She's A Troublemaker

"Move! Let me pass! Get out of the way! " I shouted at the people blocking my path.

The people in front of me cleared the way, going to each side of the sidewalk. Yelling at me, shrieking in surprise. I keep on pressing the bell of my bike to get their attention and not to hurt anyone.

"Come back here!" One of Bane's members yelled.

They insisted on joining the bet and when I won, they asked for another round. And, as a good abiding human on the earth, I let them win, but being who they were, they abused the situation. Now, they were chasing after me because I lost the second time. Even though the tires of my bike are burnt, they still can't catch me.

"Not a single chance! I ain't a fool, twerp!" I barked at them with a playful smile lingering on my lips. Charging away from them further and faster, leaning my body closer to the crossbar and the headset.

"Come back here! You owe us a punch!" I have no idea who shouted, but one thing is for sure, he's also a member of Bane.

"Your gang owes me! Not the other way around!"

Tailing after me all this time is nonsense and worthless, to think that we are now fair and square. I won the first round, then they took the winner's place in the second. So, I don't know why they still keep on pursuing to give a punch– each of Bane's members– that's unfair for me, who only partake in the bet bringing no one else aside from myself.

"Beat it, slowpokes! Too slow!" I teasingly shouted.

I made a swift turn when I saw a lane, pedaling my way out of my predators' vision. Their cussing and grunting in pain were what they had accumulated from following me. I didn't turn my head to take a look at their situation to have the same situation as them.

There are bikes not far from me, the riders standing and waiting for me to come closer. Mischievously smirking, they faced their bicycles in my direction.

In a snap, and just beaming wildly like a lunatic, stretching each corner of its lips further upward, I diverted the head of the bike to the left. My eyes landed on my wristwatch, making me curse under my breath.

Five minutes.

A few more swift turns and change lanes just to mislead them. Luckily, I did lose some of them, but a few remain. They still followed even after kissing the ground.

This is my everyday routine. Hiding from them, when I got caught, then escape. Fortunate enough for me, my classes are always in the morning. Somehow, I can exercise my body and free my mind for a little while.

"Yah!"

I was surprised when an asshole slid his bike coming out of nowhere.

His bike was about to hit the frontal wheel of my bike but my adrenaline made me lift the handlebars. The whole body followed suit when I jumped along with my bike.

"Stupid!" I teased when I turned my head to him as I continued to step on the pedals and turn to face the road once again.

The highway is the easiest and fastest way to leave them, so I go along with my plan. It's not a suicidal plan, but I'd rather let a car hit me than let those thugs punch me to death. Getting hit by a car will be the fastest death I'll experience. Those who were after me will surely slow the time of my death, and seeing me suffer is their pleasure. That's a big no-no to me.

"Hey, bitch! Miss me?"

I snap my head to see a guy cycling next to me and that sight leaves me speechless and surprised.

'How–?!'

I didn't expect that someone could be this fast to follow me.

"You know that you can't escape from us, D-T!"

If I doubled my speed from earlier, I'd make it three times faster this time- if it is even possible for a human to do so. The air that is filling my lungs isn't helping as the oxygen coming in was less, my chest tightens from the lack of air, rapid breathing escapes my mouth.

Two minutes.

"You should have been the one who was running away from me! You didn't let me land a fist in the first round, dirty players!"

They asked for the second round, yet they didn't follow what we had talked about.

"What a bitch!"

Laughing at his annoyed complexion makes the air easier to get into my body.

My smile stretches further as I see a glimpse of the only haven that can save me from the slowpoke gang members that are trying their best to catch me.

"Be careful, D-T!" Castro yelled, owner of the coffee shop that we used to stop by before we went to school and after we headed home. Sadly, we made a ruckus at his shop before. A few pieces of furniture got wrecked. And, Castro being himself, he didn't get mad at me and my friends, instead, he lectured us that every time there's a fight, we should take it out.

"I will, Sire!" I yelled back, passing him.

"D-T! Ruby's asking for her bike back!" Pasita shakes her head as she reminds me about giving back the bicycle I'm currently using. She's a computer shop owner and, just like Castro, her shop got wrecked, too. We're temporarily banned from her shop, too bad.

"Sure will!"

20-seconds.

I took a glimpse behind my back and saw that they were still after me. 'Aren't they getting tired?'

"Stop right there Demian!" Jeff commanded, leader of Banes.

"I'm afraid I can't!" I won't let them get me for their liking. Over my dead body!

The warning bell resonated around the area. Sign that there are a few minutes left for every student to get inside their respective classrooms. While, in my case, halting my cycle in front of the university's gate, a victorious smirk tracks my lips as I hold myself not to let a smile break out because the demon outside the university will go feral. I was inside the campus, while Jeff's gang was outside, muttering profanities in the air. Jeff whacked the handlebar of his poor bike.

"Thank you for the morning workout, Jeff! That was a nice ride though!" I watched them throw glares on my way, propping my upper body by resting my elbows onto the handle grips.

He raised his fist in the air, unfolding his middle finger. He mouthed, "We will get you soon, bitch."

I let out the smile that creeps through my lips.

Lifting my right hand to level my head, I winked at them, waving my hand in the process. "Ha-fell, idiots! Ciao! Adios! Bon Voyage!" I bids.

I started cycling once again, away from them, entering the main building. This time, not that fast or someone will scold me. I still need to park the bike before going to my classroom... or, maybe not.

Since I had a few minutes left, I decided to use the bike that I stole from someone named Ruby, if not mistaken, so that I could go to my classroom fast.

"Stop right there."

I automatically pulled the break, using my right leg to support myself and the bike. His low baritone voice can be heard at the other end of the quiet hallway.

One corner of my lips twitches before facing him. "What?" I asked, irritated.

"How many times do I have to warn you–"

I cut him off since his words were like a mantra that I had already memorized. "That no bikes are allowed blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda. I know," I finished off his statement.

"And, you still did not oblige to the rules given to you prior. Why are you so hard-headed, Miss Versiocho?" he asked with a stern voice, brows knitting.

"I'm already late. What shall I do, then? If I could run around here, aside from it will disturb the lessons of the instructors, they'll surely scold me."

He squinted his eyes at me. "You only thought about the instructors. What about the janitors that will clean up the traces you left?" he inquired, pointing to the burnt markings that trail till the end of the wheels of the bike where I stopped.

The owner of it will get a brand new bike, and that's for sure, since I waste another wheel. My fingers can't count how many bicycles have been ruined and returned new.

"Okay, sorry. That's sincere. I'll make it up to you next time. Just... not right now, I'm already late." I pouted. He, declining my request, is waving.

I had a quiz in my first subject but the janitor needed my help cleaning my mess.

I set the bike aside when I got closer to him. If I can't count how many wheels I burnt, likewise those bicycles that he confiscated. The same amount of the newly returned bikes, with Chaos' help.

He sighed and wrote something in his notebook "I'll excuse you–"

What the–! 'Here he goes again!'

"No! We have a quiz today!" I reasoned out and I ain't lying about that. I'll suffer forever if I don't partake in that 60 item quiz.

He shrugs his shoulders. "I don't care."

'Look at this jerk!'

"Please?" I pleaded, holding his hand as I tried to see if making the puppy's eyes would work for him.

He just looks at me with his usual stoic expression and yanks my hand away. "No."

"Pretty please~?" I pushed.

He shook his head. "That trick of puppy eyes won't work for me, Miss Versiocho."

"Fine!" I can't push my luck here, don't I? "Do I have a choice, anyway?"

I cringed as I remembered that I had tried to do some cute moves for him, for me to let it slide.

"Good," he tersely responded.

Rolling my eyes, I gave him two thumbs-up, annoyed. "Are you happy now? Happy?" I clicked my tongue. Irritation can be traced to my voice.

"More than glad that it can't be put into words if you start cleaning your mess." He smirked and pointed his thumb past his shoulder. That's the way to the Janitor's Room.

I rolled my eyes and dejectedly dragged the bike with me, but halted along the way when something stopped my bike from moving. When I turned to face what it was, I saw him holding the saddle, that's why it wouldn't move.

"Where will you bring this trash? Leave it here. Another collection of yours will go straight to the junk," he stated, arching his thick right brow up.

Huffing, I tried my best to sedate the storm going on inside my body. "Okay, fine."

I abandoned the bicycle and left him there.

"Make sure that there will be no burnt marks on the tiled floor or else you'll go to write–"

"Got it, 'lright?! Jeez!" I dashed away far from him. If I didn't, surely, he'd earn a punch from me.

"Oh, Demian, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in your class right now? If I can recall clearly, you told me yesterday that you had a quiz to take today." Berto, one of the janitors, curiously looked at me.

Every janitor knew me because of our President of the Student Council.

"It looks like I can't take that quiz," I said, making sure that the guy guarding me, not that far, would hear it.

I frowned as I thought about how much time I used just to study our lessons. "I studied our lessons real hard last night and it will just go to waste. I guess my stock knowledge will stay stocked because of that certain person who was just around the corner who didn't let me pass."

I want to flip our President but I can't, so I'll just let him hear me complain.

'I'm losing my patience with you, President!'

Berto chuckled while putting the large black plastic bag of trash in the bin.

"What did you do this time?" he asked, facing me. "You know that Mister Dizon won't confront you without any reason," he added, placing the bin once again in its original spot.

Two corners of my lips pulled downwards as I remember what happened moments ago, then, here's Berto laughing at me. Are there any unfortunate things that will happen today?

"I used my bike in the hallway," I admitted what offense I committed.

Yesterday, I accidentally destroyed one of the classroom's doorknobs. The frontal wheel hit it. It wasn't fully my fault, half of it was the President's, since he was the one who popped out of nowhere, scaring the shit out of me. In exchange for ruining the property of the school, he made me clean the male's comfort room.

The middle-aged man shakes his head and helps me clean my mess. It seems like the President's fine with it since he isn't saying anything against it.

"If I fail on that terror instructor's subject, I'll take my revenge onto him," I complained in a hushed voice, making the old man cackle.

"Be patient, Demian." Berto tapped my shoulder.

Sighing, I responded, "Okay," dejectedly.

"Thank you," I said, looking straight at the wall.

Markus saved me from my terror instructor and took the quiz, though I didn't attend the class.

Then, we parted ways once we stepped outside the faculty.

I decided to head to the cafeteria when the buzz of students caught my attention. I take a swift stride to find out what's happening.

"Why would I apologize to that nerd? No way! That won't happen!" Whomever that student was, she reached the loud voice that reached a meter away from where I am. Hearing her rumbling loud and clear.

"Really? You do have a death wish."

That voice.

'What's happening? Is the leader got into a fight?'

"Move," I commanded to those who blocked my way and view. All the students outside the cafeteria turned their heads in my direction.

As the entryway got cleared of gossiping students, the scene of four people facing my friends and a nerd. Litty turned her head at me and waved her hand, beaming widely. She whispered something to Key, our leader, causing the latter to turn her head, too.

"This is your last chance, say sorry or you'll end up beaten," Key warned, pointing at me, who got closer to them. Hands tucked in the pocket of my blazer.

"Why should I be scared of her? After all, you're just nothing. Do you think people were scared of your group just because you always got involved in a mess? They're just stupid for cowering over your shitty made up group of delinquents and I ain't one of them, that's for sure."

Whoever heard what she stated began to whirr, gasping from the bravery the girl had.

I stopped next to Key. "What happens?" I asked, looking at the nerd that Louie pointed to. Scanning her from head to toe.

Spaghetti sauce smudged on her uniform, a few strips of noodles dangling on her head, and pineapple juice waffles my nose. I jadedly turned my head to the four girls that caused the ruckus.

"Be gentle," Litty joked, making one corner of my lips uplift.

"Who did that to her?" I inquired, stepping forward, facing her skinny body, a few inches shorter than me.

"I did. Why? What's done is done," she stuttered in between her words.

My eyes caught the silver plate on her upper left chest. "Miss Aguilar, hmm," I pat her cheek, smiling wickedly at her as I crouched a little. "Apologize and I'll let off thee."

"It was her fault and she deserves it! She stole Kevin from me!" she hollered.

I straightened my back, looking down at her. "After our little chitchat, Nerdy will come next, to be fair. For sure, you know that I will do anything to find out the truth. By hook or by crook."

Grabbing her hair, I tugged her closer to my mouth. "Mess with the Chaos, you'll face me in return."

I threw her body, sliding directly to the table and chairs nearby. Her friends began attacking me. All their punches and the childish blow didn't land on me, they received a strong slap from me in return for being clumsy.

"At your back," Key warned, and I distinctly avoided the metal chair Aguilar was holding.

Her nose earned a jab from me. Knocking the consciousness out of her.

"Oops! Sarreh!" I chuckled, low.

Aguilar's friend attended her side.

Thumb caressing my reddish knuckles, I stared at them. "Do I have to repeat what I've said?" They shook their heads and apologized abruptly.

A loud whistle resonated inside the cafeteria, making us all stunned. We're dead!

"Chaos! Again?!" The sharp sound of the ticking heels bounced around as Miss Yamamura hastily waltzed her way to us.

The Guidance Councilor glanced at the sleeping bloody-nosed beauty on the floor. 'What's her name once again?'

"And, Miss Aguilar's friends. Come to my office. Now!" she roared, making us automatically cover our ears.

My fingers run through my hair strands, irritated at the upcoming torture that will rip my ears.

'I just finished getting lectured by the President, here comes the next one.'

"Explain everything, nerd." She lowered her head, nodding rapidly when I annoyingly pointed at her.

"Chill, Dee, okay?" Louie cooed. I attended to the girl, who was still unconscious, after shaking my head in devastation.

"Make a way," I demanded. The students obeyed, rushing to scatter.

Pulling the unconscious one up, I hooked her arm around my nape. Making our way out of the cafeteria. Luckily, there's no stubborn student or else it will receive my wrath for today. And, I hope that the President won't see me now or I'll earn another lecture from him.

"Oh, isn't that Chaos, Mark? Seems like they got into another trouble." That came from one of the President's friends.

'Showing me immediately about how unlucky I am today? Nice.'

I continued dragging the sleeping student until we stopped in front of the President's group.

Why does the Chaos leave me with these bullies and brought the nerd?

"Causing trouble again, Miss Versiocho," he stated, making me roll my eyes.

"It's our fault, Markus. She saved Gwenneth," the girl holding the other arm of her friend admitted.

The president was looking at me. Reading me, digging into my eyes. I have no idea what was running through his mind right now.

"Nag me later. Guidance Counselor needs us." Our eye contact lasted for a few more seconds before he nodded his head, moving aside to make us step forward.

"What the hell? She's the only woman I know who can command Mark when to nag her like that," one of his friends mused, laughing in the end.

"Stop it, Lucas. She might pounce on you in a snap. Wherever her gang is, there's always trouble. Great trouble. You know that."

"A trouble. Pain in the ass, I must admit."

"She's a troublemaker, nevertheless. Her gang's trouble seekers." I heard the President said it since we aren't that far from them.

"Who?" his friend asked.

"Who else? Of course, D-T's gang!" one of his friends exclaimed, cackling once again.

From what they said, one thing made the corner of my lips loop up. 'I'm a troublemaker, huh?'