EMPIRES HIGH

"Pay your rent, Eerrah! I've been waiting for months for you to send the payment but you kept on declining my calls!"

"Heck," I whispered angrily when I heard the landlady's voice again.

"You kept on murmuring something, you really think I can't hear it?!" she screamed once again and even threw a wooden spoon which I quickly caught.

"I haven't found another job yet, so I can't give you--"

"You said the same thing last month--"

"Can you talk to me without raising your voice?!" I shouted loudly. She looked surprised when I burst out, causing her to immediately shut her mouth. "Where are we again?" I asked annoyed

She didn't say anything and just swallowed multiple times, still surprised about my sudden anger. Well, she can't entirely blame me for that because she's loud as hell.

"You can't ask me for a payment and dig into my money because even, I, myself can't dig. Okay? But I'll make sure to make a way. Tomorrow I'll make a way." I gestured her to leave after saying that,

I can't even stand a minute with her. She has everything that easily irritates the shit out of me.

"Just make sure that you're telling the truth, or I'll drag you--"

"Or you'll drag me out from this room dead," I said, continuing what she's about to say. For pete's sake, she said that to me a hundred times already!

"Make sure to pay me tomorrow, Eerrah. Be thankful that you're beautiful, that's why I'm giving you a chance," she said before leaving my apartment.

I quickly got up and looked in front of the mirror because of what she said.

Well, I am indeed beautiful. She didn't need to emphasize that.

I forced myself to take a bath and get dressed for school. Well, speaking about the most frustrating place in the world. I turned it into my own playground.

After taking a bath, I wore a black plain t-shirt and black jeans. I matched it with my black nike and black cap. Many people told me that I dress like I'm always attending a funeral and I didn't give a shit about what they had to say.

Afterall, they're not that relevant to me nor their opinions.

After getting dressed. I grabbed my backpack and locked the apartment. I can actually take a walk for ten minutes to school but I'm too lazy to do that. That's why I grabbed my skateboard so I could use it as a substitute for anything that sends me convenience. I twisted it around on my feet before finally riding it towards the school.

As soon as I entered the school gate, other students immediately looked in my direction.

I stepped on the end of the board to make it stand, I picked it up and carried it to my locker. All the students gave way when they saw me. Funny how I'm already wearing a cap but they can still tell that it's me.

I slipped my skateboard inside and picked up two books for my class. I looked behind me when I saw some students, I noticed I was the only one in the locker now.

"Why are you just standing there and watching me?" I asked them, they all took a step backward at the same time out of shock.

"We're just waiting for you." I felt frustration all over my body because of that answer. These guys are really cowards. I'm not even doing anything to them.

I just shook my head and closed my locker. As soon as I left they all hurriedly went to their lockers. I don't know what's running inside their minds and why they're afraid to touch nor see me, It's not like I'm going to tear them apart.

I slammed the classroom door open.

My eyes roamed inside when everyone remained silent as I went to sit on my chair.

Oh fuck it... I really hate silence. I just want noise surrounding my life.

I prepared my foot and quickly kicked the chair of the man in front of me, I immediately bowed so he turned his gaze to the man next to me who hunched over. He was taken aback when the man in front us hit him.

"You ass hole, are you trying to pick up a fight?!" I grinned mischievously when the man in front us shouted angrily. It's Eivan. The perfect man as my victim.

"What the hell are you talking about?!" Keat, the man beside me, shouted angrily.

"You think you can get away from what you did? You just kicked my chair!"

I bit my lower lip with their exchange. I'm getting bored. They should start a fight by now, what's taking them so long?

"What? I never kicked you! I was sleeping- " My mouth fell open when Eivan suddenly punched Keat, ending up knocking him down from his seat. The latter quickly stood up and punched Eivan who also fell on the ground.

They couldn't even dodge?

Keat grabbed Eivan and kicked him in the most sensitive part of his body. Heck! That's a great move! "What the fuck is your problem at the first place?!"

"You kicked my chair!" Eivan shouted angrily.

"It's not me who did such stupid stunt! It's probably Eerrah!" Keat growled and even pointed at me.

I poked the inside of my cheek using my tongue. These two are the only ones who aren't afraid of me. Their guts really anger me sometimes. They have the balls to fight back but I always win against them eventually.

"Eerrah!" I raised a brow when Eivan called my name.

"Hmm?" I asked. He was about to approach me but I quickly raised my leg and kicked him on the face.

I remained seated. My classmates shouted when he fell on the floor with his nose bleeding.

"What's the commotion all about?!" Everyone fell silent when our professor came in. And she even had some time to ask us about what's happening, as if she wasn't used to all of these.

"What is this all about again, Eerrah?" she asked me with her strict voice when she saw Eivan lying on the floor.

"I mean, you can probably tell," I sarcastically replied. I didn't budge when I answered her but she still raised a brow. I'm being honest here but she still got mad over my answer? What the hell happened to "honesty is the best policy"?

"In my office, after class!" she roared.

I was stunned by that but I'm not entirely surprised. Her office seems to be my second home. I should probably bring some of my clothes next time for a free rent.

I didn't notice how hours passed by until three classes ended peacefully.

I was planning to run away from Mrs. Gamelo but jokes on me... She's waiting for me at the door already.

"You can't escape from me, Era. Follow me!" I just zipped up my bag before following her to the office. It's quite funny how I can perfectly tell what will be the flow of our conversation.

As soon as I sat down, she looked at me seriously.

"Aren't you really going to change, Eerrah? We're doing everything we can to change you, but you're still acting like that! We promised your grandfather that-- "

"My Grandpa? He's talking to you?" I asked her curiously. "Of course. He's the one who told us to tolerate your attitude and to fix the mess you're starting. He told us not to drop you out, he's hoping that you'll graduate here. This is your last chance, Eerrah, don't waste--"

"Stop, I don't want to hear that," I cut her off. I crouched down while playing with my fingers.

For almost 3 years, he didn't even check my condition when he dragged me out of his house. And now he's hoping that I'll live a peaceful life? The hell? He doesn't have the right to order me around.

"Do you have any problem why you're acting like that, Eerrah?" I turned to Mrs. Gamelo when she spoke.

I cleared my throat. "No, isn't it obvious on my face that I don't have a problem? Also, don't talk to grandpa anymore, he's out of his mind." It's only fortunate that I can perfectly control my facial expressions to mask the sudden shift in my emotion.

"Era, you better talk to your grandfather. He has high expectations for you."

I gritted my teeth in anger upon hearing those words. High expectations? Fuck that.

"You guys are really terrible, you're expecting high standards from people and you really pressure them to reach that? Mind your own business and stop bothering other people. You don't understand me, you're not in my position to say those things," I said coldly, calming myself.

"Era, it's not what you think. Your grandfather and the professors here just want you to reach your dream--"

"Why? Are you even aware of what my dream is?" I laughed while asking that. They interfere too much with things that they should not be paying attention to.

"No--"

"Then stop controlling me. Tell grandpa that I will never go back to his house," I said before leaving her office.

I took a deep breath before heading straight to the rooftop. I closed my eyes when I felt the wind hit my face. I am fearless, yes. I don't normally get scared of someone nor get intimidated by them. But when it comes to my grandfather, I always swallow the specific pride I've built up for many years.

Three years ... For three years I never felt his love for me as a grandfather. When he found out that I got kicked out of my school, he kicked me out of the mansion and threw me out like garbage. He even called me names that I will never hear from anyone. Even dad was helpless for what that old man did. Dad can't even do anything because my grandfather is really powerful and he overpowers almost everything that we possess.

Why does it need to be him? Within such a huge world and with so many responsible grandfathers, why does it have to be him? I wonder if everything will be the same if my mother is here? Would I still experience this? How I wonder what I know about her.

Afterall, I can only hope that she'll come back to make everything better. I can only hope.

I went down to the rooftop and decided to go through the hallway first. It's a bother meeting someone and letting them see the obvious frustration drawn over my face. But as soon as I got there, my eyes narrowed when I saw a figure of a man, in front of him was another man whom I think was a student.

"I really don't k-know where she is. Please, h-have some mercy!" the student begged.

What the hell is going on here?I was about to approach them but I backed away again when I saw the mysterious man lift the student. He's freaking tall and capable.

"Tell me where the hell is she or I'll kill you."

I gasped with what I heard.

"I don't know-" I closed my eyes when I saw the man pressed somewhere on the student's neck without thinking twice. The student fell on the ground, unconscious.

Who the fuck is he?

He was about to leave but I couldn't just stand and stare here when he harmed someone in front of me!

"Hey!" I chased after him quickly, fortunately, he also stopped immediately and faced me. In all fairness, he's handsome.

"Eerrah," he said while grinning. My eyebrows raised upon the mention of my name.

"And how did you know my name?" I'm curious about him, is he one of Vladimir's people?

"I have my own ways to know about it." I almost choked from my own saliva with his answer.

"What?!"

"We are mafias, Eerrah. And we also need you."

Who the fuck is he fooling here?

"After you kill someone, you'll offer me to come with you? Are you a drug addict or something?!" I shouted at him.

What does he take me for? A stupid woman?

"I'm not an addict!"

"You seem to be! Why would I come with you if you are a mafia? And who's stupid to brag about that if you're that kind of person? That was supposed to be a secret!"

"Eerrah, just come with me."

"Are you one of Vladimir's people? If you are here to make me believe your lies and kill me, you can never fool me," I said boldly.

"Vladimir? Do you know him? Vladimir Enriquez?" His forehead furrowed even more.

I cleared my throat. So he really knew that man?

"You can't make me--"

"No! He's our opponent, Eternity. He's the creator of Vlad Organization, and they want to kill the supreme president of Empires High. I know you can help us because I saw you once, fighting with those bunch of fuckers and you're freaking capable of killing someone! So just come with me, "he pleaded. Even though I could see the sincerity in his eyes, I still turned my back on him and started walking.

"I'm not going with you," I said coldly.

"Eternity believe me--" I quickly grabbed his hand and aimed the dagger at his neck.

"Stop calling me with my second name and stop following me around. You can't fool me by pretending like a clueless man, I know you're here to kill me." I looked at him but he didn't move an inch. I started walking again and left him.

"Someday, you'll come with me, Eternity."

When I came down from the building, Yaoel stopped me immediately. Great.Grandpa's butler.

"Where have you been, young lady? Your grandfather is asking you to--"

"Can you just fucking leave me alone? Tell him I don't want to come with you, please also tell him that I don't want to see him even once," I said emphatically before walking away, but they're really eager to bring me with him because they kept on following me until now!

"We're not leaving without you, young lady. You have to come with us. It's your grandpa's order." I closed my eyes because of the anger that's slowly triggering my system. I wiped my face as I faced them.

"Just leave me alone please." I don't want to cry in front of them, I don't want them to witness my weaknesses. And they are a bunch of intelligent people, why can't they understand that I never want to come?

I quickly ran away from them, even if they chased me they could do nothing. I went straight to the locker room to get my skateboard. I lost the urge to attend classes. Classes are fucking boring whenever I'm stress out. I grabbed my bag in the back and started using my skateboard. A few students on the field immediately avoided me.On the way home I was thinking about how I could escape that old man, I'm wondering why he's still looking for me? My life is better without him. I don't need him to guide me.

I bit my lower lip when I saw my apartment. I almost forgot about it. I really need money right now, so I quickly got off my skateboard until I reached the gate of the apartment. I went inside and immediately threw myself on the sofa. I held my growling stomach when I felt how hungry I was.

I went straight to the kitchen and opened my refrigerator. I blinked multiple times when I got the chance to see what's inside. What's happening? Am I dreaming?! Why is my refrigerator full of food? I had no money and had run out of all my stock in the refrigerator so this is surprising. I closed the refrigerator and looked at the top of it. I was not mistaken. I took the envelope on the top with a letter and money worth 15 thousand.

You're so stubborn. Eternity. Here's your allowance, your grandfather has already paid the landlady and advanced. Eat well, I love you daughter. I'm sorry, I'll check with you when I'm not busy.

From,

Dad

I smiled when I saw my favorite lasagna. I sat on the sofa and unpacked it. My all time favorite food! After eating two lasagnas. A noise immerses me. I opened the door and the landlady raised an eyebrow at me. I thought my father already paid for my rent?

"Hey, who's the rich guy who paid your rent?" I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

"My uncle," I lied before closing the door on her face.

"Son of a cow!" I screamed when I heard a noise from my kitchen. What the heck was that?

That noise really made an impact. I hurriedly went to my kitchen, but I immediately backed away when I saw this man who kept on pestering me. "What the hell are you doing here, Kaliber? I told you to stop following me around! What the hell do you want? I asked him.

I'm starting to become a noisy person because of this man "I'm not going to kill you, Eternity! You need to come with me!" he pleaded.

"I don't know what's running inside your mind, but I'm not coming with you," I told him before sitting down on the sofa. He sat down in front of me while his eyes were still begging.

"Eternity, just come with me! I'll take you to Empires High and you can live there. We'll provide everything you need there, it's that easy." I hit the table hard because of what he said. Do I look like I'm playing with him?

"I'm not a child! For goodness sake! I'm not a freaking fool to believe you!" I shouted angrily. He sighed before looking straight into my eyes.

"Eternity, just this time. Give me some time to explain it. Just come with me, please. The Vlads are planning to kill my boss and they'll come for you also! So you need to come with me." This jerk is really giving me frustrations.What does he take me for?

He kept on calling me by my second name like we're freaking close. I don't even know his name!

And what kind of person will go with the person who's claiming that he's a mafia, and then he'll offer you to go to a school I'm not even aware of?! What kind of person am I to his eyes?! I guess only stupid people will believe in this guy.

"What's your name?" I asked him with a frown. "Caliber, Caliber is my name." I nodded, Caliber's a nice name but I don't like him.

"Tell me honestly," I told him seriously. He immediately looked at me.

"What?"

"Are taking some drugs or--"

"Of course not! Why would I get myself involved in that shit? What do you take me for? A stupid person?"

"Yes! You're right! I consider you a stupid person!" I shouted back. I can't believe that this is the effect of drugs on him.

He's insane! "I don't like the things that's coming from your mouth. I could easily kill you in one snap!" he threatened me. I shrugged my shoulders.

"Go on, do it. You think I'll let you?" I asked him with a smile.

"But I can't! Why don't we just settle things as we go to Empires High? Right? Let's fucking calm down," he uttered in annoyance. This man is really getting on my nerves.

"Get the hell out of my house now," I told him.

"And why would I?" he asked with a smile as if I'm required to give him enough reason to leave my house.

"Because I said so," I answered back. I pulled his clothes and threw him hard in front of my door but he just glared at me.

"But--"

"Stop saying things because I'm going insane! I might beat you to death, Caliber," I threatened him before pushing him out.

"If I can't force you, I'll definitely make a way," he said seriously. I mocked him before rolling my eyes.

"Get out," I said.

"Please, Eerrah-"

"Get out!" I shouted. He just sighed before walking out. Damn! I feel like I'm slowly losing my sanity because of that man.

I rinsed my body first before putting on a t-shirt and pajamas. I put on my jacket and rode my skateboard. It's late so there are no people outside. I kept on running the skateboard while avoiding things in my surroundings. When I got to 7/11, I immediately looked for soft drinks in a can. I also paid for it right away at the counter and decided to leave.

I was on my way home when I felt someone's presence behind my back. Someone's following me. I turned to the corner and hid first on the wall. I waited for 5 minutes but when I realized that there's nothing strange at all, I came out.

"What the hell," I said as soon as I came out and a shadow of a man was already in front of me. What kind of animal is this? "Who the hell are you?" I asked, but he didn't answer, causing me to roll my eyes.

"Eerrah." What?! That's me! Do we have the same name?

I just ignored it because maybe it's Caliber again, trying to make fun of me. I had to stay away from him because he might drive me crazy with so much frustration. I tried to avoid him, but he immediately stopped me from passing by. A figure of a man stood right in front me. He's between 40 plus I think?

"Who the hell are you?" I repeated my question just now.

"You're really beautiful just like what they said." I was shocked by what he said. Oh gosh, he's a fan of mine? Small things.

"Probably, I'm hot and beautiful. So get out!" I gestured to him to get out of my sight but he immediately blocked my path so I stepped on the end of the board and bent my foot to escape him.

My eyes widened when I felt his cold hand on my arm, trying to pull me. I pulled my arm away and threw him on the floor. I groaned when he pulled my leg, but I immediately spun in the air and clung to my board once again, slapping his head on the board.

My whole body stopped when I felt the tip of his gun on my neck as if it would shoot me at any moment. I close my eyes tightly.

"Just come with me, don't try to leave so that you won't be in trouble anymore," he whispered in my ear. This man looks like he's new at this job. He's pointing a gun right in front of me and he'll tell me that I won't be in trouble?

"As if I care for you old man," I whispered to him. I will never let him underestimate me just because I am a woman. Men like him deserve to die.

"You have a lot of words to say huh? I'm even more excited to kill you woman!" Even before he fired his gun, I held it using both of my hands and quickly turned around. I bent down so that in case he fired the gun I would not be hit. I hit his testicles before kicking him hard in the face.

I bit my lower lip when he managed to stand up after my counter attack. He's pissing me off.