Trapped with an ancient demon.

Just like its name, Western high school was never a mystery school. It was just like normal high school we know, bullies, crushes, sweethearts, couples, athletics, and every other interesting character that could make up a high school. However, the moment Tiffany willow joined the school, everything became a mystery. Even the toughest bullies feared for their lives.

But before we begin fully, let's go back in time.

=Seventeen years ago.

"I heard this mountain is very strange," Theodore breathed out as he removed bottled water from his bag.

"Is that why you let us come here? I heard it is dangerous. Something like a demon roaming here," Lucas looked around.

"You know I love adventures more than anything? Come on, it's going to be fun," Theodore laughed and continued walking.

"It's not an adventure. It is curiosity. I wonder why you want to do this today of all day, today is your son's birthday!" Lucas frowned his face.

"I know as you said, it is curiosity. I just want to look around then go back home. Besides, the party won't begin till evening," Theodore said as he stopped in front of a tree.

"Theodore, my eyes are twitching, and you know what it means. There is danger in this forest," Lucas breathe nervously.

"Enough of the superstition. Don't you find this tree amusing? It is very different from every tree we've come across," Theodore leaned closer to the tree.

"It looked alive for some reason, wow," Theodore chuckled.

"Let's leave here," Lucas shook his head.

''Stop being a coward," Theodore hissed and placed his hand on the green tree.

"Human!" Theodore heard then looked around.

"What are you looking for?" Lucas asked, getting scared.

He could feel something ominous in this mountain.

"Did you not hear? Someone just said 'human'," Theodore glanced at his friend.

"Theodore, let's leave here. If I had known you were coming here, I would not have followed you," Lucas said shakily.

"You are too coward," Theodore shook his head.

"It's stuffy here. Human, free me!" Theodore heard the deep, frightening words inside his ear.

"Did you hear that?!" Theodore faced Lucas.

"You are scaring me! I can't hear anything!" Lucas screamed out in frustration.

"Human, he can't hear me! I can only get access to your mind. Free me!" Theodore heard then looked around again.

"I am trapped in this tree. This tree before you," Theodore looked at the tree then stared at it slowly.

"Free me," he heard again.

"How do I do that?" Theodore finally answered.

"Do what?" Lucas glared at him, his eyes folded tightly across his chest.

"I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to this tree," Theodore answered and Lucas stepped backward.

"Are you màd? Man, let's get out of here!" Lucas yelled.

"You leave! Go if you want to, I won't stop you," Theodore retorted, his mind already possessed by the tree.

"Set this tree on fire."

"If I get caught..."

"No one can catch you. Humans don't roam in this mountain. Hurry, set it on fire before the mountain guardian arrive!" Theodore heard the obviously panicked voice of whatever was trapped in the tree.

Theodore opened his bag and removed the lighter he had kept in there which he used to light his cigarettes.

"How do I set it on fire? I can't possibly set a tree on fire with just a lighter," Theodore looked at the lighter in his hand.

"There is a red leaf on the tree, look closely and light the red leaf. Then I will be free," Theodore heard and his eyes caught the red leaf that was above him.

"You want to set this tree on fire? Are you possessed?!'' Lucas pulled Theodore towards him.

"Get off! I need to do something!" Theodore pushed him away and grabbed a piece of stick that was lying on the floor. He lit the tip of the stick and walked closer to the tree, tiptoed and touched the red leaf with the fire then stepped backward.

The fire from the red leave began to spread on the tree.

"Goodness, what have you done?" Lucas creased his brow as he stared at the green flames coming from the fire instead of red.

"What did I do?" Theodore asked, his eyes clear, not aware of what he did.

"You set the tree on fire!" Lucas yelled.

"I did?" Theodore creased his brow.

"You don't remember? Man, let's get out of here!" Lucas screamed, pulling Theodore along.

Suddenly, everywhere turned black, the sky that was very clear a minute before had turned dark and they heard a very loud growl.

They stopped running and looked back at the tree but what they saw in front of them left them dumbfounded.

Before they were a green smoke with red two points formed together in front of them.

''Jesus Christ," Lucas whispered.

The creature or whatever in front of them moved closer to Theodore and growled loudly. ''I will come back to find you, friend. Thank you for saving me," the deep, frightening, loud echoed voice came out.

With that, it brushed past them swiftly and Theodore fell to the ground.

"I remember. I released it," he breathed out as tears escaped his eyes.

=Meanwhile

In another part of the mountain, Nova had just successfully birthed a baby girl.

"This is just the seventh month. Are you that tired of staying in the womb?" Nova breathed out as she wrapped her baby in a shawl and laid her in a basket.

She took her scarf and wiped her body with it, still staring at her baby who looked more healthy than a nine months baby.

She couldn't help but wonder how the mountain could suddenly turn dark and the moment the mountain had turned dark, she fell into labor.

If she had known she was going to deliver her baby today of all day, she would have stayed back at all cost, but her wicked boss had insisted she fetch peaches at this mountain because her son was craving for it.

She couldn't help but think, the son was just a year old today and he craved peaches.

Well, whatever, she knew that woman never liked her.

Suddenly, she heard a loud noise then looked up at the green smoke with two blood-red points formed together in front of her.

She shivered in fear as the creature in front of her brushed inside her, and came out right back, collecting the rest of life she had in her.

Akilang looked at the baby laid peacefully in the basket then prepare to enter her.

~

"Those humans ruined everything," the mountain guardian in form of a young man grumbled beside the lion spirit.

"You shouldn't have left the mountain in the first place,'' the lion spirit shook her head.

"My apologies," the mountain spirit bowed slightly.

"Should we not stop it?" The mountain guardian asked.

"It is impossible to do that now. Akilang will be trapped in that body forever. It will never be able to use its power till the day the child comes across the man that set the tree on fire or the child he birth."

"Then we must make sure they never meet,'' the mountain guardian inhaled.

"No, she is fated to meet his son," the lion spirit nodded her head.

"That is...cruel," the mountain guardian whispered.

"Mountain guardian!" the lion spirit scolded.

"My apologies," the mountain guardian bit his lips.

"Read out the order and pass the sentence as the guardian of Sabalem," the lion spirit said.

"Akilang, by possessing the mind of a human to free you, you are hereby trapped inside that body forever without the ability to use your power. On the day the girl comes across the man that freed you or the son he birth and had a moment with him, you shall be unleashed. With the power bestowed upon me as the Guardian of Sabalem, I pass unto this order."

"What do you mean by if she had a moment with them?" the lion spirit asked.

"You said she is fated to meet his son, so what if they meet sooner than we thought? Even if they meet each other, Akilang won't get unleashed unless the girl and the guy happen to share a feeling, and that won't happen, right?" The mountain spirit turned to look at the lion spirit.

"Then that is crueler," with that she turned into a lion.

"The mother is dead, get the child to the city," with that, the lion vanished.

"Even though this will be fun to watch, I can't help but feel for the lives that would be lost when Akilang get unleashed," the guardian mountain said and turned into an old woman then teleported to where the baby laid.

==Present.

"Here is your serving of chicken sandwich and iced Americano," Tiffany mumbled as she dropped the sandwich and iced Americano on the cabinet that divided where she stood and the high school girls.

"Thank you!" The ladies chorused as they walked away with what they purchased.

"You should be the one to thank them and tell them to come back, how many times must I tell you that?" the owner of the sandwich bar, Amelia shouted, her hand resting on her hips.

"Why should I do that?" Tiffany glared at her then removed the earpiece that she curled around her neck.

"Tiffany! I am the boss here and not you! Do whatever I tell you to do!" Amelia yelled.

"One iced Americano, please," a guy stopped in front of her.

Tiffany brushed past Amelia who was still fuming in anger and went to prepare the iced Americano for the customer.

After she was done, she handed it over to him, collected the payment, and watch him leave.

"Thanks for your patronage! Come back again, please!" Amelia screamed then turned to look at Tiffany who was removing the apron she had on her.

"Where are you going?" Amelia asked.

"I'm taking a break, you should take over," Tiffany said softly, then walked out of the counter.

"Goodness, what kind of a weirdo is this?" Amelia whispered.

"You should talk inside of you, I can't read minds," Tiffany glanced at her.

the

''God," Amelia shook her head and snatched the apron from the cabinet, wore it, and prepared to attend to her customers.

*

Tiffany removed her phone from her pocket as she heard the notification sound through her earpiece. She stopped walking as she read the message on the screen. Western high school had just admitted her into the school.

She inhaled deeply, returned her phone to her pocket, and continue to walk. She had saved enough money from her numerous part-time works to enter a high school.

Thinking back at everything, Tiffany knew her life was a mystery. She had never called anyone mother, father, or friends.

No one liked her, the orphanage home she lived in as a kid wasn't good for her either, her mates had always called her a witch. They all claimed they used to hear growls in her room every night. It was as if wild animals were fighting. Even her dormitory mother had testified. What was more terrifying was that whenever they went to check on her, they said she was always sleeping and the growls would have stopped. That moment the elders at the orphanage decided to take her deep in the forest to have her kílled, she knew she needed to survive on her own or they wouldn't stop till they have her kîlled.

However, she finally believed that she was indeed a witch after what happened at the mountain on the day they planned to kill her.

Ugh!

Tiffany looked at the four boys that were coming towards her and she dipped her hands in her pocket.

As they passed each other, one of the guys knowingly bumped into her which was very clear that they were in for trouble.

"Did you not see?'' the guy grunted.

Tiffany said nothing but simply turned to leave when she felt a hand around her arm. She stopped walking and looked back slowly.

"How dare you touch me?" Tiffany glared at them.

"Is this not that sandwich girl?" one of the guys creased his brow and walked towards her.

"Oh! She's the one, I didn't notice. Damn, she is so hot. I've never seen her outside, this is the first time I'll be seeing her outside of that shop," the third guy laughed.

"Hey, baby. Would you like me to fvck you? Don't worry, I handle pussies real good," the guy holding her arm said and the other guys laughed loudly.

"Now, tell that to yo mama at home," Tiffany snatched her arm then threw a heavy punch on his face.

"Fúck!'' the guy screamed as he covered his nose with his palm.

''I'm bleeding! Shît!" he screamed then Tiffany began to walk away.

''You are bleeding?" One of the guys widened his eyes.

"Get that bîtch! She must have a taste of her own medicine!" the wounded guy screamed and the two guys rushed after Tiffany.

Tiffany stopped walking and looked back at the guy rushing towards her and inhaled deeply.

"How dare you hit my friend!" one guy shouted and rushed at her ready to punch her face.

Tiffany was quick to catch his fist, she held it tightly then began to twist his hand.

"This bîtch is a psycho! Fúck, my hand!" he screamed in pain.

The third guy widened his eyes as he heard the sound of bone breaking. He removed a kitchen knife from his pocket and walked towards Tiffany slowly.

There was absolutely no way he was going to let an ordinary girl beat him.

Tiffany pushed the guy with her leg then turned to leave.

"Hey! You can't leave without dealing with me. Just so you know, I am the best fighter among them. I used to learn taekwondo," the last guy said and Tiffany stopped walking.

As she turned to face the guy, she felt a sharp cut on her cheek and she glared at the guy who smiled victoriously as he pierced her cheek with the knife.

"Shît," Tiffany licked her lower lip and walked slowly towards the guy.

"Yeah, come at me, bítch!'' the guy snorted, and raised his fist to punch Tiffany.

Tiffany dodge the punch swiftly and grabbed his balls tightly.

"Bîtch!" he screamed.

"Am I still hot?" Tiffany smiled darkly.

"N...no. You are a turn-off!" he shouted.

"Good."

Tiffany released his balls, stepped backward slowly, turned around swiftly, and kicked the guy on his face which made him fall to the ground.

''I don't mess with people, so don't you fúcking mess with me," with that, she walked away, leaving the guys wincing in pain.

As she strolled further, she felt the wound on her cheek closing up.

She had no idea how that happen but ever since she was a kid, her wounds had always closed up.

There was no single mark or spot on her body because every wound she obtained had always closed up. Like magic.

Aiden strolled to the garden where his father was with a glass of juice in his hand.

"Dad," he called out as he looked at his dad who wouldn't tear his eyes off the tree in the garden.

His mother wouldn't tell him anything. Growing up, this was the only side of his dad he had seen, always sitting in the garden, staring at the trees and saying nothing!

His own dad had never called him by his name.

"Mum said I should give you this. She said she had a meeting with her investors," Aiden said and dropped the glass cup on the table before him and turned to leave.

"I released him, I remember," Theodore whispered and Aiden stopped walking and turned to look at his dad again.

"Dad?" He shook his head and continued walking.

What the hell did his dad release?

What does he remember?

He wouldn't stop wondering as that was the only word he had heard from his dad all his life.

His mum had told him not to get curious and leave things as it was.

Ugh, whatever, he wouldn't get curious then.

"Aiden!" came the unmistakable voice of his father's friend, Lucas.

"Uncle," Aidan smiled and walked towards him.

"Where is your dad?"

"You know where to find him of course. I just left there," Aiden answered with a slight chuckle.

"Okay then, I'll go to him," Lucas patted his shoulder then walked past him.

"Uncle," Aidan called out.

"Yes?"

"What happened to dad? Why are you and mummy not saying anything about it?"

"Aiden, it will be better not to know. Don't get curious. Curiosity turned your father into what he is now," Lucas smiled then walked away.

That again?!

Ugh, whatever.

*

"Theodore!" Lucas smiled as he sat on the chair beside Theodore who didn't even spare him a glance.

"Why are you so obsessed with trees ever since what happened seventeen years ago?" Lucas breathed out.

"I released him, I remember," Theodore whispered.

"I know, you did. But it's time you let go of that and move on. It has been seventeen years!" Lucas nudged him gently.

"He will come and find me," Theodore exhaled.

"Theodore," Lucas shook his head.

As Lucas stared at his friend, his mind drifted back to what the shaman had said to them seventeen years ago, "on the day he comes across the demon he released, he will be alright."

He seriously wished his friend will get better, but deep down, he doesn't want to see that creature anymore. He knew that was impossible because that night in the mountain, they saw the creature enter the baby.

=

Next morning~

Tiffany wrapped her towel around her long, black hair as she went through her cloth to search for clothes to wear for her first day in school.

She could have waited till the following Monday, but since she received her admission letter late, she decided not to delay things.

As she wore her bra, her left hand mistakenly hit her right shoulder which burnt her deeply. She moaned as she stared at the drawing on her shoulder. Tiffany knew she had never gotten a tattoo but this drawing on her shoulder didn't look like a birthmark. Like, how the hell could a birthmark be a tree? The tree had red leaves and the tree was very green.

It's not possible that she got a tattoo as an infant, right?

What was more amusing is that the tree also increase in size.

When she was young, she knew it was small but growing up, it was as if the drawing was growing with her.

It burns every time she touches it or when it comes in contact with anything.

Wait, was she really a witch?

There is more to her and she knew.

Tiffany knew she was mysterious, there was just no way to figure it out, as she did not even know her birth mother.

She looked around the tiny room she had rented three months back after spending her nights at wherever the night meets her.

The room was so tiny that there was no window there at all.

Wasn't the owner wicked himself?

How could that man have the mind to collect twenty dollars from her each month for a house this tiny?

Oh, whatever.

==

Western high school.🏬

In New York, Western high school is the most biggest and popular high school. Even the population of the students was unbelievable.

Tiffany stood in front of the big school then looked at the students in numerous groups walking inside the school. Some were walking hand in hand, giggling and gisting as they walked inside the school.

This was something she wished to have. Friends.

But hell no, that ain't gonna happen.

No one will even want to make friends with her.

She removed the earpiece curled around her neck and plugged it into her phone then inserted it into her ears and then played music.

She had always walked with earpieces ever since she had purchased her phone.

After all, she purchased the phone because of music and that was because she could hear the faintest whisper from afar.

She walked slowly inside the big building and gasped slowly at what she saw.

This school was fûcking big.

How the hell was she going to locate the principal's office or wherever she ought to be first?

As she turned to walk to the security man that stood far away from her, she bumped into a girl. Or did the girl bump into her?

Oh, whatever.

"I'm sorry," the girl said with a smile and Tiffany only glanced at her then turned to walk away.

"Wait!"

Tiffany cursed inwardly as she felt her hand on her arm.

How much she hated physical contact.

Tiffany turned to look at the girl who had nothing but a cute smile on her face.

"Are you new here?" She asked and Tiffany said nothing but only glared at her.

"Oh, you have an earpiece on you. Rem..."

''What do you want?" Tiffany interrupted her.

"N...you seem lost. I wanted to ask if you could use my help," the girl said slowly.

''I don't need your help," Tiffany said emotionlessly and turned to leave.

"Ain't you going to the dean's office?" the girl rushed in front of her.

"Do you always poke your nose in everything?" Tiffany breathed out.

"You can't blame me, you looked like you didn't know where you are going. Follow me, I will take you to the dean's office," the girl smiled, pulled her by her arm, and started walking.

"Don't touch me!" Tiffany snatched her hand and they both stop walking.

"Oh, my bad. The morning gathering is in five minutes, I'll get whipped if I arrive when the bell for the gathering got rung. So, don't mind me, and let's go," the girl smiled and grabbed her arm again.

"Damn! Girl!" Tiffany mumbled and the girl only laughed.

"I am Zoey,'' she said with a laugh, still pulling Tiffany along.

"How about you? What's your name?" Zoey asked

"Focus on where you are going. I don't tell strangers my name," Tiffany let out and Zoey chuckled.

"Okay!"

==

At the dean's office, after Zoey had left and after the dean had asked everything she needed to know from her.

The dean, Mrs. Margarette stood from her seat and entered one of the rooms in her office, and came back with her school uniform.

Tiffany said nothing and went to change into the beautiful high school uniform and came out back a few minutes later.

"Must every lady wear this? I mean, can't I have a trouser?" Tiffany frowned her face as she glanced at her skirt that barely reached her knees.

"No, you wear that. You can get pop socks if you are not comfortable with them. Come on, let's leave," the dean stood from her seat.

"Leave to?"

"Just follow me," the dean said and walked past her.

Gosh, how much she's hating this already.

=

Tiffany gasped loudly as she stared at the students that filled the large hall.

Gosh, she had never seen so many people in her life.

After the students finished their morning prayer, the dean walked ahead of her, heading towards the podium.

"Come on," the dean turned to look at her and waved her hands at her.

Tiffany widened her eyes.

"You mean I will walk past all these children who looked like a bunch of zombies?" Tiffany said inwardly and started walking slowly towards the podium that was still very far from her.

Damn, she could feel the eyes on her.

After the walk from the end of the hall to the podium that seems like earth to the sky to Tiffany, she climbed the stairs of the podium slowly.

"Oh, great student of Western high school!" The dean shouted as she grabbed the megaphone.

"Greaaaaaat!" The students screamed in unison.

"I bet you all had a nice night," the dean laughed and everyone murmured.

"It's okay, it's okay!" The dean shouted, trying to get the attention of the students.

"So, we have a new girl in our midst today. Would you all give her a round of applause as she comes forwards to introduce herself?" The dean said and everyone began to clap.

"Come on," the dean walked up to her.

"Why should I do that?" Tiffany creased her brow.

"It is for you to get rid of your nervousness on your first day in school. (returns to hold the microphone) Hello, guys! Can we maintain a perfect decorum?" The dean said and silence fell inside the large hall.

"Come forward," the dean said and pointed the microphone to her.

''Why?" Tiffany asked and everyone murmured silently as they heard what she said.

"Come forward to introduce yourself, will you?" The dean creased her brow.

"But I don't want to. Why should I talk to total strangers about who I am?" Tiffany said, ever calmly, her words spreading across the large hall.

"What?'' the dean whispered.

"I don't mean to be rude but I don't want to do this. I'm sorry," Tiffany bowed slightly.

Whispers¶¶

"That girl got a lotta mind."

"Who the fûck is she?"

"Damn! She's hot."

"God, if she had tried this with the previous dean. Mrs. Margaret is too cool!"

"I pray she's in my class."

¶¶

"Enough guys!" Mrs. Margaret shouted inside the microphone, easing her frustration from the new girl.

"That's all for today's gathering, can you all move to your classes?"

"Since you don't want to get along. Find the way to your class on your own," the dean said and walked past her.

Tiffany looked around and felt the teachers' eyes on her.

Tsk, don't you fûcking glare at me!

She screamed inwardly.

=

Tiffany sighed for the umpteenth time as she walked past each class, searching for where she belonged to.

The murmurs from the students were too much and she removed the earpiece plugged into her phone from her bag.

As she prepared to insert it into her ears, she felt a hand hit her back slightly.

"Hi."

God, this girl again.

"You have a hard time finding your class?" Zoey smiled at her.

"What do you want from me?" Tiffany groaned.

"I just want to help you. What grade are you in? Tell me, I can help you," Zoey smiled.

"Are you a lesbîan?" Tiffany creased her brow.

"What?! No!'' Zoey answered with a laugh.

"Then stop following me, I don't need your help," Tiffany eyed her then prepared to walk past her.

"Come on, let me help you. Western high is very large, your class could be upstairs, who knows?" Zoey twitched her mouth.

"Grade 9," Tiffany breathed out.

"Wait, really!?'' Zoey screamed.

"Why?"

"We are in the same class!" Zoey jumped up excitedly.

"Do you need to be happy about that?" Tiffany creased her brow.

"Yes! I'll get to disturb you every day," Zoey laughed.

"Girl, I hate physical contact, don't touch me or I'll beat you up," Tiffany groaned and Zoey laughed.

"You will beat me up? Funny!" Zoey laughed and hit Tiffany's shoulder playfully.

However, Zoey had touched the shoulder that had the tree painting on and it triggered Tiffany.

"I told you not to fûcking touch me!" she grabbed her hand and twist it which made Zoey turn swiftly, her back facing Tiffany.

"Don't touch me. We are not friends so don't you fûcking act like we are one,'' Tiffany said and pushed her away gently.

"That hurts though,'' Zoey frowned her face.

"Have you ever been betrayed? You are too weird," Zoey said, smiling softly.

"Beat me up later, let's go to the class!" Zoey smiled mischievously, grabbed her by her arms hurriedly, and began to pull her along.

''Get the fûck off me, bîtch!" Tiffany shouted.

''Sorry, I'm not that easy," Zoey laughed, not letting go of Tiffany.

What kind of person is this?

Tiffany wanted to pull her towards her and give her a heavy punch on that cute face but she had a second thought.

This clingy girl is the only person who didn't care about who she was.

Tsk...

Whispers¶¶

"Wtf! The new girl is in our class?!"

"I hàte her already!"

"And why is she with Zoey?"

¶¶

"Hey guys, we have a new girl in our class, let's all get along, please," Zoey smiled, still holding Tiffany.

"Can't believe she ended up in our class. Tsk..." one girl said as she painted her nails.

"Huh, don't mind them. There's a vacant seat beside me, would you like to sit there?" Zoey glanced at her.

When Tiffany didn't say anything, she pulled her along and stopped by a vacant chair and table.

"Here, sit here," she smiled then settled on the seat beside her.

"Hey," Tiffany heard but pretended not to when it was obvious that the person behind her was calling her.

"Hey, new girl," the girl hit her back.

Tiffany groaned, looked back slowly, and glared at the girl sitting behind her.

"Don't touch me ever again," Tiffany muttered through gritted teeth.

"What?! Do you not know who I am?" the girl blew the hair that fell on her face with her mouth.

"She's just resuming, I bet she does not," another girl said.

"Shît," Tiffany hissed and faced front.

"What? Shît? Did you just..."

"Good morning class!" a male teacher entered, interrupting everyone.

"Good morning!" they all chorused in unison.

"Before we begin with today's lectures, I see we have a new face here today. Can you introduce yourself to the class? By the way, I am Eric Miller,'' the teacher introduced.

Tiffany breathed out and glanced at Zoey who gave her a thumb up, gesturing her to introduce herself. She looked around slowly and felt all eyes on her.

She knew everyone probably think she was going to be rude again.

Gosh, how much she hated attention.

"Tiffany," she answered curtly and glanced at the teacher who obviously wanted her to add her surname.

"Tiffany Willow," she added.

¶¶

"How can she be so cool?"

"She's weird!"

¶¶

"Good, you are welcome to Western high school, Miss Tiffany. I am Eric and I'll be taking you the English language."

One hour later=

As soon as the teacher walked out of the classroom, Tiffany removed her earpiece from her bag plugged it into her phone and played music.

"Tiff baby," Zoey shifted her chair beside Tiffany and hit her gently.

"It is Tiffany, not Tiff," Tiffany answered, her eyes closed and arms folded tightly across her chest.

"Tiff is the short for Tiffany," Zoey answered and Tiffany said nothing afterward.

Zoey could hear the music Tiffany was hearing clearly from the earpiece and she creased her brow.

"This is too dangerous to your ear!" Zoey said and removed the earpiece hurriedly.

"What is your problem?" Tiffany glanced at her.

"Are you planning on damaging your earbuds?" Zoey frowned.

"But I can hear you clearly," Tiffany protested.

"I wonder how you can hear me with that noise in your ear," Zoey eyed her.

"What do you want?" Tiffany inhaled deeply.

"We are on a short break for fifteen minutes, don't you need to do anything, like visiting the restroom?" Zoey asked.

"I'm okay," Tiffany answered.

"Are you sure?"

"Why do you care about me? For all I know, I was rude to you. Can't you just let me be?" Tiffany furrowed her brow.

"Who cares if you are rude to me? I don't like to see someone sad-looking. You look like there is no soul in you," Zoey pouted.

"Leave me alone," Tiffany mumbled.

"I told you, I'm not easy. Just let me be by your side," Zoey winked at her.

"Then, there are some rules you gotta follow," Tiffany said and a few seconds of silence.

"Yayy! Tell me, I'll follow all of your rules," Zoey grinned.

"First, don't touch me,'' Tiffany said and Zoey laughed loudly.

"That is not possible. Why won't I touch my friend?"

"W...we are friends?" Tiffany stammered.

"Of course! I liked you the moment I saw you. Hey, I'm not a lesbian. (Leans towards her) As a matter of fact, I have a crush," Zoey whispered as she giggled excitedly.

"Tsk, then don't hit my shoulders," Tiffany said.

''Why?" Zoey creased her brow.

"Just don't hit my shoulder. I can beat you up if you do," Tiffany said and Zoey laughed.

"No worries! I won't hit your shoulder. Loosen up a bit, will you? You're too beautiful to be grumpy all the time," Zoey nudged her gently.

"Huh," Tiffany nodded her head.

"When it's long break I'll take you around the school and show you the bîtches and asshóles of Western high, okay?"

''That is not necessary," Tiffany shook her head.

"It is! That is where the fun is, trust me," Zoey smiled.

"Whatever," Tiffany shrugged her shoulder off.

''Which department are you in?"

"Commercial," Tiffany answered.

"Same here. The art and science students will leave the class for us."

Zoey snatched her phone and unlocked it hurriedly, "now that I remember, you should have my number, the next teacher will be here soon."

"But...''

"My name is Zoey. Zoey Dexter, don't you dare forget," Zoey flashed her a smile, dropped her phone on her thigh, and moved her chair back to her space.

== LUNCH BREAK.

After much persuasion, Zoey managed to get Tiffany out of the classroom and they both headed to the school cafeteria.

"What are you having for lunch?" Zoey asked, her arm locked in Tiffany's hand, ignoring the eyes from the students and the whispers from them.

"I don't know," Tiffany answered.

"This is your first day in school and you are already popular. It's all over the school blog," Zoey said and removed her phone from her pocket.

"You mean someone took a picture of me without my permission?" Tiffany stopped walking as she glared at the article from the screen.

'NEW GIRL REFUSED TO INTRODUCE HERSELF TO EVERYONE AT THE GATHERING.'

"That is western high for you. I'm sure it was during the time you were searching for your class someone took the picture," Zoey laughed.

"Did you also introduce yourself when you joined this school?"

"Of course, everyone does. I was like 'Hi, my name is Zoey Dexter. It's a pleasure to be a student of Western high.' And everyone burst into laughter. Tsk, I was very pissed," Zoey pouted.

"I bet it was embarrassing," Tiffany shook her head.

"Very embarrassing. At that moment, I wished to curse at all of them from the microphone," Zoey grumbled and Tiffany smiled faintly.

"I could have," Tiffany said and they resumed walking.

"Of course it's you. You've got a lot of nerves. If you have tried this with the previous dean, you will be faced with punishment," Zoey said.

"Huh." Tiffany shook her head.

=At the cafeteria.

"Let's join the line," Zoey said as soon as they entered the cafeteria.

"I'll just get snacks from there," Tiffany pointed at the other side where snacks were displayed.

"Why? You don't want to join the line?" Zoey glanced at her.

"I'm eating what I can afford. You can join the line, I'll go get what I wanna eat," Tiffany said.

"Oh... Come on, I'll buy you lunch," Zoey offered.

"Mind your business," Tiffany glared at her.

"Okay, okay, I'll also go for snacks," Zoey smiled then pulled her by her arm.

''Why are you... Ugh!" Tiffany sighed.

*

"We can't sit here," Zoey said to Tiffany hurriedly.

"Why?" Tiffany asked as she dropped her sandwich and glass of iced Americano on the table.

"No one dares to sit here. It belongs to the DAX guys," Zoey whispered.

"DAX? Who are those?" Tiffany creased her brow.

"Declan, Aiden, and Xyler. The cutest, richest, guys of Western high. They are even the school models," Zoey answered.

"So?" Tiffany creased her brow.

"So? We can't cross them, they've got a lot of influence in the school as their parents are among the pillars that hold the school. Stand up please," Zoey panicked.

"Are you scared?" Tiffany looked at her.

"Of course!" Zoey hit her leg on the ground, panicking.

"Sit down, no one will do anything to you," Tiffany said and began to unwrap her sandwich.

"Tiffany, you..."

"The DAX are here!" Zoey heard the loud voice and fell unconsciously on the chair.

¶¶

"OMG, Declan changed his hairstyle!"

"Xyler, I love you!"

"Fûck, Aiden, and his nonchalant attitude!"

"Aiden!"

¶¶

"We still got a lot of time. Stand up," Zoey muttered.

"I can't believe you are so scared like this. I mean, are you not the one who was pestering me? You didn't even care when I said I was going to beat you," Tiffany shook her head as she took a bite from her sandwich.

"That is you. Those guys are fvcking crazy!" Zoey glanced at them as they are almost reaching where they were.

"I don't like the ice in my Americano melt. Let me be and enjoy your lunch," Tiffany said, and sip her drink.

"Tiffa..."

Tiffany heard the whisper from Zoey then felt the presence beside her.

She ignored it totally and took another bite from her Sandwich when she heard a loud bang on the table.

She swallowed the stuff she had in her mouth, sip her iced Americano, and glanced at the guys before her.

"Yes?" she muttered then looked around at the students who had gathered to look at them.

"Yes?" one of the guys whispered.

"Yes. How may I help you?" She asked then heard soft murmurs from the crowd?

"Oh, you are that rude new girl," the guy nodded his head.

"Oh, news spread quite fast," Tiffanny shook her head and grabbed her sandwich then took a bite from it again.

"I'll spare you since you are new. Get up this instant," the guy dipped his hand in his pocket.

''Why?" Tiffany mumbled, not looking at them.

"Why? This seat fucking belongs to the DAX!" The guy half yelled.

"The Dax? Who are those?" Tiffany glanced at the guy.

"You... I...''

"Oh, it's you guys?" Tiffany shook her head then looked at the guys.

However, as her eyes met with one of the guys, she felt her shoulder burn deeply.

"Shît!" she moaned as she grabbed her shoulder.

"Tiffany," Zoey whispered, stood from her seat, and rushed towards Tiffany.

"What is wrong?" Zoey asked.

"I'm fine."

"Are you trying to get away? Is that one of your tricks?" the guy smirked.

Tiffany rolled her eyes then glanced at the guys again. But as soon as her eyes met with one of the guys again, she felt as if her shoulder was on fire and she grabbed it, groaning in pain.

"Tiffany..." Zoey whispered.

"He is here! That human is here!" Tiffany heard the deep voice within her.