PART 2

Several days had passed, and Diana hadn’t shown up to class. As the bell rang, signaling the end of the day, students hurriedly packed their notebooks, eager to head home.

"Who can take Diana her assignments?" the teacher asked, holding a stack of photocopies.

"I can do it," Mike volunteered as he slung his backpack over his shoulder.

"Mike, one thing..." Andrew approached him just as Mike was saying goodbye to the teacher. "Could you give me Diana's phone number?"

"Why do you need it?" Mike asked, pulling out his phone and scrolling through his contact list.

"Oh, it's just that I'm a bit worried about her," Andrew replied.

Mike handed over his phone so Andrew could jot down Diana's number when Emily approached them.

"Are you free this afternoon?" Emily asked Andrew hesitantly, keeping a noticeable distance and lacking the usual confidence she typically exuded.

"For what?" he asked, handing Mike's phone back to him.

Emily was known for being straightforward, sometimes a bit spoiled, but always honest. She had gone to the Gers amusement park that day for a very special reason and because she was ready to face the truth.

"I'd like to talk with you," she said, her expression pleading as Andrew looked at her, slightly concerned.

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Mike had meticulously memorized the way to Diana’s house. Since their outing to the amusement park, he hadn’t heard from her, except for a brief text exchange the day before where she mentioned that her ankle was healing, but she had caught a cold. Despite having been to her house before, his palms still sweat nervously each time he approached her door.

"Oh, it's the weirdo!" Zedd exclaimed as he opened the door.

"Call me Mike," Mike corrected him, trying to keep his composure.

"Are you here to see my sister? Come in, she’s in the living room," Zedd motioned for him to enter.

"Aren’t you going to ask for my ID this time?"

"I've got a photocopy stashed in my room," Zedd quipped, leading Mike inside.

Following Zedd into the living room, Mike saw Diana lying on a worn-out sofa. Though most of her face was hidden behind a mask, what little he could see was pale and colorless. Her eyes were puffy and she looked exhausted, yet when she noticed Mike, her face brightened instantly.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Sis, the weirdo's here," Zedd announced.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to call him that?" Diana scolded her brother.

"I’ll stop when I can see his face. As long as he hides behind that hair, he’s a weirdo to me," Zedd retorted, bluntly pointing out the truth that stung Mike.

Once Zedd left them alone, Mike and Diana sat across from each other at the table.

"Do you feel up to starting our study session today? I can help with your assignments," Mike offered.

"Yes, I’m feeling better. I’ve just been resting a bit more," Diana replied as she took the photocopies Mike handed her, watching as he laid out his notes on the table.

"I hope I don’t pass anything on to you."

"I'm stronger than I look," Mike assured her, flipping open his book.

Mike proved himself to be an excellent tutor, breaking down even the most complex formulas into simple equations. However, Diana found it hard to concentrate. No matter how much she tried to focus on what Mike was explaining, her attention kept drifting back to him—his delicate features partly hidden behind his long bangs and his porcelain-smooth skin.

"You can solve the formula easily if you move this here..." Mike explained, but he paused when he noticed Diana staring at him. "Is something wrong?"

"Doesn’t it bother you?" she asked, pointing to his hair.

"The bangs? Not really…"

"It must get in your way. Let me help," she offered, standing up and gently pulling the hair tie from her own ponytail to gather up Mike’s bangs. She tied them back with the same hair tie, creating a small ponytail on top of his head. "Much better."

"Th-th-thanks," Mike stammered, blushing deeply.

"You look really cute," Diana added, smiling warmly at him. "There’s no need to be embarrassed in front of me. We’re friends, right?"

"Diana, I..." Mike began, the words he had been holding back for so long finally on the verge of being spoken.

But just then, they heard muffled whispers from behind the wall that separated the hallway from the living room.

"Come out, you two!" Diana called out, spotting her mother and Zedd hiding behind the wall. "Don’t pretend you’re just passing by!"

"Honestly, Sis, I didn’t think you’d be so forward with boys," Zedd teased, stroking his chin, causing Diana to blush even more.

"I entrust my daughter to you. She’s a terrible cook and has a temper, but she’s a good person," her mother, Dalia, said as she approached Mike, bowing slightly.

"Stop teasing! Mike already has a boyfriend," Diana protested, her face turning an even deeper shade of red.

"Such a shame. He’s the first boy you’ve brought home..."

"That’s how my sister is," Zedd chimed in.

"What is wrong with you two?" Diana yelled, standing up and slamming her hands on the table in frustration.

For Mike, these were precious moments. They reminded him of the lively family scenes he once had, which had vanished after his mother’s death. Watching Diana’s family, a mixture of envy and nostalgia welled up inside him.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Dalia offered.

"Me? No, thank you. I don’t want to impose," Mike replied politely.

"Not at all. My mother always cooks extra so that on nights when it’s just me and my sister, she doesn’t have to cook and accidentally poison me," Zedd joked, glancing at his sister.

"Come here, little rascal! How dare you talk about me like that in front of my friends?" Diana grabbed Zedd, playfully ruffling his hair as he laughed.

"It’s true, though."

"Are you staying?"

"It would be an honor," Mike finally agreed, touched by the invitation.