ICYM Ch 11

Episode 11

I had imagined myself ignoring and avoiding him, but I never once considered that the other person might do the same to me.

I saw Kendrick’s back as he walked away with a dumbfounded expression in response to his unexpected behavior. But Kendrick disappeared without once looking back.

Of course, I hadn’t really wanted to greet him either. In fact, I was worried someone might see us greeting each other. But I never expected him to ignore me first.

Did I do something to make him mad? I got so nervous that I went over every recent interaction we had, from the messages we exchanged over the past few days to the conversations we had when we met.

— Wednesday, September 21 —

[Ken: I’ll feed it today] 2:18 PM

[Me: Okay!] 3:17 PM

[Ken: I don’t see the dog] 4:40 PM

— Thursday, September 22 —

[Ken: I’ll feed it again today] 12:55 PM

[Me: Okay!] 2:17 PM

[Ken: The dog’s not here again today] 4:27 PM

There wasn’t much in our texts, so I traced things back to when the two of us had talked after school. It was only then that I finally remembered something Kendrick had said.

Come to think of it, he asked if it was okay to say hi if we ran into each other there.

In other words, Kendrick had set a clear boundary that he’d only greet me in the garden after school, and he was simply sticking to what he had said.

It wasn’t that I’d ignored him, or that I’d made him angry.

Now that I understood, I figured I could let it go. It was actually a good outcome, since I had even tried to avoid him first, worried that he might want to get closer.

Could it be that he didn’t recognize me, so he didn’t say hi? What if it was just because his bangs were covering his eyes and he couldn’t see well? What if I feel relieved now only for him to suddenly greet me in a more crowded place later?

Just to account for that remote possibility, I deliberately crossed paths with him again. But Kendrick never once greeted me at school.

It was a blatant snub.

It was so overt that it even drew the attention of people nearby.

“I guess extreme-dominant Alphas don’t even want to talk to Betas.”

“That’s kind of sad…”

“Well, we all get ignored, so hang in there!”

At first, I was confused. Then, I was dumbfounded. And finally, I got curious. What on earth was going through his head?

* * *

That curiosity has followed me all the way to today. I should’ve been focused on studying, but without a clear answer about what was going on in that guy’s mind, the question kept circling in my head.

To other people, it just looked like an extreme-dominant Alpha snubbing a Beta.

But… is that really what it was, even in reality?

Was he embarrassed to be seen with me?

Based on how he acted in the garden, he didn’t seem like the type to do something like that.

Then again, going by that, he didn’t seem like a mafia boss’s son either.

I leaned back in my chair and stretched out my legs. I stuck a pen between my lips and nose, jutting my lips out. I was in a foul mood because I’d bombed the test.

Still, I figured I’d feel a little better if I ate some bread and saw that cute cat in the cool breeze after school.

It was Friday, and exams were over. I was planning to visit the garden today.

Once winter came, I wouldn’t be able to go even if I wanted to, so I wanted to make the most of it while I still could.

Anyway, what should I bring as a thank-you for the thank-you for the thank-you?

Last time, I’d only brought sweet stuff. Maybe I should switch it up and get something like a sausage roll this time?

Now that I thought about it, he hadn’t messaged me today. Maybe he had other plans?

I glanced at the time. It was 3:35 PM. I should’ve checked my phone right after class. I’d been so nervous about getting my test results that I completely forgot.

The school day would be over soon anyway, so I could just check then, but for some reason, I couldn’t stand not checking it right this second.

Unable to resist, I shot my hand up.

“Yes, He…”

The teacher squeezed her eyes shut, muttering that she still hadn’t memorized everyone’s names since school had only just started a few weeks ago.

Appreciating the effort but knowing she wasn’t going to get past the “He,” I quickly filled in the rest.

“Hayden.”

“Yes, Hayden. What is it?”

“Can I go to the restroom?”

“Go ahead.”

With the teacher’s permission, I jumped up from my seat.

It was almost the end of class anyway, so I used the bathroom as an excuse and stepped out into the hall. The moment I did, I pulled my phone from my pocket.

At the top was a text saying the package I’d ordered had arrived safely. Below that was a message from someone whose name didn’t even show up, so I couldn’t guess who it was.

[(No name): Baby.] 2:11 PM

Who the hell is this jerk?

Thinking it was probably a mistext, I ignored it and quickly scrolled down to find my chat with Kendrick.

As expected, there was no new message from him.

— Friday, September 23 —

[Me: I’ll take care of feeding today!] 3:28 PM

I stared at the chat window after hitting send.

I knew he wouldn’t be checking his phone in the middle of class since we were in the same class right now, but still.

Only after confirming there was no “Read” mark for several minutes was I finally able to look away from the screen.

Now that I’d said that, he probably wouldn’t come. That encounter on Monday must have been a coincidence.

Pouting, I shoved my phone back into my pocket and quickly returned to the classroom.

Just before class ended, the teacher glanced at the papers on her desk and called my name.

“Hayden, can you stay for a moment after class?”

“Yes.”

I had a pretty good idea why she wanted me to stay behind.

Snapping myself out of thoughts about Kendrick and back to reality, I was met with the dismal score waiting for me.

As soon as class ended, Kendrick walked right past me without so much as a glance.

“You’re going to town? What’s the occasion?”

I heard Kendrick’s Alpha friend speak in a surprised voice as he slung his arm over Kendrick’s shoulder.

“…I’ve got something to do.”

Kendrick replied with an unusually serious expression.

Those who overheard the exchange gave him uneasy looks, all wondering the same thing—Is that “something” dangerous?

Only his friend, oblivious to the tension in the air, continued casually.

“What kind of something?”

“……”

Kendrick didn’t answer, and the silence only made everyone more uncomfortable.

Is he serious?

But Kendrick didn’t seem to care about the growing suspicion and just kept walking.

“Wait up! I’m coming too!”

His Alpha friend’s voice echoed loudly into the classroom through the door that hadn’t yet closed as he chased after Kendrick.

I took my time packing up, waiting until all the students had cleared out.

Once the room was empty, I approached the teacher, who adjusted her glasses with a worried look.

“You seemed a bit distracted earlier.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I know you’re working hard. I figured the test results might’ve shaken you.”

“I guess I was.”

If I hadn’t studied at all, I wouldn’t feel so frustrated. But when the result of all that effort was 29 points, of course I was shocked.

“Are you having a hard time keeping up with the lessons?”

The teacher asked cautiously as she pushed her glasses up again.

I couldn’t exactly say I was doing fine when I’d bombed the test, so I gave a vague answer.

“…A little.”

At my response, the teacher tapped my test score sheet lightly with her pencil and offered a few suggestions.

“If you want, I can give you extra homework, or ask the dorm supervisor to arrange some private lessons for you after school.”

“I’ll try a bit harder on my own first. Would it be okay if you just gave me a little extra homework for now?”

If I went as far as asking for a tutor, there was a good chance the school would contact my parents.

I couldn’t risk summoning them this early on.

The teacher slowly nodded at my response.

“That works too. I’ll start giving you extra assignments beginning next class.”

“Thank you. I’ll do my best to improve next time.”

“Good. I know you’re working hard, and it’s still early in the term, so there’s not too much to catch up on yet.”

“Yes.”

“If you’ve got questions, don’t hesitate to ask.”

The teacher encouraged me, making a double “fighting” pose with both hands. I liked the teacher, but their over-the-top enthusiasm was a bit overwhelming.

After bowing my head, I picked up the pace and ran off toward the dorm.