Chapter 18: Monster/Demon
Zein's Point of View....
Carried by the exhaustion from cleaning, I immediately fell asleep, only to be woken up by the sound of the door opening.
My brow furrowed when I saw Dave coming from outside, drenched in sweat.
"Where have you been?" I asked sleepily. He stopped short and looked a bit surprised.
I glanced at the clock and it was only 4:30 am and definitely still a bloody night. Wait, what was he doing outside?
"N-nothing. Just getting some air." He said and peeked into the other room where Matt and Jerome were still sleeping.
"Getting some air?... A bloody night, a. It's not safe to go outside."
"Just trying to get sleepy, alright, I'm going to sleep now." He said, entering their room and locking the door.
Getting some air but drenched in sweat? Trying to get sleepy but panting? He's so confusing. I felt sleepy again so I quickly fell back asleep.
I quickly stood up from the bed when I heard Mia's deafening voice.
"Son of a bee, we're late!"
Vanessa jumped out of bed too and glanced at the wall clock. "It's 8:30 already." I said sleepily.
We have the same first subject which is math with Sir Alvarez.
"Wait, you guys are overreacting! We can just not go, ah," I suggested sleepily.
We can't do anything anyway since there are only 30 minutes left and our first subject will be over. Even if we hurry, we won't make it.
"Periodical test today, Zein! Don't you know anything?!"
Mia almost fainted. "Today? Hmm, I wasn't informed." I said carelessly.
No wonder they were holding books all week, it was periodical exams and definitely, we missed Sir Alvarez's exam.
We went out and opened the boys' door, they were still fast asleep. I just laughed when Vanessa and Mia started hitting them with pillows.
"Wait! Why are you hitting us?!"
"Ouch, it hurts, ah!"
They stretched and stretched and didn't realize we were super late. "That's it! We're late for Math!" Vanessa said regretfully.
"Wait! Why didn't you wake us up?!" Dave asked in surprise.
"Yeah!" Jerome agreed.
"We woke up late too! UGH! The periodical test is 60 percent! We will fail! God! What about our desired Highest 10!" Vanessa was really hysterical.
I don't know why but the smile on my face slowly disappeared after hearing about the highest 10. I just went to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth.
Am I a bad friend if I'd be happy that they couldn't take the periodical exam? I admit, I was happy because for sure they will fail Math and won't be part of the H10, they also won't be able to leave the HU.
When I came out of the CR, I could still hear Mia and Vanessa being hysterical. They're so OA haha.
"Good morning..." Matt greeted me with a smile.
I just smiled back. His smile is really contagious.
"What's good in the morning? You didn't even take the exam e." I teased, laughing.
Matt just shrugged before opening the refrigerator to cook. Among our group of friends, Matt is the only one who knows how to cook. He even surpasses us girls haha.
"What are you cooking?" I asked.
"What do you want?" He asked back.
"Sinigang!" I suggested happily which made him laugh. "My favorite." I added.
"Aye Aye captain!" He even saluted me before slicing the ingredients.
I just sat down and watched Matt. He's really an ideal man, kind, handsome, a gentleman, and good at cooking.
Sigh!
"Woa! You guys are having a solo moment, ah!" Dave commented hyperly.
"You guys, ah, I smell something fishy." Jerome added.
I just rolled my eyes to avoid showing that I was blushing, but I know that the two of them already know about my crush on Matt.
We ate together while Mia and Vanessa were frowning as if the sky and earth had fallen on them. They said their effort in studying was wasted.
I left our dorm wearing my uniform because I have another class to go to. Arts and Music, periodical exam today too but I haven't reviewed.
What?
"Miss Shion!"
I stopped in my tracks when Sir Alvarez, frowning, blocked my way. "Why didn't you attend class?" he immediately asked.
"Ah, we woke up late, that's why," I said shyly.
"Is that so? Can we talk for a moment?" he asked.
I knew what we were going to talk about so I agreed; it was still early for my next subject. We went to his office, the teachers here have their own offices.
"So? How's being secretary?" he began.
"Hell," was my short reply, which made him laugh.
Well, being secretary is not really that hard, but if you're also surrounded by monsters, I could say it's hell indeed. I sometimes can't keep up with their conversation because I don't know what they are referring to.
"Don't worry about the exam, I'll give you the high grade, together with your friends."
My eyes widened at what he said. He will pass us? We haven't even taken the exam yet he will pass us.
"Never worry about your grades. I'll take care of those as long as you do the help I'm asking for."
"Thanks but I still have no idea where their hidden laboratory is. They haven't even mentioned it."
I haven't heard anything from them about it.
"Right. They really won't say it, just, do your job as the secretary. Also watch their movements, especially Lady Katherine."
"W-What if I get caught?" It suddenly crossed my mind.
What will happen to me? I am not ready to die until I get my friends out of this hell. I need to save them first.
"That's why it's better to be careful, Zein. The safety of everyone depends on you."
I walked out of Sir Alvarez's office, lost in thought. If I mess up, all our plans might be ruined. Everyone will be in danger, I need to be careful.
"Stay away from her," I just noticed Nicky was leaning against the side of the door, looking into the distance.
She is in her usual intimidating presence. Wait, what is she telling me to stay away from?
"Never, ever fight the HU Admins and HU SSG Officers. You don't know them, you don't know them fully yet,"
I froze at what she said. She's right, in doing this I am already fighting the people behind HU.
"How did you know?" I asked.
This girl is really mysterious. How did she know about my connivance with Sir Alvarez?
"You are easy to read. This is a warning Zein Shion, don't pursue what you're planning. The deluge is coming, it's better to just keep quiet if you don't want to be involved."
She looked at me now. No. I will not be quiet, I just need to be more careful. I will finish what I started, I will finish it and I will make sure it ends my way.
"I will do it not for myself, but for my friends."
"Acting like a hero huh?" She said with a laugh.
"Heroism has no place here. You won't even last a few more days, your death is near." She turned her back on me.
"I will fight no matter what," I said without thinking.
"There is only one way to defeat them," She faced me again with a smirk.
I really get goosebumps whenever someone smirks at me. She moved closer to me and I seemed to be rooted to the spot.
My hair stood on end when I heard what she whispered to me. My heart seemed to stop beating too.
"Be a monster Zein. If they are monsters, be a demon. Bring out the terrifying persona that has long been hidden inside you. That is the only way to defeat them, can you do it?"
I didn't make it to my next subject and just went to the dorm and locked myself in my room.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
Is it true?.