Zein's Point of View
I glared at Mia when I saw her casually swiping a spoonful of my ice cream. I was about to snap at her when I saw Fritzy approaching. He was beaming, practically skipping toward us with a wide, excited smile.
"The Supreme Court has summoned you," he chirped.
"Why?" I asked, my heart sinking.
"Oh, I have no idea! But the Supremo is waiting for you in the Wide Space." He gave me a knowing look before turning back to join his group of friends.
"Flirt," I heard Vanessa mutter under her breath.
"Guys, I'm sorry," I said, scratching my head in embarrassment. "I have to go. Duty calls."
"What are you talking about? It's fine! You have responsibilities to the university," Jerome said, ever the supportive friend.
"I'll walk you there," Matt offered.
I nodded, and we started the long trek toward the Wide Space at the far end of the campus.
"I think you and the Supremo are getting closer," Matt remarked.
I was stunned. I wanted to laugh—the idea of Ace and me being "close" was ridiculous. He didn't have friends; he had subjects. "You've replaced me," Matt added with a grin.
I couldn't help but laugh at his corniness. It was thrilling, in a way. If I allowed myself to be delusional, I'd think he was jealous. But knowing Matt, he was just teasing.
"We might all get close to the SSG, but never him," I said with a sigh. "He isolates himself. He only talks to people when he needs something done."
"Why do you look so disappointed?" Matt laughed, throwing an arm around my shoulders.
"Just kidding," he whispered, leaning in. "I know I'm the only one in your heart."
"You are so corny!" I felt my cheeks flush a deep crimson. Of all the jokes people make, Matt's are the only ones that actually make my heart race.
"Haha! I'm just telling the truth. I know you have a crush on me!"
I froze. My face felt like it was on fire. Does he know? Who told him? Am I that obvious? My heart was hammering against my ribs. If he knew, would he be weirded out? Would he avoid me?
"Hahaha! Just a joke! Look, we're here!"
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Thank God. I really thought he knew. If he ever found out, I think I'd actually die of embarrassment.
"Why did that idiot call you anyway?" Matt's tone shifted, the playfulness replaced by genuine irritation. "We were having a good time, and now he's going to yell at you."
"Why? Do you have the courage to fight the Supremo?" I joked.
"I don't. But if you're the reason... I just might find it."
My heart skipped a beat. Was he serious? He'd fight Ace for me? Matt, you're too much. "We're here," Matt said, stopping as we reached the Wide Space. I saw the Supremo sitting on a bench on the opposite side. "Thank you, Matt."
He slowly let go of me. "It was nothing. Anything for my best friend."
Best friend. Right.
"I'll go ahead," I said, suddenly losing my appetite for conversation. My mood had shifted instantly. Am I bipolar or something? One second I was flying, the next I was grounded.
"Wait!" Matt pulled me back, and I bumped into his chest. I glared at him, but he just gave me that devastating smile.
"What now?" I asked.
"I have to ask you something important," he said, his face turning serious.
"What is it, Matt?"
"Who is more handsome? The Supremo... or me?"
I stared at him, my jaw dropping. This question was harder than any math exam I'd ever taken. "What kind of question is that?"
"Just answer it."
I sighed. I knew he wouldn't let me go until I said it. "You, Matthew. Obviously. Who else?"
His smile widened into a triumphant grin as he looked past me. I spun around and saw Ace standing there, his face a total mask of indifference.
"I'm leaving! Bye!" Matt hurried away, literally jumping for joy, leaving me alone to face the Supremo.
"You are thirty minutes late," Ace said, checking his watch.
I couldn't even form an excuse. I didn't realize Matt and I had been talking that long.
"I think I know why," Ace continued, adjusting his glasses. "Remember our agreement, Ms. Shion. When I call, you come ASAP. Perhaps you'd like me to ban you from speaking to your friends entirely?"
Screw you, Supremo. "I'm sorry."
"Anyway," he said, his voice cold and clinical. "I heard about what you did to Queen Roxane."
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "Yes. I slapped her 160 degrees. I admitted it."
"Roxane is the Queen of HU, for heaven's sake! You have no right to touch her! You are nothing but a powerless secretary."
"Hell yes, and I don't fucking care!" I snapped.
Screw you a hundred times, Ace. She started it. If she hadn't touched me first, she wouldn't have tasted my palm. It wasn't my fault.
Ace fixed his glasses again. "And Raze hurt you for it," he said, a faint, cruel grin appearing on his lips. He seemed almost happy about it.
"Yes. So what?"
"You need to be punished," he declared.
"Fine."
"Your punishment is to clean the cafeteria every afternoon for a week."
My jaw dropped. Of all the tortures I expected, manual labor was the last thing on my mind. "For a week? Are you serious?"
He didn't answer. When Ace makes a decision, it's final. No questions asked.
I went to the library to cool my head. It was quiet, as usual, and the librarian was buried in a book. I found a table at the back and buried my face in my arms.
I felt someone sit across from me. I looked up and saw Celine smiling. It was that same creepy, knowing smile.
"How are you, Zein? You really do have a strong grip on Death."
"What do you want, Celine?"
"Nothing. I just found out something that will destroy your world," she whispered.
I didn't want to hear it. My brain was already at full capacity; I didn't need more riddles.
"There is a traitor in your circle, Zein," she said.
I stood up immediately. I didn't want to know. I didn't want to believe it.
"Be careful," she called out as I walked away. "If they find the 'Secret Formula,' you'll be in grave danger. The deluge is coming, Zein. You have to get ahead of them."
I practically ran out of the library. Celine was insane. She had to be. A traitor? Among my friends? Impossible.
The afternoon was a nightmare. Armed with a broom and a rag, I stared at the disaster zone that was the cafeteria. It looked like a hurricane had swept through. I'm convinced the students made a mess on purpose just to spite me.
"I'll be here to monitor your performance," Ace said, leaning against a pillar.
Do I look like I'm going to run away? I started sweeping the marble floor, picking up discarded bottles and sticky glasses.
"Faster," he growled. "The 'Bloody Night' will start before you're even halfway done at this pace."
I didn't bother answering. I was officially sulking. I winced as my hand touched some spilled coffee. In a fit of annoyance, I wiped it on my blouse.
"Filthy," I heard him mutter.
I spent the next two hours scrubbing tables and floors until I was drenched in sweat. My body felt sticky and gross. Ace did nothing the entire time but offer insulting commentary.
"Two hours and five minutes," he noted as I finished. "Put the supplies away and get out."
He left without another word. Screw you, Supremo.
I washed my hands and looked in the kitchen mirror. My hair was a bird's nest, my blouse was stained with coffee, and I looked completely haggard. I checked the clock—only thirty minutes until the curfew.
I hurried out and ran right into Ace, who was apparently waiting for me.
"You took another ten minutes," he said, shaking his head. "I'll walk you back to your dorm."
I blinked. Is he... being nice? This was the first time he'd ever called me by my name, Zein, instead of "Ms. Shion." I didn't know what to make of it.
When I finally got back to the dorm, Dave was the only one in the common room.
"Whoa, what happened to you?" he asked, laughing.
"Don't even start, Dave. I've had a hell of a day."
I marched to the bathroom and ripped off my stained blouse. One day down, six more to go.
I hate this place. And I hate you, Supremo.