Chapter 5 5

Chapter 5: The Leader and the Newbie

I surveyed my new room. I couldn't help but want to laugh. Is this really a school or are they just pulling my leg? I have my own room. A room even bigger than Lucas's house. And it's filled with things I could never afford.

"Feel at home, you are in the Pandora section of the castle. Only senior students are in this part," Miss Aura said as she laid down the uniform she brought.

"We are not sure about your sizes yet, so the clothes in the closet are free size. Don't worry, I'll inform the garment department about your needs. Maybe before the end of the day, they'll be here."

"How-"

"Breakfasts are taken in the Hall and in the Hall only. Lunch is in the cafeteria and Dinner is your choice," she said, not paying attention to what I was saying. "Your schedule is on your bed. Don't worry, you won't be studying too much. You just have to have trainings like your group mates. Your schedule is different from the normal students at Titan." She fell silent, as if she was worried she forgot to mention something.

"Miss-"

"And yes, we will meet again later. I am one of the advisers of your group. Let's see, what else?" She glanced at the clock. It was already six twenty-five in the morning. "I think that's all. You need to go to the Breakfast Hall."

"By myself?" I asked.

"I already showed you where the Hall is earlier, didn't I?" she asked. "And I have to be presentable too, as a teacher. If you have any questions, just approach me, okay? I have to go. Good luck."

Then she left me in the room.

I stepped out of the room and walked down the hallway I came from earlier. As I walked, other students from Titan started emerging from the rooms I passed by. Some stopped and looked at me, as if they were surprised to see me for the first time.

I entered the Great Hall where almost all the students were heading. The longer I stayed, the more I felt their eyes on me. I felt like I was in a factory of porcelain dolls because of the beauty and fairness of the people I saw. And they all had curious expressions on their faces.

I discreetly surveyed the Great Hall. It was one of the chambers in the palace, larger than the ones I first saw. The old windows reached the ceiling, adorned with thick curtains. There was also a chandelier made of crystal hanging above.

A long table stood in front and several banners were hung on the walls. The maroon banner bore the Hesperia logo, the green one had an unfamiliar logo, and gray represented the Titan Academy logo. I looked at the Titan logo and remembered the crest. Do the people in the Hall know what happened last night?

"Is she a new student?" I heard a girl ask.

"Maybe. I just saw her now," her companion replied.

I suddenly felt self-conscious as they stared at me. It was my first time setting foot in a place filled with people I never dreamed of being with. They all looked perfect, beautiful, and wealthy. They were far from me. I felt out of place.

I continued walking, trying not to pay attention to their stares. There were four long tables in the Hall where I needed to find a spot. They were color-coded according to the students' uniforms. Freshmen students who wear maroon uniforms are on the maroon table. Sophomores who wear brown are on the brown table. Juniors wear navy blue and seniors wear gray and you get the picture.

I went straight to my assigned table. I walked through the crowd who did nothing but stare at me. Why were they looking at me like that? Is this the first time they've seen a new student? I sighed and kept walking. Then out of nowhere, someone suddenly shouted.

"Guys, they are here."

I furrowed my brow and was slightly taken aback. Within the next five seconds, the noisy Hall fell silent. The students took their seats. Some seemed to have stopped speaking or even breathing altogether. I was left standing alone in the middle of the Hall. Who were they referring to? The teachers?

I followed the gaze of almost every student. From the open double doors of the Hall, I saw who they were referring to. Gin's group. One by one, they entered the Hall.

"Psh." I silently complained. It's just them.

The first to enter the Hall were Ethan and Cain. They seemed to be discussing something serious, not even noticing that they were being watched. Or maybe they're just used to it? Victoria followed, looking grumpy so early in the morning. She must have had a rough wake-up. Lastly, Gin and Corrine entered together. They walked side by side but didn't speak. It's like they have this unspoken conversation. They communicate through body language.

"Wow, they all came together."

"Look, even Corrine is with them."

"Didn't Corrine back out?"

I paused at what I heard. Right. Corrine backed out, that's why I'm here. After a while, I noticed Cain glancing around as if searching for something. The girls around him got excited, seemingly happy just to catch his eye.

Then Cain's eyes met mine. He immediately smiled when he saw me. "Hey! You're already here."

In an instant, the attention of the people in the Hall returned to me. They all turned to look in my direction, their brows furrowing even more.

"Who is she really?" someone almost complained.

It seemed like Cain intentionally made that happen. They really know how to make a grand entrance, huh? I gave him a side-eye. Is shouting from the other side of the Hall his form of Diplomacy?

"Shia, come here!" he called me with a smile.

The people in the Hall started whispering, but I didn't pay attention to what they were saying. I continued walking until I reached the Senior Table. The people quickly moved away from the table as I approached.

"Why isn't she following?"

"Is she deaf or something?"

I sat on one of the chairs, ignoring what I heard. I deliberately sat with my back to Gin's group. I stared at the guy in front of me. He suddenly moved to a different seat. Pch. Seconds passed, and the Hall became even quieter. It felt like no one was even breathing. What's their problem?

Suddenly, I heard muffled screams from the people behind me. It was as if they were suddenly scared. I furrowed my brow and was about to turn to them when a hand tightly gripped my wrist. I looked at the owner of it and I froze.

"Cut the bullshit."

In just one word, it felt like something blocked my airflow, and I couldn't breathe. His grip was tight, and it hurt. The Hall was suddenly filled with pressured silence. What the fuck.

Gin suddenly pulled me up and dragged me towards the group. What's his problem? It's like he thinks he can control every aspect of my life. What an obsessive control freak.

"Let go of me," I hissed as we crossed the Great Hall.

"You're one of us. Now act like one," he replied without even looking at me. How can he sound so calm when he's practically dragging me like there's no tomorrow!

"I don't belong to any of you," I countered.

He suddenly stopped walking. He looked at me. I froze on my spot. Okay. I shouldn't have said that. I shouldn't have spoken at all. I looked at the group, and I saw Cain groan as if I said something that might spark my death.

"Really," Gin said challengingly. I stared at his sharp eyes. Those expressionless, cold eyes--

"Let's see then." I was almost gaping as he suddenly changed our direction. We were no longer heading towards the group, but now we were leaving the Hall.

My senses started screaming danger. Extreme danger. But Gin can't do whatever he's planning, right? Using his power on other students is against the rules!

"Let go of me. What the fuck are you doing?!" I yelled, trying to pry his grip off of me.

We were out of the Hall, and now he was dragging me down the corridor. I could feel Ethan and Cain talking inside the Hall. I could feel everyone talking inside the Hall. I could feel their fear and excitement. I could feel their wonder and curiosity. My special ability was going haywire because of Gin. What does he intend to do?

We descended a staircase at the end of the corridor. It was a stone staircase, far from the luxurious and carpeted corridor above us. Am I going into the dungeon? Is he going to lock me up?

After a while, we came across another corridor below. This corridor had fire torches on every meter of the wall, and there was a faint light coming from small windows above, emanating from the outside.

Gin suddenly stopped in front of one of the stone doors in the corridor. It opened slowly. I saw what was inside. It was a room. A dark room. But as the lights inside began to turn on one by one, I was completely taken aback. It was a training room. He pulled me inside and suddenly let go, causing me to almost lose my balance.

"Let's have a deal," Gin said as we both stood inside and the door slowly closed.

"Beat me, and you can do whatever you want," he said, as if he were offering a bargained product. "If I win, you need to stop being a little bitch and do whatever I tell you."

Control freak. That's what kept echoing in my mind. He is doing this to control me. Because he can't stand not getting his way.

I met his gaze. "What a fair game," I said sarcastically. "The leader and the newbie."

He smirked at my words. I wanted to congratulate myself for sounding so calm and composed, but deep down, I was overwhelmed by fear. I didn't know his ability. And based on other people's reactions, I would surely be doomed if I faced him.

"Complaining now, are you?" he mocked.

"I'M NOT," I hissed.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. I didn't even know if I could do this. But I had no intention of backing down. What could be worse in my situation? I'm in a place that I don't even care about, with people I hate the most, and a guy who wants to have control of everything.

"Okay then," I replied. "Deal."

***