Chapter XXXII – Love Letter

Walking into the classroom, Arthur dropped his bag next to his desk. Looking around, many haven’t arrived yet, including his friends. Since Sophie and Arthur finished their morning run in record time, the two decided to head out earlier, picking up Ari on the way. While fun for her, Arthur was left with nothing to do.

He considered approaching others to get to know them, but ever since his return, they’ve shunned him. Rumors were still being spread around, and they were getting more vicious. The topics varied but were along the line of blackmailing his friends, teachers, and even doing drugs. The drugs rumor baffled him, but he assumed that it maybe had something to do with his past self. Arthur simply chose not to defend himself. Not bothered by the gossip, he knew that ignoring it will eventually make it fade away. Obviously, not everyone was like that of course. However, it’s those types of people that were typically the loudest.

“I don’t know. . . It’s kinda creepy,” Nabi said holding a folded piece of paper in hand while walking into the classroom with Irene alongside her.

“No way. . . I think it’s cute,” Irene chuckled waving towards Arthur. “Besides, you never know what prince charming might’ve sent it.”

“Ugh. . . I don’t even wanna think about it,” she sighed as the two approached Arthur.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“Nabi got a love letter this morning and apparently it’s not the first one either.”

“Probably some weirdo. . .” she said sitting down at her desk, putting away the letter.

Arthur wondered why she chose to keep it if she disliked it so much.

“Could it be someone we know?” Arthur pondered.

“I don’t recognize the handwriting, so I doubt it,” she explained burying her head into her forearms, laying down on the desk.

“I still don’t see why you’re upset though,” Irene said leaning against her desk. “If anything, I’d be glad to find out someone likes me.”

Arthur couldn’t help but notice two of his classmates listening in like cockroaches considering the idea.

“Cuz. . . It’s embarrassing and what’s worse, I know someone is looking at me without me knowing,” she sighed lifting her chin and glancing towards Irene.

“Hate to break it to ya, but guys look at you all the time,” Irene pointed out. “You’re a lot prettier than you give yourself credit. Right Art?”

“Umm. . .” he was caught off guard. “Putting me on the spot huh? How are you so sure I wasn’t the one who sent it?”

“Cuz your handwriting could use a little work.”

“Ouch. . . If you dislike it so much, you could stop looking at it,” he sighed.

“No way,” she said with a smile.

“She ain’t wrong though,” Arthur said turning to Nabi.

“You’re just saying that. . .” Nabi averted her gaze.

He wasn’t lying. Nabi was a good-looking girl, but since the day he met her the only thing that kept her appearance down was her haircut. Her bangs were too long and her hair messy. If she were to fix that, it would expose her pretty face and her beautiful ebony eyes. Not to mention that she had the cutest nose and an alluring beauty mark under her left eye. Arthur even began wondering how she’d look with makeup on.

Arthur noticed Tjay and Max entering the classroom. They were awfully quiet, but Arthur knew that was about to change as he saw Tjay walking carefully towards Nabi from behind. Irene wasn’t paying attention, so he figured it’d be best to play along.

“Boo!” Tjay yelled grabbing Nabi’s defenseless sides.

She jumped in place nearly screaming but instantly slammed the table with her palms making Tjay regret his choices.

“You fucker!” she yelled out pissed rushing him and grabbing his collar.

“Woah! It was just harmless fun!” Tjay pleaded.

“Dumbass. . .” Max mumbled approaching Nabi and placing his hand on her shoulder. “Forgive the idiot. . .”

She sighed letting go of him. “Whatever. . .” she mumbled sitting back down annoyed.

“She’s not usually this annoyed. . .” Tjay whispered.

“Well. . .” Max mumbled. “Girls can be like that from time to time.”

Irene shook her head in disbelief at his comment.

“Nah, that’s not it,” Tjay said to Max while approaching Nabi. “Sorry.”

“Huh?” she glanced towards him confused, not used to him apologizing for stuff.

“Didn’t know you were in a bad mood. I wouldn’t have done it had I known,” he seemed genuine.

“Ah. . . Well. . . Like I said, it’s whatever,” she averted her gaze. “I’m sorry too for overreacting.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, I’ve just been a bit out of it.”

Max approached Irene greeting her with a nod before reverting his attention to Tjay and Nabi.

“Did something happen?”

“Dude. . . Nothing happened,” she sighed taking out the piece of paper. “Nothing bad anyway. I got this letter and it made me get mixed feelings about it.”

“Is that-“ Max whispered but was cut off by Irene’s nod.

“A love letter?” Tjay took it out of her hand.

“Hey! Give it back,” she said reaching for it but he didn’t let her have it.

“Someone has been sending you love letters?” he asked opening it up.

“What’s it to you?” she managed to grab it before he read it.

“Who’s it from?” he kept asking questions.

“What is this, an interrogation?” she mumbled averting her gaze again.

“You gonna reply to it?”

“Seriously! What’s wrong with you. . .” she sighed looking back at him. “I don’t even know who put it in my locker.”

“Where’s Don?” Arthur cut the tension by asking Tjay, averting his attention. “Doesn’t he typically come with you guys?”

“We went to pick him up, but apparently he felt sick so he’s skipping school,” Tjay explained walking past Nabi and quietly sitting down at his desk.

At least that stopped them. . . I should probably send a message to Don and see how he’s doing. Maybe he needs something.

Nabi was clearly frustrated as she sat back down. The class soon began.

Things were weird today, especially since Don was missing. During breaks between periods, the girls would talk among themselves, while Max went to see his sister as she called him over. Tjay and Arthur sat in silence. That was all true until the third period ended and lunch break began.

Making their way out of the classroom, Tjay blocks Max and Arthur.

“Whatcha doin?” Max asked confusedly with his stomach growling.

“You OK?” Arthur asked.

“I’m great, but I don’t like some guy stalking Nabi,” he explained. “I need help finding out who gave her that letter.”

“Dude. . . I’m hungry,” Max sighed.

“I don’t mind helping you if it’s weighing on you that much,” Arthur said.

“Listen. . . If you like her that much, why don’t you just muster up the courage and admit it?” Max said bluntly.

It wasn’t a secret among the guys that Tjay truly liked Nabi, though he never admitted it. They aren’t even sure he realized it himself. The two were friends since childhood, but it was obvious that Tjay cared. Sure, the two bicker all the time, but Tjay always makes sure not to go too far. She’s the only one he’d always pay attention to, and based on what he told Arthur on Monday about having his eyes on someone, Arthur assumed he was aware of his feelings. The long friendship made it hard for them to approach the subject, and his misbehavior creates an additional barrier.

“What? It’s not like that,” Tjay said somewhat confidently. “I’m just looking out for her. Besides, it’s Nabi we’re talking about. . . What type of guy could it be?”

Max and Arthur sighed exchanging glances knowing how ignorant he was being.

“Fine,” Max mumbled. “We’re friends after all. . . But you owe me lunch.”

Arthur chuckled knowing that Max would’ve helped regardless of what Tjay said.

“Great,” Tjay said excitedly. “First we need to ask around the people whose lockers are next to hers. Max, you’re the popular one so it’ll be on us two.”

“What about me?” Arthur asked feeling his ego hit a bit knowing he’s left out of the cool club.

“You’re gonna be our lookout for a bit. Make sure that Nabi and the girls don’t find out we’re snooping around.”

“Alright, but you should probably know that Irene mentioned it not being the only letter she got.”

“Really? Think it’s the same dude?” Tjay asked.

“Based on Nabi’s reaction, I’d say ye.”

“Think you can ask Irene for more details?” Max suggested.

“No! If we get her involved she might stop us, or worse Nabi might find out,” Tjay protested.

“She won’t snitch on Art. . .”

“Maybe, but we can’t take that risk.”

“Don’t worry Tjay, I won’t ask her without your approval.”

“Alright, let’s ask around then.”

The three went around the school entrance and kept bugging the students if they saw anyone early in the morning. While Max’s approach was chill, pulling people into a conversation, Tjay’s approach was a tad bit too aggressive. He looked as if he was searching for a fugitive. Arthur knew less fierce commanders. Arthur recognized a few students that were at school around the time he arrived, so he decided to ask around a bit as well. Standing around doing nothing wasn’t particularly too exciting.

He didn’t learn anything new, and Irene even messaged him asking where they were at since they were missing lunch. Arthur said that they weren’t feeling particularly hungry so they are just hanging around having a change of pace.

“Nothing. . .” Max said after twenty minutes of pestering other students.

“Same here,” Tjay averted his gaze in annoyance.

“Irene asked why we’re missing, so I told her we’re not hungry and wanted to be outside a bit more. Telling you this so you ain’t confused later if they ask questions.”

“Good call,” Tjay said.

“What now though? It can be literally anyone. Nobody knows anything,” Max said looking around.

Arthur looked over at Tjay knowing that there isn’t much they can do.

“I got an idea, but you’ll have to keep quiet about it,” Tjay said with an intense look on his face.

“You’re not gonna kill someone to find out, are ya?” Max teased.

“It seems he’s up to no good again,” Arthur sighed. ”Will this get us in trouble?”

“Only if you snitch. . .”

“I don’t know dude. . .” Max shook his head.

“What’s the plan? Hearing it out might motivate us to help.”

“I know the security guy. Me and him have sort of an understanding. We’ll just go and have a look,” he said nudging his head towards the security camera.

“Dude. . . You’re blackmailing the security guard?” Max’s eyes went wide. “No wonder you got away with so much shit in the past. . .”

“Well. . . Keep it down, won’t ya?”

“That’s such a bad idea. . .” Max mumbled to himself.

“I think it’s actually a good idea,” Arthur said surprising Max. “It’ll save us loads of time, would give us what we’re looking for and on top of that Tjay seems confident enough it’ll work. I’ll go with you.”

“Really?” Max looked at Arthur who simply nodded back at him making him sigh. “Ugh. . . I guess. If we get expelled for this, I’m beating your ass.”

“Don’t worry so much.”

The three made their way towards the security guard who was enjoying his lunch by the school gate. Seeing Tjay approaching, the man put his food down and got up while swiping away the crumbs off his pants. He was around Max’s height, but fitter and not to mention older, roughly in his mid-40s with a few grey hairs showing.

“Hey Kwan,” Tjay said smiling with a honeyed voice. “How are you today?”

“Why you wanna know kid?” he sighed in annoyance. “And what’s with the posse?”

“Don’t be like that Kwan. . . I’m just looking for help.”

“What’d you do this time?” he crossed his arms.

“Nothing, I swear. I just need you to help me into the security room and have a look at the camera feed from this morning.”

“That’s crossing the line Tae-Hyun,” Kwan protests glancing at Max and Arthur. “What are you two, his backup? I don’t know what this punk told you, but if you try and make a fool of me as well, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Max took a step back and Arthur glanced at him calmly. It was clear that Kwan had a bad history with Tjay, one that would force him to put his guard up as soon as he saw three students. Something that wasn’t normal by any means.

“Look,” Tjay said making a single step forward. “I’ll even compensate you this time around.”

“Compensation? You must have really fucked something up this time around. . . I’ll do you a solid and not look into it, but if you say a word about you know what, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Tjay was getting frustrated, that much was obvious as he clenched his fist.

“Sir,” Arthur spoke up. “I don’t mean to interrupt whatever conversation you’re having here, but he truly didn’t do anything this time around.”

“And who are you supposed to be?” he said aggressively.

“Name is Park Arthur. I’m Tae-Hyun’s classmate.”

“Wait a second, I recognize you. . . You’re the kid from the accident,” he pointed out lowering his guard for a brief moment. “What’s a kid like you doing with a kid like him?”

“Contrary to your belief, he ain’t all that bad once you get to know him.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Tjay mumbled as Arthur implied that he was bad at first glance, though his protest was stopped when Max nudged him from behind with his elbow.

“Hah, could have fooled me. . . Listen, I ain’t got time for this.”

“It’s about our friend,” Arthur spoke up. “She has someone who’s potentially stalking her for the past few weeks and it’s weighing on her. She is afraid to go home alone, and while we don’t assume the culprit has bad intentions, we’d like to find out for sure.”

Max and Tjay were both taken by surprise by Arthur’s speech.

“It’s important to us sir. She’s dear to us,” Arthur kept talking. “I know that you’re busy, and I’m that you work diligently day and night, and that Tjay. . . I mean Tae-Hyun can be a thorn in your side, I’m sure you’re willing to at least listen. To prove how much this means to us, I’m willing to bet that Tjay can swear to never mention whatever the two of you discussed ever again. Ain’t that right Tjay?”

Tjay gritted his teeth and nodded. “That’s right. You can consider my mouth sealed forever.”

Kwan was taken by surprise, and so was Max. He couldn’t stay on the defensive side, and Arthur had eased him into the idea of helping. Whatever Tjay held over him the fact remained that they were still teenagers, mere kids in his eyes.

“Is what he said true? Are you really looking to help out this girl?” Kwan asked Tjay with a calm voice.

“It’s true. . .” he said with confidence.

The four stood in silence. All three of them were anxiously awaiting his response.

“Fine. I’ll help you out,” he said walking past them but looking towards Arthur at the end he spoke up with a low voice. “You got quite the mouth on you. That won’t work again.”

“Thank you sir,” Arthur said gracefully.

Following behind Kwan, Max was hyped while Tjay tapped Arthur on the back and gave him a grateful nod.

They arrived at the school security room, a rather small room with a single chair and loads of monitors observing every inch of the school. Arthur glanced around looking for Nabi and Irene, spotting them a moment later in front of their classroom.

“So which camera are you looking for?”

“The school main entrance, particularly the right side lockers,” Tjay said.

It was good that he knew, cuz Max and Arthur were clueless about it. Arthur rarely used the school lockers in the first place, apart from keeping slippers in them.

“Alright, I’m guessing this morning?” he looked back at Tjay who nodded.

Reverting the footage, he sped up the feed to the point where minutes lasted mere seconds. There was an hour of footage that they needed to go over, since school wouldn’t be open before then. They all eagerly awaited results, but no luck. The only footage shown was of Nabi arriving to her locker and packing what she needed. She seemed to have reacted to something, but it wasn't clear from that angle.

“Impossible. . .” Tjay mumbled.

“Sorry kid,” Kwan said looking back at the footage. “Nobody went to her locker this morning.”

“You sure she even said that she found it in the locker?” Max asked.

“It’s unlikely that someone dropped it to her somewhere else without her knowing. I doubt he went to her house. . .” Tjay pointed out. “Besides, she seemed to have reacted to something. Maybe we missed it?”

“Four of us? I doubt it. . .” Kwan mentioned. “If you really want, I could play it back, but clock is ticking and class is about to start.”

Tjay sighed disappointedly as he turned his back to everyone pulling his hair back while thinking.

“What if he didn’t drop it in this morning?” Arthur mentioned. “He could’ve also dropped it in after Nabi already left the school. Then the letter would’ve waited for her in the morning.”

“Makes sense!” Max said nodding impressed. “Do we know when she left school?”

“They left school a bit late. I asked her if she wanted to meet up, but she said she was waiting upon Iseul with Irene to go out for a drink.”

Max pondered for a bit. “Sis came home around six to pick something up before going out, so they probably left around five-thirty.”

“Sir Kwan, would you mind if we play the footage from five-fifteen and up?” Arthur asked.

“Sure,” he said looking for the footage. “There. . .”

They watched in anticipation as Arthur checked the time, they still had ten minutes left.

Speeding through it, they saw Nabi and Irene waiting at the lockers. It was funny watching them joking around at such speed. There was also no sound, so they wouldn’t be able to overhear any conversations.

“There!” Tjay pointed out at Iseul as the girls left. “Now all we have to do was wait for the guy to show up. . .”

They waited a few minutes, but it felt as if nobody was gonna show up on the footage. It was already doubtful that anyone was at school at such late hours, but not impossible.

“Stop,” Max said as he noticed quickly that someone was approaching the lockers. “Play it at normal speed.”

Kwan listened, and they all watched as the kid approached Nabi’s locker, dropping in the letter. He looked a bit taller than Arthur with short black hair. He was wearing the typical school uniform, so that wasn’t going to help them. Max didn’t wanna say it, but the guy was good-looking. If he were to directly ask out a girl, most would say yes.

“There’s your culprit,” Kwan said.

“No clue who that is. . .” Tjay said quietly.

“I can’t help you there,” Arthur pointed out the obvious.

“Hmm,” Max leaned in having a good look. “I think I saw him before. . .”

“Where?” Tjay asked the obvious question.

“Give me a moment. . .” he pondered before having a realization. “Oh, right! I’ve talked to him once during our school trip last year. I don’t remember his name, but he’s from our grade.”

“Alright, that’s enough for now. You kids have to go to class. . .” Kwan pointed out.

“You guys go ahead, I’ll be right behind you,” Tjay said.

Arthur and Max nodded and left the room.

“What do you think they’re talking about?” Max asked.

“Don’t know, don’t care. The less we know, the better. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“I guess.”

Tjay soon left and the three made their way to the classroom where Irene and Nabi waited for them.

“Where were you?” Nabi asked Tjay with her arms crossed.

“Outside? Didn’t Art already explain?”

“We checked outside. You weren’t there,” she said annoyed because he lied.

Arthur glanced at Irene who shrugged.

“Maybe you just missed us.”

“I’m not stupid Tjay. . . You were looking into who it was that gave me the letter, didn’t you?”

“Nah,” he acted innocent.

“Why would you do that behind my back?” she asked.

“I umm-”

“Tell me. . .” she kept pushing.

“Come on Nabi. . . Some random guy is giving you letters and you expect me not to bother looking into it,” he tried to play it cool.

Arthur had a bad feeling as to where he was going with this.

“I didn’t ask you to do that. You were weird about it since this morning, what gives?” she wanted to hear the truth.

“Who wouldn’t be curious. . .” he said with a smile.

“Curious? Is that why you did it?” she looked at him disappointedly.

“I mean ye. . . I wondered what type of guy he’d be,” his cool act was digging him into a deeper mess, but it was not Max’s place nor Arthur’s to intervene.

“What type of guy? Cuz only the weird ones can go after me, right?” she averted her gaze.

She waited for him to say something, but he remained quiet.

“Unbelievable. . .” Nabi mumbled. “Did you even find out who it was? No. . . I don’t care actually. Must be a weirdo. . .”

She turned away from him and proceeded back to her seat leaving the rest speechless. Tjay didn’t do anything to make things better as he left for the bathroom last minute.

“You didn’t have to lie to me you know. . .” Irene whispered shaking her head while proceeding towards Nabi to make sure she was OK.

Arthur sighed as Max just tapped him on the back.

“We win some, we lose some,” Max whispered before proceeding to his seat.

The classes continued normally. Nabi and Tjay kept their distance even after school.

Early in the morning, Arthur arrived at school earlier than most yet again. Though this time, he saw Tjay in the distance.

“Hey,” Arthur said approaching the intensely focused Tjay.

“Shh. . . Come with me,” he mumbled as they walked towards a classroom down the hallway.

“What are we-”

“He’s here,” Tjay said pointing out the classroom.

Apparently, he came to school earlier as well to look for the guy, luckily for him, he also arrived earlier.

“How long have you been here?”

“About half an hour,” he said before turning away from the classroom seeing as the guy was taking his leave.

Arthur looked over at him, analyzing him in greater detail. He was right in assuming that he was a few cm taller. He had dark brown eyes, black tidy hair, a good jawline, and was athletic. It was clear that he trained, but he wasn’t bulky so most likely some form of martial arts based on posture.

“Let’s follow him,” Tjay whispered.

“I don’t think that’s a-”

“Come on,” Tjay didn’t let him finish before following behind the guy.

They eventually reached the bathroom doors as the guy turned towards them. He confidently approached.

“Why are you following me?” he asked with a deep and rather manly voice, an additional thing that would piss Tjay off about him.

“Who said we were following you?” Tjay asked.

“Drop the act,” he tilted his head slightly. “What do you want?”

“Fine,” Tjay said confidently. “We know you’re the one who gave Nabi the love letters.”

“So?”

“So. . .” Tjay was taken by surprise that he admitted it so easily. “What’s the deal with that? You think you can just play with our friend?”

“Play? Are you worried about her?”

“I’m the one asking the questions.”

“So that’s what it’s about,” he said sighing. “Don’t worry, I ain’t playing anyone. I genuinely like her, is that so hard to believe?”

“You plan on telling her that?” Tjay kept talking not knowing where he was going with all this.

“Of course I do. I just wanted to give her a heads up so she ain’t surprised when I approach her.”

Tjay kept quiet. He wanted to punch the guy, but he had no justified reason to do so, nor could he speak in Nabi’s name.

“Now if that’s all you wanted to talk about, then I’ll see you around. . .” he turned and entered the bathroom.

Tjay let out a sigh.

“You ok?” Arthur asked quietly.

“Fuck. . .”

Tjay simply turned his back towards Arthur and left. His ego was just shattered, and Arthur couldn’t help but feel bad for him. It was going to be a long school day.

Chapter End.

Thank you for reading.