Your hand is extended past your body for a handshake but your arm hangs motionless. He isn’t returning your greeting. 

“Hello,” you say again with a warm grin.  He stares at your hand suspiciously so you pull it back uneasily.

You purse your lips disappointedly and twist around to face the front again.

“That’s him?” you whisper to Yoon Hee.

She nods grimly and murmurs back, “Told you he was weird.”

You pick up your pencil, tapping it lightly against your chin as you contemplate.  Huang Zitao.  So this is the name of the mysterious boy Yoon Hee speaks of.  Now that you’d met him in person, he seems even stranger.  Cold, and somehow angry.  Were new people always like this? Even so, there’s something about him that tells you he isn’t ignoring you on purpose.

* * *

After class, you’re about to leave when you see Zitao is still seated.  He’s leaning on the back of his chair and his open notebook is empty on the desk.  His form is slouched with his legs extend beneath him.  You’re afraid that he’s pondering over something malevolent or even corrupt.  But the grave look in his serious eyes is saying otherwise. 

It’s possible that he’s just really shy, you think to yourself.  Or perhaps he has something intensely troubling him.

You nod goodbye to Yoon Hee and Eun Ah and watch them leave the classroom comfortably.  Zitao continues to sit like a statue, disregarding you as you stand before his desk.

You barely stoop forward until you’re eyelevel with him.  He doesn’t react.

“Maybe you couldn’t hear me earlier,” you say earnestly. “I’m                  .  It’s nice to meet you, Tao”

His expression is tacit.

You’re considering whether or not you should continue.  “Umm, I know it’s hard on the first day, but let’s get along.” You move your head, trying to catch his gaze.  “Okay?”

Your voice catches in your throat when he slaps the desk and pounces up from his chair.  He’s bearing an infuriating expression.  “Don’t,” he says accusingly.

“Don’t…what?” you gulp.

His fiery eyes glower at you.  “Don’t call me Tao,” he growls.  “That’s not my name.”

He pushes away from the desk and bumps your left shoulder starkly, storming to the door.  His sudden temper is the complete opposite of what you expect from his serene appearance, and it startles you.

You haven’t seen much but you're afraid that messing with someone like him will only bring trouble.  Unintentionally, your mind flashes back to your grandfather and last night’s uncomfortable date. 

You’re determined on finding your way into Tao’s good side.