The study group continued on. The student council rectified their previous statements and announced that the students were now welcome to stay in the library and other school facilities to study after class. The announcement was even accompanied by an apology by none other than Simon Walsh—the student council president. The teachers even expressed their admiration toward the students’ desire to pursue knowledge even after classes were done.
The study group method became popular to the second years. Students from different classes would approach Seth just to ask him if they could join the study group. From eight students, their group had tripled in numbers as weeks went on. Other study groups were formed by some students. Though, the most popular was the group where Seth was the leader.
Gil was always there to help. Although, he looked grumpy at all times when dealing with other students, Seth could see that his boyfriend was trying his best to accommodate everyone. Gil might look tough and scary on the outside, but Seth knew Gil had a soft side to him, too. Seth could also see that the other students were gradually opening up to Gil. Although, they were still some kinda scared of Gil, the students would talk to Gil, asked him questions, some were even telling jokes. Gil might not return their enthusiasm, but the important thing was he didn’t look bothered by their approach. Gil learned how to tolerate them and that was the biggest improvement Seth had witnessed.
Weeks went by in a blink of an eye. The midterm exam week was fast approaching and the students were getting nervous. But Seth reminded them to do their best and approach each question with calmness and understanding. The students got fired up because of that.
Seth was more than ready. He took a deep breath before starting. Unlike in his previous life, the things he memorized and studied for the exams were louder than the anxiety still creeping in his very core. Seth was so focused with the exam, his anxiety couldn’t keep up.
The midterm exams were gruelling—the students looked like zombies for a week. However, when the afternoon bell rang on the final day of the exams, the students couldn’t help but cheer while clapping their hands because their suffering was finally over. The members of the study group went up to Seth and Gil and expressed their gratitude. Some even gifted Seth and Gil chocolates, food, drinks, and other things just to thank them. Seth felt happy that the students appreciated his and Gil’s efforts of helping them. It was a nice but unfamiliar feeling for Seth. Aside from Gil and his mom, no one—even in his previous life—ever thanked Seth for anything. He experienced being ridiculed and cursed just for existing. Now, Seth was overwhelmed by the thought that many people genuinely appreciate what he was doing. Ah, Seth was very thankful for being alive, so he could experience something wonderful like this.
“Are you okay, Seth?” Gil asked.
He was deep in thought; maybe Gil mistook his expression as something bad. “Oh, I’m fine.” Seth smiled at his boyfriend. “I’m just happy…”
Gil didn’t look convince. “Are you sure? If there’s something bothering you, just tell me, okay?”
Seth hooked his arm on Gil’s. “I’m just having the best time of my life. I have my mom, Uncle Carl, our classmates who somehow became my friends, and especially, I have YOU.”
Gil looked at him with so much tenderness. “You deserve to be happy, Seth.”
Tears started to fall from his eyes. It was the first time Seth heard those words from someone. Most especially, from somehow that he truly loved. For 33 years, he lived his life alone and miserable. In Seth’s previous life, no one had told him those words. In the past, happiness was a foreign word to him and he didn’t exactly know what it felt like. But now, with Gil, happiness was something he could feel just by looking at the people around him. Seth didn’t know that being happy was such a wonderful thing. You couldn’t blame him for crying like a child in front of Gil because the wounds from the past were finally healing. He deserved this life. Seth deserved every good thing that was happening to him in this life.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“I’m sorry if I said something wrong…” Gil hugged him tight. “Don’t cry, Seth. I’m sorry…”
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“What mistakes from the past? What are you talking about?”
Seth wiped his tears away. He freed himself from Gil’s embrace, and then he cupped his boyfriend’s face with both hands and said: “I’ll tell you everything someday. Now that the midterms are done, let’s get ready for the event later.”
Gil nodded his head.
When they stepped outside the classroom, Seth and Gil bumped into Chuck Mallory. The latter looked down and ignored them. Since the day Seth won first place at the math quiz bee, Chuck became quiet and had stopped approaching Seth. Well, it was for the better. Seth didn’t want to deal with the likes of Chuck Mallory anymore. Now that the exams were done, Seth would have more time to help his mom with the restaurant.
Speaking of which, the event that Seth had been talking with Gil was the opening of his mom’s restaurant. They were done with the soft opening last Monday and today was the grand opening scheduled at 4 PM. Seth and Gil still had a couple of hours to freshen up prior to the event. They moved in hurried steps when they realized that both Seth and Gil promised to help before the scheduled time.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Seth’s mom together with the staff was expectedly too busy. Seth and Gil immediately went into action and helped with the on-going preparations. When the time for the grand opening came, everyone was so happy to see the swarm of people waiting outside the restaurant. Uncle Carl brought in his doctor friends to show his support. Most of the people who went to the soft opening also came back. Some folks from the neighbourhood also came to support. Seth’s mom’s former colleagues were also there.
All in all, the grand opening for his mother’s restaurant went well. The official closing time of the restaurant was 11 PM, but Seth, Gil, his mom and Uncle Carl went home at almost 2 in the morning because they had a little celebration for themselves.
When Monday came, Seth woke up early and found Gil sitting comfortably in the living room reading a book. Seth greeted his boyfriend with a ‘good morning’ and a hug. And then, they both went on to eat breakfast.
They arrived at school without any expectations. Today was the announcement of the results for the midterm exams. Seth knew that he did well, but he was not complacent enough to think that he was number one.
However, Seth and Gil were just entering the school gate when some of their classmates ran into them with full of excitement.
“Seth, I ranked 7th in the exams!” Paul informed them in a very enthusiastic voice.
Their other classmates proceeded to inform Seth about their ranks. He was so happy to hear that all of them went up the ranks.
“Congratulations!” Seth greeted them wholeheartedly. “You guys worked hard for it.”
“We’re not done yet!” Paul said. “Come and personally see your rank, Seth.”
Seth and Gil looked at each other. Their classmates were running while shouting at Seth to hurry up. He felt Gil’s hand pat his back. Seth took a deep breath. He was ready to see the results of his hard work.
When they reached the announcement board for the second years, Seth felt his heart leap to his throat. There it was, his name—Seth Wily—on the top of the list. His name was written beside the number 1.
“Congratulations…” Gil’s soothing voice whispered in his ear. “’I am proud of you, Seth.”
It took Seth mere seconds before his mind absorbed everything that was happening. Gil was standing beside him, whispering how proud he was for Seth. And the fact that…Seth was number one! Out of all the second years, Seth ranked on the top. First. Top. Number one.
Seth finally realized the fruit of his hard work. He immediately hugged Gil and jumped in joy. He jumped and jumped and jumped. He looked crazy but what the heck? He was finally number one!
Their classmates saw how happy Seth was, so they joined him and Gil into their jumping spree. Everyone was jumping in high spirits. Seth only heard laughter and felt happy vibes in his surroundings. He was overjoyed. He loved the feeling.
They only stopped jumping when the school bell rang. The students went to their respective classrooms but their energy was still high. Seth looked at Gil. His boyfriend was smiling from ear to ear. That’s when Seth remembered to look for Gil’s ranking. As expected Gil was somewhat in the middle. Seth eyed his boyfriend with accusing eyes.
“I am happy to be number one, but I’d like to try beating you in academics at least once.”
Gil shrugged. “What made you think that it would be hard for you to beat me, Seth? Just say the word, I’ll give up everything for you.”
Seth shook his head. “I know you’re some kind of a genius, Gil. I wait for the day when you go all out during exams. I want to know if I can still be number one against you. I’d like for that day to come.”
Gil held his hand. “Maybe someday…”
Seth puckered his lips. “Okay.”
Gil wrapped his arms around Seth’s hips. “You look cute pouting like that.”
A smile formed into Seth’s lips. “Well, you’re handsome. I’m glad you’re my boyfriend.”
Gil winked at him. Together, they walked into the classroom.
Everything was going great into Seth’s life. In this timeline, Seth was accomplishing things that he couldn’t even imagine he could do in his previous life. He had a kind and handsome boyfriend. He also had friends. His mom was alive and fulfilling her own dreams, she even had a fiancé. Wow, everything’s great, huh? So what’s next?
Of course, nothing in this life was perfect. Seth was so happy today, however the next day, another obstacle had presented itself.
Seth thought Chuck Mallory was being quiet. But it was just the calm before the storm. Because when Seth and Gil arrived at school the next day, Chuck Mallory’s mom was there and making a scene.
She accused that someone had cheated in the exam. Even if she didn’t mention any names, Seth was sure that it was directed at him.
Before the start of first period, the principal summoned Seth into his office.
Gil went with him.
*****
Of course, Seth could remain happy for long with enemies around. But he will overcome because he is much stronger in this life. Thanks for the chapter.
Couldn’t. Damn autocorrect.
This guy has no limits it almost makes me laugh XD How many slaps does it take for him to realize that he’s an antagonist and he can only lose? Now his mother has to take a slap too? Everyone in high school knows that Seth is a boss =v=’ Thank you for this chapter!!
at least it’s Chuck making trouble not Simon? XD