Zein's Point of View
Everyone was acting weird, so I couldn't help but wonder why. Most of the girls were giggling, as if they were giddy about something. I said goodbye to Supremo because I still had class. When I got to the classroom, it was the same story: everyone was giggling. I sat down next to Vanessa, who was fidgeting with her pen. She shrieked when she saw me.
Puzzled, I watched as she and Mia adjusted their chairs to face me. Meanwhile, the guys were talking nearby, occasionally bursting into loud laughter. "So?!" Mia asked, looking visibly excited.
What the heck was going on at HU? I felt so out of the loop! I was the SSG secretary, so I was supposed to be one of the first to know the news before it would spread like wildfire. "What do you mean 'so'?" I asked, getting a bit irritated.
Mia and Vanessa exchanged looks, clearly having a silent conversation with their eyes. I just stared at them, bored, because I genuinely had no clue what was happening. "You don't have an idea, do you?" Vanessa asked. I quickly shook my head, and they widened their eyes in disbelief. "Seriously?"
"I said I don't! What is it?!"
"She really has no idea," Mia whispered in awe, followed by a giggle. Psh. "I think you're the only one who doesn't know." I grimaced in annoyance and had to stop myself from hitting them with my bag. Why couldn't they just tell me so I'd know what they were referring to instead of keeping me in suspense?
They both burst out laughing. "We won't tell you," Vanessa said with a smirk, which made my jaw drop. "Come on! Just tell me!" I replied, exasperated. Like... what the fuck? They were starting to get under my skin. Mia shook her head and crossed her arms, but she couldn't hide her smug little grin. These girls—what were they gushing about?
"What are you guys talking about?" Matt asked before catching sight of my scowl. "Why do you look like that?" Vanessa grabbed Matt's collar and whispered something to him. Mia did the same with Dave and Jerome. Now all of them were looking at me with these playful, teasing smiles. They were totally annoying me on purpose!
"You seriously have no idea?" Matt asked in amazement.
"If you'd tell me, then I would!" I snapped.
Were my friends tripping today? What was going on? I couldn't ask anyone else since others seemed to find me intimidating, sometimes moving away whenever I was around. "I like your face, Zein," Dave teased, giving Jerome a high-five.
"Whatever!" I barked back.
I just crossed my arms and sat up straight, facing the blackboard. My friends kept staring, and even without looking, I knew they were still teasing me. "Supremo?!" My head whipped around to where Jerome was looking, and for a second, my heart stopped. But Supremo wasn't even there. I glared at Jerome while they all started howling, clearly getting a kick out of pushing my buttons. Done with them, I threw my bag over my shoulder and headed for the door. Just as I was about to exit, I ran straight into our teacher.
"Where are you go—"
"Somewhere!" I answered bluntly before walking away, my friends' irritating laughter echoing behind me. I couldn't hide the annoyance on my face. I even took my frustration out on a small pebble, kicking it across the path. I sat down on a bench at Wide Space and looked around the empty area. Usually, everyone would hang out here when there were no classes, but it looked abandoned—shit, it's class hours! I covered my mouth as it hit me, knowing I couldn't stay here or else Supremo might see me. Upperclassmen were not exempted from the rules after all.
I was about to leave when I heard Supremo's voice behind me. "No class?"
I didn't even bother to look. I mustered all the strength in my legs and ran as fast as I could until I ended up at the Secret Garden. Out of breath, I slumped down against the roots of a massive tree. "That was a close one!"
"Meow."
Goddammit! I glared at Hoy, who was rubbing his fur against my leg. "You are not helping, Hoy," I grumbled before picking him up. I set him on my lap and stroked his soft fur. "What's up today?" I asked Hoy, hoping he'd answer. But of course he wouldn't. Not even a meow. "You're not gonna answer either?! You're also keeping secrets from me?" I snapped.
When he just stared back, I scooped him up in a fit of frustration before setting him back on the ground. "I hate you! Go find a new owner!" I crossed my arms and tried to calm down. Everyone was just so damn irritating! Hoy rubbed against my leg, so I gave him a tiny nudge with my foot, just enough to make him stop sticking to me.
"Meow."
"Sorry. I need space. Just leave me alone for a bit, Hoy."
"I'd like to think you haven't gone insane, but maybe you are?" Supremo asked with a laugh as he stood in front of me with his arms crossed. I ignored him. Honestly, even if he punished me right now for cutting class, I wouldn't care. I was so done with today.
"What's bothering you again?"
I shook my head. "I just want to be alone."
"Do you want me to leave?"
"Yes, please."
"I don't want to." Then he sat down right next to me.
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to stay calm, or else I might forget who was beside me. This day was so frustrating. I just wanted to crawl into bed and sleep. "Why are you so angry?" he asked, still with a chuckle.
"Look, Supremo. Just stay back a bit before I take my anger out on you—"
He suddenly pulled me into a hug, catching me off guard. A bolt of electricity shot through my body. My mind wanted to resist, but my body told me I needed it. "S-Supremo... you want me to punch you?" Then I took a deep breath because I felt like I was running out of air.
"Can you do it?" He tightened his grip on me. We stayed like that for a few minutes until his hold loosened slightly. He must be that confident that I wasn't going to push him away. "Do you feel better now?" he asked, finally letting go.
I nodded. The warmth of his body lingered on mine. That was the most comfortable I had ever felt in this place. "That's what I call 'snuggle capsule.'" He grinned.
"Snuggle what?" I gawked at him.
"Let's just say Supremo's hug is the most effective medicine ever. It can ease any kind of pain." He adjusted his glasses. "So, if you ever need it, just run to me. Always." I swallowed hard before holding up one finger. "Can I have one more? Please?"
He shook his head. "You might overdose."
"I don't care!"
"You might get addicted—"
"I'm okay with that."
Unable to wait, I reached out and pulled him into a hug. He froze for a second, then held me in return. We stayed like that for who knows how many minutes. If only we could stay like this longer. If only I could touch him freely, not just in secret.
We headed back to the SSG office and found Vice Ty and Teacher Kath talking. I went straight to my desk, and Supremo did the same. "What are your plans for Sunday, Supremo?" Vice Ty asked. I tried to focus on my paperwork. What's happening on Sunday?
"Ms. Shion," Vice Ty called out, making me look up. "Do you have a plan for Supremo?"
My mouth hung open. I was too embarrassed to admit I had no idea what he was talking about. I looked at Supremo, who was already looking at me. Was this why everyone at Hell University was giggling and acting excited? What's with Sunday?
Supremo's gaze stayed on me, and I felt awkward. Teacher Kath and Vice Ty were talking to him, but he ignored them, eyes fixed on me while I stayed silent. We agreed not to talk much in front of others, but his intense stares were definitely making up for it.
"Supremo?" Teacher Kath called. "If there's anything you want to do that day, just tell us. We will give you whatever you want."
"Really?" A corner of Supremo's mouth quirked up. He turned to Teacher Kath. "Anything?"
Teacher Kath suddenly looked hesitant, but she eventually nodded.
"What if I want you to leave me alone?"
"Supremo..." Teacher Kath warned.
Shit, he really doesn't care. The atmosphere got heavy again. Supremo sighed. "I don't think you can give me the only thing I want."
"Stop playing around. Don't get too comfortable, President Ace," Teacher Kath warned. "Consider ourselves lucky that you're still in your position."
"Thank you, then."
Vice Ty cleared his throat before focusing on his work, likely trying to escape the awkward situation. "When others find out you saved Secretary Shion from the punishment she was supposed to get, the people you've punished in the past are going to lose it. You are being unfair here." I looked down, feeling the weight of those words.
"Could you please stop bringing up that topic again?" Supremo asked, sounding irritated. "Ms. Shion is right in front of you."
"It's better for her to know the trouble she's causing—"
"Oh fuck!" Supremo covered both my ears. "Don't listen, please."
I wanted to pull his hands away and listen to Teacher Kath because, honestly, she had a point. If anything bad happened to Supremo, it would be my fault. "This isn't a joke!" Teacher Kath shouted. "I just want Secretary Shion to be open-minded. This isn't just for you, Supremo. This is for her too."
I pulled Supremo's hands away. Even with my ears covered, I could hear everything anyway. "What do I need to do?" I asked. "How can I save Supremo?"
Ace cursed under his breath.
"Limit yourself," Vice Ty suggested. "I know you know that Supremo can't get involved with anyone. He cannot show emotions because emotions are considered a weakness for them. The president must not show any weakness."
Limit myself? Was it really just about holding back, or did they want me to stay away from him entirely? "Stay away from Supremo," Teacher Kath said bluntly. I bit my lip hard. If I leave, will he be safe? I thought. Do I really have to distance myself from the one person I want to be close to?
"Zein isn't going anywhere," Supremo said firmly. "I don't care what I lose. She's not leaving." Do I really deserve this kind of treatment from him? Even when all I bring him is trouble?
"So, Zein should have been gone a long time ago?" I went cold when I saw Roxane standing at the door with a smirk. "But Supremo saved her," she continued. "That's so unfair. We have to suffer through his punishments while she gets a pass."
"Roxane." Vice Ty stood up to approach her, but she stepped back and gave a bitter laugh. "I wonder how everyone will react when they find out the Supremo plays favorites?"
"What are you doing here, Ms. Allister?" Teacher Kath asked, clearly worried. "Whatever you heard stays here. Don't you dare mess with the SSG officers."
"Oh, I dare. I fucking dare!" She glared at me before locking eyes with Supremo. "Oh, wait. Are you and Secretary Shion in a relationship?"
"Yes," Supremo answered. Direct, loud, and clear.
Vice Ty just sank back into his chair, looking like he'd given up on fixing this. She was fucking Roxane. This girl was nonnegotiable. If she wanted something done, she would find a way. "The president and the secretary are in a relationship, huh?" Roxane said in mock wonder, looking at me. "This is such a plot twist. Not really surprising, though, knowing what a flirt you are, Zein Shion. You're such a bitch."
"Call her a bitch once more—"
"Do you know why the previous Supremo was kicked out?" she asked. "For the exact same reason, Supremo Ace Craige is about to be!"
I scrambled up and knelt on the floor in front of her. "N-No, please..."
"Don't do this, Zein. You don't need to kneel." Supremo tried to pull me up, but I wouldn't budge. If I had to swallow my pride and beg, I would. "Please, I'm begging you."
"Too late, Queen Zein." Then she turned back to Supremo. "Sooner or later, you're going to lose everything, Supremo."
Then Roxane walked out. I couldn't help but cry and blame myself for everything. Was I nothing but a nuisance? Maybe I was one in Supremo's life. He was fine before I came along, but ever since I arrived, I'd ruined everything.
"This is all your fault!" Teacher Kath screamed. I closed my eyes as she moved to slap me, but Supremo quickly pulled me away and led me out of the SSG office. Eventually, we stopped, both of us catching our breath. My tears eased up, but the dread in my chest kept building. I tried to pull my arm out of Supremo's grip, but he wouldn't let go.
"Don't. You. Dare. Leave. Me," he said between heavy breaths.
I closed my eyes in frustration. "If I leave, everything will go back to normal."
Supremo let out a string of curses. His fists clenched, his eyes narrowed, and his jaw tightened. "I can live without this position," he said, his voice soft, "but I don't think I can live without you."
"Yes, you can! You lived without me before, and you'll do it again!"
He smiled, even though I could tell he was hurting. "I'd lived, but I hadn't felt it. For the longest time I'd been here, I never felt like I actually existed. Because of you, I feel alive again. I feel like I can breathe again." My eyes started to sting once more. "We need to set each other free. It's for the best."
"Fucking damn it, Zein. You're the only thing I have. Don't take yourself away. I need you more than anything else I have." This was just the start. If I stayed close to him, things would only get worse. I didn't want to stay away from him, but I had to. Supremo deserved everything he had worked hard for. I have to put an end to this before it's too late.
"Darling, don't do this," he whispered. I broke down as he wrapped his arms around me. I couldn't breathe. I had to admit that I couldn't do it easily either. I couldn't just stay away from him. "Stay with me until the end. Please... that's all I'm asking. Just give me this as my birthday gift."
He tightened his hug, and this time, I hugged him back. I wanted to be selfish. I wanted him. "You already have my heart. Don't take it away," he whispered as I closed my eyes. "I love you more than myself and everything I have. Don't leave me hanging, darling."
I am more than in love with you too, Ace.