Can We Be More

H SCHOO

laimed as she bent down to pick up the b

ou don't want to bump into things or people. Oh, and phones aren't allowed du

tanding up angrily and walking away. Just a few steps from Kornel, she tripped on a stone,

stared at him, both embarrassed and surprised. She qu

nel shouted after her, frustrated.

up his books again, an

She's smart but notorious, the kind of girl who turns heads but also raises eyebrows. Her parents, the Thompsons, are wealthy business moguls who o

in the classroom,

ing, class

sir," the stu

lf," Mr. Tom said, motioning

for a moment. She hadn't realized they'd be in the same class. She'd recently switched fro

duce yourself,"

department, but I've switched to arts. I hope we can

t over there," Mr. Tom instructed,

ually walked over, sitting

iefly before returning t

a repeated, tapping

nnoyed. "What are you do

lly?" Stella retor

es and bumps into people as much

ed, rolling her eyes and turn

nd Kornel ignored Stella

tudents rushed out to their dorms, but Kornel stayed behind, as usu

the dorm to relax? It's be

pond, deeply engr

Stella raised her voice, bu

he grabbed her bag and walke

sive crush. She found herself drawn to him and his quiet, focused dem

ed the courage to confess her feelings. She as

ore leaning in to kiss him softly on the lips. Shocked, Kornel

S HIGH SC

gh School, Time was struggl

o this time?" Time begged as Paul, the

g?" Paul sneered. "Be a man

ughed as they watched. Eventually,

chool clinic. They had reported the bullying several times, but the sc

ends, Zero and Daniel. Eventually, his best friend, Shawn, also became a targ

y accepting of the beatings. Paul, on the other hand, became possessive of Time, ensuring that no one else, not even Zero or Daniel, could

trations solely on him instead. Time felt responsible for dragging Shawn into his mess and w

h-school but was also relieved to finally be free from Paul's torment, while Paul, unexpectedly, found himself mi

OL SUMMER

all students to complete six compulsory years before graduating, while Roman Boys High School has a five-year program. This difference allowed Kornel

as usual. They always met there ever

and headed to where Time was standing. As he reached him, Kornel dropped his bag, grabbed Time by

fter a few minutes, it arrived. The

on were overjoyed to see them. They rus

igh school?" Mrs. Anderson as

both boys choru

ng that Mrs. Philips should know as well. After the call, he returned to the parlor where his wi

enjoyed for dinner. Afterward, Kornel and Time helped wi

m, they ch

st days in high school?" Korne

east I'm finally free from that crazy dude Paul and his equally crazy fr

are major shareholders?" Kornel said, frowning. "That's really awful. I'm sorry "I still feel bad I couldn't protect you.

is over , "No more Paul and his crazy antics" he said with a laugh, lightening the mood. So, tell

tella?" Kor

r settle your dispute?" Tim

ll over the years, she decided to confess her feelings to me on our graduation day. And guess

sed you? Wow, so you've had your

But I still can't figure out how she had the boldness to do it. I didn't even know she felt that w

lied, smirking. "But the world is small.

retorted quickly. "

, did you apply for Owen College like

"I just hope I get in this time. You know, unlike when I applie

me on the back. "You've got this. Fing

, man. Let's go to bed before m

s. He joined Time in bed, and the two hugged and

two families discussed Kornel and Time's plans to attend Owen College. They agreed that if both boys passed

re leaving, they asked the Andersons to tell Kornel to visit them i

minded Kornel to visit his parents. "They stopped by last nigh

aneous hugs, excited to see him. They chatted briefly before his paren

to begin a new chapter of their lives together. While waiting for the results, they made th