Chapter 3

• AT NIGHT, IN THE HOOD’S HOUSE
• The family gathered together for dinner. Most of the time, they ate fried chicken for dinner from the leftover from Betty’s mother shop, and so it was tonight.
• "Why can't we eat something else? I’m tired of eating chicken," Betty said with an unhappy face.
• "Don't worry. We will cook something different tomorrow," her father replied.
• "That’s what you always say," Ben, her little brother, said with his mouth full of chicken. Then he got choked and started coughing.
• "Water!"
• Their mother quickly passed water to Ben but it didn’t work. He kept coughing, which stressed his heart.
• Fortunately, he was sent to the hospital in time, and his illness didn’t get worse, but he still needed some days to rest. Although the family had gotten used to his repeated illnesses, the reminder of collecting money for his operation was still a huge challenge for them.
• Betty quickly rushed back home the next morning because they all had to sleep in the hospital, but she was late and got punished. When she came back to class, Billy drew his chair closer to her and asked,
• "You are very late today. Is everything okay?"
• Betty looked at him but did not answer. Then Billy continued.
• "How is your brother?"
• Betty was surprised. No one in the school knew about her brother, let alone knew about what they had been through yesterday.
• Betty stared at Billy curiously, and Billy was searching her eyes, wanting to know what she was thinking.
• Ray had informed him earlier that morning about Ben’s crisis because Billy had told him to keep an eye on the Hood family.
• "Don’t you want to tell me about it?" Billy asked.
• But Betty just looked at him angrily.
• "I don't have anything to tell you about my family."
• "I don't mean to offend you, I’m just worried about you," Billy said seriously.
• Betty looked back at Billy again as if she was looking at an enemy. However, she discovered that Billy’s eyes were full of sincerity. He was not going to mock her.
• “But how did he know about my brother, and why is he worried about me?” Betty thought with confusion.
• "Don’t be fooled. That is all a lie. He wants to mock me just like others," she told herself.
• In her former school in New-town, she was used to being mocked by her mates because of her family status. So, she believes he was going to mock her too. Which was why she had kept to herself and make no friend so that her family problem will not be made known in school.
• "You don't have to worry about me or my family," she replied and looked away to avoid Billy's gaze.
• Billy sighed since Betty still kept strong in such situation; he wonders what kind she’s made of. But the more she stops him from getting closer to her, the more he wants to get closer to her.
• "I don't think you can escape from me." He mutters but Betty manages to hear him.
• Betty frowned and looked back at Billy.
• "What did he mean by that?"
• The teacher later came in and informed the class,
• "The groups should start working on their projects. You guys only have two weeks for it."
• After school, all of their group members gathered in one corner, discussing their group project.
• One of them, named Bella, stood up and winked at Billy.
• "I think we should pair together; the rest of them will only be a drag," she pointed to the rest as if she were irritated by their presence.
• The rest of the group were not surprised because she was always like that.
• The leader, Henry, looked at her furiously and said,
• "We will have to pair in twos to make the work easier, but you are not the one to choose the person you are going to pair with."
• Hearing what Henry said, Bella’s face turned sad.
• "Why can't we choose? If I don't pair with Billy, I will not pair with anyone," she said angrily and moved closer to Billy. She touched him softly and asked,
• "Billy, will you pair with me?"
• The other students kept quiet, waiting for Billy’s answer. Billy slowly removed Bella's hand from himself.
• "I can't pair with you, but I would like to pair with Betty," he instantly said and moved to Betty, suddenly hugging Betty's neck playfully while smiling.
• Betty was not really listening to the discussion. Realizing Billy’s sudden hug, she looked shocked and pushed him away fiercely.
• Billy looked at Betty's reaction, smiling because he deliberately wanted to tease her.
• Before Betty could talk and reject, Henry, the group leader, said,
• "Since Billy wants to pair with Betty, Bella, you should pair with someone else."
• "I don't want to pair with anyone except Billy," Bella refused, staring at Betty furiously, but she couldn’t change anything.
• After the meeting, when Betty was going home, Billy ran after her and called her, but she did not answer him as if she could not hear him calling.
• Billy ran to her side and spoke directly into her ear.
• "Bet," he called her again.
• "What are you doing?" Betty shouted at him angrily, holding her ear.
• Billy looked at her scared face, smiling.
• "I was calling you, but you seemed not to hear me. Since you did not hear me calling you, I decided to speak closer to your ear," he grinned like a child.
• Betty stared at him, not knowing what to do about him.
• "What do you want this time?"
• Betty did not want to have anything to do with him, but since he kept bothering her, she decided to ask.
• "Your number," Billy replied instantly, shaking his phone in front of her.
• Betty was surprised because of Billy’s request.
• "Why should I give you, my number?" she asked.
• Billy smiled softly.
• "Did you forget we are partners now? And I’ll need to call you."
• Betty blinked her eyes, staring at Billy's handsome face. Though he was troublesome, he seemed like a good person. Betty sighed, then snatched Billy's phone and typed her number on it.
• She shoved the phone back to him and left him.
• "Wait for my calls," Billy shouted after her and saved her number as "My Tease." He smiled happily because he could now get her number.