Chapter 10

The class went by slowly for Anna, and a bit averagely for Mark. Everything he learnt on class where things he already knew. But for the sake of revision, he was glad he attended. 

Also, there were some stuff that his master didn't hint on. Mark believe either they are completely useless or the biology teacher is just adding fillers to make her notes comprehensive. He could not imagine his master to be wrong when it comes to science. But he enjoyed how conversational the class was. And when the lecturer left, a mathematics teacher came in. 

Even though Mark isn't bad in the course, his lack of interest for the course makes him a bad student. The teacher left almost an hour later, and the bell rang for break. Mark stood up immediately and went to Anna. 

"Hey Anna," he called her. He knelt down before her. 

"What?" She replied with a little bit of hostility. 

"Ever since we got in here, I have been hungry. I need food. Can you take me to the canteen?" He asked her. Anna sighed. She looked at her friends who had her eyes on her. Her boyfriend was also surprised. He looked at her from behind. He didn't know what to say. 

Anna stood up, and Mark stood up too. 

"Let's go," she said. He followed her. They left the class amidst a roaring class. 

"Sorry why are they screaming?" He asked. 

"You can go and ask them…" she said with a breaking voice. She ran towards the stairs. She entered a room and right above that says women's toilet. 

"What? Anna, are you okay?" He asked her. He waited at the entrance of the door. He saw some folks peeping at him. He caught them, so he waved at them. They pulled away. 

He kept knocking at the door. Anna opened up. He saw her eyes swollen. Her make up had been compromised. He realised she had been crying. And she washed her face. He knew it's because of him, but he chose to be oblivious to that fact. It's not his fault that this is happening. It's her father's choice. 

"Are you okay?" He asked. 

"I am fine," she replied. 

"Let's go to the canteen. I think I am hungry too," she added. 

They arrived at the canteen. There were lots of other students too. Those who look younger, same age and very few people who look older. 

"I don't know how a school canteen works. So is it free food or paid?" He asked. 

"Paid."

"Ah!"

"Dad said you have quite the appetite. You can eat as much as you want," she said. 

Mark was a bit surprised as to why she was being nice to him. Then he saw some of their female class mates hanging around. He realised it must be to throw him off balance. When she buys him the food, she probably plan to go and meet up with them. Mark doesn't really care. Being around her all the time might be limiting for him too. He does not care what goes on with her. 

Mark ordered what he wanted to eat. 

"Are you sure you can finish those?" The chef asked. 

"I can," he smiled. 

"If you can finish all of that, I will give you an extra plate," she promised. 

"Are you for real?" 

"Yes," the chef promised. 

"Nice," Mark said. He carried all he bought, and went to a table where Anna is seated. The amount of food he has before him was pretty embarrassing for her, but she has no other choice. She wanted him to start eating before she leaves. She believes that would keep him occupied. 

"Can you give me some time? I need to get to the rest room," she excused herself, minutes after he started eating. He knew why, but he doesn't care.  

The chef walked towards him, and say on Anna's seat. 

"What?" he asked with food stuffed in his mouth. 

"I want to be here to make sure you finish everything," he said. 

"Hmm. Anyways, these are some tasty foods. The soup really resonate with the potatoes, and the beef. Also, the rice aren't half bad. This is a culinary masterpiece right here. Been a long time I had such good food," he praised her. 

"Are you for real?" She said. 

"Of course, don't they commend your cooking?" She asked. 

"Some do, but they all believe since they are paying for it, it's my right to make this quality of food. And I am always tested to make better ones," she replied. 

"Hmm, whatever. This is great," he replied. He kept muching down on his food. 

"What's your name?" 

"I am Mark."

"Mark what?" 

"Just Mark."

"Just Mark?" 

"Hmhm," Mark nodded. He raised his eyes and saw a smile on the chef's face. 

"What's that for?" He queried her. 

"I like you," she told him. 

"Thank you," he said and Mark continued eating. 

Anna walked away from the canteen. She planned on returning to the bathroom. She needed to ease herself. And after that, maybe find a lone place to herself. 

"I trust you, so I won't make accusations. And because of that, I will like to to tell me who that is?" A familiar voice called out to Anna. She knew whose voice it was. And she had been avoiding contact with him. She knew she would get so emotional with him that she might be forced to tell him what he father said. And because of that, she has been avoiding him. 

Her boyfriend won't take lightly to the matter if he heard. He could ask his father to hurt her father. Despite how much he distance himself from them, his father is a prominent member of the Aye gang, who is less violent in Merrydam. 

But now that he has approached her, she could no longer avoid him.