Chapter 6: Secretary
Zein's Point of View...
My friends and I met up again at our dormitory. They were clearly exhausted.
"Did you find anything?" Jerome asked while drinking water.
"N-No. We got scared..." Mia stammered, visibly terrified. Vanessa and I frowned at their reaction.
"What happened? Are you okay?" I asked.
"Miss Leonora, the librarian. She intimidated us..." Vanessa said.
"How?" Matt asked. We were all gathered around the two of them now, as their fear was apparent.
"She asked us. The information we could get would be payment for our permanent imprisonment in HU." Mia replied.
My throat went dry at her words. Me, I'm already permanent at HU. I already found out the single secret they were guarding. Shit!
"The students we approached told us the same thing." Dave added.
"You didn't get any answers?" I asked.
They all shook their heads, which made me go pale. Just me. Only I knew the secret among my friends; if anything, only I would be left behind.
"How about you, Zein? Did you get any answers?" Matt asked.
I swallowed and felt the heat in my face. I don't want to worry them. So I quickly shook my head. It's better if they don't know.
Nicky's words suddenly popped into my head: Is it true? Am I their target? But who is he referring to? I felt scared. I don't want to die yet. What did I do wrong to them?
"I found something out. There is only one way for us to get out of HU. The librarian told us." Mia said determinedly.
Everyone became serious, except for me. Whatever I do, they won't let me leave anymore. Maybe only they can leave if that happens.
"What is it? Did she say the way?" Dave asked.
Both she and Vanessa shook their heads before a smile formed on their lips.
"We need to get into the HU rank." Vanessa said.
"Rank? You mean in our classroom? Top achievers and such?" Jerome asked directly.
"It's not just the classroom but the Top 10 rank of HU. The top current student in the whole school is Raze Silvenia," Mia stated.
Raze Silvenia. The leader of DGW, he's the smartest in the entire HU? I haven't seen him yet, but I'm already admiring him. I thought all delinquents avoided studying.
"Here's the list." Vanessa showed us a paper containing the complete list of the top 10 rank, or better known as the Highest 10.
Ace Craige, the President, came in second. Third was named Nazzer Lumia. And at the end was Nicky's name. SHe was part of it after all.
"Nazzer Lumia. He is probably the leader of the Black Blood Gang." Dave said.
Nazzer and Raze, the leaders of both gangs. How dangerous are they? I noticed that both camps are quiet now. Quiet but dangerous.
"Guys, we're safe as long as we don't know anything. So all we have to do is strive to be included in the Highest 10." Vanessa suggested, which everyone agreed to.
My mouth remained shut. It's just sad to think that even if I join, I still won't be able to leave.
I decided to keep what I knew to myself; I don't want to be selfish and include them with me. I don't want them to suffer as well. Just me.
Days passed and everyone became busy preparing for the Acquaintance Party where the theme was masquerade.
Why do we need to wear masks? How will we recognize each other? Or maybe, they want to hide something behind them.
We are now here at the gymnasium where a general meeting will be held for the upcoming party this coming Friday, which is only two days away.
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen." Madame Violet started, wearing black as usual.
She looks like she's always mourning.
My gaze immediately caught Ace talking to a guy who was visibly trembling.
"Shit. That's his third warning." The person in front of us whispered while looking at Ace and the guy they were talking about.
"That's the last warning. He might be taken to Dark Hell Jail." Another added.
My forehead furrowed. What kind of punishment awaits this guy in their "Dark Hell Jail"? Maybe death, but what kind of death?
"I know you know that your Acquaintance Party is on Friday. And it's a masquerade and all of you are required to wear one. Except red and black color." Madame Violet said.
My eyebrow furrowed. Why can't those colors be used? What's the deal?
"It's because that color is exclusively for the gangs. Black Blood Gang members for black and Devil God Warrior for red."
I heard violent reactions from the students but no one dared to contradict. I know that whatever they do, they have no fight; we are all just puppets here.
"We will send the costumes to your dorms."
"And that Friday can also be called Free Bloody Night where killing is prohibited. Anyone who violates it will be punished by death." Her tone became more authoritative now, a threat.
I guess no one will violate it. It's the headmistress who is talking in front. The current highest authority in the entire HU.
"I would like to call Mister President Ace Craige here on the stage." Madame said.
Ace quickly climbed the stage and took the mic from her.
"You won't see me on Friday but I am watching all of you."
My heart hammered when his gaze stopped at me before he smirked. I got chills.
He said that into my eyes. "I am all watching you." He repeated with emphasis.
I just rolled my eyes because do I look like I'm going to kill someone? Duh..
I was walking alone in the hallway because my so-called "smart" friends were in the library for advanced lessons. Don't they feel sorry for me that I might be left behind? Well, they don't know, after all.
"They are hiring new secretary? What happened to Fritzy?"
A crowd of students greeted me at the bulletin board, reading the new updates about HU. I pushed my way through them until I reached the front.
"Wanted: Supreme Students New Secretary." I read.
My eyes dropped down until I saw the requirements. There was only one, but it said,
"Must be brave enough to conquer death." The only requirement.
I almost laughed when I read it. Are they serious? Do they think anyone would want to be their secretary?
"Let's go! They are already at the gym! Let's try it!"
"I'm brave enough, so I can!"
Half of the female students ran towards the gymnasium where the search for the new secretary would happen shortly. I just shook my head; they really want to be a secretary? Duh.
"Go away! In the count of one.."
The gathered students split into two, creating a path in the middle where a blonde girl stood at the end, fair-skinned, and I could say she was extremely beautiful.
"It's Fritzy." Someone whispered.
I only just realized that I was still in the middle of the path, so Fritzy raised an eyebrow.
"Aren't you going to step out of my way?" In an instant, she was in front of me.
She wasn't in uniform. She had her eyebrows raised while looking at me.
"Should I?" I asked stupidly.
She flipped her hair before grimacing at me. The annoyance on her face was obvious.
"You must be one of the noobs. I am the secretary here, Ms. IDontCareWhoYouAre." She said, which made me smirk... I bit my lip in a smile. Her bratty attitude and what she called me was irritating. I'm near death, so I should probably make the most of every moment I have left, fighting demons like the one in front of me now.
"Well, can't you read? Or maybe you want me to read what's written here in front of you?" I pointed to the bulletin board. She's not the secretary anymore. She has no right to call herself that anymore. She has no right.
"That's just a paper. I haven't let go of the position yet." She said to me stiffly.
I smiled before taking the paper and crumpling it in front of her. I heard whispers around me. I hate people who act like they own the place more than anything.
"What are you doing?!" She asked me when I forced the crumpled paper into her hand.
"Don't complain to me. Ms. Fritzy IDont Care About Your Surname, they've already fired you. Maybe, you're not qualified."
Her eyes narrowed and she pulled my hair. I couldn't stop myself and pulled her hair too. We started pulling each other's hair.
"Stop them!" I heard someone shout from the students surrounding us but no one dared to break us up.
A strong force pushed me away from Fritzy; my forehead hit a sharp object causing it to bleed. I felt the sting of it and the flow of blood from it.
"You have no right to hurt the Supreme Student Secretary!" The angry guy shouted at me.
Fritzy dusted her hands before smiling at me. I tried to stand up but I was dizzy because the guy pushed me.
Is he stupid? That demonic Fritzy started the fight! UGH!
"I am the Supreme Student Vice President here!" He shouted but I didn't care. I wanted to punch him in the face.
"Well as if I care." I replied.
He clenched his fist. I turned pale when he aimed a punch at me.
"Punch her Mr. Onel Ty and you, together with the former secretary will have the warning number 3 from me."
Everyone froze after hearing that voice. Even though my vision was fading, I saw Ace behind Fritzy and Onel. He was standing with his arms crossed, smiling.
"M-Mr. President." The Vice was clearly scared of Ace. He's a coward after all.
"All of you take my command. I want this place to be clear in the count of three... One..."
The students ran away and in an instant, only the four of us remained. Onel and Fritzy didn't move.
"A-Ace. This bitch must be the one to be punished..."
"Two..." Ace continued counting, making Fritzy wince.
Before Fritzy turned her back, she glared at me as if to say that we weren't finished yet. I am not scared bitch.
Ace stared at me with dark eyes. I turned pale at the kind of look he was giving me. He looked very angry.
"Kill me now." I suggested.
"Well, not now Ms. Shion. You need to get well first before facing your punishment."
I couldn't do anything when he carried me. It felt good.
"You need to get well, you are qualified to be my secretary bitch."
I couldn't speak anymore because I felt like I was running out of blood and this jerk wasn't even able to speed up his walking, acting like a model.
I ignored the whispers around us. What's the big deal if the President is carrying me? He's just responsible and that stupid Vice President. I swear, if our paths cross again, I'll ruin his face. UGH!
"Heal her, Nurse Cha." Ace ordered the school nurse who was young and I think only five years older than us.
Ace laid me down on the hospital bed and immediately left. Well, what did I expect? Him to watch over me? Duh.
Nurse Cha wiped my wound with a soft towel before applying first aid.
"What happened? Did the Supremo do this?" She asked.
"If he did this, I'd probably be dead by now. But I'm still alive, aren't I? So that means, this was done by a weak dog." I retorted.
She laughed softly at what I said. "You might get a scar on your forehead." She said.
"Don't let that to happen. Heal it, together with the scar." I almost jumped in surprise when I heard Ace's voice.
I glanced at him and it was true. He was standing and leaning against the clinic door, staring at us darkly.
Did he hear what I said earlier? Well, it's true anyway.
"Yes Supremo." Nurse Cha replied.
I closed my eyes because of the sting and at the same time, sleepiness. I didn't get much sleep last night. Many things were bothering me.
"Can I sleep?" I asked sleepily. I yawned.
Nurse Cha laughed softly before nodding. In that cue, I just found myself sleeping in tiredness.
Vanessa's Point Of View.....
We heard about what happened to Zein, which is now all over the campus.
"Why did the President do that?! Gosh!" Mia almost fainted from worry and annoyance at the same time.
We're in the clinic now, waiting for Zein to wake up, who is even snoring. It's like nothing happened to her
.
"Does he have something against Zein?" Jerome asked. While Matt had no reaction, sitting on the clinic sofa next to Jerome.
It's all over campus that the President hurt Zein. I heard rumors that after he hurt her, he took her to the clinic. Is he crazy?
A while later, Zein woke up, saying she was very hungry. Just in time, Dave arrived with food and he was all sweaty. Nyek?
I watched Zein with a bandage on her head, eating like she hadn't eaten for a month, with a grimace. Seriously? What a different kind of girl.
"I got hungry there, you know!" She said after finishing all of Dave's food.
"How are you?" Matt asked, concern now visible on his face.
"I am fine thank you." Zein replied, smiling now.
"GHAD! Zein! What kind of crazy thing did you do again?!" I interjected.
Among us friends, she's always the one getting into danger. She's brave, a fighter, she'll fight anyone who messes with her. Even a cat.
"Not me. It was that fucking Vice President who did it!" Annoyance was evident in Zein's tone.
I frowned. "Vice President? We thought President Ace did it?" I asked.
Now it was her turn to frown.
"It's all over campus now." Mia added.
"Of course not! He even helped me and brought me here. That Fritzy and Onel, they're the ones who did this, UGH!"
Zein went into our next class. It was really like nothing happened to her forehead bandage.
We were currently in class when a guy walked in, making everyone stop.
"It's Vice President Onel." One of our classmates whispered.
My eye twitched. Zein was about to stand up when I stopped her.
"Where is Zein Shion?" He asked. His gaze stopped at Zein who was sitting next to me.
He walked towards Zein so Matt and Jerome immediately stood up, but not Dave who remained seated.
"What?! You want another fight?!" Zein shouted.
We were surprised when he knelt down in front of us.
"I am sorry for what I did. Please, forgive me. I was just shocked."
Zein's jaw dropped too at what he did. Our classmates gasped too.
"Miss Shion, please forgive me. I don't want to die yet." He said.
I looked at Zein who was just staring seriously at the kneeling Vice President.
I couldn't help but feel mysterious about Zein. What's with her? Why did she make the Supreme Student Vice President kneel?
"Alright then, get lost."
He hurried away, as if very scared.
"Who is she?" One of our classmates asked.
"Why did the Vice kneel to her?" Another asked.
Why indeed