‘In what other ways could I warn you? I don’t even know who you are! ’

I pout as I read the new words written on my table the next morning. I get to reply every other day so I’m sure that whoever it is, is from the afternoon shift and can possibly be my batch mate. Why does this sound angry? Flipping my pen, a smile appears on my lips.

‘Chill XD!’ I wrote.

My own world is suddenly disturbed when my male classmates rush inside and sit properly even when there's no teacher around. I glance at them curiously, no longer hiding my astonishment.

I raise an eyebrow at my female classmates. Some are even applying face powder. They also use the lip tints they have hidden on the pockets of their skirt uniforms for a long time. All fusses, whispering and blabbering. Silent swearing of frustration can still be heard.

“Class, be quiet. You guys are so messy! ” Naziah, our Class Mayor, shouted. She's the one in-charge of monitoring our with of course, class officers under her.

I wince. Most of the time, she tolerates ... for she is also hardheaded, a misfit. We just voted for her because no one wanted to take classroom duties. Others got no choice, so she won. But why is she taking it seriously now? I sense panic in her eyes. She licks her lips nervously. What gives? Unless... I gulp hard.

All heads turn on the slightly opened door when we hear a light knock. It opens and familiar face appears. Two other officers followed. What is he doing here?!

Rico walks towards the teacher's table. Standing proudly, his properly ironed polo uniform hangs perfectly, suiting his physique very well. The black slacks are kind of hugging his thighs. His hair, well-cut. Thin lips are not smiling. As usual, those eyes as sharp as the hawk's are gazing with glorious intimidation.

My forehead furrowed.

"Good morning, class of 10-C," he greets.

What is good in the morning if your face is annoying? Woah, it rhymed!

The boys just nod. Meanwhile, I hear the girls seating on the front respond in a flirty manner. I could not help but roll my eyes because of what they are doing.

“We're going to inspect the boys' haircuts...” his gaze meet mine, “... and those who do not wear proper uniform. There will be penalty for those who do not abide the school rules. ”

I clear my throat. Is he throwing shades at me? I look away, facing the window. Sun rays peeping through the leaves of a tall acacia tree greet my sight. I bite the tip of my pen.

"Where's your Class Mayor?" I heard him asked.

"Uh, m-me!" I heard Naziah answer.

“You may help us by assisting your classmates. Boys, line up! ”

"So bossy!" the guy in front of me hissed.

Right?! He is so full of himself as if he can control anyone!

“Stop it, Noel. He's not even saying anything rude,” the girl beside him who obviously has a crush on Rico says. "You just feel inferior."

“Because that is what he’s making us feel,” I barge.

“Hmm? It’s just your imagination.”

My lips parted. Unbelievable. I turn to where Rico is at. He measures with the ruler how many inches long the men's hair is. I look down to see what he was doing. His forehead is slightly crunched. He is very focused on what he is doing. His side profile makes his jawline more evident.

“Dude, promise! I'll go to the barber shop later. Just don't cut it!' my classmate pleads.

I laugh at my classmate's reaction. Rico is holding a grasp of his hair while the guy wears an anxious expression.

"Sorry, bro..." Rico says and then he cuts it. "Just making sure you'll do it."

The other guy leaves the line frustrated. I laugh. Rico throws a furtive glance at me. I immediately sit up. My chest clenches. As to why, maybe I'm just nervous.

Wait ...

Nervous for what? It is just Rico. Do I care about him? Maybe because I am not wearing my top uniform? Or maybe, it is because I remember the interaction we just had this morning at the school gate. And he will even give me a punishment aside from the penalty that will still be paid. Yeah, that's basically it.

I give him a scornful look. I can still remember how he ruined my morning. This morning, I woke up earlier than the ringing of my annoying alarm clock. Hah! Miss Reyes who? But when I was almost at the school gate, I felt like I just wanted to be late. Rico was there standing authoritatively, checking the students if they were wearing their proper uniforms.

I gasped silently because I was wearing a pale blue shirt and my skirt uniform. I stopped walking. I didn't know if what I was wearing was okay. I chose to step farther when I saw that someone wearing a proper uniform was wearing sneakers and not leather shoes.

There were group of students coming in, so I was also planning to go inside with them. Unfortunately, they're wearing complete uniforms. I would be more noticeable.

I pouted when he still eyed them carefully despite them wearing complete uniforms. Perhaps not to miss anything. What if I actually went along? He would probably have caught me!

Maybe I could just go secretly when he's occupied and oblivious. There is a coming student. I took a deep breath as I prepared myself.

I walked slowly while the guard was still scolding me I was about to pass through the steel gate when I ran up against the sharp stare of Rico. My feet felt heavier, like I was suddenly stuck on the ground.

“Do you really think that you can escape from me, huh?”

Rico's hawkish eyes zoom at me with heavy ferocity of dim suspicion. Despite the strictness, he doesn't fail to make my stomach feel the tickling sense of something that also makes my spine and the nerves behind my knees shiver. I swallowed, not liking what it felt like to stare at him.