~~~
It was the beginning of a new year and the commencement of another term in Daepyo Dan.
Students flooded the hall in their big coats, furry hats, and squeaky shoes as warm "hellos" and "happy new year" swirled around the hall.
Reiss tugged his scarf tighter around his neck as he walked into the hall. He really wasn't a fan of the cold snow, and he wasn't a fan of school either.

"Hey man!" He heard someone say it, but his body had already received a small slap on the back before his brain could register who it was that yelled at him.

He really didn't need any help from his brain cells, though; there was only one person who would think of saying hello to him, and that was his new best friend, Solomon.

"I told you to stop hitting me whenever you said hello!" Reiss winced; even though his bag protected him from the slap, he still felt the pain.

"Sorry, my bad. Happy new year!" Solomon yelled again.

"And can you stop yelling? I'm practically beside you. What happened to our new year's resolution, Solomon??" Reiss raised a curious brow at him. As they clung to each other's shoulders and walked down the hall.

"Naah. I threw it down the drain; I couldn't get by on the first week," Solomon shrugged.

"What! Then what about our plans for this year's anime collection?" Reiss spat.

On their list of new year's resolutions, their planned anime convention was at the top. That was the only thing he looked forward to in this new year. Someone who could watch anime with him, who didn't judge him, make fun of him, or ask too many questions about his past,

A friend was all Reiss wanted, and last year, in his second year of high school, Solomon transferred, and the rest is history.

"We're still going to do that silly thing." But I made a bit of an alteration, and I know you'd thank me later." Solomon smirked even though he knew Reiss was sending him nothing but daggers with his eyes.

"Would you just chill?" he chuckled before continuing.

"We're watching the new anime that's coming out, GTO." He looked at Reiss to catch his reaction.

Shocked, Reiss tried to speak, "GTO?" You mean—"

"You know what I mean. We're watching Great Teacher Onizuka!"

"Butt…" Reiss couldn't imagine what had gotten over his friend.

"We need to grow up, Reiss, be big boys for once, and learn about our opposite sex. There's no nasty stuff in there, sadly." Solomon frowned

"You're such an idiot, Solomon." Reiss smacked him on the head. As his brain began to imagine things he wasn't supposed to,

"You see, you like this idea. Combat anime is the bomb, but Onizuka? He's a teacher, and we are students just trying to learn some important lessons from a wise sensei. So are you in?"
Reiss pursed, puckered, and furrowed his brows, seriously debating this new idea his friend had brought to the table.
It was a new year, so maybe he could change his taste a bit. Also, he didn't want to lose this new friend, so if watching GTO would help, he was willing to do it.

"Okay, fine," Reiss finally sighed.

"Yes! Then I'm sure you'll be on board for my next new year's resolution." Solomon smiled from tooth to tooth.

"What other plan?"

"I'm going to ask Freya Park out."

Oh…

Was the only thing that crossed Reiss's mind. Almost all the boys in school went to Gaga for her. But he knew better; beyond that pretty face, she was a demon deep down.

making fun of anyone who wasn't smart enough, wasn't as good-looking as she was, wasn't part of the popular kids, or didn't have the ideal body standard. And he had always been her victim, since he started Daepyo Dan back in junior high school.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Solomon said, pulling him out of his thoughts.

"Sorry. Uhm, congrats" He smiled warily. Of course, Solomon didn't really know their history, and Freya didn't know Solomon was his friend. He made sure no one would know, so Solomon wouldn't be bullied because of his ties with him.

"For you to actually do that, you have to say hello to that idiot. You haven't had a single conversation with her since you transferred here." Reiss rolled his eyes. What is he thinking by saying this all of a sudden?

"I know, okay; no need to rub it in. And by the way, I'm working on it, promise," Solomon smiled.
And Reiss gave him, 'If you say so, look."

"Okay, I'll see you after class," Reiss said before dashing to his locker.
Reiss sighed as he opened his locker, stuffed his bag inside, and took his textbooks and a pen. He then took a sneaky glance at Freya, who tossed her hair as she talked to one of her friends.
… … …  …

3 weeks later...
Closing hours
This was Reiss's last and only class with Solomon on calligraphy.

As they stepped out of class, Solomon was in a bit of a rush to catch up to Reiss.

"Hey. Please, I know this is a lot to ask, but if you could give this to Freya for me, I just remembered I have to go grocery shopping with my mom in 10 minutes. Please tell her it's from me, okay? Thanks Man" He hugged him and gave him a book before running towards the school exit.

It had been weeks since they'd last talked about Freya. He thought Solomon would have forgotten about her by now and moved on, but it seems he still wants to have a conversation with her.
Offering to lend her his English textbook isn't bad; since they had an assignment due in the next 2 days, it was an opportunity for Solomon to actually say hello.
"I'll give him credit for thinking of this idea without me." Reiss shrugged, but it didn't make that sick feeling in his stomach go away.

His new year's revolution was to stay out of trouble. And trouble, meaning Freya. But here he was, taking bold steps towards her locker, where she stood combing her hair.
"… Freya?" He mumbled; his legs were squirming underneath the oversize trousers he used to hide his body.
Why was he getting so worked up over this girl?
Her hazel eyes immediately shot daggers at him as she turned to look at the one who just dared to call her name.
Recognising him She tilted her head and lowered her gaze. "What is it?" she spat. The initial smile on her face disappeared into the wind.

"A frien-" He shook his head.
"Sorry, someone said to give this to you," Reiss said as he handed the textbook over to her. She took a long look at his lanky hands, which were holding a book in her direction.
Freya sighed before taking the book from his hands. Reiss immediately turned to walk away when she held him by his hand.
"Wait just a minute," she said as she opened the book and went through the pages. A piece of paper was folded neatly in between pages 54 and 55.
Freya smirked. She opened the paper and started to read out loud.

"Dear Freya,
Since the very first day my eyes caught yours, I have been in love with you. From your eyes to the way you dress your hair, your smile, and also your boobs.
I have been fighting to tell you how I feel, but I'm just too shy to do that. That's why I have been leaving secret letters tied to your locker; I am your secret admirer. I could be brown, gold, violet, the sky, hurt someone for you, or be anything you want. All I'm asking is for you to give me a chance."

"Did you hear that, guys?" The noodle boy here says he loves me. How sweet." She awed mockingly.
Reiss, on the other hand, was furious, mad, and humiliated. Why didn't Solomon tell him that he had put a love letter in the damn book?

He was more furious at Freya for reading everything out loud. What if Solomon had delivered his note to her directly? He would have been embarrassed!
Yet he didn't say a single word to Freya, so she continued to taunt him.

"You even wrote it using calligraphy! Boy, am I some special girl?" she giggled.

"But I don't understand one statement here. You said you could hurt someone for me, but I'm a bit confused... You see, you're so skinny, you couldn't even hurt a fly! Talk more about hurting someone." She mocked, and the whole hall erupted in laughter.
Freya smiled as she received an angry glare from Reiss.

"You also said someone sent you to deliver this to me. Don't lie to me; it was you who wrote this, right? At least if you're going to confess your love for someone, do it like a man and own up to your words! Good for  nothing."She hissed and pushed him to the ground as she walked away.

Reiss ran to what he knew was his safe place.
The toilet
In the twinkle of an eye, Evan and his bunch of friends showed up. The school's big bad boy just because he was more muscular for his age.
He always liked Freya, but she never paid attention to him, so he made it his sole mission to beat up anybody who would show interest in Freya. And now here he was, in front of Reiss, as he towered over him, being 6 feet and all.

Reiss couldn't say a word as Evan swung his fists at him, delivering a blow to his jaw and stomach.
When he was satisfied, he left Reiss alone to cater to his injuries.