Two days later…

After noon break, it's History class. Helbram's not excited because the teacher likes to talk about the existence of the Abomination, which he, himself, doesn’t want to talk about.  Still, he's no choice but to comply because it is one of the curriculums he must need to ace.

Since they have 30 minutes to spare, Helbram headed to their classroom.

On the corridor....

On his way, he saw Fredrick, who is famous towards the ladies. It grossed him out and passes them like they’re not there. Frederick observes Helbram and let out a smirk.

When he entered, Helbram noticed that Rose's hyped more than anyone else. He then checks on her and peeked at her notes. As he expected, it’s all about the Abomination.

“Oh? Helbram, it’s you! I didn’t expect you to approach me!” She giggles.

“Anyways, any updates in regards to your claims?” He sits at the chair in front of her. “Nothing as of the moment. The one I told before remains firm.”

Helbram looks rather disappointed.

"So, the 10 myth busters’ range of information has limited over the past years, huh? Anyways, good luck on that.”

Helbram teases her and Rose made a grumpy face, making him relieved. So, he left and seated on his chair. Helbram’s about to relax but suddenly, Fredrick approaches Rose and takes a closer look.

“Oh? I didn’t know SSC Pres has keen interest in Abomination!” He said in awe and Rose slowly covered her work.

“Yeah… I am.”

Fredrick sits in front of her.

“Rose, what a coincidence! We share the same interest!”

Helbram caught their attention but remain eavesdropping.

“Really?” She seems glad.

“Yes! You see, that myth goes around Northern Empire and it took quite my interest!”

Rose's eyes are brimming. “Since when?”

“Just… a year ago.” He said as he rubs his chin. “I heard a saying that this Abomination controls the power of blood!”

Rose’s in awe. “Woah? Really?” She’s enjoying it.

“Well, some rumors said that the Abomination is like a Slime monster but having the power to control blood is a one thing!”

Fredrick nods. “I know, right?”

Both Rose and Fredrick were vibing, and it doesn’t please Helbram. Either way, he focuses on his academic than talking about baseless rumors.

Later...

Through the entire history class, Helbram’s so pissed because Fredrick and Rose were in total sync in terms of interest. Helbram’s tasked to stand up and write on the chalk board but Fredrick sees this as a chance to trip Helbram. So, by the time he tripped, other classmates laugh.

“Hey what’s wrong with you, nerdy pants? You look tired! Ahh! It seems someone is dozing off during class hour again!”

Helbam's mad because of what he did and also, for sparking that sense of jealousy in him. Despite all that, he controlled himself and stood up like it’s nothing.

Meanwhile…

Before last period starts, 15 minutes is spared, a great timing for studying. He’s going to study in peace but later unfulfilled because of Fredrick and Rose. His attention could never focus due to the part he’s jealous.

“Don’t you dare lose your cool, Helbram.” He reassures himself. “It will die out soon. Have faith.”

Helbram thought it would end there but his jealousy is like fire; the more fuel, the stronger it burns.

Each passing day, Rose and Fredrick relationship gone stronger because they share the same interest. Helbram cannot get it out in his mind day and night. 

Example, when he is resting at the roof top, he cannot peacefully because his mind kept showing scenes where Rose and Frederick are enjoying discussing about Abomination topic.

Not just that!

When he’s jogging, eating, working out, and studying at his house, his peace is always disturbed no matter what! So, when he lies on bed, he hugged his duck pillow and screams within.

“Aargh!! Curse that Fredrick!”

Next week…

Wednesday morning, second period, it’s their major class, there’s a surprise long quiz for Physics. Since Rose is a HUMSS strand, she wouldn’t know what’s happening in STEM class.

After 1 hour of discussion, the Physics teacher gave them a surprise long quiz. Both are dismayed, as for Helbram, he’s prepared.

“Man! I hate surprise long quiz! I hate it!” Bryan rants. “Bro, share your answers okay?” And he jokes around Helbram and the boy took it seriously.

“Unless the teacher doesn’t arrange us in alphabetical order.” He whispered and Bryan’s shocked.

“Come on, man! Can’t you--  at least not be a mood breaker?”

The physics teacher clasped his hand. “Alright class! Arrange yourselves in alphabetical order so we may begin.”

This adds surprise to the entire Section A – STEM class.

Bryan scratches his hair. “Aaaahh!!! Why oh why??!”

Helbram shakes his head and proceeds to where he should seat.

Suddenly, one of Helbram’s seatmate exchanged seats with Fredrick.

“You– ?!”

Helbram looks surprised and Fredrick just seat normally.

“Okay class, the allotted time is 1 hour and 20 minutes.” He clasped. “Alright! Are you all excited?”

The students let out a grunting noise.

“I’ll take that as a yes! Now, take 1 whole sheet of paper and copy the question shown in the projector.”

Teacher sets up his laptop and Helbram is peacefully writing but then, he heard a-- Psst!  coming from Fredrick. He intends to ignore but–

“Hey! You pointy-eared brat?! Listen to me!” He whispered. “Give me your answer or else I’ll beat you to shred!”

Helbram still ignores but the man’s ceaseless threats bug him so he gave what he want.

“Good dog!”

1 hr and 10 minutes…

Helbram’s yawns since he finished answering the questions an hour ago. He’s going submit it to the teacher but–

“Hey! Miscalculate 3 questions, ya hear me?!”

Helbram gave him a side eye but he saw him motioning his hand ‘slitting his throat’. Helbram shakes his head and just follow his orders because he wants to leave the room.

When everyone passed their answers, Fredrick observes Helbram in the hallway.

“Hmm… Nerds are weak and powerless.”

They all left and Bryan rendezvous with Helbram.

“Bro! You finished the exam as early as always!”

He cheers him up but the man didn’t show any interest and just walk.

“Hey! Wait for me!”

Next Day…

When last period's over, which is their Physical Education, Helbram’s exhausted and headed to the changing room. Suddenly Fredrick intentionally bump himself and pretentiously fell on the ground. Helbram’s unfazed and Fredrick starts ranting.

“Hey! Watch where you’re walking you bastard!”

Helbram didn’t respond and proceeds to his locker. Fredrick hates being ignored, therefore, he sprung up and uses his elbow to pin him.

“Are your pointy ears deaf or what?!” He said. “I said, apologize to me damn it!”

Helbram gave him a cold look.

“Why should I bother giving apology to someone who intentionally bump himself to a fully aware person?”

This provoked him.

“Apologize or I’ll kill you!”

He added more force but Helbram just give him a cold stare. Helbram’s gonna put an end to his lame threats but he suddenly glimpsed Rose, Bryan, and his other classmates, approaching. So, he let Fredrick do his thing.

Fredrick slam him to the ground. Rose and Bryan saw Helbram lying on the floor. So, they decided to aid him.

“Hel! What’s wrong?!”

Bryan quickly helped him.

“What’s going on Fredrick?!”

Fredrick cleaned himself.

“Tell that friend of yours to watch where he’s going!” He lied. “He just bumps out of nowhere and didn’t even dare to apologize!”

Rose looked at Helbram.

“Is that true Helbram?”

Helbram didn’t speak and Fredrick sees this as an opportunity.

He points at Helbram. “See? See? Silence means yes!”

Rose stood up and bows at Fredrick. “I’m sorry in behalf of Helbram, Fredrick.”

Fredrick waves his hand.

“That’s fine.” He fixes his hair with his hand. “I already forgiven him.”

He massages his nose bridge. Helbram looked at Fredrick with piercing gaze and he secretely tightened his fist in anger.

“Anyways, Rose!”

He directed his attention to her.

“I have some friends that also shows interest in Abomination!”

Rose looks glad.

“Really?” She looks excited.

And suddenly, Fredrick’s fangirls came.

“Oh? You’re Rose?” Fangirl(1) asks.

“Who shares the same interest in Northern Empire’s Myth?”

Rosemary nods, looking hyped. Fredrick’s fangirl(1) crosses her arms.

“Oooh ghurl!! We have bunch of stuffs to talk about!”

Fangirl(2) pats Rose’s shoulders. “How about we stay at the lobby and talk there? What do you say Fredrick?”

Fredrick rubs his chin.

“I’m fine wherever Rose’s comfortable.”

Rose looked at them.  “Hel, I… I need to go! Goodbye!”

Bryan bids farewell. “Take care Rose!”

So, Fredrick, together with Rose and his fangirls, left.

“Wow! I didn’t expect that chick’s boy had interest in mythology.”

Helbram begins acting suspicious.

“I sense… lies.”

Helbram tries to get himself up. “But Rose feels happy by their accompany.” He cleaned himself up. “Let’s leave her be. After all, she finally found a group where she could talk her obsession.”

 He grits his teeth.

“If something were to happen to her, he’ll be the first one I’ll beat to torture.”

Next day…

The Physics teacher came to announce the Physics Long Quiz of STEM A scores.

“I’m sorry to intrude the Science Class, everyone!”

He looked around and there’s no sign of science teacher.

“Umm… May I ask where’s the subject teacher? I mean, your first period teacher went to?”

Class President Sydney raised her hand and speaks.

“Excuse me sir but our Science teacher has left for an important errand. He told us to make use of the vacant time to study and work the unfinished activities from other subjects.”

“Wow, how kind of him.” He mumbled.

“Anyway class, I’m sorry to say this but may I have a lil spare of your time? I just need to announce the results of the STEM A’s long quiz results.”

Student(1) is looking forward. “Oooh? I’m sure Helbram aced it!”

Student(3) nods. “Yeah! That dude’s been undefeated since elementary!”

Helbram just look away, letting his face rest on his resting hand, looking rather disappointed.

“Alright Class, settle down! I’m going to announced the top 3 top scorers with its names. Please step forward and take your paper.”

He clears his throat.

“Alright, the one who aced the perfect score is…. Fredrick Hudson!”

The whole class are flabbergasted and Fredrick celebrates.

“Next up is Sydney Fleur who got 70/80 and last but not least, Bryan Bourgeois who got 60/80.”

The whole class stares at Helbram while Bryan raised his hand.

“What’s wrong, Mr. Bourgeois?”

Bryan stands up.

“Umm… Sir, may I ask about Mr. Wilheim’s?”

The teacher starts browsing the answer sheets.

“I’m sorry but I’ll not announce the scores that is below 60.” He said. “For confidentiality, the following will be called in alphabet. Thank you.”

Bryan couldn’t believe what’s happening. He checks on Helbram and the man just look away like it was nothing.

15 minutes later….

“Alright class, thank you for sparing me your time! Enjoy your vacant time!”

He made his leave and the entire class bid him farewell.

Bryan looked at Helbram, who’s been quiet lately, and approached him but Helbram congratulate him.

“I heard loud and clear you managed to the Top 3! Congrats!”

Bryan looks skeptical.

“Helbram, what’s going on?”

Helbram didn’t speak.

“Anything related to Science and Mathematics are easy for you. Is there something you're not telling us?”

Helbram just shrug. “Guess I flop, I think?”

Bryan looked at Helbram’s answer sheet and the evidence of erasures are present.

“Those erasures, don’t tell me you intentionally made your answers wrong?”

Helbram speak no further.

“Bro, what’s been in your mind lately? You’re seriously not in yourself since Rose hang out with Fredrick. Are you perhaps– jealous?”

Helbram flinched.

“Why would I be jealous over someone that Rose can vibe with?” He crumpled his answer sheet. “Quite happy for her though.”

Bryan can't shake off the feeling.

“But you, on the other hand, is not pleased.”

As they’re talking, one of their classmates congratulates Frederick.

“Woah, you’re so amazing Fredrick! You manage to beat that nerdy pants in your major subject!” Student(1) said.

Fredrick felt glad.

“Oh, don’t flatter me.”

Student(2) came in. “It’s kinda surprise for Helbram though. It’s okay to rank 2 or 3 but he– for the first time, never manage to get past those rankings? What a news!”

The gossip is on.

“It’s like-- first time in history!” Student(3) gossips and it's everywhere.

Helbram knows the very reason so he just keeps his mouth shut.