it your ex-girlfriend hunting you?" Claire probed further. Like Sofia, she did not also pay attention to social media, so she was not aware of the increasing hate that was directed to Sofia online.

Joey frowned but did not say a word as he bitterly remembered his last encounter with his ex.

"Eh? You don't know? Well, I will explain in the car. My driver is waiting for us at the back gate. Come on, hurry up!" Clark stated and almost dragged the two ladies.

"Why do you look so scared, Clark?" Claire raised her eyebrows and stopped walking.

"Get moving, Claire! It's because someone slapped the school's benefactor earlier. It's all over the forums of our school. Now, we have to escape before the fans of the benefactor find out!" Stephen commented and slightly pushed Claire to move forward.

Moments, later the five of them arrived in Sofia's place unscathed. It had also occurred to Sofia's mind was happening. She quickly checked the school forum.

Vicious terms such as 'piece of trash', 'ignorant barbarian', 'dumb b*tch', 'princess of violence' were filtered by Sofia's eyes.

"HAHAHA ignorant barbarian!" Claire's laughter exploded after reading the particular comment.

She then made her reply: 'you are so smart!'

Claire was still grinning from ear to ear as if she was praising the quality of trash talks that she was reading.

Clark who caught a glimpse of her expression looked troubled. "Are you really friends? Why are you praising those students who say mean things to her!?" he suspiciously inquired.

"Ahhh, my friend! Let this big sister teach you an important lesson about trash talking. Listen carefully," Claire mumbled and looked at Clark in the eye for a few seconds.

"Okay, don't stop and continue!" Clark replied with annoyance.

"For us, gamers, trash-talking is an art. And art should be appreciated!" Claire giggled. Her chest was even shaking as she suppressed her laughter, "Now that you know this secret, go and find your art!" she added before her attention went back to her phone.

"What kind of principle is that? Trash talking is never good. It is also a form of abuse!" Clark pursed his lips and wrinkled his forehead.

"Hehehe, later when you spend more time in the game, you will encounter more artistic trash talkers. You better toughen up your psychological strength! Some gamers use trash talk as a gaming strategy. If you are weak and will be easily affected by these foul words, the gaming world is not for you to pursue." Claire casually shrugged.

"So, if someone will speak mean words to me, what should I do?" Clark curiously asked.

It had just been recently that he paid so much attention to the game with a degree of seriousness. In the past, he only played for fun. He would even leave in a match if he feels it is too difficult. He didn't care if he would be AFK nor the impact of his AFK at all!

Claire shook her head and glanced at him with sympathy, "Clark, you can just ignore them. With your poor skills of trash-talking, it is better if you don't respond if someone would speak foul words to you. Silence could also anger your enemy. Hehe"

"Right, right," Clark scratched the back of his neck shyly nodded.