L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 8

What do I do now?

Koi had never even considered a Plan B because he never imagined Ashley would just irresponsibly drop everything like this. But now, he had no choice but to figure one out.

I didn’t think he’d be this unreliable!

For a moment, Koi felt tears welling up. He tilted his head back and took deep breaths.

He’s probably too sick to care about anything right now. But still, responsibilities are responsibilities. If he knew he couldn’t do it, he should’ve at least called me in advance. Then I would’ve had a little more time. But now, how am I supposed to do this alone...?

It felt like he was the only one in the world forced to finish assignments no matter how miserable he felt. For someone like Ashley Miller, a guy with everything, this project was probably nothing. Even if he got a B, he wouldn’t care. And if his grades ever did become a problem, his family could just donate a new school building, and he’d get in anywhere he wanted.

I hate privileged kids.

Koi roughly wiped away the tear that had managed to escape. He had no other choice. He needed to stay calm. He was the only one who needed this grade, so he had to finish it no matter what.

Once he made up his mind, panic set in. If he had to do Ashley’s part too, he’d need twice the time. But quitting his part-time job wasn’t an option. The only thing he could cut back on was sleep.

“I can sleep all I want when I’m dead.”

Muttering to himself, Koi pedaled furiously, racing forward.

*

“Ash! What the hell? You got a cold?”

True to his reputation, Ashley Miller became the center of attention the moment he returned to school. His usual group swarmed around him in front of the lockers, making even more of a fuss than usual. Even students standing farther away were busy taking pictures.

Meanwhile, Koi quietly packed his things and shut his locker.

To get to class, he had to squeeze past the wall of large bodies blocking his way, but it wasn’t a big problem. He was used to this kind of “crisis.”

Without saying a word, he pressed himself against the lockers and slid sideways through the narrow gap. At one point, one of the guys let out a loud laugh and slammed his fist against the locker where Koi had been standing just moments earlier. If he hadn’t dodged in time, it would’ve been a disaster.

Letting out a slow breath, Koi rubbed his stiff neck and glanced back. Ashley was still surrounded by his group, joking and laughing.

So, he really was sick.

His pale complexion was undeniable proof. But Koi felt no sympathy—because of Ashley, he’d spent three sleepless nights and nearly got kicked out of his part-time job for dozing off.

Turning away, Koi walked toward his class. Behind him, he could still hear Ashley and his hockey teammates laughing loudly.

*

“I’ll be announcing the grades for the last assignment.”

This chapter is updated by freēwēbnovel.com.

At Martinez’s words, Koi tensed up. Every fiber of his being focused on her next words as she adjusted her glasses.

“You all worked hard. Of course, some of you just did the bare minimum. Ah, Dixon, I’m not talking about you. Your work was very thorough.”

The students laughed, glancing at Dixon, who had been whispering to his seatmate. He laughed along with them.

But Koi wasn’t laughing.

There was no way anyone in an AP class would have done a half-hearted job. Ashley’s approach had been unexpected, sure, but no one was going to blame him for it. He had plenty of other ways to make up for one bad score.

It’s people like me who have to struggle like this.

Just as a wave of self-pity began to rise, Martinez called his name.

“Koi Niles, Ashley Miller.”

“Yes!”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Koi almost stood up on instinct but managed to stay in his seat, raising his hand instead. Ashley raised his hand as well, but his expression was completely indifferent. Obviously. He hadn’t contributed a single letter to the assignment.

Koi anxiously watched Martinez’s lips, waiting for the verdict. She looked up from the grade sheet and smiled at him.

“You worked hard. You two got the highest score. If I could give more than an A+, I would.”

Yes!

Koi’s eyes lit up. Martinez nodded at him as if to say, See? I told you.

Joy spread across Koi’s face, breaking into a beaming smile. He did it. It had been exhausting, but he pulled it off!

There had been so many times when he worked hard only to end up with a disappointing result. But this time, his effort had paid off.

What could be better than this?

He clenched his hands over his mouth to stop himself from shouting in excitement.

Martinez continued calling out names and announcing scores, but Koi didn’t hear a single word.

Right now, in his world, he was the only one that existed. Nothing else mattered. No other sounds reached him.

Not even Ashley’s gaze, watching him with a strange expression.

*

“Don’t doze off today. Keep your eyes open, got it?”

The owner scolded Koi sternly while pointing at the ceiling. Koi glanced up at the security camera positioned above the register, ensuring it was capturing him, before the owner shot him one last sharp look and left.

Now alone in the store, Koi let out a deep sigh. The joy of having resolved his assignment had lasted for only a fleeting moment. What came next was an overwhelming wave of exhaustion.

“Ugh, seriously.”

As soon as he was alone, he let out a long yawn, wiping away the tears that had gathered in the corners of his eyes. He looked around the store. It was a quiet day—no customers in sight at ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ the small shop selling snacks and miscellaneous goods.

Taking advantage of the moment, he pulled out his assignment, but his vision blurred, and his eyelids kept drooping.

“Ah, come on.”

He tried rubbing his eyes vigorously and even spoke out loud to keep himself awake, but it was useless. He had to wash his face with cold water—there was no other way. Just as he stepped around the register, the bell above the door jingled.

Of course.

He sighed, half annoyed but also slightly relieved that the timing had saved him from falling asleep. Without thinking, he looked up to see who had entered—only to freeze on the spot.

It was Nelson and his group.

Koi wanted to act indifferent, but his body wouldn’t cooperate. His instincts kicked in, and he went rigid. Nelson smirked.

“Yo, where do you think you’re going? Shouldn’t a cashier stay put?”

His group burst into laughter, already reveling in the moment.

“Man, the owner must have some guts to leave the store to Koi Niles.”

“That just shows how much trust they have in our dear Niles, doesn’t it? Incredible, Mr. Niles.”

“Come on, loser. What the hell can you even do in here?”

As they laughed, one of them suddenly jabbed Koi’s forehead with a finger, shoving him backward. He stumbled and crashed into another guy behind him.

“The fuck, man?”

The guy cursed and shoved Koi away with a scowl.

“Damn, look at this guy. He fucking stinks. You think it’s contagious?”

“Shit, dude. What are we gonna do? Hey, come here, take a whiff. Smell him. Ugh, fuck, I think my nose is rotting.”

One of them grabbed the back of Koi’s head and shoved him down, as if trying to make him eat the floor. Koi fought desperately to stay on his feet, but his body bent in half, his head dangerously close to slamming against the counter.

“Stop! Cut it out!”

Koi shouted in desperation, but they only laughed at him.

Meanwhile, Nelson casually strolled to the fridge, pulling open the glass door and rummaging through the drinks. Without a second thought, he grabbed a beer and tossed it to one of his buddies standing behind him.

Caught off guard, the guy fumbled with the can and groaned.

“Dude, what the hell? You can’t just throw it at me.”

“Like this.”

Nelson grinned and dramatically shook his own can before popping it open.

“No! Don’t!”

Koi shouted in alarm, but of course, Nelson didn’t listen. The moment the tab cracked open, a foamy white geyser shot straight into the air.

“Whoa!”

“What the fuck?”

“This crazy bastard!”

Shouts and laughter erupted as beer sprayed everywhere. Koi’s heart sank.

The golden liquid splattered against the ceiling, leaving behind a brownish stain before raining down, soaking Nelson’s hand and dripping onto the shelves below. Only after the can was nearly empty did Nelson finally take a sip, grimacing immediately.

“Fuck. There’s barely anything left.”

No shit. Half of it had already been blasted into the ceiling, with the rest drenching the store’s inventory and pooling onto the floor.

But there was no time for despair.

Nelson had already turned back to the fridge, grabbing more cans and stuffing them into his pockets.