JAY'S POV:
I was on my way to school, and Aries was giving me a ride again. As usual, he wasn't saying a word.
I stared out the window when I spotted Ci-N walking, hands in his pockets, headset on.
"STOP THE CA—OUCH!"
I barely got the words out before Aries slammed the brakes.
No seatbelt—I flew forward, smacking the dash.
"What the fuck?! Do you have to scream like that?!" he snapped.
Good thing no one was behind us.
"I'll get off here," I muttered, hopping out without waiting.
I bolted toward Ci-N and smacked his arm.
"Hey!" I greeted.
He glared, then grinned when he saw me, yanking off his headset.
"Good morning!"
Smiling already? I was set to chew him out for skipping school, but his face stopped me cold.
"Holy crap! Ci! What happened to your face?!" I asked with worry.
His lip was split and swollen, a bruise blooming under his left eye, scrape on his cheek.
"Uh… hehe, fell off my bike," he said, scratching his head.
Fell off his bike? Please. It's obvious he got into a fight.
"With whom did you fight?" My voice went ice-cold.
He froze.
"What fight? I didn't—"
"Ci-N, you're a terrible liar," I snapped.
He grinned nervously, scratching again. Does he have a lice?
He stayed silent for just 1 fucking minute!
Finally, he answered:
"Yeah, okay. That gang I took down? They came back evening with backups. Tough bastards."
"You should've called me—I was nearby."
"I just… didn't want you to get hurt."
"Why would I get hurt?" I blinked.
"Well… you're a girl, duh."
That did it—fury crashed in. His words lit—like a fuse—in me. Rage boiled up fast.
I hate their judgments, their underestimation—especially because I'm a girl. It tricks them sometimes, but it breeds endless trouble.
Their smirks cut like knives, blind to the storm I've been sharpening all along.
"So? You thought I'm weak! You thought I'm weak just because I'm a girl!" I said in an irritated tone.
Just because I'm a girl, that doesn't mean I couldn't fight a bunch of crooks.
"N-no, that's not what I me—"
I cut him off.
"THAT IS WHAT YOU EXACTLY MEANT!" I shouted.
He kept his head down, guilt conquering him.
I sighed.
Just then an idea plopped to soften the atmosphere.
"I thought your class has hackers? I thought they would dig my records? Shame they haven't dug my records yet."
Sarcasm dripped, emphasizing 'hackers'.
"I don't know. I was resting. I didn't contact them much."
I nodded.
"How'd you land in Section E anyway?" he asked.
The air finally softening.
I smirked. And then flashed an innocent smile.
"I don't know. Ask your friends," I said in my best sweet voice.
I wanna see and laugh at his reaction when he finds out. I hope I get a chance.
He eyed me suspiciously but covered with a grin.
"How's the classroom?" he asked.
It's fine… they're just acting crazier than ever… as usual.
"Same as always… except they haven't spoken to me for a week."
"Huh?!"
"Let me explain it for you," I said, clearing my throat as if preparing for a speech.
"…My middle name is Fernandez."
That was all I said, waiting to see if he'd get the hint. But apparently, he's too slow.
"And? So what?"
Oh, great. He doesn't even know Aries' last name.
"Aries is my cousin!" I quickly told him.
"Ah—"
He suddenly stopped and seemed to be thinking.
I knew what was coming.
"What? Gonna ditch me now? Ignore me like the rest?"
"Nah."
His smile lit up.
"Let's just pretend I don't know about that issue."
Contagious. I grinned back.
..................
We hit school, nearing class when chaos erupted inside—shouts, thuds.
Fight.
Ci-N and I shoved closer.
Keifer had some guy by the collar, fury blazing.
I couldn't clearly see who he was up against.
"Bro, what's up?" Ci-N asked one of our classmates.
"David's back… He wants to be the class president again, but of course, Keifer won't let that happen," our classmate replied, looking way too excited about the fight.
A fight and he's excited? Nice.
"Is that David?" I asked Ci-N.
"Yeah…" Ci-N briefly answered.
Bets flew:
"I'm with Keifer!"
"Team David all the way!"
"500 on Keifer!"
"I'll bet 1000!"
Idiots ! Cheering instead of stopping it?
Impressive!
Tsk. Keifer… What the heck were you thinking?!
I really don't want Keifer to get into trouble. And if it's for some puppet bullshit throne, never!
Punches flew. They traded blows, crashing everywhere—until Keifer stumbled into me.
I hit the floor, hard.
"Argh! Ow!"
He bounced up, dove back in, while I struggled to stand.
Damn it!
I forced myself to get up quickly.
Some tables and chairs had already been knocked over.
Ugh, I don't know… I was starting to get really annoyed.
Keifer, please stop! Please have some maturity and stop fighting over a fake-ass crown.
They were so loud, and it was giving me a headache.
That's it! I lost my patience.
"STOP IT ALREADY!" I roared.
No one heard. Patience snapped.
Ignored! Fine!
I grabbed a chair and hurled it at them.
Crash!
Silence.
All eyes on me—like I killed the party.
Yuri chuckled, shoulders shaking, hand over mouth.
Keifer and David were both glaring at me.
Even our classmates, who seemed to have been enjoying the fight, were now looking at me like I'd ruined the fun.
I am fuming with rage.
Seriously! I don't want Keifer to get hurt… or hurt someone else. I hate these rotten power plays and Keifer is fighting over stupid Clown king crap.
Ugh!
"The hell? A girl's in here?!" David barked.
He is a bit skinny. He had a scar on his jaw and was somewhat pale. His looks were average.
"Were you the one who threw the chair?!" Keifer growled.
"Yeah! Problem?"
He stormed over, grabbed my collar.
His face inches away, his eyes fire. I could smell his breath.
Minty.
Heart pounded, but I glared back—no fear…showed.
"Busyboddy!" he shouted.
"You think this scares me? Dream on!" I shot.
His grip tightened.
Our classmates jumped in:
"Hey, Keifer, she's a girl—"
"I don't care!" Keifer yelled.
I smirked.
I don't know why, but I kinda loved the hate-crush vibe. I like this feeling. I like this enmity with him.
So I'll make most of it. I'll experience the feeling of having Keifer as enemy+crush.
Who knows?! Maybe won't get this chance anymore to have the fun of being his rival.
"Keifer! Let her go!",Yuri.
"She's still a girl, dude!",Felix.
"I'm the one you should be fighting!", David chimed in.
"Choke her harder, hahaha," Ci-N joked.
I glared at him. Seriously, this kid!
I rolled my eyes to irritate Keifer more.
All the boys gasped, some froze.
They never thought a girl could have the guts to do this.
He tightened his grip.
"You stupid girl! You got some nerves, huh? You think you can win me?" Keifer said, fuming.
I was about to shoot back but Yuri interrupted.
"Enough! Fight David."
Class chimed:
"Let her go—back to David!"
Keifer had no choice since the whole class was telling him to. He let me go reluctantly but shot me a deadly glare before turning back to David.
Tss, he still thinks I am scared of his so-called deathly-glares.
He was about to throw another punch to David, when Yuri suddenly spoke up.
"Re-election Monday!"
Murmurs agreed, and Keifer seemed to consider it for a moment.
"I'm in," David agreed.
"Fine, after class," Keifer grunted.
Some people were disappointed, while others agreed with the decision.
And then there were those who blamed me.
I might as well kill someone early today. I'll skin them alive for fun.
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