Alex nodded and took her phone. Their hands brushed lightly, the touch soft and cool. Since she had only been in school for a week, they had not yet found the time to exchange numbers.
Several boys and girls noticed them sharing contacts, and muttering began almost immediately.
"That Alex is a legend. It hasn't even been a week since he broke up with his beautiful girlfriend, and he's already hooking up with another," one of the boys said. He stared at them intensely, wishing he could switch places with Alex.
"Yes, and this one is just as pretty, maybe even more shapely than the last," his friend agreed.
As for the girls, they started wondering what was so special about Alex. He was pleasing to the eyes, yes, but he was also dirt poor. Deep down, they felt a sting of jealousy, though their pride would never allow them to admit it.
Alex and Amber soon headed to their classes.
On the way, they ran into Billy and Christina. It seemed Billy was escorting her to her classroom. He belonged to class C, and his grades were so poor that if not for his wealthy parents, he would have ended up in class F.
When he saw Samuel, Billy quickly leaned in and planted a peck on Christina's cheek.
"Stop it, naughty boy," she said, pushing him away playfully, while Billy flashed a grin at Alex. Alex ignored him completely.
He would have his revenge someday, but not now. At the moment, he was nothing and could not even begin to think about proper revenge.
Seeing them together caused a faint ache in his chest, but he knew it was only a lingering feeling from the past Alex, not his true emotions. In reality, he did not care at all about the two people, who were little more than strangers to him.
Billy did not think much about the fact that Alex had healed. After all, it had already been a week, and with proper treatment, healing was to be expected. That was exactly what Alex had wanted as well.
Alex and Amber entered the classroom and sat in their usual seats. Amber took the seat to Alex's left. On his right sat a fat boy wearing spectacles, with an earbud tucked into one ear.
When he noticed Alex, he removed the earbud and greeted him. "What's up, Alex? I haven't seen you for a week now. What's wrong?" he asked. His name was Jude, and he used to be Alex's friend.
That was before Billy. They had argued after Jude warned him about Billy, and Alex had accused Jude of being jealous. Jude deleted his number, and they never spoke again.
But things were different now. It had been a week since Jude last saw Alex, and he had also witnessed how Billy betrayed him. He was genuinely worried, which was why he broke his self-imposed silence and spoke to him.
"I'm alright. I'm sorry about what I said, Jude. I know it might sound strange now, especially since what you said about Billy turned out to be true. I'm sorry for how I treated you back then."
He apologized sincerely.
"Oh, that's nothing. I'm sorry too for scolding you that day and calling you small-brained. Maybe that's why you flared up back then," Jude said, apologizing as well as he stretched out his hand.
Alex took it gratefully. This fatty was genuinely a good person. The previous Alex had simply been too naive.
"Let's be friends again," Jude said, and Alex nodded.
After that, Alex noticed the earbud Jude was wearing. He always seemed to have it on every morning. The previous Alex had never paid attention to it, or cared enough to ask.
"You must really love music. What do you usually listen to?" Alex asked with a smile, trying to start a friendly conversation before the teacher arrived for the morning lesson.
"Oh, this?" Jude pointed at the earbud, looking embarrassed.
"The truth is, I don't listen to any known songs. It's just beats I made myself. Want to listen?" He looked at Alex hopefully.
Alex stared at him in surprise.
"You make beats? That's amazing. I'd really like to hear them," he said, nodding.
"Hehehe, it's nothing special, so don't be disappointed," Jude chuckled as he handed over the earbud.
Alex put it in his ear and listened. After only a few seconds, his eyes widened in disbelief. What he heard was completely unexpected.
He had been prepared for mediocre beats, which was common among wannabe producers and sound engineers. They were often unrefined, full of flaws, yet still passable.
But Jude's work was different. The beat was fire, polished and well structured, something that could already be compared to works by top producers, of course with a bit more refinement.
He was not a professional yet, but his talent was undeniable.
"You really made this? Did you do it in a studio?" Alex asked, genuinely shocked.
Jude removed his glasses, wiped them carefully, then put them back on before replying.
"Yes, I made it. How is it? Is it really that bad?" he asked nervously.
"Bad? This is really good. It could already be compared to top producers, of course with a little more refinement," Alex replied.
Jude blushed deeply, his fat body turning red.
"Thank you. You're the only one who has ever appreciated it," he said with a shy smile.
"Wait, how? This is too good for no one to appreciate," Alex said.
"Well, that's because you're the only person who has listened to it," Jude replied softly.
"Oh, I see. Now I understand," Alex said. "I'll be honest with you, Jude. If you keep this up, you're going to become a great producer or sound engineer in the future."
"Really? I have a small studio at home. Maybe you could come over one day," Jude said happily.
"Really? Do you also record?" Alex asked.
"No, not yet, but I hope to someday. I already have all the equipment at home," Jude replied.
Alex felt an unexpected urge to cry. Apologizing to Jude was something he truly did not regret. Missing this chance would have haunted him forever. Jude was real talent, and maybe he had just found a free studio as well.
"I want to visit too," someone said suddenly, startling both of them.
They turned and saw Amber.
"Really? You actually want to visit my studio?" Jude asked, finding it hard to believe. He had never had friends before, save for Alex, nor anyone interested in his studio. Now, two people wanted to visit at once, and he was overwhelmed with happiness.
"Can you guys sing?" he asked nervously, hoping he could record as well.
"Yes, I can sing very well," Amber said confidently.
"Well, I'm not that great, but I can compose and sing a bit," Alex said, feeling slightly embarrassed. He could not exactly claim to be amazing at singing.
"Great!" Jude pumped his fist excitedly, startling the entire class as his fat body jiggled with enthusiasm.
"What's wrong with that fatty and those two? And when did the three of them become so close?" the class wondered.
At that moment, Samuel received a text message. He checked his phone. It was a message from the talent show.
