Chapter 5 Lab Partner

ANOTHER day meant a chance to redeem herself from the embarrassment that happened to her yesterday. Running towards the main entrance, the guard suddenly stopped Kace, confusing her.

"Your identification card miss?" The guard asked her.

"Oh, right!" She dug inside her bag and searched for her ID. Why did I forget to wear it today? I'll be late again in class for sure. She managed to wake up early and avoid his brother's attempt to make breakfast again and yet, this came up.

"Miss, where is it?" the guard demanded her.

Kace was positive that her ID was inside her bag but then, she couldn't find it this time. Damn it!

She was starting to get anxious, not because of the guard but because of the time. Come on just show yourself to me now.

"If you don't have it, then you can't enter miss. You know the rules." The guard reminded her, annoying her even more.

"Uhm... it's just here somewhere... please just let me in. I'll be late for class now, sir." She tried to beg but he ignored her instead.

The guard attended to the other students who were on queue.

Kace sighed to herself, stepping to the side as she continued to rummage her bag. What luck!

After minutes of hopelessly searching for her ID, she heard the guard calling her. "Miss, you may now enter!"

She looked at him, confused as ever. "Sir, what did you say?"

"Here's your ID. Apparently, you dropped it and a student found it."

"R-Really? Uh... where is the student, sir?" She asked him after handing back her ID.

The guard pointed at someone's back who was now marching forward. She bowed before the guard and ran towards the student. "Hey! Wait!" She called out hoping to get his attention.

But, the guy continued to ignore her calling. She doubled up her speed to reach him. Then, she managed to pull his backpack, halting the guy in his tracks.

Kace was panting hard and gasping for air when he turned around to face her.

"What do you want?" The guy asked.

When she looked up, her jaw hung low, realizing who the guy was. It was the new student, Luke. "Oh... uh... it was you."

"Me?" Luke asked back, his brows knitted at her.

"T-thank you for giving back my ID." She said in hesitation.

Luke didn't respond. He turned his back and continued to march his way to their building.

What a jerk!

But, at least he returned her ID. Kace ran her way to their building, walking past him. She was relieved to see that their teacher was still not in. But her face was now all covered in sweat as she took her seat.

"What happened to you?" Nix hissed beside her. "Did you just attend a marathon?"

"I... just.... ran my way here," she answered, still catching her breath.

Nix nodded. "I knew it. Well at least you're not late."

Suddenly, Luke stepped inside the room. He glanced at her, but she avoided his gaze.

"What's up with that?" Nix asked, noticing the awkward tension.

"What?" Kace asked nonchalantly.

"Why is the new student looking at you, again?" Nix threw a look at her in question.

"Maybe he was looking at you."

"Oh please. Stop with the act, K."

Kace smirked. "Why? You want me to get close to him so I can set you up with him, huh?" She teased.

"Hey! It's not that. I already have someone in my heart." Nix placed her hand over her chest dramatically.

"Nix, you're making me throw up. Please stop that," Kace told her.

Suddenly, they heard a voice from behind them. "What's the commotion here?" Brandon wiggled his brows.

"Nix is being overly dramatic here." Kace pointed at her friend.

Brandon frowned. "Not again, Nix!" He shook his head in disbelief.

"Fine. You two win." Nix gave up, lifting her hands up in the air.

Just then, Stephen showed up inside the room and greeted Kace. "Good morning, Kace!"

"Morning Stephen!" she greeted back.

They watched as Stephen took his seat. Then, Brandon snapped his fingers over Nix's face.

Nix glared at him. "Hey! What was that for?"

Brandon smirked. "Don't make it too obvious, Nix. Stephen already knows that you've been crushing on him since then. But too bad, he likes Kace."

Nix pierced a look at him and twisted his ear.

"Ah! Awwh!" Brandon winced in pain.

"Next time, better choose your words Brandon!" Nix warned her. "Or else, I'll scratch you with my claws." She showed him her long fingernails.

Brandon backed out and went back to his seat.

Kace just watched her two friends bicker at each other. She enjoyed watching them arguing always.

Just then, Kenneth, their class monitor proceeded infront and tried to silence everyone. But apparently, no one wanted to listen to him and everyone just continued to chat with their peers.

Kace couldn't stand seeing this so she stood up from her seat. "Guys, Ken has something to say. Let's listen to him."

Everyone fell silent and turned to the front. "Thank you," she said and sat down again.

Kenneth thanked Kace before starting to speak. "There are a few announcements this morning. First off, there's an emergency meeting of all teachers from level III so we won't have classes until lunch."

Everyone in class started to rejoice. "And also, in the afternoon, all presidents of the clubs will have a meeting. By the way, Mr. Flores wants us to find lab partners now... unless you want him to assign us."

"NO!!!" Everyone protested.

"Okay. We can now leave the room," Ken announced.

Nix tapped Kace's shoulder. "Where are we gonna hang out?" she asked as she grabbed her bag and stood up from her seat.

Kace shrugged. "Just at the office, I guess." She was pertaining to their publication's office where she usually just hangs out with the other staff.

"Don't we have anywhere else to stay?" Nix asked.

She shook her head as she grabbed her bag. "Coming?" she asked Nix who was hesitating to go.

"Go ahead. I'll just... go somewhere else for a while." Nix answered.

Kace already knew that Nix just didn't want to go to their office because it's too messy and creepy and just like an attic full of cobwebs and all.

Truth was, their school was abandoning the pub, so they didn't even give them enough funds to renovate their office. But despite this, Kace didn't want to give up just yet.

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