The final bell rang.
Students began packing their bags and leaving the classroom one after another.
Chairs scraped against the floor.
Conversations filled the room.
Lin Thit sat quietly at his desk, slowly putting his books into his backpack.His movements were absentminded because his thoughts were somewhere else.
This morning
The image replayed in his mind.Thuta Zaw standing calmly in front of Aung Ko Ko with that tired look in his eyes.The way he spoke without fear and how Aung Ko Ko, someone everyone avoided, actually backed down.
Lin Thit tightened the zipper of his bag.Those two,they're really cool.Aung Ko Ko hadnt returned to class since he stormed out earlier.
And Thuta Zaw
Well.
That guy had slept through the entire day like nothing had happened.Lin Thit couldnt help shaking his head.
What kind of person sleeps after something like that?
"Hey!"
A voice snapped him out of his thoughts.Aung San had already walked over to his desk."Lets go."
Lin Thit slung his backpack over his shoulder.
"Yeah."
The two left the classroom together.Outside the school building, the afternoon sun was already starting to fade.Students filled the streets, chatting loudly as they walked home.
But Aung San seemed especially excited."Did you see him today?"
He waved his hands energetically.
"Thuta Zaw!"
"That guy was amazing!"
Lin Thit walked beside him silently, listening.
"I mean seriously,"Aung San continued."Did you see how the girls were looking at him after that?"
He sighed dramatically."Life is so unfair."
Lin Thit raised an eyebrow."What do you mean?"
Aung San pointed at his own face.
"I mean look at him!"
"Hes strong, cool, and good-looking."
"Of course the girls like him!"
He looked at Lin Thit with a jealous expression."Why cant we be like that?"
Lin Thit nodded slowly."Yeah.I guess so."
But the truth was,the thing Lin Thit felt jealous about wasnt his looks.It was something else.Something harder to describe.
As they walked down the street, the two continued arguing.
"Obviously the coolest part is his face, "Aung San insisted.
"No," Lin Thit replied."It's the way he talks."
"Your'e crazy."
"Your'e blind."
They kept bickering until they suddenly noticed someone standing near the corner of the street.A familiar figure.
Thura,standing there quietly with a complicated expression on his face.Lin Thit and Aung San exchanged a glance.Then they walked toward him.
"Hey "Lin Thit called out."Are you okay?"
Thura jumped slightly.He looked nervous for a moment before realizing who it was.
"Oh its just you guys."He sighed in relief.
Thura knew them.They used to play games together occasionally.And their parents were friendly with each other.
Lin Thit noticed something on his face.A bruise from Aung Ko Ko slap.It was faint but clearly visible on his cheek.
Lin Thit looked down awkwardly.
"Sorry,I couldnt help you this morning."
Behind him, Aung San also lowered his head.
"Yeah sorry."
Thura blinked in surprise.Then he smiled gently."It's okay."
"You dont have to apologize."He rubbed the back of his neck.
"It was my fault anyway.Because I'm weak."
Lin Thit felt something strange when he heard that.But he pushed the feeling aside.
"So why are you standing here?"
Thura went quiet.His eyes drifted toward the ground.He looked like he was thinking about something whether he should say it or not.
Finally
He spoke."Theres something you should know."
Lin Thit and Aung San leaned closer as Thura lowered his voice.
"Aung Ko Ko and his guys,they're planning to gang up on Thuta Zaw."
Both of them froze."What?"
"The reason I know Thura continued nervously, is because I was in the restroom earlier."
"I heard Aung Ko Ko talking with someone on the phone."
"I couldnt hear the other persons voice.
But they were discussing a plan to attack Thuta Zaw."
Thura clenched his fists."I tried to warn him after school.But I couldn't catch up to him."
His voice became filled with guilt.
"They're probably fighting right now....and its all because he helped me."
Aung San rubbed his head in confusion.
"Wait.....wait."
He looked overwhelmed.
"Why are there gangs and ambushes?
"Arent we just tenth graders?"
"I feel like theres a wall between us and those guys."
"Like they're living in a completely different world."
Thura looked down again.The air became quiet.
Then—
A hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.
Thura looked up and saw thatLin Thit was smiling.
"So.....Do you want to help him?"
Thura blinked."What?"
"If you want to help." Lin Thit said casually,"then well go with you."
Behind him, Aung San immediately protested.
"Wait—who is we?"
"I'm definitely not going somewhere just to get beaten up!"
Lin Thit turned his head.
"If you come with us"
"I'll pay for your school lunch for the whole month."
Aung San froze and his expression changed instantly.He stood up straight like a heroic warrior preparing for battle.
"Where are they?I couldn't let bullies like that stay peacefully after attacking others innocents"
Thura looked confused at Lin Thit action
"Why do you want to help now?"
Lin Thit shrugged."Because I couldn't help this morning."
But that wasn't the real reason.The truth was something else.Something he didnt say out loud.
Maybe.....
This is the breakthrough.
Maybe this is the moment that breaks my boring life.
Lin Thit adjusted his backpack and started walking.
"Come on.Lets go."